Mitchell, K. J. (1990). Traditional Predictors of Performance in Medical School. Academic Medicine, 65, 149-158.

PURPOSE: This paper addressed the predictive value for performance in medical school of undergraduate grades, the MCAT, information on the selectivity of the undergraduate institution, and selected transcript data.

METHOD: The performance data examined were basic science grades; clinical science grades; scores on National Board of Medical Examiners examinations, Parts I, II, and III; and information on academic difficulty. Methodological sources of differences in validity data, including restriction in range, criterion attenuation, and method specificity, are discussed.

RESULTS and CONCLUSION: Reported validity data was found to affirm the substantial value of traditional academic predictors of performance in medical school. The authors, however, recommend that selection committees should supplement academic data with nonacademic and interview information since the inclusion of such information is particularly important for minority and disadvantaged applicants.

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