Perception of MBBS Students in Mangalore Regarding Assessment Patterns in Competency-Based Medical Education...

Competency-based medical education (CBME) is a new curriculum implemented in India in 2019 which stresses continuous assessment, with practical knowledge being a fundamental feature, with subjects being taught in an integrated manner to enhance retention. This study aims to evaluate the students' opinions on the assessment methodology and its value in driving their medical education. We conducted a cross-sectional study. 250 students of the 2019 CBME batch were requested to complete a questionnaire on Google Forms. 180 responses were collected. The variance in responses was noted between students scoring above and below the 50^th centile. The questions to which a significant P value was derived were looked at in further detail by dividing the students into five quantile groups and analyzing the gradient in responses. Students found the Problem-Based Learning assessment useful, while Self-Directed Learning was not. Higher-scoring students felt that having to score 50% to be eligible for the final exam was immaterial in their overall performance, while lower-scoring students felt that it was a disadvantage. Lower-scoring students felt that continuous assessment affected their academic performance negatively. Regardless of their final exam performance, almost all students felt that the assessment methods helped them improve their practical skills.