Academic Policy

 Student Evaluation

Various evaluation tools are used to evaluate student competency, including tests, written and oral presentations, discussion boards and group projects. All examinations are the property of the Program. The type of evaluation used in each course will be delineated in the course syllabus. Although some courses may be graded on a pass/fail basis, most course work will be evaluated by a letter grade. These letter grades will be converted to a Quality Point Index as follows:

The grade point average (GPA) is obtained by multiplying the numerical grade by the number of credits for each course (quality points). The total quality points are then divided by the total number of course credits completed.

Examination Policy

 Each course director is responsible for examining each student to assess the degree to which the student has met the course objectives. While many examinations will be written, the examination format is the prerogative of the course director with approval of the Physician Assistant Program.

The PA Program makes every effort to secure optimal testing accommodations within the parameters of our control. The following policies concern all examinations, regardless of format:

·         Examination scores will be cumulative for the course.

·         Course work, assignments and presentations must be handed in on the date and time indicated by the instructor. No late assignment will be accepted.

·         Unauthorized retention, possession, copying, distribution, disclosure, discussion or receipt of any examination question is strictly prohibited.

Examination Administration Policy

 ·         All students must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the start of each exam.

·         Students arriving more than 15 minutes after the start time will be allowed to sit for the exam, however, additional time will not be provided. Time lost due to tardiness will not be compensated.

·         Upon a second incidence of tardiness for an exam, a five-percentage point (5%) penalty will be deducted from the exam score. A third incidence of tardiness for an exam will result in a 10- percentage (10%) will be deducted from the exam score. A fourth incident will result in the student not being allowed to sit for that exam, resulting in a zero score. Further, the student will be required to attend a meeting of the Committee on Course and Standing (CCS).

·         No books, book bags, cellular, electronic or any other devices, such as smart watches or calculators, will be allowed in the exam room.

·         Communication with other classmates is strictly forbidden during the exam.

·         Proctors will not answer questions regarding exam questions.

·         Students should use the “flag” link to express concerns with particular questions. If a question is flagged, a comment should also be written. Flagged questions without comments will not be reviewed.

·         If a student experiences software or other technical issues, he/she should immediately seek the assistance of the proctor(s).

·         Scrap paper provided will be collected at the end of each exam.

·         Any misconduct or irregularity observed by the exam proctor must be reported to the program director and the Committee on Course and Standing.

Examination Review Policy

 Pre-Exam Review Sessions

Examination reviews for standalone courses and for CML components are held to reinforce core knowledge and identify deficits in topic areas. These reviews are held at the discretion of the instructor(s) and/or course director.

 NOTE: This policy only applies to the CML components. Course directors of stand-alone courses may have their own policies regarding exam review.

 During Examination Behavior and Post-Exam Question Review

·         Immediately after the submission of an exam, each student will be allowed 10 minutes to review their exam questions and answers on Exam Soft.

·         During the review, questions referencing specifics of the exam or explanations of any part of the exam will not be accommodated. Questions that arise during the review should be submitted within 24 hours of the exam, which will then be reviewed by either the course director or didactic/academic coordinator

·         Students have 72 hours to contest exam questions. References must be cited. Questions may not be contested after the 72-hour period.

·         Before exiting the examination room, each student will be required to log out of Exam Soft, and then be ‘forced-closed’ out of Exam Soft.

·         After exiting the room, no one will be allowed to re-enter the room.

·         In the event of a technical problem making exam review impossible, a student may meet with the academic coordinator to review his or her exam.

·         Students may not reproduce exam questions or parts of exam questions and may not discuss exam questions with other students during the review.

·         Any misconduct or irregularity observed by the proctor will be reported to the program director and the Committee on Course and Standing.

·         There will be no exam review for summative exams such as course final examinations, OSCE exams, clinical clerkship examinations, Exit Exams or End of Curriculum Exams. The didactic/clinical coordinator(s) and advisors will be available to discuss any content area needing further explanation.