Frequent vs Infrequent Exams

[deleted843384]

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I am trying to decide between two fairly equal schools. The only big difference between the two of them is one has several exams per class, while the other has about two per class (with a curve). I am afraid that my procrastinating habits will make it so the big exams wouldn't work for me. Alternately, I could see how medical school would make me learn to not procrastinate regardless of the type of testing situation. Is this an unfounded fear or does this have a significant impact on success?

 

[Cornfed101]

I am trying to decide between two fairly equal schools. The only big difference between the two of them is one has several exams per class, while the other has about two per class (with a curve). I am afraid that my procrastinating habits will make it so the big exams wouldn't work for me. Alternately, I could see how medical school would make me learn to not procrastinate regardless of the type of testing situation. Is this an unfounded fear or does this have a significant impact on success?

I would not select your school based on this

 

[paradoxic_toxic]

If you're doubting your own ability to stay focused, then having more exams would work in your favor.

But like @Cornfed101 said, there are more important factors when it comes to choosing the right school.

 

[DOgdad23]

I’ll start by saying don’t pick a school based off of this. There are so many factors that go into picking a school, and this should be towards the bottom of the list.

My school has an exam every ~3 weeks, which I consider a good pace, and it is still a marathon of an exam (most exams are 3 hours long). I cannot imagine being tested over material covering more than 3-4 weeks of lecture at once.

Either way, you’ll find that studying (almost) every day in med school is essential to success regardless of how frequent your exams are. I recommend implementing some discipline for something you dislike doing this year to get used to it. Anyone can kill it on the days they feel like killing it. It’s the days that you don’t feel like killing it that will define where you end up.

Good luck in your decision!

 

[Goro]

I am trying to decide between two fairly equal schools. The only big difference between the two of them is one has several exams per class, while the other has about two per class (with a curve). I am afraid that my procrastinating habits will make it so the big exams wouldn't work for me. Alternately, I could see how medical school would make me learn to not procrastinate regardless of the type of testing situation. Is this an unfounded fear or does this have a significant impact on success?

Evidence shows repeated assessments drive learning

 

[deleted843384]

I’ll start by saying don’t pick a school based off of this. There are so many factors that go into picking a school, and this should be towards the bottom of the list.

My school has an exam every ~3 weeks, which I consider a good pace, and it is still a marathon of an exam (most exams are 3 hours long). I cannot imagine being tested over material covering more than 3-4 weeks of lecture at once.

Either way, you’ll find that studying (almost) every day in med school is essential to success regardless of how frequent your exams are. I recommend implementing some discipline for something you dislike doing this year to get used to it. Anyone can kill it on the days they feel like killing it. It’s the days that you don’t feel like killing it that will define where you end up.

Good luck in your decision!

Thanks! I normally wouldn’t, but to me, everything else about the two schools kind of balance out in their pro’s and con’s. And I had that idea- I’m going to run a half marathon this March even though I hate running....! About two months in now.

 

[Cardboard101]

Which schools?

 

[deleted843384]

Which schools?

KCUMB and DMU, didn’t really want the focus on which ones though since everyone has a personal opinion