The Effect of Diploma Grade Point Average on Educational Evaluation Status of Medical Students in Babol University of Medical Sciences during 2006-2011

Introduction: Medical education as a dynamic system can be affected by learning experiences related to before entrance exam. Evaluation of education is used for studying the quality of educational system. The purpose of this article is to explain the role of diploma grade point average in the educational process of medical students in Babol University of medical sciences. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted on the six-year period educational process of medical students in Babol University of medical sciences during 1985-1990. Data were collected using a questionnaire in demographic characteristics, diploma grade point average, twelve medical science course average score, basic medical science course average score, and the comprehensive basic medical science examination score. Data were analyzed by statistical T-Test and SPSS software. Results :From 387 medical students, 229(59.17%) were girls and 262(68.8%) were local. The study revealed that there was significant relationship between diploma grade point average and twelve medical science course average score (p= 0.001). Nevertheless, the consistency between fluctuation of diploma grade point average with basic medical science course average score, and also with the comprehensive basic medical science examination score, any significant relationship wasn’t observed (p≥ 0.05). The relationship between basic medical science course average score and the comprehensive basic medical science examination score was significant (p≤ 0.05). Discussion: The results indicated that high school status has an important role on medical students education. It is better to consider diploma grade point average as the criteria in entrance examination.