Evaluation of Academic Performance by Students Based on Matric Scores

Objectives: The aim of this project is to evaluate if Matric test scores are good predictive indicators for admission and success rate in the dental faculty at the University of Western Cape. Methods: The methodology of this project has been previously described (IADR, 2003). For 2004, a further 119 students fro BChD 1 were admitted in the merged faculties. The same scoring system of the Matric results was used as in 2003.A total of 278 student records were analysed for end 2003 and mid 2004. Results: The results of the admission scores between year 2003 and 2004 for BChD 1 student show that 19% had scores greater than 40 in 2003 and 38% in 2004. These scores indicate a significant change in the level of students applying for dentistry. Less number of students with scores below 30 was admitted in 2004(9.1%) compared to 2003 when 13.8% were admitted. For 2003 and 2004 this is attributed to address the issues of equity, gender and racial balance in the dental profession. The attrition rate for the BChd 1 for class of 2003 was 13.8%, which is much lower than the expected 20%. The attrition rate is much lower than that in the First year Biomedical Science of 2003 that is 22%. Conclusion: These preliminary results indicate that for BChD1 class of 2003 show lower attrition rates and that 38% of the BChD1 class of 2004 have scores greater than 40 that are twice the number of students than in 2003 class.