Medical Students’ Experiences of Pre-Internship Electronic Exam in Isfahan and Kashan Universities of Medical Sciences in 2016

Abstract

Introduction: In any change in the assessment system, students’ opinions as one of the main stakeholders is of great importance. These opinions will help planners overcome the problems and weaknesses and guide them towards corrective measures. The aim of this study was to investigate medical students’ experiences of pre-internship electronic exam in Isfahan and Kashan Universities of Medical Sciences in 2016. Methods: This qualitative study utilized directed content analysis approach. Participants included 17 medical students participating in the first pre-internship electronic exam and were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews. The interviews were recorded with participants’ permission and then transcribed. The data were analyzed in MAXQDA-10 software. Results: Three main categories emerged following data analysis including “strengths”, “weaknesses” and “solutions and recommendations”. Conclusion: This study elicited students’ experiences as one of the main stakeholders in the assessment system. The results indicate students’ satisfaction with participating in the pre-internship electronic exam and the students suggested that other exams should be held in this way.

Keywords

• medical student
• paper-based exam
• computer-based exam
• pre-internship exam