Predictors of License Examination Results of New Graduates in 2020, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Phayao

Abstract

            The current descriptive study aimed to develop a predictive equation for the 2020 Physical Therapy (PT) license exam pass rate for PT students at the University of Phayao. The participants were 60 PT students who graduated from the University of Phayao in the academic year 2019. The predictive factors used to be analyzed were internal factors (accumulative grade point average (GPAX), compulsory major GPAX (PT GPAX), comprehensive examination result, self-preparation behavior, student attitude, and teacher’s support), and institute supportive factors (academic administration and environmental management). A Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between the above individual factors and the passing of the PT license exam. In addition, a stepwise regression analysis was used to generate an equation for predicting the PT license exam pass rate.

            The results showed that the GPAX score of most PT students (51.67%) was between 3.00 and 3.49, and the majority of PT students’ PT GPAX score (45%) was between 3.00 and 3.49. The first comprehensive examination pass rate was 40%. Moreover, the passing of the PT license exam was significantly positively correlated with the specific internal factors, including the GPAX (r = 0.433, p = 0.001), PT GPAX (r = 0.417, p = 0.001), and comprehensive examination result (r = 0.285, p = 0.027), respectively. The equation for predicting the PT license exam pass rate was “the pass rate (%) = -71.715 + 43.384 (GPAX) ± 26.467”.

            The current study concluded that only the GPAX was an important factor in the PT license exam pass rate.Therefore, supporting students to learn effectively is essential for curriculum management.