How many students to fail a typical exam/course at your school?

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Delrey

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Hi there,

I'm an MS1 (at a US MD school) with a 4th unit exam fast approaching. Yes, I should be off of SDN but I think what is more problematic is that I have been suffering extreme anxiety about grades. Currently at a P/F school where it's three "deficient" grades per year and you're out. I am currently passing all of my classes, but what makes me nervous is that barely passing biochem (70s) and we still have 4 "1 test do or die" courses coming up which are making me particularly nervous.


From talking to my friends, I'm definitely not the only one feeling the same way. Most of our averages from our tests have ranged from 75-79 (70 is passing). The only course we finished so far is anatomy (condensed 6 week course) and from the class histogram: 1/4 of the course has outright failed. 20% of the class is currently failing biochem, mainly due to one test in which a little less than 1/2 the class failed. As a class, we have been doing well in our remaining classes (averages in mid-80s). These low numbers have come after a lot of curriculum changes which the faculty understand, but they have not mentioned anything about our performance so I am assuming these courses won't be curved which terrifies me.

Has anyone had a class M1/M2 with 20% or more fail rate? If so, what happened? I know this is a school specific issue and probably would be better to bring up with upperclassmen. I guess I'm trying to get a feel if this many students failing classes is "typical" for med school and is just something I should get over. This constant fear of failing out has really been taking a toll on me and if this is normal, I feel like maybe I don't have what it takes. I knew med school would be stressful, but I never thought I would be stressed out about just staying in (even when I'm passing!). Thanks guys for any input in advanced.
 
Hi there,

I'm an MS1 (at a US MD school) with a 4th unit exam fast approaching. Yes, I should be off of SDN but I think what is more problematic is that I have been suffering extreme anxiety about grades. Currently at a P/F school where it's three "deficient" grades per year and you're out. I am currently passing all of my classes, but what makes me nervous is that barely passing biochem (70s) and we still have 4 "1 test do or die" courses coming up which are making me particularly nervous.
Personally, I wouldn't worry about it until there's something to worry about.

A twenty percent failure rate is not normal and likely will not stand.
 
Generally speaking if you are part of the bottom 5% and are failing, it's your problem. If 20% of the class fails, it's the school's problem. So make sure you aren't in the bottom 5% and the rest will work itself out.
 
There are mostly 5% students are in the class who don't take interest in their studies and they come into class just for fun and time pass. Teachers know very well that which student take interest in studies and which is dull.
Tacoma Fitness Center
 
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