Performance by Medical Students in Testing Specific Knowledge

Abstract: Background: Medical students’ performance presentes little variation from one student to another. However, some students demonstrate greater achievement, probaly due to personal characteristics. Objective: Toverify wether personal characteristics play na importante role in the intelectual performance of medical students. Method: The study was conducted with 825 students fom the sixth year of Medical School at the Federal University in Minas Gerais. The students were characterized according to their age, gender, cerebral laterality, visual acuty, and sports activity. Their performance on a multiple-choice test in surgery was assessed according to the time spent completing the test and the grade; and was then correlated to individual characteristic. Results: Students under 24 years of ag and males received hogher grades on the test. Right-handed students tended to finish the test in less time than left-handers. Students requiring corrective lenses also got higher grades. Practicing sports did not influence intellectual performance. Conclusion: Medical students tend to presente diferente intelectual performance according to their individual characteristics.