The academic backbone: longitudinal continuities in educational achievement from secondary school and medical school to MRCP(UK) and the specialist register in UK medical students and doctors

Background: Selection of medical students in the UK is still largely based on prior academic achievement, although doubts have been expressed as to whether performance in earlier life is predictive of outcomes later in medical school or post-graduate education. This study analyses data from five longitudinal studies of UK medical students and doctors from the early 1970s until the early 2000s. Two of the studies used the AH5, a group test of general intelligence (that is, intellectual aptitude). Sex and ethnic differences were also analyzed in light of the changing demographics of medical students over the past decades. Methods: Data from five cohort studies were available: the Westminster Study (began clinical studies from 1975 to 1982), the 1980, 1985, and 1990 cohort studies (entered medical school in 1981, 1986, and 1991), and the University College London Medical School (UCLMS) Cohort Study (entered clinical studies in 2005 and 2006). Different studies had different outcome measures, but most had performance on basic medical sciences and clinical examinations at medical school, performance in Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (MRCP(UK)) examinations, and being on the General Medical Council Specialist Register. Results: Correlation matrices and path analyses are presented. There were robust correlations across different years at medical school, and medical school performance also predicted MRCP(UK) performance and being on the GMC Specialist Register. A-levels correlated somewhat less with undergraduate and post-graduate performance, but there was restriction of range in entrants. General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)/O-level results also predicted undergraduate and post-graduate outcomes, but less so than did A-level results, but there may be incremental validity for clinical and post-graduate performance. The AH5 had some significant correlations with outcome, but they were inconsistent. Sex and ethnicity also had predictive effects on measures of educational attainment, undergraduate, and post-graduate performance. Women performed better in assessments but were less likely to be on the Specialist Register. Non-white participants generally underperformed in undergraduate and post-graduate assessments, but were equally likely to be on the Specialist Register. There was a suggestion of smaller ethnicity effects in earlier studies. Conclusions: The existence of the Academic Backbone concept is strongly supported, with attainment at secondary school predicting performance in undergraduate and post-graduate medical assessments, and the effects spanning many years. The Academic Backbone is conceptualized in terms of the development of more sophisticated underlying structures of knowledge ('cognitive capital’ and 'medical capital’). The Academic Backbone provides strong support for using measures of educational attainment, particularly A-levels, in student selection

The Web Magazine 1968, January/February

The Web Magazine focuses on alumni news and campus events from Gardner-Webb College; now Gardner-Webb University. This issue features news on newly elected chairman for several different departments. Class agents are also listed in this issue.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/the-web/1003/thumbnail.jp

The Web Magazine 1967, November

The Web Magazine focuses on alumni news and campus events from Gardner-Webb College; now Gardner-Webb University. This issue discusses former GWU student and spider-enthusiast Ann Moreton\u27s work and asks alumni for financial support.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/the-web/1001/thumbnail.jp

The Web Magazine 1968, September

The Web Magazine focuses on alumni news and campus events from Gardner-Webb College; now Gardner-Webb University. This issue discusses the Baptist State Convention of NC that will determine if Gardner-Webb will receive four year status. It also addresses the coming Crusade on campus.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/the-web/1009/thumbnail.jp

The Web Magazine 1967, December

The Web Magazine focuses on alumni news and campus events from Gardner-Webb College; now Gardner-Webb University. This issue features news from the homecoming football game as well as the announcement of Wanda Kiser as Homecoming Queen.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/the-web/1002/thumbnail.jp

The Web Magazine 1968, July

The Web Magazine focuses on alumni news and campus events from Gardner-Webb College; now Gardner-Webb University. This issue describes the campus grounds beautification project at GWU. It also gives special recognition to those who have made an investment in GWU. Ray Brown\u27s visit to Gardner-Webb is also mentioned in this issue.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/the-web/1008/thumbnail.jp

The Web Magazine 1968, April

The Web Magazine focuses on alumni news and campus events from Gardner-Webb College; now Gardner-Webb University. This issue features a column on former faculty, staff, and administrators at GWU that tells of their work as of 1968. A section is also written in memoriam about O.P. Hamrick.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/the-web/1005/thumbnail.jp

The Web Magazine 1968, June

The Web Magazine focuses on alumni news and campus events from Gardner-Webb College; now Gardner-Webb University. This issue names John Roberts as Alumnus of the Year . It also recognizes a few missionaries who are either returning home or leaving for their mission station.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/the-web/1007/thumbnail.jp

The Web Magazine 1968, May

The Web Magazine focuses on alumni news and campus events from Gardner-Webb College; now Gardner-Webb University. This issue announces dates and times for commencement exercises. It also elaborates on the steps that were being made in 1968 to eventually make Gardner-Webb College a senior college program.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/the-web/1006/thumbnail.jp

The Web Magazine 1967, October

The Web Magazine focuses on alumni news and campus events from Gardner-Webb College; now Gardner-Webb University. This issue addresses advancement in student enrollment and contains a memoriam for former college president J. R. Cantrell.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/the-web/1000/thumbnail.jp