Evaluation of objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) for undergraduate students at the Aga Khan University, Karachi

In order to assess the effectiveness of objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) for undergraduate students, a study was done at the Department of Paediatrics of the Aga Khan University by comparing it with other traditional examinations i.e., continuous assessment (CAT), multiple choice questions (MCQs) and oral examination (viva). The marks obtained by 139 students of class of 1996 to class of 1998 in their end-of-term examinations in CAT, OSCE, MCQs and viva were compared. The marks obtained were 78±5.4 in OSCE, 64.2±4 in CAT, 73.1±10.3 in MCQs and 62.9±12.6 in viva. The coefficient of correlation (r value) of OSCE with CAT was 0.29 (95% C.I. 0.13-0.32), with MCQs 0.16 (95% C.I. 0.01-0.32) and with viva 0.32 (95% C.I. 0.17-0.47). Though 7% students had failed in MCQs, 27% failed in viva and none failed in OSCE (minimum passing marks were 55%). It is recommended that the passing marks for OSCE should be higher than for MCQs or viva.