Preamble

The standardized subject exam prepared by the National Board of Medical Examiners is one measure of medical student accomplishment and acquisition of knowledge. Although other measures can be applied, the subject exam has the virtue of consistency and validity across institutions. These exams are also predictive of students’ ability to pass the mandatory licensing exam. Finally, the exams may identify students with learning or testing disabilities. For these reasons, students will take these exams on designated core clerkships and the exam results will serve as one component of the overall grade. A minimum level of competence on this exam must be achieved to pass the clerkship. 

Policy

Clerkship Directors will use the subject exam for their specialty as a component of the final grade for their rotation.

The exam may count for 10% to 50% of the final grade as designated by each clerkship director.

The standard passing score for the subject exam has been set for all clerkships at the 6th percentile. A score in the 5th percentile or below is a fail.

All students are required to take the subject exam on the scheduled date. If a student is unable to take the exam at the scheduled time, they must obtain written clearance from the clerkship director at least two days before the test administration.

Any student requiring special exam accommodations must inform the clerkship director and the clerkship coordinator a minimum of four weeks in advance of the administration of the exam. (Refer to the Policy Applying to Students with Disabilities and Seeking Accommodations.)

Students will not be permitted to take two subject exams on the same day.

Any student who passes the subject exam cannot retake the exam for a higher clerkship score.

Students who fail to achieve a passing score on their first attempt will be allowed one additional opportunity to pass. However, students in this category will no longer be eligible to receive an honors grade for the clerkship. Students who do not receive a passing score will need to coordinate a re-take exam with the clerkship director.

It is the student’s responsibility to schedule the re-take exam in accordance with the Grading Policy (refer to Grading policy). Students who are pending a subject exam re-take will receive a grade of Incomplete for that clerkship. Students who accumulate an initial clerkship subject exam failure or miss a subject exam in more than one clerkship will be placed on Administrative Leave until all subject exam re-takes have been successfully completed. 

RELATED POLICIES, FORMS AND LINKS

Rev. 5/12/2020