M3 and M4 Clerkship Grading

Authorizing Body:

Curriculum Committee

Date Issued:

August 1, 2011

Last Update:

December 2, 2022

Rationale:

To provide a standard method of grading for all clerkships.

Scope and Applicability:

All students enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) program.

OSCE

CPE

NBME Percentile

Honors

Pass on First Attempt

AND

Exceeds Expectations

AND

80th Percentile or Higher

High Pass

Pass on First Attempt

AND

Exceeds Expectations

AND

40th Percentile to 79th Percentile

Meets Expectations

AND

80th Percentile or Higher

P1

Pass on First Attempt OR Pass After Minor Remediation 

AND

Meets Expectations

AND

8th Percentile to 79th Percentile

Exceeds Expectations

AND

8th Percentile to 40th Percentile

Meets Expectations after Minor Remediation

AND

8th Percentile to 79th Percentile

P2

Pass After Major Remediation

OR

Pass After Major Remediation

OR

Retest 8th Percentile or Higher 

Fail

Did not pass after remediation

OR

Did not pass after remediation

OR

Retest less than or equal to 7th Percentile

FL (Fail) is a permanent grade assigned by the Clerkship / Course Director if a student requires major remediation on 2 of the 3 clerkship assessment components (NBME exam, OSCE, or CPE) on the first attempt, or who have failed a single assessment component on the second attempt (failing to successfully retest a major remediation), will receive a final grade of Fail in the clerkship / course and will be required to repeat the entire clerkship / course to progress.

Temporary Grades

I (Incomplete) is a temporary grade, assigned by the faculty member(s) responsible for the clerkship, which indicates work in the clerkship is incomplete.

Students may receive a grade of incomplete for one of two reasons: 1) excused absences resulting in incomplete assignments or assessments or 2) failure to meet the minimum criteria for any one of the clerkship assessment components (NBME subject exam, OSCE or CPE). Students will receive a grade of Incomplete until all clerkship requirements and assessments are satisfied.

Upon receipt of an Incomplete grade, the student must meet with the Clerkship Director or delegate to develop a timeline plan to complete the required coursework and pass any required assessments. Whether the Incomplete is due to excused absences or need for additional coursework, assessments or remediation, the clerkship director, with consultation with the Associate Dean for Clinical Education and Clinical Optimization Specialist(s), will propose a list of remediation requirements with timeline plan, that are required in order for the student to receive a passing grade. The remediation plan and timeline should be made in writing and forwarded to the Clinical Optimization Specialist and the student. For students who receive a grade of Incomplete due to need for additional coursework, assessments or remediation, the clerkship director will determine the core competency domains in which the student needs additional work, for example, knowledge, patient care, communication skills, or professionalism. The clerkship director will also designate whether the remediation need is major or minor.

Examples of need for major remediation:

• NBME subject exam failure
• Additional clinical time needed to demonstrate minimum standards in patient care
• Combination of deficiencies, for example, failure of more than one assessment component
• Major deficiencies identified on OSCE

Examples of minor remediation:

• Focused area of deficiency identified by OSCE failure
• Focused areas of deficiency from CPE that does not require additional clinical assignment

Successful remediation of deficiencies that resulted in an Incomplete grade with major remediation requirements will result in the grade of Incomplete being replaced by a grade of P2.

Successful remediation of deficiencies that resulted in an Incomplete grade with minor remediation requirements will result in the grade of Incomplete being replaces by a grade of P1.

If the requirements are not satisfied or the assessment is not remediated, the grade of Incomplete will convert to a grade of Fail. Removal of an Incomplete as a result of excused absences may be replaced by the earned grade assignments of Honors, High Pass, P1, P2, or Fail following timeline plan completion. Students are also subject to any additional guidance provided in clerkship syllabi pertaining to Incomplete grades following absences.