This study evaluates the correlation that exists between the objective structured clinical examination and the traditional clinical examination. An analysis is performed on the results of four groups of students assessed by these two methods. The internal consistency of the OSCE is also described by correlating the results by rank difference correlation using the split-half method of grading the even and odd numbered stations separately. Also 46 surgical interns were asked to indicate their preference regarding the efficacy of five different methods of assessment of clinical competence. The results indicate a high reliability of OSCE and traditional clinical examination. In the opinion of surgical interns, the OSCE and clinical examination both scored high for their ability to assess clinical competence.