Predicting Outcome of National Physical Therapy Exam: Pre-Admission versus Post-Admission Predictive Variables
Purpose: Identifying potential candidates with the highest potential for success in a doctoral-level physical therapy (DPT) program continues to challenge admissions boards nationwide. Multiple studies have looked at admissions factors looking to identify specific relationships that predict academic success. Although it remains debatable, the consensus amongst multiple studies suggested three most significant pre-admission predictors of DPT program success are cumulative grade point average, prerequisite grade point average and Graduate Record Examination (GRE). To provide a more inclusive and better prediction on the licensing exam, it will be necessary to take not only pre-admission but also post-admission factors (such as, academic performance on DPT professional courses) into consideration. The purpose of this study was to identify pre-admission and post-admission predictive variables on the National Physical Therapy Exam.Methods/Description: This study was conducted by retrospectively retrieving de-identified pre- and post-admission data of three graduated classses from a CAPTE accredicated DPT program. Inclusion criterion was all DPT students who successfully completed the program and took the National Physical Therapy Exam from 2015 to 2017. In total, data of 98 graduates (out of 99) were included for logistic regression analyses. The dependent variable was whether an individual passed the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for the first time. Pre-admission variables were GRE Verbal Reasoning (GRE-V), GRE Quantitative Reasoning (GRE-Q) and GRE Analytical Writing (GRE-AW). Post-admission variables were Neurological Physical Therapy GPA (GPA-N), Orthopedic Physical Therapy GPA (GPA-O) and Cardiopulmonary GPA (GPA-CP).Results/Outcomes: Our results indicated none of the three pre-admission variables predicted an individual could pass the NPTE for the first time: GRE-V (p=.209), GRE-Q (p=.472), and GRE-AW (p=.660). For post-admission variables, neither GPA-O nor GPA-CP predicted the first-time NPTE passing. Only GPA-N statistically significantly predicted the first time passing (p=.030).Conclusions/Relevance to the conference theme: Our Leadership Landscape: Perspectives from the Ground Level to 30,000 Feet: The first-time NPTE passing rate has been used to determine successfulness of a DPT program. To achieve a high passing rate, every program strives not only to admit most qualified candidates but also to provide the best physical therapy education. However, our study suggests that monitoring DPT academic performance, especially in the content of neurological physical therapy, may assist a program to identify individuals who need and could benefit from additional support, such as exam preparation courses, after-school tutoring sessions, etc.References: 1. Ruscingno G, Zipp GP, Olson V. Admission variables and academic success in the first year of the professional phase in a doctor of physical therapy program. J Allied Health. 2010;39(3):138-142. 2. Dockter M. An analysis of physical therapy preadmission factors on academic success and success on the national licensing examination. J of Phys Ther Educ. 2001;15(1):60. 3. Balogun JA, Karacoloff LA, Farina NT. Predictors of academic achievement in physical therapy. Phys Ther. 1986;66(6):976-980. 4. Nuciforo M, Litvinsky Y, Rheault W. Variables Predictive of Admission to US Physical Therapist Education Programs. J Phys Ther Educ. 2014;28(3):8. 5. Fell N, Mabey R, Mohr T, Ingram D. The Preprofessional Degree: Is It a Predictor of Success in Physical Therapy Education Programs? J Phys Ther Educ. 2015;29(3):9. 6. Thieman TJ, Weddle ML, Moore MA. Predicting Academic, Clinical, and Licensure Examination Performance in a Professional (Entry-Level) Master's Degree Program in Physical Therapy. J of Phys Ther Educ. 2003;17(2):32-37. 7. Shiyko M PE. Validation of preadmission requirements in a doctor of physical therapy program with a large representation of minority students. J Phys Ther Educ. 2009;23(2):29-36. 8. Utzman RR, Riddle DL, Jewell DV. Use of Demographic and Quantitative Admissions Data to Predict Academic Difficulty Among Professional Physical Therapist Students. Physical Therapy. 2007;87(9):1164-1180.