Student Performance on Graded Versus Ungraded Readiness Assurance Tests in a Team-Based Learning Elective

Objective. Team-based learning is widely used in pharmacy education. In this context, students need to be incentivized to do preclass preparation, thus ensuring they are ready for team-based learning, via graded readiness assurance tests (RATs). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of graded versus ungraded RATs on examination performance in an ambulatory care elective course for third-year student pharmacists.Methods. For the course offered in spring 2020 and 2021, a standard team-based learning framework was employed. In 2020 the RATs were graded and contributed to the overall course grade (graded RAT cohort), but in 2021 RAT grades did not contribute to the course grade (ungraded RAT cohort). For the ungraded RAT cohort, at the end of the course students completed an online anonymous survey regarding class preparation and perceived team accountability.Results. No significant difference was found between the graded RAT (n=47) and ungraded RAT cohorts (n=36) in the overall mean percentage score on individual RATs (76% vs 74%) and individual examinations (82% vs 80%). Most students (69%-91%) in the ungraded RAT cohort reported completing preclass preparation assignments. In the postcourse survey, 94% of students agreed or strongly agreed that RATs contributed to team members' learning, and 86% agreed or strongly agreed that they were proud of their ability to assist in the team's learning.Conclusion. Ungraded RATs did not significantly impact students' examination performance in an elective course. Removing the grading of this test, whereby grading promotes the performance approach to learning, may have shifted the students' motivation to the mastery approach in the context of preclass preparation. This challenges a widely held belief that grades are necessary incentives for preclass preparation within team-based learning.