Impact of Collaborative Testing on Academic Performance in Pharmacy Education

To determine the impact of 2-stage collaborative testing (CT) on academic performance of pharmacy students and to characterize pharmacy student perceptions of CT.

Two-stage CT was piloted in a 2-course patient assessment sequence within a Doctor of Pharmacy program. Students were randomly allocated into 2 groups and further divided into teams of 4 to 5 students. Student teams alternated taking section examinations in a traditional 1-stage (individual) and 2-stage CT (individual then team) format to establish an experimental design. Near the end of each semester, students individually took a post-test to facilitate assessment of CT on academic performance. A 12-item, anonymous survey instrument assessed student perceptions of 2-stage CT. The group differences in academic performance and survey responses were analyzed statistically.

There were 128 students enrolled in the course sequence, 123 of whom met the inclusion criteria for assessment of academic performance and 100 of whom completed the survey (response rate = 83%). Generally, students performed better on post-test items initially assessed through 2-stage CT (retention marker) and on post-test items that were answered incorrectly under 2-stage CT conditions (learning marker). Approximately 9 in 10 survey respondents preferred 2-stage CT over traditional 1-stage individual testing, with an equivalent proportion reporting it helped them learn from their mistakes and retain what they learned. There was high-level agreement among respondents that 2-stage CT improved their ability to work as a team and think critically.

The implementation of 2-stage CT in a patient assessment course sequence was associated with improved learning and retention and was well-received by students.