ARE GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION SCORES PREDICTIVE OF SUCCESS ON THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT NATIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION

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Objective. To determine if there was a correlation between Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores and Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE) scores of Nova Southeastern University PA Program Southwest Florida and Fort Lauderdale graduates, and if GRE scores were predictive of success on the PANCE. Background. PA programs receive more than twice the number of applicants per seat in their programs making it essential that PA programs choose the candidates for admission that are most likely to succeed. The GRE is the most widely utilized standardized test for PA admissions. A review of the literature reveals studies are inconclusive as to the predictive value of GRE scores in graduate school. There is a paucity of PA-specific research regarding the validity of the GRE in PA education. Methods. Data were acquired from archival records (N = 655) of the classes of 2007 through 2011 from the two PA programs. Data were analyzed via a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, a Mann Whitney U Test, Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficients, and logistic regression. Statistical significance 56 was set at p < 0.05. Results. There were significant correlations for all sections of the GRE with PANCE scores. Significant differences were found in the GRE verbal scores of those who passed the PANCE and the GRE verbal score significantly predicted passing of the PANCE on the first attempt. Conclusion. GRE scores correlate with passing the PANCE and are relevant as a means of screening for the candidates most likely to succeed during the admissions process of PA educational programs. Grants. None