Screening tests: practice question

A PSM question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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PSM · Screening tests

Sample item

What is the sensitivity of a screening test?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Probability that the test is positive when disease is present

Sensitivity is the ability of a test to identify people who truly have the disease, calculated as true positives divided by all people with the disease; highly sensitive tests help reduce false negatives.

Option by option

  • A. Proportion of negatives that are true negatives only

    True negatives among nondiseased people define specificity.

  • B. Probability that the test is positive when disease is present (correct)

    Correct: sensitivity is the true-positive rate among diseased people.

  • C. Probability that disease is absent after a negative test

    Disease absence after a negative test is negative predictive value.

  • D. Frequency of disease in the community

    Community disease frequency is prevalence.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Probability that the test is positive when disease is present. Sensitivity is the ability of a test to identify people who truly have the disease, calculated as true positives divided by all people with the disease; highly sensitive tests help reduce false negatives.

Why is "Proportion of negatives that are true negatives only" not the answer?

True negatives among nondiseased people define specificity.

Why is "Probability that disease is absent after a negative test" not the answer?

Disease absence after a negative test is negative predictive value.

Why is "Frequency of disease in the community" not the answer?

Community disease frequency is prevalence.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Screening tests in PSM. The correct option holds because: Correct: sensitivity is the true-positive rate among diseased people.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Screening tests?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.