Does neuro-anatomy award/ prize impact on student performance in the first professional examination in anatomy

Concern has been expressed about the motivational impact of neuro-anatomy award/prize in determining the overall student performance in the final professional anatomy examinations by comparing it with the result outcome of a high stake examination like neuro-anatomy incourse examination using the concept of convergent validity. A total of 57 third year medical students with the records of their grades/scores (Mean ± SD) in the various assessments criteria, were analyzed. In this study, the neuro-incourse examination was consistently a high predictor (r = 0.80; P<0.01) of student performance compared to other incourse examinations (1st incourse, r = 0.60; P<0.01 and 2nd incourse, r = 0.30; P < 0.01 respectively). However, the neuro-incourse examination tests students’ performance in a relatively difficult module and was found to be consistently correlated and highest when compared with the overall professional examination as a result of student motivation.   Key words: Motivation, medical students, neuro-anatomy, curriculum, assessment, professional examination, anatomy, performance, Lagos.