The Evaluation of Psychiatric Residents by Objective Multiple-Choice Examinations

A study at New York Medical College revealed a fairly high correlation between performance on an objective written examination in psychiatry and clinical competence of psychiatric residents as evaluated by the faculty. The study thus indicated that the National Board of Medical Examiners examination is a reasonably good test for evaluating residents, although a better one could probably be constructed. The authors note, however, that other factors which cannot be evaluated by an objective test also make a substantial contribution to psychiatric competence.