Parity in MCQ assessments does not extend to other formats: lower performance reported in EMQ, SAQ, OSCE, and delayed progression¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · quant-synthesis r1–r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2026 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Results for complex assessments (EMQ, SAQ, OSCE) varied across studies, with some evidence of significantly lower scores for students with SpLDs and lower first-year assessment scores. → Pavletič Bernarda 2026

Evidence¶

Pavletič Bernarda 2026¶

Pavletič Bernarda, Babuder Milena Košak, Homar Vesna. (2026). Medical students with specific learning disabilities: mixed-methods systematic review of the prevalence, academic performance, challenges, and perceived impact of support interventions. BMC Medical Education. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-026-09574-0

q2 · i? · quant-synthesis · r2

Narrative synthesis of quantitative studies on complex assessment formats; Gibson reported significantly lower SpLD scores in EMQ, SAQ and OSCEs, while McKendree reported no significant differences in SAQ and OSCE performance — evidence is inconsistent across studies.

"One study [63] reported significantly lower scores for students with SpLD in EMQ, SAQ, and OSCEs (data and clinical image interpretation)."

Pavletič Bernarda 2026 (2)¶

Pavletič Bernarda, Babuder Milena Košak, Homar Vesna. (2026). Medical students with specific learning disabilities: mixed-methods systematic review of the prevalence, academic performance, challenges, and perceived impact of support interventions. BMC Medical Education. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-026-09574-0

q2 · i? · quant-synthesis · r1

The review reports additional quantitative outcomes: lower first-year scores (Gibson), delayed graduation and higher leave-of-absence rates (Meeks), and improved performance after early diagnosis with accommodations versus poorer final-year outcomes after late diagnosis (Gray).

"Reported academic outcomes included lower first-year assessment scores across various formats in one study [63], delayed graduation and higher leave-of-absence rates in another [67]"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• With accommodations such as additional examination time, medical students with SpLDs show no statistically significant difference in MCQ performance (d = 0.045) — related
• Prevalence of SpLDs among medical students averages 5.5%, ranging from 2% to 11.5% across studies — related
• Medical students with SpLDs report persistent academic, emotional, and social challenges including reading and writing difficulties, time pressure, anxiety, and isolation — related
• Late identification of SpLDs is associated with poorer academic outcomes, increased stress, and higher burnout risk among medical students — related