Mirror-tracing and Embedded Figures tests as predictors of dental students' performance

Abstract

Recent studies of the Embedded Figures and Mirror-Tracing Tests as predictors of first-, second-, and third-year dental students' grades were extended to the fourth year, and the comparative utility of the experimental predictors were examined in groups of recent dental graduates categorized by their predental science GPAs and DAT scores. The experimental predictors proved to very strong in graduates whose grades were below average at admission and were the best overall predictors for students who entered dental school with a predental science GPA below 3.0 or a combined DAT score below 4.0. Neither the DATs nor the predental science GPAs contributed consistently as predictors in these below average students. However, the predental science GPA was the best single overall predictor for all graduates (when not categorized as described). the experimental predictors contributed significantly to the predictive utility of the predental science GPA.