Screening: 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

Sample item

What is a receiver operating characteristic curve used for?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Compare sensitivity and specificity across thresholds

A ROC curve plots sensitivity against false-positive rate across test thresholds and helps assess discriminatory performance of diagnostic tests.

Option by option

  • A. Compare sensitivity and specificity across thresholds (correct)

    Correct: threshold trade-offs are displayed.

  • B. Measure treatment adherence only

    Adherence is a behavioural outcome.

  • C. Determine vaccine cold-chain temperature

    Cold chain is logistics.

  • D. Calculate disease prevalence directly

    Prevalence needs population data.

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 A, Compare sensitivity and specificity across thresholds. A ROC curve plots sensitivity against false-positive rate across test thresholds and helps assess discriminatory performance of diagnostic tests.

Why is "Measure treatment adherence only" not the answer?

Adherence is a behavioural outcome.

Why is "Determine vaccine cold-chain temperature" not the answer?

Cold chain is logistics.

Why is "Calculate disease prevalence directly" not the answer?

Prevalence needs population data.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Screening in PSM. The correct option holds because: Correct: threshold trade-offs are displayed.

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?

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.