Effect of the current state of marking errors on national physical therapy examination scores

[Purpose] In this study, we aimed to evaluate marking errors made by candidates who took trial National Physical Therapy Examination and examine their association with the national examination results. [Participants and Methods] We analyzed transcripts and mark sheets of 76 students who took three trial examinations conducted by Company M in the Department of Physical Therapy at International University of Health and Welfare. After each trial, the students submitted their marked answers using Google Forms. The total trial examination scores, the number of marking errors, and the number of incorrect answers were analyzed. Students were categorized into two groups: those who made no marking error in all three trials and those who made one or more marking errors. The total, practical question, and general question scores of the national examination were compared between the two groups. [Results] Some students made marking errors during the trial examinations, with the number of errors increasing over the three successive trial examinations. Furthermore, in the national examination, students who made no marking error in the trials scored significantly higher on practical questions than those who made errors. [Conclusion] The study findings highlight the importance of providing guidance to prevent marking errors during the national examination.