Assessing the Relationship Among PCOA Performance, Didactic Academic Performance, and NAPLEX Scores

Abstract

Objective. The objectives of this set of meta-analyses were to examine the effect size of third professional year grade point average (P3 GPA) on PCOA scores and to summarize the effect size of PCOA scores on NAPLEX scores.

Methods. For inclusion, studies were required to compare PCOA scores to and report data that permitted calculation of a numeric effect size for the chosen outcome variables. Multiple databases were searched, including PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, ProQuest Dissertations and Thesis (abstract limited), Academic Search Complete, and Google Scholar. Correlations were used as the effect size metric for all outcomes. All analyses used an inverse variance weighted random effects model. Study quality was reviewed for each study included in the meta-analyses.

Results. Results from this study showed PCOA scores were moderately correlated with P3 GPAs accounting for 14-48% of the variability in PCOA scores. This analysis also showed that PCOA scores were moderately correlated with NAPLEX and accounted for 25-53% of the variability in NAPLEX scores. Both meta-analyses did show a high degree of heterogeneity and many studies included were of low quality.

Conclusion. Results from this first set of meta-analyses to be conducted on the PCOA data adds to the literature currently available. Our study showed that third professional year GPA does correlate with PCOA results and PCOA scores correlate with NAPLEX results. Though there are significant limitations on interpretation of the results, these results do help further elucidate the role of the PCOA as a benchmark of progress within the pharmacy curriculum.