The construct validity of the main student selection tests for medical studies in Germany

Standardized ability tests that are associated with intelligence are often used for student selection. In Germany two different admission procedures to select students for medical studies are used simultaneously; the TMS and the HAM-Nat. Due to this simultaneous use of both a detailed analysis of the construct validity is mandatory. Therefore, the aim of the study is the construct validation of both selection procedures by using data of 4,528 participants (Mage = 20.42, SD = 2.74) who took part in a preparation study under low stakes conditions. This study compares different model specifications within the correlational structure of intelligence factors as well as analysis the g-factor consistency of the admission tests. Results reveal that all subtests are correlated substantially. Furthermore, confirmatory factor analyses demonstrate that both admission tests (and their subtests) are related to g as well as to a further test-specific-factor. Therefore, from a psychometric point of view, the simultaneous use of both student selection procedures appears to be legitimate.

[1]  Nicolas Becker,et al.  You Can Play the Game Without Knowing the Rules – But You’re Better Off Knowing Them , 2021 .

[2]  Arvid Hofmann,et al.  Leisten fachspezifische Studierfähigkeitstests im deutschsprachigen Raum eine valide Studienerfolgsprognose? , 2019, Zeitschrift für Entwicklungspsychologie und Pädagogische Psychologie.

[3]  M. Kadmon,et al.  Medizinstudierendenauswahl in Deutschland , 2018, Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz.

[4]  W. Hampe,et al.  Introduction of the HAM-Nat examination – applicants and students admitted to the Medical Faculty in 2012-2014 , 2015, GMS Zeitschrift fur medizinische Ausbildung.

[5]  Florian Domnick,et al.  Intelligence and school grades: A meta-analysis , 2015 .

[6]  Jörn R. Sparfeldt,et al.  Consistent g- as well as consistent verbal-, numerical- and figural-factors in nested factor models? Confirmatory factor analyses using three test batteries , 2014 .

[7]  O. Wilhelm,et al.  A tutorial on hierarchically structured constructs. , 2012, Journal of personality.

[8]  Yves Rosseel,et al.  lavaan: An R Package for Structural Equation Modeling , 2012 .

[9]  F. Resch,et al.  Warum der Test für Medizinische Studiengänge (TMS) , 2012 .

[10]  F. Resch,et al.  [What is the purpose of the German Aptitude Test for Medical Studies (TMS)?]. , 2012, Zeitschrift fur Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualitat im Gesundheitswesen.

[11]  W. Hampe,et al.  Dimensionality and predictive validity of the HAM-Nat, a test of natural sciences for medical school admission , 2011, BMC medical education.

[12]  Jochen Kramer.  Allgemeine Intelligenz und beruflicher Erfolg in Deutschland , 2009 .

[13]  K. McGrew.  CHC theory and the human cognitive abilities project: Standing on the shoulders of the giants of psychometric intelligence research , 2009 .

[14]  Gilles E. Gignac.  Higher-order models versus direct hierarchical models: g as superordinate or breadth factor? , 2008 .

[15]  Thomas J. Bouchard,et al.  Still just 1 g: Consistent results from five test batteries , 2008 .

[16]  F. Chen.  Sensitivity of Goodness of Fit Indexes to Lack of Measurement Invariance , 2007 .

[17]  Ute R. Hülsheger,et al.  Validity of General Mental Ability for the Prediction of Job Performance and Training Success in Germany: A Meta-Analysis , 2007 .

[18]  I. Deary,et al.  Intelligence and educational achievement , 2007 .

[19]  Benedikt Hell,et al.  Eine Metaanalyse der Validität von fachspezifischen Studierfähigkeitstests im deutschsprachigen Raum , 2007 .

[20]  Gilles E. Gignac.  A Confirmatory Examination of the Factor Structure of the Multidimensional Aptitude Battery , 2006 .

[21]  Thomas J. Bouchard,et al.  Just one g: consistent results from three test batteries , 2004 .

[22]  P. Bentler,et al.  Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis : Conventional criteria versus new alternatives , 1999 .

[23]  A. Jensen,et al.  The g factor , 1996, Nature.

[24]  F. Schmidt,et al.  The validity and utility of selection methods in personnel psychology: Practical and theoretical implications of 85 years of research findings. , 1998 .

[25]  R. Sternberg,et al.  Intelligence: Knowns and unknowns. , 1996 .

[26]  G. Schwarz.  Estimating the Dimension of a Model , 1978 .

[27]  C. Spearman.  General intelligence Objectively Determined and Measured , 1904 .