[Private education and academic performance among medical students]

A large proportion of Norwegian medical students have some private education behind them. The question raised here is whether the educational performance of these students is lower than that of other students.

The analysis is based on data from the National Educational Database, which includes information on the total population. The dependent variable is grades obtained early in medical training. The impact of private education is estimated by linear regression models. The analysis controls for time between completing secondary school and entering medical school, as well as university, gender and social background.

Students with a background from private schools have a lower level of academic performance in medical school than other students. This also holds true when we compare students who have waited equally long for admission to medicine, and who had the same level of performance in secondary school.

A likely explanation is that private schools tend to put emphasis on preparation for examinations. By doing this, they raise the level of performance among students who do not necessarily score highest with respect to academic abilities.