- The time and place for examinations will be posted on the electronic calendar (presently the O2 system). It is the responsibility of the student to be present at the beginning of each examination to hear any instructions given at the beginning of the examination. If the student arrives after the examination has started, it is up to the discretion of the exam proctor to provide any instructions to the late arriving student.
- Items allowed at each desk/computer station are pen or pencil, paper issued by the exam proctor, and foam ear plugs if desired. All other items, such as books, backpacks, etc. should be placed at the side of the room. No study materials, books, note cards, etc. are allowed at the desk. No electronic devices are allowed at the desks; phones, calculators, and similar devices should remain at side of the room or not be brought to an exam. No food or drink is allowed in the 8th floor lab. Students may not wear headwear (excepting religious headwear) during an exam.
- Most examinations given in the College are computer-based exams which have a timer built into the examination software. Once the student begins the examination, the timer will track the time allotted for the exam and once the time allotted has expired, the examination will close. If a paper-based exam is given, the exam proctor will announce at the beginning how much time is allotted and will announce when the time has expired. In a paper-based exam, students must stop work when the finish time is announced by the exam proctor. No additional time can be given to transfer or record answers.
- Students may use scratch paper given them by exam proctors. Each student is given one sheet of paper; if it becomes full, they may exchange it for a new sheet. Each student is expected to turn in their scratch paper to the exam proctor at the completion of the examination. In no case should scratch paper be taken outside the testing room.
- It is the policy of the College that students must be present at the beginning of an exam. If a student is going to be late for an exam, he or she must contact the course or clerkship director (or their designee) for permission to begin the examination late. It is the course or clerkship directors’ discretion as to whether or not to allow the student to begin an examination late. Note that for NBME examinations, the National Board has specific policies regarding late arriving students and the College will follow those policies; for example, a student who arrives more than 30 minutes late for any reason will not be allowed to sit for that NBME exam. Students who are repeatedly late for examinations may receive a negative Student Professionalism Assessment evaluation.
Approved by the COM curriculum committee, June 2013
Procedures to be Followed in Cases of Possible Cheating
- Cheating in medical school is a very serious offense and will not be tolerated by other students or by faculty of the College of Medicine.
- Tests will be proctored at the discretion of the course or clerkship director. Proctoring of an examination does not relieve students of the responsibilities placed on them by the Honor Code.
- An individual (student, faculty, or departmental observer) who believes they have observed cheating will report this to an Honor Council representative.
- The Honor Council representatives will handle the situation using procedures described in the Honor Constitution.