[Evaluation of examination preparation methods in veterinary students].

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Education
• Competence-Based Assessment
• Educational Psychology

Background:

• Current assessment formats in veterinary medicine may not fully align with student learning experiences and preferences.
• Understanding student perceptions of different examination types is crucial for effective curriculum development and quality management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate veterinary students' opinions on various examination formats and their preparation methods.
• To gather insights for improving and developing future assessment strategies in veterinary education.

Main Methods:

• An online questionnaire was administered to all veterinary students at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover (TiHo).
• The survey included 29 questions and 3 follow-up questions, collecting data on exam preparation and format preferences.
• A total of 215 completed questionnaires were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Exam preparation duration differed by format; oral exams required longer preparation than written-electronic exams.
• Students perceived oral exams as more relevant to professional life, while electronic exams were seen as fairer and less stressful.
• 30.3% of respondents reported experiencing test anxiety.

Conclusions:

• Student feedback provides valuable insights into the perception of examinations, aiding in the optimization of assessment scenarios.
• Findings can inform the development of teaching and learning materials to better suit student needs.
• Such surveys are integral to university-wide quality management of examination systems.