[Access tests to specialized health training for doctors and other healthcare professionals in Spain: examining the exam and the examined candidates].

OBJECTIVES: This study examines the accessing tests to Specialised Health Training for 2005 and 2006 calls. It aims to assess the quality of exams and explore candidates' variables that allow predicting the final score.
METHODS: The Ministry of Health provided the 23,136 candidates' answer from both calls, plus demographic variables and the normalised value of their student record.
RESULTS: Item's analysis is made from candidates' answers for evaluating the test reliability. In addition, it's been calculated linear regression models for studying which variables allow predicting a candidate's final score.
CONCLUSIONS: the accessing tests to Specialised Health Training have excellent psychometric quality. It would be improved by reducing the number of choices and eliminating some items more afterwards. Finally, Spanish students are the ones who achieved best adjusted mean score.