Standard Setting for Assessments in Anatomy using the Angoff Method in a Medical School in Sri Lanka

Introduction: Anatomy is a fundamental subject in medical education. A reliable and valid assessment tool is crucial for evaluating students' understanding. The Angoff method, an absolute method of standard-setting has been widely used in various educational contexts. This study aimed to develop and implement a standard-setting process for an assessment in Anatomy using the Angoff method in a Sri Lankan medical school.
Methods: Five Anatomy faculty members including two senior lecturers and three temporary assistant lecturers who were recent graduates participated in the standard-setting process. They were presented with each item on the anatomy assessment and asked to estimate the percentage of minimally competent students who would answer the item correctly. Their judgments were then used to determine the cut score for the assessment.
Results: The Angoff method yielded a cut score of 56.06 with a cutoff value of 8.41 and a standard error of judgment of 0.18 (1.2%). There was a high interrater reliability (0.89).
Conclusion: This study demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of using the Angoff method for standard setting in an anatomy assessment in a Sri Lankan medical school. The set cut score provides a benchmark for evaluating students' performance and ensuring that they possess the necessary anatomical knowledge to progress in their medical education.