Examination Policy

Purpose

Examination rules are in place to ensure that all students have consistent expectations for the administration of examinations. The examination rules apply to all examinations administered at BSOM—internally developed exams and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) exams. The examination rules established by BSOM have been adapted from those published by the NBME.

Examination Policy

  1. Timely arrival is expected.
    • Assigned randomized seating of testing students will be in effect for all testing instances.
    • Doors will close 10 minutes prior to the posted start time.
    • Each student will be seated, using a functional computer with downloaded examination at the appointed time.
    • The Department of Medical Education will track students who arrive late or have computer issues.
  2. Students may not wear or bring into the testing room:
    • Hats, hoods on head
    • Coats, outer jackets, or headwear
    • iPods
    • Cell Phones
    • Paging devices
    • Calculators
    • Recording/filming devices
    • Headphones/earbuds
    • Beverages or food of any type
    • Reference materials (books, notes, papers)
    • Smart glasses
    • Large jewelry and hair items
    • Watches with alarms, computer or memory capability
    • Backpacks, briefcases, or luggage
      • Bring only the device to be used for the exam, the power supply for that device if needed, and a pencil or pen.
      • The exam password will be withheld until ALL unnecessary items are out of the examination room.
      • Foam earplugs with no strings attached may be worn only for noise reduction.
  3. One sheet of scrap paper will be provided at a time. Student must put name on all scrap paper used. Students may not write anything on the scrap paper prior to the start of the exam other than name. If more than one sheet of scrap paper is needed, turn in the first used sheet and the proctor will provide another sheet. Erasable note boards and markers are provided for all NBME exams. Students must turn in all scrap paper or note boards prior to reviewing examination results or leaving the testing room with no review.
  4. Calculators and normal laboratory reference values are included within the testing interface. Students may not use their own calculators.
  5. The exam package must be uploaded prior to exiting the exam room. If a device leaves the room without uploading the exam package, the student will be required to report to the Department of Medical Education with the device and be referred to Honor Council.
  6. In the event of a computer issue during an exam, the student shall seek immediate assistance from a test proctor.
    • If a student’s exam application or testing device freezes during a test, a proctor will assist the student in resuming the test.
    • If there is a subsequent freeze of the device, or a catastrophic device failure, the student will be escorted to another testing location.
    • A new exam may need to be downloaded on another device in order for the student to receive full testing time.
    • In rare instances, the test may need to be rescheduled to another time.
  7. Restroom breaks will be limited to one person at a time, and a proctor will escort the student. If the proctor is not present at the main door, someone is already out of the room. No additional testing time is allowed to make up for time lost during a personal break from the testing room.
    • For NBME examinations, the time allowance for the exam will be posted.
      • No scheduled breaks are configured within the examination (except for the CBSE/CCSE exams).
      • The exam is self-timed and will end when the examinee ends the exam or the amount of time in the exam expires.
  8. If an examinee needs to leave the room due to illness, a proctor will determine if immediate medical attention is needed. Approval of the subsequent absence and completion of the exam must be arranged by the student through the Department of Medical Education.
  9. Students who are approved for testing accommodations will be tested according to their specified accommodations.
  10. Dishonesty is a violation of the Medical Student Honor Code. Any student identified as cheating on a graded assessment will be referred to Honor Council and may receive a zero for that test.
  11. Reproducing or sharing exam questions in any form (orally or writing/images) is a violation of the Medical Student Honor Code and NMBE rules. Any student identified as reproducing questions will be referred to Honor Council and may receive an adverse action, up to and including dismissal.
  12. Disruptive behavior that interferes with other students will not be tolerated. The examinee will be escorted from the testing room and will be referred to Honor Council.
  13. In the event of a disruption that does not threaten the safety of students or testing personnel, students will be instructed to remain in their seats, observing the customary rules of testing behavior (e.g., no talking). Students will be permitted to continue with the examination, if they can, and a member of the testing staff will take steps to have the situation corrected.
  14. Please see the Foundations Absence Policy,  the Doctoring Absence Policy, and/or the Advanced Doctoring Absence Policy for procedures for examination absences.

Approved by WSU BSOM 6/24/16.

Updated by WSU BSOM 5/24/17.

Updated by WSU BSOM 10/26/18.

Approved by FCC 11/30/22