Health tutoring is emerging as an essential tool for optimising the chances of success in the First Year Common to Health Studies (PASS) and in the Health Access option (L.AS). Its undeniable success in 2022-2023 bears witness to its positive impact on the academic performance of first-year health students.
M ut what is health tutoring really? Tutoring, as practised at the University of Guyana, takes the form of marked examination sessions, taking the form of MCQs similar to those used in official competitive examinations. The originality lies in the fact that all the documents are validated by the participating lecturers, guaranteeing unrivalled teaching quality.
Tutorial sessions include a systematic sequence of MCQs based on annals or annals-type questions, followed by a detailed correction. These sessions are not limited to lectures or tutorials, but gradually evolve to meet the specific needs of students. Tutoring focuses on intensive exam preparation, while incorporating crucial methodological advice, particularly with regard to docimology, an essential component of the first year.
Personalised, official and free preparation
Unlike other schemes, the health tutoring sessions at the University of Guyana are official preparations, free of charge and delivered face-to-face. They stand out by attracting a considerable percentage of registrants, varying between 50 and 100%, thanks to the added value they offer in terms of examination conditions. This significant number of registrations testifies to the undeniable added value provided by these preparation sessions, which are particularly well suited to demanding examination conditions.
The results speak for themselves
Deployed at the University of Guyana in 2022-2023 in key subjects such as chemistry, biochemistry, cell/molecular biology and drug sciences, health tutoring has significantly improved student results. The results speak for themselves: an increase of 18 to 30% in the averages of the students who took part in the tutoring compared with their non-participating peers. The success rate was multiplied by a factor of 5 to 10 compared with the previous year.
More than 90% of the "admitted" students actively participated in tutoring, and those who came top were generally the most assiduous at the sessions. The significant increase in the overall average reinforces the idea that there is considerable potential for improvement for each student.
Strengthening of the system with the second year of medicine
The opening of a second year of medicine was an opportunity seized to strengthen the tutoring programme. With 75% from the second year class involved in tutoring, the expansion of the scheme has exceeded initial expectations. Competent, recently qualified tutors have been recruited, bringing a tried and tested working methodology and in-depth knowledge of the annals.
Health tutoring is proving to be an essential pillar of success in the PASS, offering invaluable support to students. The convincing results and the massive commitment of the students bear witness to the success of this scheme, paving the way for a promising academic future.
