Overview
Please familiarize yourself with the Required Clerkship Exam Schedule Guidelines. Your final grade is derived from two components: the clinical GPA and the NBME examination. The clinical GPA is worth 80% of your final grade, and the NBME exam is worth 20% of your final grade. The results of the clerkship and faculty evaluations are confidential and not made known to the sites until all student grading has been completed.
The 2024-2025 clerkship grading scale is:
| Grade Tier | Clinical GPA (4 point Scale) | Clinical GPA % | Final Grade % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honors | 3.8 | 95% | 92.5% |
| High Pass | 3.0 | 75% | 74.3% |
| Pass | 2.0 | 50% | 52.4% |
| Fail | Less than 2.0 | Less than 50% | Less than 52.4% |
* Adjusted GPA is the Sum of Clinical GPA and Adjustment from Exam Grade
* Students who receive a clinical fail will fail the clerkship.
Example of Final Grade Calculation:
| Weighted | Final Value | ||
| CLINICAL GPA (numerical) | 3.25 | ||
| CLINICAL GPA (percent) | 81.25 | x0.8 | 0.65 |
| CLINICAL GRADE (H, HP, P, F) | HP | ||
| EXAM SCORE | 77 | x0.20 | 0.154 |
| FINAL GRADE (percent) | 80.4 | .804 | |
| FINAL GRADE (H, HP, P, F) | HP |
* Students must get a 62/100 (3% tile) in order to PASS the NBME exam.
Refer to UW SOM Clerkship Grading Policy here.
Clinical "GPA"
Clinic preceptors, attendings, other faculty, and residents will evaluate each student. At some sites, they will document their observations of your clinical performance on the standard clinical Clerkship Student Performance Evaluation form. At other sites, a group meeting will be held at the end of each rotation. During that meeting preceptors will discuss the student and determine the overall numerical score for the 12 items and then submit only 1 final evaluation with comments. The time spent with each preceptor will be accounted for in the weighing of those evaluations.
1. Patient Care
2. Knowledge for Practice
3. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
4. Personal and Professional Development
5. Practice Based Learning
6. Interprofessional Collaboration
All clinical GPAs will be calculated by the Clerkship Administrator. Dr. Mendiratta will review all recommended grades that significantly vary from the calculated clinical GPA.
Students who receive a clinical fail will fail the clerkship.
Written Examination
The final written examination, consisting of approximately 110 (100 scored, 10 are being tested by the NBME) questions over an allotted time of 2 hours and 45 minutes. is a standardized subject test from the National Board of Examiners (NBME). The minimal passing score is fixed and non-negotiable.
The NBME determines the time allotted. If you have a learning disability documented by the School of Medicine, please let us know no later than the first week of the clerkship to arrange extra time.
The NBME subject test is developed and reviewed by expert question writers and provides the opportunity for students to experience the types of questions used on NBME board exams. Use of this test also allows us to evaluate our clerkship with others across the nation. Reading the required materials is essential in order to perform well on the examination.
Breakdown of Questions
| General Principles | 1-5% |
| Gynecology: Promoting health and health maintenance | 15-20% |
| Gynecology: Understanding mechanisms of disease | 15-20% |
| Gynecology: Establishing a diagnosis | 15-20% |
| Gynecology: Applying principles of management | 5-10% |
| Obstetrics: Promoting health and health maintenance | 15-20% |
| Obstetrics: Understanding mechanisms of disease | 15-20% |
| Obstetrics: Establishing a diagnosis | 15-20% |
| Obstetrics: Applying principles of management | 5-10% |
The NBME provides sample items designed to the format of the examination. Please click here for a sample 50 question examination (with answers).
The NBME Exam is scheduled by a central office in the UW SOM. Please visit their website for more information regarding locations, exam scheduling, etc.
Students must get a 62/100 (3% tile) in order to PASS the NBME exam. If a student fails they need to do a repeat exam and PASS prior to graduation. Students may still be able to pass the rotation if they did well clinically.
How to Prepare for NBME Exam
Recommendations to prepare for the NBME Obstetrics and Gynecology Subject Exam are as follows (taken from a student who scored a 99 on the exam):
- Blue Prints - read through early in rotation
- Do uWise and/or q-bank questions
- First Aid for Step 2
- Complete the uWise 100-point timed test to prepare for real world testing environment and actually time yourself
- On-Line cases and videos from APGO: Objectives, Videos and Teaching Cases
- The NBME also provides a comprehensive self-assessment service for a fee, please click here for more information.
If you have any other general questions about exam logistics, please visit NBME Subject Exams.
Grade Challenge
If you wish to dispute your final grade, the Grade Challenge form must be completed and received by our office within 4 weeks after your grade was posted.
Circumstances in which a challenge is appropriate include:
- An apparent mathematical error in computing your final grade.
- A technical problem with the evaluation process.
Circumstances in which a challenge will not be entertained include:
- Performance on the exam or the weight of exam.
- Disagreement with our grading process (e.g. how the clinical GPA is calculated and weighted).
- Disagreement with the an evaluator’s assessment of your performance.
- Discrepancy between the feedback you received and the evaluation that was submitted.
- Disagreement with final comments vs. final grade.
Please review the UWSOM Clinical Grade Review, Challenge, and Appeal Process.
Learn How Feedback Relates to Final Grading
If you have any questions, please contact the Clerkship Administrator, RaQuel Harwick, for more information.
Repeating Clerkship
If you fail your Obstetrics and Gynecology clerkship you will be required to repeat the clerkship at a site determined by the Clerkship director. Retaking the clerkship includes all aspects of the clerkship, including the final NBME Subject Exam.