Medical Students’ KCSE Grade and Their Relationship to Academic Performance: A Case of Egerton and Moi Universities, Kenya

Admission into Kenyan public universities’ medical schools is either by Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) or individual universities and their senates on self-sponsorship programmes (SSP) basis. The KUCCPS selected students have strong O-level grades in all subjects, with specific cluster science subjects and cumulative points. The SSP students need to have minimum university entry requirements and cluster subjects for admission unto the medicine and surgery (MBCHB) programme. The study aimed to compare the relationship between Medical Student’s KCSE grade and their performance in preclinical and clinical levels at Medical schools of Egerton University (EU) and Moi University (MU). The study utilized ex post facto research design for Retrospective record review (3R) of medical students of academic year 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10 as cohort classes of Egerton University and Moi University. This study was conducted in Egerton University and Moi University, medical schools. Both Universities admit medical students sponsored by KUCCPS and SSP students. This study’s Population was Public Universities’ Medical students (MBChB) who had been examined at both preclinical and clinical course levels. Students of academic years 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10 were the accessible population. Admission characteristic were an independent variable and academic performance a dependent variable. This study used a Data sheet document to capture data from Academic Records offices. The students’ performance at preclinical and clinical courses is not influenced by their KCSE grades at admission at MU and EU. KCSE English and Chemistry grades positively impact on preclinical performances. Biology, Mathematics, Kiswahili and Chemistry positively influence performance in Clinical courses. Performance in Preclinical courses like Medical Biochemistry, Medical Physiology, and Pathology can predict performance in clinical courses. The diploma program (in-service) does not influence performance in preclinical courses as it does in clinical courses. Performance in preclinical courses is a predictor for performance in clinical courses. KCSE aggregate grade at admission has no influence on students’ performance in preclinical and clinical courses at MU and EU. The study recommends). Medical schools to consider an open entry Examination system for applicants who meet minimum cluster requirements regardless of the KCSE aggregate grade. Consider development of in-service curriculum that may allow the diploma holder to take track at clinical years.