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OSA Academic Handbook
Offices of the DeanOffice of Student AffairsOSA Academic HandbookSchool PoliciesExamination Policy

Examination Policy

Scope and Purpose

Periodic examination has many purposes, including: provide a means for the School of Medicine to evaluate student achievement; provide feedback to students; provide feedback to the school and course faculty for evaluation of course and program objectives; encourage students to master knowledge and skills; and demonstrate student responsibility.

This policy covers institutionally developed, nationally normed examinations, and standardized patients when used for examination purposes for required courses and clerkships.

In addition to course leadership and the Office of Medical Education, individual student results of examinations are reported to the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of Academic Support, the Medical Education Advisory Committee, and the Advancement Committee as appropriate. Aggregate results of examinations are reported to the Advancement Committee and the Curriculum Coordinating Committee.

Policy Statement

Students are responsible for monitoring their own schedules, being aware of any personal demands that conflict with examination dates and other required school activities, and appropriately resolving any such scheduling conflicts. Students are expected to conform to the examination schedule published at the start of the academic year.

Construction

All examinations must be reviewed and approved by the Assessment Review Committee prior to examination administration.

Administration

  • Students must adhere to the Statement of Ethical Principles, Practices & Behaviors.
  • NBME examinations shall follow NBME proctoring rules.
  • Examinations begin promptly at the appointed time. Students who arrive late will not be granted additional time and may be permitted to sit for the examination only after approval from OSA, OME, and the course director.
  • No personal items, network connected devices, or study materials are permitted in the examination area. Scratch paper will be provided and must be returned at the completion of the examination.
  • At least one faculty member or staff member must be present throughout the examination.
  • Proctors cannot clarify questions to individual students. Errors, if discovered, must be announced promptly to all examinees.
  • If a student requires a personal break, they must sign out of the examination area, remain in the proximate area to the examination, return promptly, and sign back in. The examination time limit will not be increased by time spent on breaks.
  • For examinations that are administered remotely, the same rules of conduct apply. The school retains the right to determine the appropriate proctoring method.

Remediation

  • The date for a remediation examination will be determined in coordination with the student, the course director, and OME.
  • Students who are required to remediate pre-clerkship examinations must have successfully remediated all examinations at least 10 school days prior to the start of classes for the subsequent academic year.
  • If a pre-clerkship remediation examination is not passed, there will be no opportunity to retake a second remediation examination.
    • Minimum passing score on an internally developed examination is
      • Renaissance Curriculum:>=68.0%
      • Legacy Curriculum:>=69.5%
    • Minimun passing score on an NBME examination is 10th percentile.
  • A student who fails three attempts at an end of clerkship NBME examination will receive an F and will be required to repeat the clerkship in its entirety.
  • The cost of remediating an NBME examination will be the responsibility of the student.

Rescheduling

  • Students seeking an alternative date for an examination must make their request to the course director and a dean in the Office of Student Affairs. Permission to reschedule an examination is granted only for exceptional circumstances. Postponed pre-clerkship examinations must be taken within 7 school days barring extenuating circumstances. (See Incomplete Policy)
  • Any change to a student’s examination date will be recorded. If more than 2 examinations are postponed, documentation of the delays may appear in the MSPE. Repeated examination postponement may be discussed at the Advancement Committee.
  • An equivalent examination will be administered if a postponement is granted. The identical examination will be administered if an assessment is taken early.
  • The contribution of the postponed examination to the final course grade may be adjusted.
  • In the event of an unforeseen circumstance (e.g., campus closure, fire alarm), OME in coordination with course leadership will reschedule affected examinations.

Post Examination

  • For school-developed examinations:
    • Examinations will be reviewed by the Assessment Review Committee to assure satisfactory performance of the examination.
      • Multiple-choice questions must meet minimum statistical performance.
      • Questions deemed flawed will be removed from the examination. If the flawed question has more than one correct answer, all examinees will receive credit for that question.
    • After completion of the examination, questions will not be available for review by individual students.
      • Final and mean scores will be made available no later than one academic week after the examination date.
    • For NBME examinations:
      • Course/clerkship leadership will determine minimum passing scores.
      • Final scores will be made available no later than one academic week after the NBME releases scores to the school.

Related Policies/Procedures

Statement of Ethical Principles, Practices & Behaviors

History

Approved: CCC, September 15, 2020