Factors Associated with First Time Veterinary Technician National Examination Scores

This retrospective quantitative research project used for this dissertation was used to determine if academic performance in veterinary technology courses held any greater predictive value on first attempt Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) outcome than a preparatory mock VTNE test. Beginning in 2010, the veterinary technology program used in this project experienced declining first time VTNE pass rates. The decline in pass rates meant that the program was preparing fewer graduates to enter the professional workforce and created greater scrutiny of the program by university administrators. With a change to the structure of the VTNE in July 2013, the veterinary technology program made curricular changes to mirror the new VTNE structure with hopes that the VTNE scores would improve. With no drastic improvement, the veterinary technology program implemented an end of program mock VTNE exam, the HESI Exit Exam. The design of the HESI Exit Exam mimicked that of the VTNE and test developers indicated that results of the HESI Exit Exam could be used to forecast VTNE outcome. A discriminant analysis, using HESI Exit Exam scores, veterinary technology GPA, and number of earned C grades as predictor variables and the first attempt VTNE outcome as a fixed factor variable, was conducted to analyze the data. The results revealed that while the HESI Exit Exam score was the most predictive of the three variables, all were relevant to first attempt VTNE outcome. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]