Predicting Success: Using EOC Data to Prepare Students for the PANCE

In this episode, hosts Trenton Honda, PhD, MMS, PA-C, and Carey Barry, MHS, PA-C, are joined by Ryan A. Downey, PhD, Mitchell Barnett, PharmD, MS, and Susan Jameson, PhD, to discuss their JPAE article on using the PAEA End of Curriculum (EOC) exam to assess student readiness for the PANCE. The conversation explores the challenge of balancing remediation with real-world consequences, as Dr. Jameson outlines concerns about raising EOC passing scores and the financial, logistical, and psychological impact on students—alongside the high stakes of PANCE failure. The team shares how they developed and validated a program-specific predictive model using six years of data, finding the EOC exam to be a strong standalone predictor, with only modest gains from additional assessments. They also discuss how incorporating error metrics helped create a more reliable cut score, leading to 100% PANCE pass rates. The episode highlights the importance of dedicated learner support and looks ahead to a multi-site follow-up study.

Show notes

JPAE article: Using the End of Curriculum Exam to Evaluate Student Readiness: Balancing the Need for Remediation Against Real-World Consequences

The JPAE Podcast is produced by Association Briefings.