IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 15, Issue 11 Ver. I (November. 2016), PP 69-74 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-1511016974 www.iosrjournals.org 69 | Page Effect of Introducing Written Tests in Continuous Assessment for Improving Performance in Terminal Exam of Anatomy Anita Rani 1 , Jyoti Chopra 2 , Archana Rani 3 , Rakesh Kumar Diwan 4 , Rakesh Kumar Verma 5 , Swati Yadav 6 1 (Department Of Anatomy, King George’s Medical University, UP, Lucknow, India) 2 (Department Of Anatomy, King George’s Medical University, UP, Lucknow, India) 3 (Department Of Anatomy, King George’s Medical University, UP, Lucknow, India) 4 (Department Of Anatomy, King George’s Medical University, UP, Lucknow, India) 5 (Department Of Anatomy, King George’s Medical University, UP, Lucknow, India) 6 (Department Of Anatomy, King George’s Medical University, UP, Lucknow, India) Abstract: According to recent MCI guidelines internal assessment has become crucial in deciding whether the student would be eligible to appear in professional exam or not. In our setup internal assessment consists of several viva voce exams spread throughout the course and a terminal exam consisting of written and oral sections. Our concern rose when we observed consistently poor performance in theory section of terminal exam. Poor grades in theory were adversely affecting the overall internal assessment .Lack of exposure to any written test during day to day exam probably could have been the reason for it, so, we introduced few written exams. Pattern of continuous internal assessment plays vital role in deciding learning strategies of students. Feedback of performance during day to day exam help student to improve on his weaker areas by developing proper plan for the same before final exams. This study analyses the effect of introducing written test in day to day exams on terminal theory performance. This observational study was done in the subject of anatomy for MBBS 2011 and 2012 batches. One written exam was introduced for 2012 batch, replacing one viva voce exam in each region. The pattern of written test was subjective (short answer type questions) and was kept similar to that of terminal exam. Mean and categorical scores of two batches were compared and statistically analyzed. Mean marks of 2012 batch in theory, practical and total (18.87, 27.09 & 45.96) were more in comparison to 2011 batch (11.87, 25.09 & 36.13). In theory, number of poor performers in boys group was drastically decreased from 84.86% to 45.83%, whereas inflation in 16 to 25 marks category was from 11.89% to 44%. Among girls, percentage of poor performers decreased from 38.09% to 9.21% whereas noteworthy raise was observed in good and very good category (from 12.69% to 38.15% and 0% to 10.52% respectively).Both boys and girls performed slightly better in practical but the increase was statistically insignificant. In year 2011, only 5.6% students were passed in theory, whereas in 2012 batch, this figure raised to 20.08%, suggesting a clear benefit of introducing written assessment in day to day exams. Keywords: Anatomy, Internal assessment, Theory, Terminal exam, Written test I. Introduction Medical Council of India (MCI) has placed a lot of emphasis on internal assessment. According to MCI guidelines, internal assessment shall be based on day to day assessment. Weightage for the internal assessment is kept at 20% of the total marks in each subject (40 marks out of 200). Student must secure at least 35% marks of the total marks fixed for internal assessment in a particular subject in order to be eligible to appear in final university examination of that subject [1]. Internal assessment thus has become extremely important as student who fails to clear internal assessment will be debarred from appearing in the final examinations [2]. For teaching gross structure of human body we follow regional approach. Human body is divided into 6 regions viz. upper limb, lower limb, thorax and back, abdomen and pelvis, head and neck, and neuro-anatomy. Our continuous internal assessment program (or day to day exams)of each region consists of several viva voce during the course at regular intervals(stage viva). After completion of every region a part completion viva comprising of various stations on osteology, gross anatomy, surface anatomy and radiology is conducted. Marks of all day to day assessment are finally reduced to 20. A terminal assessment consisting of written and practical exam is organized during second semester of the course. This assessment carries 50 marks for each component i.e. theory and practical. Total marks of terminal examination are reduced to 20. Therefore, 40 marks of internal assessment are contributed by terminal exam scores (20) and day to day viva voce scores (20). It was observed for long that our students were not performing adequately in terminal written exams. Because of obtaining fewer marks in theory of terminal exams, the internal assessment of students was suffering adversely. Many of these students however, used to appear in professional exam by fulfilling the criterion of