The ACT as a predictor of success on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination.

The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive ability of the American College Test (ACT) with respect to success (achieving a passing score of 75 or higher) on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (NBDHE). Records of 209 dental hygiene graduates from the 1975-1984 baccalaureate degree program at the Baylor College of Dentistry were used in this retrospective study. Descriptive statistics, median (MD), mean, standard deviation, maximum/minimum values, and 95% confidence intervals were determined for each year for the ACT and NBDHE. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients (Pearson r), coefficients of determination (r2), t-ratios and p-values were calculated. The ACT scores were found to be a weak to moderate predictor of success (75+ passing score) on the NBDHE in five of the 11 years investigated.