Perception about objective structured practical examination among undergraduate students in a dental institution in Bengaluru city – A cross-sectional survey

Objectives: Practical assessments hold a critical role in evaluating students’ performance. However, achieving objectivity, consistency, authenticity, reliability, and practical usefulness in student evaluations can be a formidable challenge. Objective structured practical examination (OSPE) offers a unique approach to aligning assessment methods with the educational objectives. The objective of the study is to assess the opinion about OSPE in comparison with traditional practical examination among undergraduate students in a dental institution. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among all the undergraduates of one of the dental institutions using a questionnaire consisting of 10 questions on five-point Likert scale after checking for its reliability and validity. Data was analyzed using Chi-square test. Results: In the present survey, 80% of the subjects perceived that OSPE is better when compared to traditional practical examination, whereas 20% of the subjects disagreed in their opinion, and the results were significant at P < 0.05. Conclusion: OSPE was found to be a better method for evaluation when compared to the traditional method.