An assessment of a postgraduate examination of competence in general practice: Part 1--Reliability

The 1987 part one examination of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners was subjected to an evaluation. The format of the examination and the scope of the review is described. This paper describes the assessment of the reliability of components of the examination. Simulations showed acceptable reliability, however the reliability of the written paper was less satisfactory. The ways in which such reliability may be enhanced are described.