Required Courses Exam Policy

PURPOSE
To outline steps that ensure a fair test-taking environment and one that is free from disruption and distraction. 

AUDIENCE
All medical students, Course Directors, and exam administrators

LCME STANDARD
9.0 Teaching, Supervision, Assessment, and Student and Patient Safety

POLICY

  1. Students are responsible for knowing quiz and exam (including OSCE) schedules.
  2. All students are expected to be in place (e.g. seated or at their station) at least 5 minutes before the published start time of all examinations/quizzes.
  3. Students receiving educational accommodations will have their examination time and location assigned prior to the exam date.
  4. Time will not be extended for anyone arriving late to an exam/quiz.
  5. Any student arriving 10-29 minutes after the published start time of the exam/quiz, will be required to speak with the Curriculum Manager immediately after the exam/quiz.
  6. Student arriving 30 or more minutes after the published start time of the exam will not be permitted to take the exam, will be required to speak with the Curriculum Manager immediately upon their arrival and per the Bylaws and Regulations of the School may receive a ‘Y’ mark for the course. (Regulation 70 (E) (2))

PROCEDURE

  1. Students are expected to know when their exams/quizzes are scheduled. The exam/quiz schedule is published by the Curriculum Manager at the start of each block/course.
    1. Students will be notified of specific instructions related to the exam logistics at least one week before the exam from the Assessment Analyst.
    2. Students with accommodations will be notified of their exam location and time at least one week before the exam from the Assessment Analyst. 
  2. If students have a family or personal issue of a magnitude severe enough to significantly disrupt their ability to study during a block/course, it is their responsibility to inform the Dean of Students, the Course Directors (IORs), and the Curriculum Manager in a timely manner.
  3. Rescheduling
    1. Non-emergent rescheduling of an examination will only be granted under extenuating circumstances and must have been approved by the Dean of Students and the Course Directors (IORs). Rescheduling must be requested at least 4 weeks before the exam date and appropriate documentation will be required. Once approved, the Curriculum Manager will assist in rescheduling the exam.
    2. Emergent rescheduling will be considered if a student experiences an illness or an emergency impeding their ability to take the exam on the scheduled day of the exam. The Course Director (IORs) and Curriculum Manager should be notified as soon as the emergent issues become apparent. A health-care practitioner’s note, or similar documentation, will be required. Once the request is approved by the Course Directors (IORs), the Curriculum Manager will assist in rescheduling the exam.
    3. Postponements will not be solely granted based on a need for additional study time.
  4. Exam Results and Question Answers
    1. Course Directors (IORs) will not release exam results until all students have taken the exam unless an alternate exam is administered. In the Clerkship phase, this is specific to all students in the rotation.
    2. If Course Directors (IORs) choose to share exam answers, this will not occur until after all students have taken the exam.

RESPONSIBILITY
Course Directors/IORs, Curriculum Managers and Exam Administration

    RELATED POLICY/POLICIES
    Code of Academic & Social Conduct Policy
    Professionalism Policy

    POLICY OWNER
    Office of Medical Education

    REVIEWED BY
    Curriculum Managers
    Block Council
    Committee on Educational Policy
    Associate Dean of Curriculum and Medical Education
    Associate Dean of Students
    Office of Medical Education*

    REVIEWED DATE and REVIEW CYCLE
    March 2021, 3-year cycle