Predictive value of the admissions process and the UK Clinical Aptitude Test in a graduate-entry dental school

Aim To assess the association between admissions performance and the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT), and subsequent achievement within a graduate-entry dental school. Method The study was conducted at the University of Aberdeen Dental School between 2010 and 2014. Student demographics, pre-admission scores (PAS), Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) tariffs, multiple mini-interview (MMI) grades, UKCAT scores and percentiles were correlated with academic performance reported as the University Common Assessment Scale (0–20). Statistics Data were analysed by Pearson correlation and multiple regression (IBM® SPSS® Statistics 21). Results Data were obtained for 71 students (F: 44; M: 27). Student age, MMI, UKCAT scores and UKCAT percentiles demonstrated a correlation with CAS scores (r2  = 0.119, P = 0.001, r2  = 0.136, P = 0.001, r2  = 0.077, P = 0.019 and r2 = 0.118, P = 0.001, respectively). Conclusions This study suggests that student age, candidate performance at MMI and the UKCAT might be a predictor of academic achievement for graduate-entry dental students.