Business Students Score in Top 5 Percent Nationwide

October 23, 2009

Students in Oklahoma Baptist University's Paul Dickinson School of Business scored in the top 5 percent among business students nationwide in a national test which measures educational outcomes.

OBU students ranked in the 95th percentile on the spring 2009 Major Field Test. The test is conducted annually by Educational Testing Service. According to the ETS Web site, the MFT is designed to "measure the basic knowledge and understanding achieved by students in a major field of study."

"We are delighted by the success of our students on the Major Field Test," said Dr. Stan Norman, OBU provost and executive vice president of campus life. "This is a tribute to the hard work of the students and the faculty members in the Paul Dickinson School of Business. Our faculty members are providing an environment where students can develop core competencies and prepare for successful careers. We want OBU students to fully utilize their God-given talents and abilities, and these test results indicate that they are doing so."

OBU was one of 564 colleges and universities represented by more than 83,000 students who took the test. The MFT business categories include accounting, economics, management, quantitative business analysis, finance, marketing, legal and social topics, information systems and international issues.

"Our business students' outstanding performance on the field exam underscores the talent and commitment to excellence embraced by both the faculty and students on our campus," said Dr. Kyle Tresch, dean of OBU's School of Business. "The School of Business faculty are equipped not only with the knowledge in their respective fields, but they are gifted in their ability to effectively communicate and equip tomorrow's business leaders.

"Correspondingly, our students' performance reflects their pursuit of learning as a lifelong endeavor as they strive to become those leaders," Tresch said. "While we are exceptionally proud of our students' accomplishments on this most recent field exam, we are even more proud of the future successes and impact that these students will make in the global marketplace."

The Major Field Tests are offered in more than a dozen undergraduate fields of study. According to the ETS, the MFT goes beyond the measurement of factual knowledge by also evaluating students' ability to analyze and solve problems, understand relationships and interpret material from their major field of study. The test usually is administered during a student's final year of study or after completing most of a major's required courses.