The concurrent criterion validity of a modified pass/fail grading system in a medical school was assessed. The investigators examined possible differences between honor society and non-honor society students on three medical school entry variables and on scores on the Part I and Part II examinations of the National Board of Medical Examiners. Additionally, a model was constructed and applied whereby the observed National Board scores were the sole criteria in predicted honor society or non-honor society classification. Resultant error rates were then computed; false-positive errors over a five year period were less than 10% but false-negative errors exceeded 50%.
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