A Determination of the Factors Causing Student Discontent with Examinations During the First Year of Their Medical Course

Abstract

An instrument which reflects the discontent with examinations during the first year of medical school was developed to serve a specific purpose at the College of Medicine, Seoul National University. The instrument comprised fifteen question items each consisting of a pair of statements with a five-point scale. The instrument was pilot-tested with a sample group of first year medical students and through this a revised questionnaire was generated. The final version of the instrument was administered to the students of the entire class in 1978 and 1979 respectively immediately after they had completed the first year course. The results showed that emotional anxiety due to the examination itself was the most significant source of stress (discontent). Other practices associated with examinations which caused increased stress and discontent were the use of simple recall type of test items, opening of test score to public and frequent tests given at the same time. The instrument demonstrated that it is sufficient to reflect students' perceptions in regard with the examination they have experienced.