Relationship between university selection test scores, high school grade point average (GPA) and academic performance in the subject of morphology in dentistry freshmen at the universidad de los Andes

All rights reserved. The study of predictors of academic performance is of great importance in the area of health. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between PSU (University selection admission scores) and Secondary Education (High school grade point average score) in the freshmen morphology course in dentistry, at the Universidad de los Andes. A descriptive study of 312 students admitted to the first year of dental school at the Universidad de los Andes in Chile, on a regular basis and who have completed the academic year without dropping out, the years 2005-2008 and 2010. The variables studied were sex, grade point average in high school, PSU score, type of school of origin as financing system (municipal, private subsidized and private) and final grade received in morphology for dentistry students during their freshmen year. Of the 312 students, the median PSU, high school grades and morphology were as follows: 692.6, grade 702, and 4.4 respectively. Of the total sample, 221 students (71%) were female. Of the total sample, 290 students (93%) had attended private schools, 15 students (5%) private subsidized schools and 6 students (2%) municipal schools. The relationship between scores and high school grade point average and grade attained in the morphology course, shows a correlation of 0.35 (Spearman rho, p-value <0.0001) and PSU score with the morphology course grade, a correlation of 0.39 (Spearman rho, p-value <0.0001). There is a relationship between morphology grade scores, high school grades and university selection test scores, indicating that the best high school grades and university selection scores show better student performance in the subject of morphology.