Tests in Med School

[BradenDO]

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I read that at DMU tests are given once a week. Is this true and is it typical of all med schools? It just seems like that sort of pace would make it hard to learn the material.

 

[dr.z]

I don't know about DMU, but it will really depend on the school. If I remember correctly, CCOM has tests almost twice a week.

 

[mx_599]

I read that at DMU tests are given once a week. Is this true and is it typical of all med schools? It just seems like that sort of pace would make it hard to learn the material.

we have a test nearly every week

 

[Nate]

We have block exams x 3 per semester first year then they have something different second year but similar in frequency I believe.

For blocks you get the week of exams off of classes so you can read between exams. In the harder classes we also have quizzes; in Physio and Biochem we have two quizzes which almost count as exams.

So for example in Physio, we have a quiz after three weeks, then an exam two weeks after that, then a second block a month after that, then a quiz two weeks after that, and finally a Final two weeks later which is cumulative. I think the blocks are great in quantity and frequency, I couldn't stand having an exam every single week, there is life outside of med school.

 

[somnolent]

I read that at DMU tests are given once a week. Is this true and is it typical of all med schools? It just seems like that sort of pace would make it hard to learn the material.

Except for a couple weeks at the beginning of the semester and one last time next week, we have had or will have a test every week. This might not be the same next semester or next year, but so far the answer to your question is yes. It isn't actually as bad as it sounds, though.

In August, when they were "easing" us into medical school, we really only had one basic science class and a couple misc. classes, so tests were spread out a bit. My first couple biochem scores were actually the lowest so far. When the class load got full, my grades went up. Go figure.

I think having the schedule like this keeps you on task. If it were block tests I feel I would be slacking at the beginning and then cram at the end. Now, I pace myself without trying to leapfrog from test to test (although i still do a little...) That said, it will sure be nice to not have any test at all next week.

Now back to studying for this week's test...cell biology

 

[hamandcheese]

I read that at DMU tests are given once a week. Is this true and is it typical of all med schools? It just seems like that sort of pace would make it hard to learn the material.

I know TUCOM has block exams as well.

 

[MikeyLu2010]

anyone know how the tests are setup in AZCOM, NSUCOM? i would've searched..but the google search on this site is not very cooperative

 

[Erica_Moyer]

I'm at AZCOM and we usually have one test a week, on Mondays, sometimes we'll have more than one, but never something like Anatomy AND biochem. Our Anatomy/Hist block is like 3.5 hours though, like 4 tests in one, with our 2 practicals and 2 writtens, but I bet most schools are like that. It only gets worse winter term. Here comes Black January!!!

 

[OSUdoc08]

I read that at DMU tests are given once a week. Is this true and is it typical of all med schools? It just seems like that sort of pace would make it hard to learn the material.

Who said medical school was easy?

OSU-COM averages 1 exam a week.

This is good, because you can study for 1 exam at a time, and not confuse classes with each other.

I think it would be absolutely horrible to have to take several exams on the same day. There is no way to prepare for all of these exams at once, unless you study all the time. I'm a crammer, and this wouldn't work for me.

 

[BradenDO]

Who said medical school was easy?

OSU-COM averages 1 exam a week.

This is good, because you can study for 1 exam at a time, and not confuse classes with each other.

I think it would be absolutely horrible to have to take several exams on the same day. There is no way to prepare for all of these exams at once, unless you study all the time. I'm a crammer, and this wouldn't work for me.

lol I know med school won't be easy--I wasn't expecting it to be. Reading all of your feedback, though, it almost seems to be beneficial having a test once a week. Like OSUdoc said, you can focus more on that test and not mix things up. Thanks for all of your responses! 🙂

 

[fabiolablake]

I'm at AZCOM and we usually have one test a week, on Mondays, sometimes we'll have more than one, but never something like Anatomy AND biochem. Our Anatomy/Hist block is like 3.5 hours though, like 4 tests in one, with our 2 practicals and 2 writtens, but I bet most schools are like that. It only gets worse winter term. Here comes Black January!!!

What Erica is saying is true. DMU starts off slow, but progressively starts adding on tests. It's true, it's very hard to learn the material at such an accelerated rate, but the work gets done. For instance, we had 28 lectures to study for one cardiology exam. I would have rather had an additional test. Some things overlap, so that makes it easier to learn that way. It helps consolidate the information. It doesn't matter how many tests there are, it's imperative that you make it through the material in two years to prepare you for boards. No matter where you go, you will have a superfluous amount of tests. I had pharmacology this morning and a cardio SPAL this afternoon. Although the future may seem dismal, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck to everyone.

Blake