pros and cons of block schedules?

[mikeeb]

Hey, jus wondering which type of testing schedule was better....block or the other kind where u test every week. Thanks

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[Sarikate]

I think it really depends on what kind of person you are. I have the option of going to a school with block exams and one with weekly exams. It isn't the be-all, end-all for me but the more I thought about it the more I realized that having exams every week, while a pain in the arse, would probably be better for me personally.

I'm not yet even an MS-1, but this is my take on it:

Having block exams is nice because you are not living in the vortex of exam-induced stress. You have your tests every six weeks or so and while you're studying hard during that six weeks, you can have a moment or two of slackerdom and probably be able to rectify it before crunchtime comes. Then, after your block, you get a bit of a breather, which is probably super-nice. The biggest con: the whole drinking-from-a-firehose idea is multiplied about 1000x; SIX weeks of information in one exam? Panic attack, here I come.

Then again, having weekly exams is nice because it pretty much necessitates staying on top of that information on a consistent basis. You might stumble on the first exam or two, but then you get your routine down. There's less information on each test, so you can really concentrate on what you're studying. The biggest con: the whole idea of having a stress-free weekend goes out the window. Although I don't necessarily think that's true, if you budget your time wisely!

What do other people think?

 

[BradenDO]

One of the reasons I chose not to interview at CCOM was because I really didn't feel weekly tests would be the best for me. (That wasn't the only reason, plus I already had an acceptence elsewhere) Anyways, like you said, I think I would always be stressed out from all of the tests. With the block scheduling, I'm hoping studying for a couple hours everyday will be sufficient and then cranking it up it a bit before the actual test.

 

[JohnnyOU]

Block weeks are rough...but I prefer it.

 

[HemaOncoDoc]

Hey, jus wondering which type of testing schedule was better....block or the other kind where u test every week. Thanks

I can see the advantages of both. With the block system, you take your studying into your own hands. You follow whatever regimen you set for yourself and hope it's enough. Students who are diligent with their studying seem to thrive in the block system.

With weekly testing, it breaks things down into smaller chunks and one must keep up with reading and studying in order to do well. You do run the risk of "info dumping" after one test to study for another one though.

Basically, factor in how you learn and whether you're vigilant enough.

 

[Kuba]

I think weekly may be better for me.

 

[Orthodoc40]

I think weekly may be better for me.

Me too! Oh-oh, what does DMU and NJ do? I'd better figure that out soon! 😀

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Block weeks are rough...but I prefer it.

Me, too. I think almost everybody at our school feels the same. Actually, I think block exams help force you to stay kept up simply because you can't learn all that material duirng exam week. Also, you don't find yourself blowing off subjects to study for your weekly test in another subject.

 

[JonnyG]

then theres pcom where you take one system at a time. Basically a test every three wekks or so (generally one or two test per system). Its not as stressful as having block testing since its all related to the same thing and not as innane as havign weekly tests.


We do take several year long classes but they meet infrequently or only have three tests a year.

 

[erleichda]

Me too! Oh-oh, what does DMU and NJ do? I'd better figure that out soon! 😀

UMDNJ-SOM has a block exam schedule ... for now

 

[TerpDO]

I think something like PCOM's systems curriculum would be ideal for me because you do take only one exam every few weeks and after that exam you can essentially clear your mind for the next round of material. For me the weekly exams would remind me too much of college where I crammed a lot of stuff the day before the exam which leads to crappy grades. The school where I got into and is currently my top choice has the block system where every 4-6 weeks there is one entire week devoted to exams which I think may be somewhat stressful but I think I'll prefer it over weekly exams. If you think weekly exams will help you keep pace though then by all means try to matriculate into a school with that schedule.

 

[HunterGatherer]

I have a wife and 7yo boy so I like the block exam schedule of NYCOM.