A comparison of the United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test (UK-CAT) with a traditional admission selection process

Abstract

Background: The United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test (UK-CAT) was introduced for the purpose of student selection by a consortium of 23 UK University Medical and Dental Schools, including the University of Aberdeen in 2006.

Aim: To compare candidate performance on UK-CAT with local medical student selection outcome.

Method: We compared the outcomes of all applicants to Medicine, University of Aberdeen (UoA), in 2006 who undertook the UK-CAT. The candidates were selected into one of five outcomes (academic reject, reject following assessment, reject following interview, reserve list or offer). The candidate performance in the UK-CAT was compared to candidate performance on the UoA selection.

Results: Data are reported on 1307 (85.0%) students who applied to UoA in 2006 and undertook the UK-CAT. Total UK-CAT scores were significantly correlated with local selection scores. However, of 314 students offered a place following the conventional selection process, only 101 were also in the highest scoring 318 on the UK-CAT.

Conclusions: Results from this study indicate that UK-CAT scores show weak correlation with success in our medical admissions process. It appears therefore that the UK-CAT examines different traits compared to our selection process. Further work is required to establish which better predicts success as an undergraduate or as a doctor.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nishan Fernando

Nishan Fernando was formerly a Clinical Teaching Fellow at the University of Aberdeen Medical School is now working as a LAT Registrar in General Surgery at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Gordon Prescott

Gordon Prescott is the Senior Lecturer in Medical Statistics in the Department of Public Health, University of Aberdeen.

Jennifer Cleland

Jennifer Cleland is a Senior Clinical Lecturer in Primary Care and Medical Education, and is Lead for Medical Education Research, University of Aberdeen.

Kathryn Greaves

Kathryn Greaves is the Associate Dean (Admissions) and is the Clinical Skills Coordinator for Years 2 & 3 of the MBChB Curriculum.

Hamish McKenzie

Hamish Mckenzie, Professor, is the Associate Dean (Undergraduate Medicine) and has overall responsibility for the MBChB Programme in Aberdeen. He is an Honorary Consultant Microbiologist.