Assessment of knowledge and clinical judgment in the pediatric residency

Multiple-choice examinations were given three times each year in a pediatric residency training program. The test scores correlated highly with subsequent scores on the intraining examination of the American Board of Pediatrics. The results were replicated and cross-validated in another study the following year. Use of the local tests and the board examination to evaluate the residents makes it possible to provide continual feedback to the residents regarding the adequacy of their performance and feedback to faculty members regarding the effectiveness of the program. Local test scores can be used to predict the residents' standing on the national examination, and they provide a sound basis for counseling individual residents and for improving specific components of the training program.