Predictors of performance in the third acupuncture comprehensive exam at the college of acupuncture and oriental medicine at scu

Acupuncture Comprehensive Examination (ACE) is a three-phase examination internal benchmark tool for students in 3-year (9-term) masters program of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at Southern California University SCU, which is taken in terms 4, 7 and 9 (ACEI, II and III). ACEIII written exam consists of 200 questions in 5 areas. Patient Assessment (30%), Developing a Diagnostic Impression (20%), Providing Acupuncture treatment (25%), prescribing Herbal Medicinals(20%), Regulations of Public Health and Safety (10%). The objective of this study is to identify academic and non-academic predictors of success in the ACE III written exam at Southern California University. Specifically, we are interested to know if the GPA in the term they take the exam as well as the Cumulative GPA in the program at the time of taking the exam will have any effect on their success in ACE exam. Similarly, we are also interested to know if gender, ethnicity, age, educational background and their performance in the prior ACE I and ACE II exam will have any influence over their ACE III exam performance. Students, who took ACEIII exam at SCU between spring 2010 and spring 2013 will be included in this retrospective data analysis.

We believe that by identifying the predictors of performance, we will be able to prepare the students better to improve their success in this exam as well as the external licensing exams. The results may also help in restructuring all ACE exams.