Given the results of this study, it is now time to question the value of setting MCAT and GPA cutoffs, requiring applicants to take situational judgment tests, or attend in-person interviews. This challenge is even more critical to address in selection of applicants for high-stake roles, such as screening of future medical doctors. 'The primary challenge of any admissions screening process in higher education remains the ability to select intrinsically motivated applicants while promoting diversity. Similarly, the majority (70%) of applicants accepted using situational judgment tests appear to be extrinsically motivated. The use of situational judgment tests does not appear to show any significant advantage in promoting diversity or selecting intrinsically motivated applicants, as the majority of accepted applicants screened using situational judgment tests come from families making at least $100,000 annually, with 19% coming from households with an annual income in excess of $200,000. Furthermore, neither MCAT nor GPA appear to be able to select intrinsically motivated applicants with majority (70%) of accepted applicants indicating that they are motivated to pursue medicine by extrinsic motives. However, a new studyВ by SortSmartВ suggests that the use of MCAT and GPA during the admissions process may cause bias against lower income applicants, as applicants from families earning over $200K/year have significantly higher GPA and MCAT scores compared to those from lower income families. Most medical schools select applicants based on their performance on the medical college admissions test (MCAT) and grade point average (GPA), with a few also including situational judgment test scores in their selection formula. Majority (69%) of accepted applicants screened using situational judgment tests report they were partially or completely extrinsically motivated to pursue medicine by wealth, status, or familial tradition similar to applicants accepted without the use of situational judgment tests.Majority (51%) of accepted applicants screened using situational judgment tests are self-identifying Caucasians similar to applicants accepted without the use of situational judgment tests.Majority (55%) of accepted applicants screened using situational judgment tests come from families making at least $100,000 annually, with 19% coming from households with an annual income in excess of $200,000 similar to applicants accepted without the use of situational judgment tests.The use of situational judgment tests does not appear to offer any significant advantage in promoting diversity nor in selecting intrinsically motivated applicants.

Selection based on MCAT and GPA appears to favor higher income applicants who score significantly higher than their disadvantaged peers.Majority (54%) of accepted applicants identify themselves as Caucasian with only 26% from various minority groups.Majority (70%) of accepted applicants are partially or completely extrinsically motivated to pursue medicine by status, financial gain, or familial tradition or pressure.Medical school admissions practices favor higher income applicants: 50% of accepted applicants come from families earning at least $100,000 annually, with 16% from families with income in excess of $200,000 annually.

Extrinsic vs intrinsic motivation mcat