Validation of Factors Associated with National Examination Scores in Physical Therapist Training School Students: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

[Introduction] The purpose of this study was to identify factors related to the national examination for physical therapists among students in physical therapist training schools. [Methods] This was a case-control study of 39 physical therapy students from the Biwako Professional University of Rehabilitation who took the 59th national examination for Physical Therapists. The outcome was the national examination scores (self-scored results), and the exposure factors were the grade point average (GPA), the mock exam scores, the scores in basic specialized subjects, and the learning behavior. [Results] Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between the GPA across all academic years, the mock exam scores taken one and two months before the national examination, and the scores in basic specialized subjects in anatomy, physiology, internal medicine, and orthopedics, and the learning behavior such as “thinking about whether the study method suits me,” “trying to improve my assignments,” and “asking questions to teachers and friends” and the national exam scores. [Discussion] This study suggests that GPA, mock exam scores, scores in basic specialized subjects such as anatomy and physiology, and learning behaviors related to planning, proactivity, and problem-solving may be related to national exam scores for students at physical therapist training schools. In order to improve student’s success rate of the national examination, it is important to promote academic training from the first year onward, emphasize basic specialized subjects such as anatomy and physiology, and encourage effective learning behaviors.