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. 2009 Feb;50(1):55-60.
doi: 10.3325/cmj.2009.50.55.

Daily mini quizzes as means for improving student performance in anatomy course

Ana Poljicanin  1 , Ana Carić, Katarina Vilović, Vana Kosta, Maja Marinović Guić, Jure Aljinović, Ivica Grković
Affiliations
Free PMC article

Daily mini quizzes as means for improving student performance in anatomy course

Ana Poljicanin et al. Croat Med J. 2009 Feb.
Free PMC article

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate daily-written 10-question quizzes in a medical anatomy course as a way to integrate assessment into the course and to evaluate their effect on the course success.

Methods: Students answering correctly 8/10 or more questions were awarded 0.5 points per quiz. There were 34 quizzes with a maximum point score 17. Measurable outcomes of academic progress in anatomy course (pass rates on 4 examination terms, total pass rate, and average marks) were calculated, and 2007/08 academic year was compared with the previous academic year in which daily written quizzes were not a part of the course. The relationship between cumulative points on daily quizzes and 3 components of the final examination (written, practical, and oral) for 2007/08 academic year was assessed by non-parametric correlation testing.

Results: Individual scores on quizzes ranged from 1.5 to 13.5 points. There was a positive correlation between scores on quizzes and grades on 3 components of the final examination: written (Spearman rho=0.784, P<0.001, n=79), practical (Spearman rho=0.342, P<0.002, n=79), and oral (Spearman rho=0.683, P<0.001, n=79) part. Compared with students in the previous academic year, students attending the course with daily quizzes significantly improved their academic achievement, expressed as the pass rate at the first examination term (39% vs 62%, respectively, chi(2) test, P=0.006, ) and the average course grade (2.71+/-1.08 vs 3.38+/-1.26, respectively; t test, P<0.001).

Conclusion: Despite their frequency and possible associated stress, daily quizzes were associated with better academic success in the anatomy course.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Average scores (out of maximum 10 questions) of individual quizzes (median and interquartile range).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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