Assessment Methods
Core Medical Science
Although medical sciences courses are mainly taught by the Faculty of Biology, examinations are the responsibility of the Faculty of Clinical Medicine. The Second MB examinations are taken in June in the first and second years. CGC students take only two sections which consist of multiple choice questions on the lecture courses (Section I) and the practicals (Section II). Details of the timetables for the examinations and specimen papers are found on the Faculty of Biology website.
Clinical Medicine
All Cambridge Clinical courses are assessed by the same Final MB examinations. Satisfactory attendance of the course components is a criterion for entry. A process of appraisal (which sets and reviews targets) supports student progress throughout the course, and is informed by various forms of assessment. Students first meet their CGC Tutor during the Introductory week to identify strengths and weaknesses. Subsequently, regular termly ‘review of progress’ meetings with the CGC Tutor help students to recognise their learning needs and document their achievements.
Placement Records
At the end of each clinical placement, students are graded on attendance and performance. The grades are informed by input from the assessment process, the CGC Tutors, the Tutors in General Practice, the specialty tutors in medicine and surgery (and the College Directors of Studies in Medical Science if appropriate).
Placement Record evaluation criteria are as follows:
Attendance: Full attendance is required as defined in the CGC Course Guide.
Overall Performance:
- O = Outstanding: in addition to ‘P’ qualities – demonstrates commitment and enthusiasm and a willingness to do more than expected; responds well and quickly under pressure; exceptional depth and breadth of subject knowledge.
- P = Pass: demonstrates interest and a willingness to learn; has a good grasp of core knowledge and skills appropriate to experience; is organised; works well within the team.
- B = Borderline: contributes relatively little, has only minimal knowledge of the subject; poorly organised – does not work well within the team or fails to engage.
- F = Fail: Lacks interest and makes no effort to learn, demonstrates very little knowledge of the subject – is a disruptive member of the team.
Assessment Score: The score/mark for any end-of-placement test expressed as a percentage.
Assessment of Essays and Project Reports
Band A - Excellent The essay considers the objectives of the modules and discusses them creatively and critically. Students show evidence of critical reflection on the links between theory and practice in their own experience of, for example, a patient’s disability. The essay has a coherent and logical structure combined with an effective writing style. Any references are in accordance with Vancouver style.
Band B - Good There is clear evidence of a thorough understanding of the issues which arise. There is less evidence of conceptualisation and interpretation of theory in relation to practice.
Band C - Pass The essay demonstrates reasonably good understanding of the module objectives. There is less evidence of ability in imaginative and critical discussion.
Band D - Fail The essay demonstrates reasonably good understanding of the module objectives. There is less evidence of ability in imaginative and critical discussion.
Level 1 Assessment
- Clinical Skills 1: Placement Record only.
- Clinical Skills 2: Placement Records; an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) to test clinical and practical clinical skills and an objective written test to assess core knowledge.
- Clinical Skills 3: Placement Records and a portfolio of four cases, developed by the students throughout the placement, is assessed by the CGC Tutors. The cases refer to patients students have seen and to their own research (plagiarism is a form of cheating and could lead to expulsion from the Medical Student Register). Each case should demonstrate competence in Clinical Method and case-note documentation, and address one particular aspect as follows:
- Occupational or environmental illness - cause or effect;
- Ethical or moral dilemma;
- Iatrogenic problem;
- Integration of basic science into diagnosis, assessment or treatment;
- Team working in action;
- Problem of addiction or substance abuse.
- Student Selected Components: assessed by SSC supervisors in the way designed by them to be most appropriate to the activity concerned.
- End of Level 1 Assessment:
Level 1 concludes with an assessment comprising:- Written Test: multiple-choice and extended-matching questions covering all of the major clinical specialties represented in Level 1.
- Case Portfolio: four written cases assessed by each student’s Clinical Supervisor.
- Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE): a series of about 20 stations designed to assess skills in three areas: Practical Clinical Skills, Clinical Examination and Communication Skills.
Level 2 Assessment
Assessment methods for each Specialty are determined by Specialty Directors and are explained to students on the ERWeb. A Placement Record is completed for each Specialty placement by the Specialty Director or regional hospital Undergraduate Specialty Tutor.
- Final MB: Part I and Part II are taken in May/June of year two.
- Part I (Pathology): concerned with the application to human disease of the principles of pathology, it covers morphological and clinical aspects of pathology, including haematology, microbiology, chemical pathology, epidemiology, and preventive medicine; the examination is in three parts:
- Written Examinations: Objective Test Questions, 2 hours; Essay Questions, 2 hours 20 min.
Practical Examination – Written answers based on case folders - 3 hours
Viva voce Examination (for distinction): - 2 x 15 min. - Part II (Clinical Paediatrics & Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology): designed to assess clinical skills, the examination comprises two Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) each lasting 1.5 hours.
Level 3 Assessment
- Elective Report: all students submit a report on their elective the purposes of which are to:
- Provide a detailed record of the elective period;
- Provide experience in presentation of considered written work;
- Contribute to data bank of elective opportunities for succeeding generations of students;
- Be assessed by the CGC Director, Clinical Dean and College Directors of Studies for ‘best elective report’ award.
- Mid-point Review: students whose progress is not satisfactory are brought to the attention of the CGC Director so that additional support may be organised if required.
- Objective Practical Skills Examination (OSPE): about 15 stations to assess practical skills according to the requirements of Tomorrow’s Doctors. When they have passed the OSPE, students may practise their skills under supervision on their ward-based Level 3 placements.
- Portfolios & Experience Logs: evidence of satisfactory completion is required before entry into Final MB.
- Final MB Part III (Clinical Medicine): is taken in June of year four; performance is reported as ‘Pass’ or ‘Pass with Distinction’. Exceptional performance is also recognised by the award of prizes. The examination is concerned with the principles and practice of Medicine and Surgery with Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, General Practice, Public Health Medicine, Paediatrics, Psychiatry and other medical and surgical specialities specialities including Anaesthesia, Clinical Oncology, Dermatology, ENT, Ophthalmology, Palliative Care and Surgical Anatomy.
The examination is designed to assess:- Knowledge and experience of Medicine and Surgery in their widest sense;
- Ability to apply that knowledge and experience to the management of patients;
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients and to respect their autonomy
- Experience of ethical problems in clinical medicine.
Written papers are assessed without knowledge of the candidate's name.
The examination has five components:
Component 1: Multiple Choice Test (MCQ) – 3 hours
Component 2: Extended Matching Question (EMQ) – 3 hours
Component 3: Structured Essay Question (SEQ) – 2 hours
Component 4: Simulated Clinical Encounter Examination (SCEE) – 3 hours
Component 5: Clinical Examination (CE) – 3.5 hours