FAQs

How is the examination schedule determined?

Step 1 "" During the spring of each year, the assistant deans for basic science and clinical education determine the academic calendar for the upcoming academic year. The start and end dates of courses and clerkships determines the exam dates.

Step 2 "" Both assistant deans produce a tentative exam schedule for the year.

Step 3 "" I review the tentative schedules and try to work out scheduling conflicts (e.g., having a basic science exam on the same day as a clinical exam) with them.

Step 4 "" Once all possible conflicts are resolved (if they can be), a draft examination calendar is produced for the upcoming academic year. When conflicts do exist, clinical exams are typically schedule for the morning because several clerkships have OSCEs (Peds, IM, EM) or oral exams (Surgery) scheduled for the afternoon. In some instances, basic science exams are given priority and certain clinical exams (e.g., EM) are scheduled concurrently in the MD labs because of their smaller class size.

Step 5 "" Once the draft examination schedule has been drafted, I meet with the year I and II class representatives in March/April to determine the scheduling of sessions. Representatives are asked to propose schedules for the respective year (Year I proposes a schedule for Year 1 students). Each class has certain parameters to work within. All non-laboratory exams will be conducted in two sessions and unless noted otherwise, the session start times are 9AM and 1PM. They are also told that the class will be evenly split into two groups alphabetically and each group must be assigned the same number (or close to in the case of an odd number of exams) morning and afternoon sessions. Presented with these parameters, the representatives are asked to assign groups to exam sessions. It is recommended to them that they also take into account other parameters including difficult exams, back-to-back exams, having the last exam before a holiday, having the first exam after a holiday and other concerns that students have voiced over the years. As they look at the entire exam schedule, they try to balance all of these considerations.

Step 6 "" Once students have proposed a schedule, we review it together to ensure that all parameters are met. On rare occasion, alterations are made to the schedule after it has been created. Even though we try to anticipate all changes before exam dates are set, unforeseen circumstances can occur.

Step 7 "" The examination schedule is adopted and sent to students.

Step 8 "" The process is repeated in the spring of the academic year.

How do I access my exam scores?

Once you receive an email telling you that the draft or final scores are posted, you can go to MYSOM the school's virtual private network (vpn) anywhere you have online service using your School of Medicine login information.