Can GPA and Degree Type Predict Success on the Entry-Level Registration Examination for Dietitians?

Authors

Sunitha Zechariah (0000-0002-8020-4921), Morrison Healthcare/Augusta UniversityFollow
Jennifer Doley (0000-0003-2160-8077), Carondelet Health Network/Morrison HealthcareFollow
Nicole Moore (0000-0003-2012-3967), Augusta UniversityFollow
Raymond Chong, Augusta UniversityFollow

Author Biographical Information

Corresponding author: Sunitha Zechariah, PhD RD, LD, CNSC, FAND; program director, dietetic internship, Morrison Healthcare; adjunct professor, Augusta University (ORCID: 0000-0002-8020-4921).

Other authors: Jennifer Doley, MBA, RD, CNSC, FAND, malnutrition program manager, Morrison Healthcare, dietetic internship director at Carondelet Health Network (ORCID: 0000-0003-2160-8077); Nicole Moore, MS, RDN-AP, LD, assistant professor, Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences and program director, dietetic internship program, Augusta University (ORCID: 0000-0003-2012-3967); Raymond Chong, PhD, professor and chair, Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Augusta University (ORCID: 0000-0002-2706-1300).

Abstract

Purpose: Although program directors consider several measures when assessing dietetic program applicants, grade point average (GPA) is often the most highly weighted. However, its ability to predict success in the entry-level registration examination for dietitians (RD exam) is unknown. Our objective was to determine how well GPA predicted first-time success in the RD exam. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the associations among academic variables: pre-admission GPA (Overall- GPA), didactic program in dietetics GPA (DPD-GPA), and the type of degree (bachelor's versus master’s) with first-time RD exam scores across seven cohorts from three DI programs (N = 408). Results: The results indicated a low correlation between the academic predictor variables and the first-time success on the RD exam (r = − 0.15 to 0.65). Canonical correlation showed a low degree relationship between the predictor and criterion variables (Rc = 0.31). The averaged standardized z-test between the variables (-2.96) failed to classify the prediction rate as having passed or failed the RD exam. Receiver operating curve analyses showed low sensitivity to both Overall-GPA and DPD-GPA. The highest likelihood ratios produced cut-off Overall-GPA and DPD-GPA values of 2.88 and 2.99, respectively. Conclusion: The results indicate that the Overall-GPA, DPD-GPA, and type of degree were poor predictors of success in the RD exam on the first attempt. We conclude that program directors should not substantially rely on these academic variables to assess applicants. Nevertheless, GPA may still be used as a way to screen applicants with 3.0 as a cut-off score and with no more than 5% of weighting as part of the program admission criteria. Future research studies are needed to assess the predictive validity of other pass rate factors.

Recommended Citation

Zechariah, Sunitha; Doley, Jennifer; Moore, Nicole; and Chong, Raymond (2024) "Can GPA and Degree Type Predict Success on the Entry-Level Registration Examination for Dietitians?," Journal of Dietetic Education: Vol. 2: Iss. 2, Article 8.
Available at: https://ecommons.udayton.edu/jde/vol2/iss2/8