Medical students views on continuous internal assessment

Background - Assessment is a successful tool for learning. Continuous internal assessment (CIA) is implemented to improve sustained students learning with quality. It has several benefits and limitations. The aim of the study is to investigate student’s perception towards continuous internal assessment.Materials and Methods- The study was conducted over a period of two months in the Department of Physiology, Dr Ulhas Patil Medical College and Hospital, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India. A standardized structured questionnaire was developed for the evaluation of student’s perception towards continuous internal assessment.Results- 47.51% of students were in the favour of conduction of internal assessment once in a month. 82.32% of participants chose seminar for the improvement of knowledge. 87.29% of participants felt continuous class tests were useful. 82.32% of students reported that certifiable skill-based competencies (OSPE/OSCE) were useful.Conclusion-According to student’s responses continuous class tests or any form of internal assessment test every month is useful for their academic performance. Conduction of seminars and certifiable skill based competencies are good initiative for the improvement of knowledge and skill.