Grading System
Specific information concerning the derivation of grades in basic science courses (raw score/T-score to merit grades) appears in the Academic Policies and Information section of this Bulletin. Final merit grades in all clinical core courses are assigned on a continuous scale and are reported in an honors/pass/fail assignation. Clinical core course grades are based 70 percent on clinical performance evaluations and 30 percent on written examinations. The Doctoring Curriculum course grades are based on small group participation, objective examinations, clinical skills examinations, and scheduled assignments.

Basic Sciences Reexaminations and Grading

1. Students must pass all basic science courses. Passing scores are determined within each course (generally around 70%) and are stated in the course syllabus. With the exception of the Doctoring Curriculum courses, 90% of a student’s grade must come from written examination and laboratory examinations.  Only 10% of a student’s grade may come from other activities. When courses offer students extra credit (points above and beyond that earned from required course written and laboratory exams and other activities), the extra-credit can be applied only if the student is passing the course.  Extra credit can not be used to improve a student’s failing status in a course to a passing status. Students who receive a failing grade in a course are not eligible to take a reexamination or retake the course if they meet the criteria for dismissal (see Student Progress Guidelines” later in this section).
2. If a student meets the minimum standards for continuing in school, he/she will be given the opportunity for reexamination only if the failing grade in the course was no less than 65 percent or the equivalent T-score of 28. Only one reexamination may be taken in any course.
3. Reexaminations will be given during the summer following the academic year of the failure. The new grade will be submitted to the registrar at least one week prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
4. Successful performance on a reexamination satisfies the requirement that students must pass each course, but the original failure will remain on the transcript. Reexaminations are sufficiently comprehensive to reflect assessment of the entire work for the course.
5. If the student fails this reexamination, he/she will be allowed to repeat the course one time only. If he/she fails the course for a second time, reexamination is not allowed and retaking the course is not allowed. The second failure will result in dismissal.
6. The student with a course failure who is eligible for a reexamination may choose to retake the course at the Medical University or elsewhere (with approval of the department involved) in lieu of taking a reexamination.
7. Standards for a passing performance on a reexamination or upon repeating the course is higher than for the initial attempt and is generally set at 77%.

Clinical Sciences Reexaminations and Grading

1. Both clinical performance and written tests must be completed satisfactorily before a student will be considered to have passed any core course.
2. Clinical competence is absolutely necessary to pass any core course. Unless a passing evaluation is received for the clinical portion of the course, the student will be given a grade of fail and will be required to repeat the course completely, even if the student successfully passed the written examination. Such repetition will include both the clinical work and the written examination.
3. One or more marginal or unacceptable evaluations may constitute the basis for failure in the clinical performance, even if other evaluations are satisfactory. Any reservations indicated by an evaluator about a student’s potential for progressing, after review by the department’s grading committee, may also become the basis for such a failure.
4. A grade of incomplete (IN) is used for students who have passed the clinical portion of the rotation but have failed the written examination.
5. Students who have satisfactorily completed their clinical work but failed the written examination(s) are not eligible to take a reexamination if they meet the criteria for dismissal (see “Student Progress Guidelines”).
6. If a student meets the minimum standards for continuing in medical school, he/she shall be given one additional opportunity to pass the written test. Failure on this reexamination shall result in the assignment of a failing grade for the course.
7. If a student who receives an incomplete grade in a course meets the minimum standards (see “Student Progress Guidelines, Clinical Years”) for continuing in medical school, he/she shall retake the written examination no later than the first offering of the examination during the student’s senior year.