Progress Testing in Undergraduate Medical Education

Abstract

Progress testing is a comprehensive type of testing that measures the level of knowledge gained by medical students, especially those whose curricula incorporate problem-based learning system. Progress testing involves simultaneously administering tests consisting of identical questions to all student classes at certain intervals throughout an academic year. These tests record the individual progress of students. Progress tests may consist of multiple-choice, short-answer, and open-ended questions randomly selected from an exhaustive question bank. The tests aim to observe the progress of each student through the curriculum, giving them feedback, and evaluating the entire learning process. Progress testing is a comprehensive, longitudinal type of testing offering unique opportunities for those evaluating educational programs.