PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION DESCRIPTION
The General Knowledge Exam
- Written Exam Portion
- Administered after the first year coursework has been completed in a campus computer lab.
- Designed to be finished in 4 hours, though 6 hours will be allowed (3 hour morning session, 3 hour afternoon session).
- Consists of approximately 1/3 basic facts, 1/3 problem solving/short answer and 1/3 integrative essay.
- Covers the knowledge base that is taught in the core courses (Mole/ Dev; Cell; Systems; Neuroanatomy; Cognitive).
- Oral Exam Portion
- Administered within the week following the written exam.
- Designed to be a 1.5-hr exam, though additional time may be needed on a case-by-case basis.
- Allows examination of areas of perceived weakness from the written exam and allows testing of the student’s ability to “think on their feet.”
- Exam Committee
- Composed of 6 faculty approved by the Ed Policy committee. For 2024: DeBello – chair, Mark Goldman and Marie Burns
- Same committee will write and grade both portions of the exam.
- If there is an unforeseen conflict, the faculty member will appoint a replacement approved by the Ed Policy Committee.
- Outcomes
- Pass/No Pass/Fail applies to both the written and oral components of the exam.
- If No Pass on the first attempt, the student will re-take the exam within 3 months (with exemptions for special circumstances approved by the testing and Ed Policy committees). If No Pass on the second attempt, the student will be dismissed from the program.
- If Fail on first attempt, the student will be dismissed from the program.
- If No Pass on one section and Pass on the others, then the student may retake just that portion of the exam.