Boards going P/F

[gatorPredent]

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Out of curiosity I sent the ADA an email to see if Boards were going pass/fail since we have all heard they are but then had heard they may not. They emailed me back and said they were going p/f in 2012. So does this mean the class of 2014 will be split in those taking boards after 1st year and those after 2nd year? Would this be a consideration in choosing a school...Which would have the edge? Any thoughts?

 

[yuppers]

Taking the part I after the first year is nice imo, but p/f would definitely lower the stress level.

As far as an advantage, it depends on how students will be compared for specialties.

 

[cyrano]

.

 

[gatorPredent]

i feel the same way. On the one hand you don't have to stress over boards as much if you want to leave the option open. Maby if we are the first class they wont have a specialty test yet? It will be interesting to know....and maby if you take boards for a score you would still have to take specialty test, if there is one, to standardize with the rest? I wish more was known

 

[NCarolinaDent]

I have heard from people in admissions for specialities that some programs at certain schools will start to make applicants take the GMAT.

Their logic when I asked? They have to separate people from the pack somehow. So it is possible you may have to study for yet ANOTHER TEST!!!!

No joke.

 

[yuppers]

I have heard from people in admissions for specialities that some programs at certain schools will start to make applicants take the GMAT.

Their logic when I asked? They have to separate people from the pack somehow. So it is possible you may have to study for yet ANOTHER TEST!!!!

No joke.

Wow that makes no sense.
Sorta glad I will take part 1 the first year then.

 

[Albuterol]

I have heard from people in admissions for specialities that some programs at certain schools will start to make applicants take the GMAT.

Their logic when I asked? They have to separate people from the pack somehow. So it is possible you may have to study for yet ANOTHER TEST!!!!

No joke.

really GMAT!?! that makes no sense to me...I personally do not like the fact that they are going from a #score to P/F. I am assuming the passing percentage is still going to remain the same (75% i think??) the only difference that I can think of is you won't know how you scored. Why not leave it as it is and do away with the second "specialty" exam.

 

[yuppers]

really GMAT!?! that makes no sense to me...I personally do not like the fact that they are going from a #score to P/F. I am assuming the passing percentage is still going to remain the same (75% i think??) the only difference that I can think of is you won't know how you scored. Why not leave it as it is and do away with the second "specialty" exam.

Well, someone is going to be making some extra money because of the additional exams.... and it isn't the students.

 

[Albuterol]

Well, someone is going to be making some extra money because of the additional exams.... and it isn't the students.

yea..not cool man, not cool.

 

[gatorPredent]

If it is a seperate test then it does sound like p/f will be a disadvantage. At least with the current set up you study for only one test.

 

[yuppers]

Part 2 gets changed to p/f in 2012 as well. Right? If so then the classes of 2012, 2013, and part of 2014 will have numerical scores for part one and p/f for part 2.

 

[skiphotsauce]

At an interview, the question about specializing with P/F boardswas asked, and the admissions guy said that there will most likely be a second exam that is graded if you want to specialize, but not the GMAT. Most likely an exam similar to part 1 of the boards.

 

[SugarNaCl]

Even now, they only let you take it to pass once. If you fail, you can take it again but if you pass, your score stands as is. I think the plan is to evolve into P/F though, yeah.

 

[junkemails44]

aargh... Another test?? I thought the main reason why the board is going pass or fail was the fact that there is no clear correlation between the board score and the performance in the specialty programs. If they are going to make us take some graduate school entrance exam, how will they justify the reason for making the board pass or fail?

 

[dmd87]

maybe they'll use a test like the MCAT VR?

 

[rowsdower]

I'm wondering how the admissions for specialty programs are going to compare your P/F to someone who who actually has a score. Which would be favored, a 94 on NDBE part 1 or a 94 on the specialty exam? I suppose you would have to use a percentile of those taking the tests to make your comparison.

 

[The Anhedonia]

http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/adanews/adanewsarticle.asp?articleid=3819


it's not going to be the GMAT, MCAT, or any other of the silly suggestions 🙂. Don't worry, the ADA has it under control.

 

[DentalGrad]

That's cause for worry!

If I understand correctly from the posts, in addition to studying for classes & the boards, students who want to specialize will also have to prepare for yet another standardized test!!

Is it really necessary for dental students to jump through another hoop? Why?

Either keep the boards graded for those who want to specialize or figure out another way to pick for residencies other than another standardized test.

 

[doc toofache]

http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/adanews/adanewsarticle.asp?articleid=3819


it's not going to be the GMAT, MCAT, or any other of the silly suggestions 🙂. Don't worry, the ADA has it under control.

I mean it's inevitable. I can't help but feel a little pissed off and relieved at the same time.

 

[The Anhedonia]

think of it this way --> the playing field is level. everyone is in the same boat and on an even keel (jeez, too many metaphors).

it maybe "just another hoop", but it's not going to put those who wish to specialize at a disadvantage or anything.

That's cause for worry!

If I understand correctly from the posts, in addition to studying for classes & the boards, students who want to specialize will also have to prepare for yet another standardized test!!

Is it really necessary for dental students to jump through another hoop? Why?

Either keep the boards graded for those who want to specialize or figure out another way to pick for residencies other than another standardized test.

 

[cyrano]

.

 

[doc toofache]

It just seems to me that those who have a good score on the boards will be coveted by residencies because of their familiarity with that process.

No question, the residency programs will feel more comfortable interpreting a Part 1 percentile. Even if forced to take the specialty exam, a student with a 90 percent "exam x" and 89 percentile Part 1 compared to my 90 percent "exam x" and P Part 1 will look different.

Now I have to consider when I will take my Boards.

 

[Nat426]

It was explained to me by an admissions councilor that even though the test is going to P/F they will still maintain a grading standard that can be released to specialty programs if they request it.

 

[peerless218]

It was explained to me by an admissions councilor that even though the test is going to P/F they will still maintain a grading standard that can be released to specialty programs if they request it.

Somehow I got this feeling that the boards will probably have like a FINE PRINT somewhere that says HONORS PASS, HIGH PASS, PASS or something like that. Otherwise it's gonna be extremely difficult to select students for specialty programs. There are also schools that have pass or NP grade scales. When you have bunch of Ps across your transcript/letter, how do you separate students besides this applicant is the president of his class and that applicant isn't?? Or maybe we shall narrow down to the slight darker side of society. It all comes down to who you know. 😱😱

 

[hopefullyadent]

do u think it may favor dental students at prestgious schools such as Harvard, Columbia, UCLA

 

[baseballjunkie]

do u think it may favor dental students at prestgious schools such as Harvard, Columbia, UCLA

No. The ADA has said that they are going to create a separate exam for specialization; one that is DESIGNED to evaluate students on a different level. The reason why part I is going P/F is because the exam was not designed to be administered for evaluating/ranking students based on what they know.