Materia Medica Malaysiana

BMJ  2003;327 (19 July)
School exam results predict success in medicine
Medical students' A level results predict their postgraduate medical qualifications and choice of career, whereas intelligence tests do not. McManus and colleagues (p 139) followed a cohort of students of a London medical school who started their clinical course between 1975 and 1982. They found that A level grades predicted performance in undergraduate training and in postregistration house officer posts, and time to achieve membership qualifications. No previous prospective studies relating postgraduate careers to A level grades have been conducted, and these results suggest they are valid selection criteria. The authors state that more study is needed to clarify whether the predictive value of A levels results from assessing knowledge, motivation, or study habits. Other factors such as personality may also play a role.