Very pleased our manuscript on the extended test currency of GAMSAT was published this week in the International Journal of Selection and Assessment.
“Should we extend the currency of cognitive ability test scores? Considerations from construct, equity, and psychometric perspectives in medical selection.”
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijsa.12453
In this paper, we examine whether scores from cognitive ability tests like the GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admissions Test) remain valid indicators of applicants’ abilities over several years. Using a range of psychometric analyses, we found that GAMSAT scores remain stable at the cohort level for up to five years, offering institutions confidence in their longer-term validity. That said, individual candidates—particularly those who prepare extensively—may still benefit from retaking the test within that extended window
We also explore important equity and practical considerations. Extending score currency can reduce financial and scheduling burdens on applicants who struggle to retake the test each year. However, we caution that preparation effects may advantage some candidates and argue for test-provider transparency on how currency extensions interact with fairness. Ultimately, our work supports the potential for broadened score currency—if implemented alongside carefully designed admission policies that preserve fairness and clarity for both candidates and institutions.
It was a pleasure to work with Neville Chiavarolli, Luc Le and Sean Pywell from ACER on this paper, and this work brought about the move to extend the currency of GAMSAT for all medical school applicants for graduate medicine in Australia.
