Examination Procedures

Rescheduling Phase 1 Course Exams 

All requests to reschedule a Phase 1 course exam must be submitted using the official Exam Reschedule Form. Reschedule dates are pre-determined by the medical school and will be communicated to the student upon approval of the request.

• (1a) Urgent Requests
  Students must contact an Assistant or Associate Dean for Student Affairs and the Curricular Affairs Office as soon as possible prior to the start of the examination. The communication must include the student’s name and reason for the request.
  1. (1a.1) The Exam Reschedule Form must be submitted promptly to both the Curricular Affairs Office and Student Affairs Office.
  2. (1a.2) All urgent reschedule requests must be accompanied by an Exam Reschedule Form referencing the original exam date.
• (1b) Non-Urgent Requests
  1. (1b.1) Examinations may not be rescheduled unless the request is urgent and properly documented. Requests to reschedule examinations for non-urgent reasons will not be approved.

Approved Reschedule Requests

• (2a) Upon approval, the Curricular Affairs Office will notify course chairs and proctors.
• (2b) Students are prohibited from viewing answer keys or discussing exam content with peers or faculty prior to taking the rescheduled exam.
• (2c) It is the student’s responsibility to ensure the rescheduled exam does not conflict with other educational obligations.
• (2d) Rescheduled exam dates, times, and locations are determined by the medical school and will not be adjusted for individual preferences.
• (2e) Students are expected to take the exam on the assigned rescheduled date. Failure to do so without prior approval will result in a zero score.
• (2f) Students approved to take an examination on an alternative date are required to complete and submit an Examination Integrity Attestation Form prior to sitting for the rescheduled exam.

Phase 2 Clinical Course Test Release Policy

• (3a) This policy applies to all students enrolled in clerkship courses and scheduled to take NBME or other clinical assessments. Students will be released from all clinical obligations as follows:
  1. (3a.1) All students will have Thursday off prior to the exam, regardless of site.
  2. (3a.2) Friday exams: Students may be scheduled for call until 10:00 PM on Wednesday.
  3. (3a.3) Thursday exams: Students may be scheduled for call until 10:00 PM on Tuesday.

Documented Disabilities and Exam Accommodations 

• (4a) In advance of the assigned exam date, students with disabilities requiring exam accommodations must complete the registration process with the DGSOM Director of Disability Services, Grace Clifford, and receive temporary or full approval
  1. (4a.1) Accommodations should be requested as soon as possible. It may take up to two weeks to complete the exam accommodation application review process, including intake with DGSOM Disability Services. Requests made less than two weeks prior to an exam will be considered but cannot be guaranteed. Accommodations are not retroactive.
• (4b) The National Board of Medical Examiners has a separate NBME exam accommodations process. It is recommended students familiarize themselves with the USMLE Exam Accommodation Process: https://www.usmle.org/step-exams/test-accommodations.
  1. (4b.1) The DGSOM Director of Disability Services can assist students in reviewing the USMLE Step Accommodation request process and support the development of a strong request. This includes reviewing required documentation, consulting with documenting providers, assisting with the development of the personal statement, and providing a supplemental letter of support.
  2. (4b.2) Such requests should be made minimally 6-9 months in advance of the desired test date as the NBME requires 60-90 days to review and respond to requests. Requests for support made in less than 6-9 months will be considered, but not guaranteed. Minimally, all requests will receive a completed certification of prior test accommodations.