Association between grade point average, exam and interview for residency admission

Abstract

Introduction: The admission process for medical residencies is complex. Instruments used are expected to be valid and reliable.

Objective: To assess the association between medical school’s grade point average, score in the knowledge test and results of the residency admission interview, panel or multi-mini interviews.

Methods: Cross-sectional study. Candidates for medical residencies between 2006-2010 and 2022 were included. Pearson’s coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between analyzed variables.

Results: 1254 candidates were interviewed between 2006-2010, and 493 in 2022. Average grade point average was 8.1 in 2006-2010, and 8.04 in 2022 (p = 0.05); scores in the knowledge test were 68/100 and 79/100 (p < 0.0001) respectively. Pearson’s coefficient between academic performance (medical school’s grade point average and score in knowledge test) and interview scores was 0,20 in the 2006-2010 period (p = 0.01), and 0,11 in 2022 (p = 0.01). There was also no correlation when different interview modalities were analyzed separately.

Conclusion: Interview score, which determined the final ranking for resident selection, did not correlate with academic performance, independently of the interview modality.