Evaluation of students in Years 1 and 2 of the School of Medicine Curriculum is based on multiple factors, including written examinations. There are six major examinations during or following the teaching units/organ systems, plus a comprehensive examination, in each of the first two years.
Examinations are composed primarily of multiple choice questions, but also may include practical examinations, essays and other forms of written evaluation. Examinations are scored and analyzed by the Division of Medical Education which provides detailed performance data for each student, and detailed performance data for each test item. The latter {item-analysis) is used to identify scoring errors, needed scoring modifications, and to improve the examinations from year to year. Examination scores are combined across examinations into weighted composite scores, as appropriate.
The large number of item-measurements over this extended period results in highly statistically reliable measures of student performance. This information is used by the teaching faculty, in consultation with the Division, in setting pass/fail cutpoints and in providing continuity in the evaluation process over time. Exam results are reported in detail to the students, to the Associate Dean for Curriculum, the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, to all of the appropriate teaching faculty and to the Year 1-2 Performance Committee.
For more information about this program/activity please contact:
Roger Girard, Ph.D.: Overall Supervision
Barbra McMillan: Collection, Process and Dissemination of Exam Results
Kaaren Hoffman, Ph.D: Psychometrician and Testing Consultation
