Grit Associated With In-Training Exam Scores Among Japanese Residents

Researchers conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study using General Medicine In-Training Examination (GM-ITE) data and an anonymous survey collected from January to March 2025. The analysis included 2,939 of 9,179 eligible postgraduate year 1–2 residents across 553 hospitals. Grit was measured with the Japanese Short Grit Scale; the primary outcome was GM-ITE score, with daily self-study duration as a secondary outcome. Multilevel models accounted for clustering by hospital and adjusted for training year and indicators of prior academic performance.

Each 1-point increase in total grit score was associated with a 1.03-point higher GM-ITE score (95% CI, 0.61–1.44). After adjustment for self-study time, the difference was 0.73 points (95% CI, 0.31–1.15). Perseverance of effort, but not consistency of interest, was associated with examination scores. Higher grit was also associated with longer self-study time (adjusted OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.76–2.23).

The results show associations, not evidence that grit causes improved performance or that interventions to increase grit would raise scores. The cross-sectional design, survey participation by 32.1% of eligible residents, and restriction to Japanese residents limit interpretation and generalizability.