Identifying a parsimonious model for predicting academic achievement in undergraduate medical education: a confirmatory factor analysis

Objectives: This study was conducted to adduce evidence of validity for admissions tests and processes and for identifying a parsimonious model that predicts students' academic achievement in Medical College

---

Methods: Psychometric study done on admission data and assessment scores for five years of medical studies at Aga Khan University Medical College, Pakistan using confirmatory factor analysis [CFA] and structured equation modeling [SEM]. Sample included 276 medical students admitted in 2003, 2004 and 2005

---

Results: The SEM supported the existence of covariance between verbal reasoning, science and clinical knowledge for predicting achievement in medical school employing Maximum Likelihood [ML] estimations [n=112]. Fit indices: X[2] [21] = 59.70, p =<.0001; CFK873; RMSEA= 0.129; SRMR = 0.093

---

Conclusions: This study shows that in addition to biology and chemistry which have been traditionally used as major criteria for admission to medical colleges in Pakistan; mathematics has proven to be a better predictor for higher achievements in medical college