Traditional and Novel Predictors of Classroom and Clerkship Success of Pharmacy Students

Objectives. This study was designed to assess the extent to which 7 traditional and novel predictors contribute to overall pharmacy grade point average (pharmacy GPA), first through third year pharmacy GPA (1-3 year GPA), and clerkship GPA of pharmacy students. Methods. This investigation used a convenience sample and a blinded retrospective record review of the first 3 class years of Doctor of Pharmacy students at Shenandoah University’s Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy (Classes of 2000, 2001, and 2002). Results. Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT) score, essay score, California Critical Thinking Dispositions Inventory (CCTDI) and Skills Test (CCTST) were all significant predictors of pharmacy GPA. PCAT and CCTDI contributed significantly to 1-3 GPA. Finally, only the CCTST proved to be a significant predictor of the clerkship GPA. Conclusion. This study corroborated previous studies by concluding that several traditional predictors of students’ performance appear to significantly predict academic outcomes. However, it advances the study of predictors of pharmacy students’ performance by examining the role of critical thinking in students’ performance.