Study design: 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 · Study design

Sample item

What is the main advantage of a cohort study for a suspected exposure?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. It can directly measure incidence among exposed and unexposed groups

Cohort studies classify exposure before outcome develops and can measure incidence, risk, and temporal relationships in exposed and unexposed participants.

Option by option

  • A. It requires no follow-up time

    Cohorts often require substantial follow-up.

  • B. It always eliminates confounding completely

    Confounding can remain and needs design or analysis control.

  • C. It can directly measure incidence among exposed and unexposed groups (correct)

    Correct: follow-up allows direct incidence comparison.

  • D. It can only study prevalent cases

    They can study incident, not merely prevalent, disease.

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 C, It can directly measure incidence among exposed and unexposed groups. Cohort studies classify exposure before outcome develops and can measure incidence, risk, and temporal relationships in exposed and unexposed participants.

Why is "It requires no follow-up time" not the answer?

Cohorts often require substantial follow-up.

Why is "It always eliminates confounding completely" not the answer?

Confounding can remain and needs design or analysis control.

Why is "It can only study prevalent cases" not the answer?

They can study incident, not merely prevalent, disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Study design in PSM. The correct option holds because: Correct: follow-up allows direct incidence comparison.

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 Study design?

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.