The Prediction of First-Time Pass Rates on the National Physical Therapy Examination
Purpose:
The purpose of the assessment investigation was to determine whether a relationship exists among the following variables: undergraduate grade point average (uGPA), the retired form of the Practice Exam Assessment Tool (PEAT), Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT), and National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE). This study also examined whether these variables would predict first-time pass rates on the NPTE for two Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) cohorts.
Methods/Description:
Forty-five DPT students from the classes of 2017 and 2018 were used for this study. Before the students’ May graduation, the retired form of the PEAT was administered in April. The HSRT was completed after all coursework and clinical rotations were completed. All DPT students completed the NPTE in July.
Results/Outcomes:
A low correlation existed between uGPA and the NPTE (.303). A low correlation also existed between the HSRT and the NPTE (.382). However, a moderate relationship was noted between the retired form of the PEAT and the NPTE (.620). Approximately 38.5% of the variance in the retired form of the PEAT was attributable to the variance in the NPTE. Using a forward method, the retired form of the PEAT was the only predictor variable that was significant and was included in the predictor model for first-time success on the NPTE.
Conclusions/Relevance to the conference theme:
Educational Research: Steering Future Curricular Change
Based on the results, the retired form of the PEAT had a stronger relationship with the NPTE than uGPA and the HSRT. The retired form of the PEAT was also a better predictor of first-time pass rates on the NPTE than uGPA and the HSRT. In steering future curricular change at the institution where the study was performed, implementing the PEAT earlier into the curriculum might allow students to be remediated sooner. Earlier remediation could better prepare students in areas where they are deficit.