Mohammad Reza Mahmoodi - Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences, Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition, Physiology Research Center, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Mahmood-Reza Dehghani - General Practitioner, M.Sc. in Medical Education, Research Center for Health Services Management, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

Background & Objective: The present study aimed to compare the students ability in answering to patient management problem (PMP) and modified essay question (MEQ) examination with multiplechoice question (MCQ) examination and its association with educational promotion   Methods: This research carried out in two sections descriptiveanalytic and qualitative on ۷۶ nutrition students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences Iran who were selected by census The first and second examinations were PMPMEQ and MCQ respectively Educational promotion variables were grade point average (GPA) in ۵ sequence semesters and GPA in current semester The other variables were the grade in food toxicology course the scores in PMPMEQ PMP and MEQ exams and MCQ exam The second section was designed with the aim of comparing the overview of students in regard to PMPMEQ and MCQ exams Data were analyzed by descriptive and analytic statistics   Results: The association between educational promotion variables and mark of food toxicology course and MCQ exam were statistically significant (P < ۰۰۰۱) however there was not a statistically significant association between these variables and the other variables Mean differences scores of MCQ and food toxicology course were significant (P < ۰۰۰۱) however scores of PMPMEQ test and PMP and MEQ sections in two students groups based on categorized GPA were not statistically significant   Conclusion: Therefore the students inability in answering to PMP and MEQ examination in comparing to the MCQ examination format was showed students incapability in evaluation of clinical competence even with regard to their high GPA and scientific knowledge

Patient management problem (PMP), Modified essay question (MEQ), Multiple, choice question (MCQ), Educational promotion, Clinical competence