Uzma Awan, Uzma Ahsan.
Assessment; is viva acceptable?.
Professional Med J Jan ;23(2):213-6.

Assessment results have been proved as major hallmark for the progress or regression of teaching and learning. University of Health Sciences is the examining body to assess the students of B.D.S. by four methods; MCQs, SEQs, VIVA and OSCE/OSPE. The oral examination is an important part of the practical examination that helps assess three areas which are clinical knowledge, cognitive and professional skills. Objectives: purpose of this study was to explore student’s perspective on viva as an assessment method for subject of science of dental materials. Study design: cross-sectional study. Period: Started in November 2014 completed in December 2015. Setting: Questionnaire was filled by B.D.S. 2nd professional students of three dental colleges of Lahore of private sector. Sharif medical and dental college Lahore. CMH dental college Lahore. University College of medicine and dentistry. University of Lahore. Methodology: 120 students from three different institutions were included in this study. 30.9% of the students were boys whereas 69.1 % were girls. All students were interviewed about their choice of assessment among the routine methods of assessment; MCQ, SEQ, Viva and OSPE. Results: 15% of the students replied MCQ to be their first choice of assessment. SEQ was selected as first choice of assessment by 26.6% of the students. 56.6% were in the favour of OSPE whereas only 1.7 % students were in the favour of viva examination. Conclusion: The oral examination has intrinsic weakness of low reliability and objectivity. Structuring the viva examination can be implemented and improve viva method of assessment.

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