Cutoff score evaluation of undergraduate dental curriculum

Abstract

Background and objectives: Exams at the Faculty of Dentistry (KAUFD) are usually constructed to match King Abdulaziz University (KAU) policy of a fixed 60% cutoff score, though they have never been tested or evaluated. The purpose of this study was to validate the cutoff scores of three final fifth-year written exams of the undergraduate Endodontic course to assess whether they were similar to KAU regulation using the Angoff rating method.

Design and settings: This study was conducted between May 2014 and February 2015 at the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University.

Methods: Using the Angoff rating method, three final fifth-year undergraduate Endodontic written exams were evaluated by four senior faculty members.

Results: The cutoff scores for exams 1, 2 and 3 were 57.4%, 62.9% and 63.1%, respectively. Adjusting the exams’ cut off scores would cause changes in some students’ results.

Conclusions: Although the cutoff scores for all exams were close to 60%, slight deviation from the accepted cutoff score could definitely affect the students’ results. Therefore, all exams should be validated before being given to students to certify that the cutoff score is credible and defensible.

Disclosure statement

The author declare no conflict of interest.

Glossary

Cutoff Score: A cutoff score is the threshold used to determine the pass-fail status of learners, which can be either norm-referenced or criterion-based (Downing et al. 2006; Barman 2008).

Standard setting: A standard setting or cutoff score is used to separate students who pass certain exams from those who do not (Downing et al. 2006). It is defined as a systematic process used to gather expert opinions on passing standards that can determine whether students pass or fail an assessment.

Angoff rating method: The Angoff method is one of the most commonly used methods for performance assessment, licensing and certifying settings (Cross et al. 1984; Cizek 1996; Plake 1998; Chinn & Hertz 2002; Supernaw & Mehvar 2002; Norcini 2003).

Notes on contributor

Dr. Laila Ahmed Bahammam, BDS, MSc, Cert.Endo, is an Associate Professor and Consultant of Endodontics and Endodontics Postgraduate Coordinator in the Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, under grant No. [165-868-D1435]. The author, therefore, acknowledges the technical and financial support from DSR. Also, the author wishes to thank all the professors who participated in the exams’ evaluation. The publication of this supplement has been made possible with the generous financial support of the Dr Hamza Alkholi Chair for Developing Medical Education in KSA.