Pass/Fail Curriculum

[Pembleton]

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Just out of curiousity, at what score is a pass assessed?

 

[MDstudent79]

At my school, it's USUALLY 70% of the average of the top 10 scores. But even that varies from class to class. Some classes have been 70% of THE top score, others have been 70% of the average of the top 7 scores, etc.

But...usually it's 70% and there's a LITTLE bit of a curve (1-5 points...never more so far in my experience).

 

[Hayden2102]

So does that mean the more competitive the class is, the more difficult it is to pass?

And so the maximum "pass" score is 70%? (Giving that the maximum top score is 100%...)

 

[Sophie]

That totally depends on the school. At USC it's a straight 70%. If everyone does really badly they supposedly will adjust it down to 69% or 68%, but I haven't witnessed that yet.

 

[MDstudent79]

So does that mean the more competitive the class is, the more difficult it is to pass?

And so the maximum "pass" score is 70%? (Giving that the maximum top score is 100%...)

At my school, yes, it depends on the competitiveness of the class--though I doubt there's any significant difference from one year to the next (though maybe over larger periods of time). Professors have said that this year seems to be a bit more competitive than the past (nobody has failed any class thus far I believe, higher averages, etc.), but who knows if that's just to make us feel better or not? 🙂

And yes, you're right that basically, the max "pass" score is a raw 70%. And that's pretty much what it always is at my school. It's been dropped a point or two generally for curving purposes, but not much.

And as a previous poster said, I'm sure the details depend on the school AND class you're taking (not all of our classes go by exactly the same policy)....but I'm sure something around 70% (give or take a few points) is the norm from what I've heard.

 

[princessd3]

75% at Michigan Med

 

[jae9970]

lemme ask you this then.. of course it will vary from class to class but,

what percentage of students pass??

 

[princessd3]

Our passing rate (for the M1 class thus far) has never dropped below 90% and is usually above 95%.

 

[Wizard of Oz]

Our passing rate (for the M1 class thus far) has never dropped below 90% and is usually above 95%.

Ditto here.

Schools do not want their students to fail. Attrition makes them look like they're not doing their job.

Our pass line is also 70%, but we're seeing averages in the upper 80's.

 

[MadameLULU]

Our pass is 68-86.4, and we have an MP that is 60-67.4. Our average is usually around 85 or so.

 

[Pembleton]

Our pass is 68-86.4, and we have an MP that is 60-67.4. Our average is usually around 85 or so.

I guess that 0.6 between P and MP is the No Man's Land.

 

[MadameLULU]

I guess that 0.6 between P and MP is the No Man's Land.

😳 oops. 67.5-86.4 😛

 

[jae9970]

90% ~ 95% passing rate? That's remarkable, even higher passing rate than my undergraduate classes, I would think.. but I also realize that I have to account for much higher standard of the student body. 😀

 

[CCLCMer]

Just out of curiousity, at what score is a pass assessed?

I'm not totally clear on how things work myself, since we don't have any tests and I haven't come up for review yet. But the gist is that we have to demonstrate competencies in nine areas (one of which is medical knowledge). You get to decide what evidence to cite to prove that you've met each competency. The reviews occur at the end of the year, and the committee meets to decide whether you get promoted to the following year. We have a physician advisor who works with us to prepare for the review, so failure is really rare.