Secure Testing Policy

The purpose of the Secure Testing Policy is to establish a rigorous and uniform framework for administering all high-stakes assessments within the Whiddon College of Medicine (Whiddon COM). This policy ensures that every examination serves as an accurate, fair, and objective measure of a student’s medical knowledge and clinical reasoning. By maintaining the highest standards of examination security, the Whiddon COM protects the integrity of the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree, fulfills its accreditation requirements, and—most importantly—upholds its commitment to patient safety by ensuring that only those who have demonstrated true competency progress toward clinical practice.

 

The provisions in this policy apply to summative exams: National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) subject exams, pre-clerkship customized NBME exams, and institutionally authored pre-clerkship "biweekly" assessments. Additionally, this policy applies to Whiddon COM M.D. degree-seeking students and proctors. This policy pertains to the following exams:

 

 

 

     

4.1.1 All NBME exams toward grade are administered on Whiddon COM-approved computers in the designated Whiddon COM Testing Center. Other examinations, when appropriate, are also administered in this format. Make-up exams are administered on identical setups in the Testing Room of the Medical Education Suite in MSB 2015. These venues meet the specifications for delivering secure NBME exams.

4.1.2 Every student testing in the Testing Center will have assigned seating. Seating assignments in the Testing Room are at the Chief Proctor's discretion.

4.1.3 For NBME exams, you will go to the NBME website and follow the prompts for login. An accession number will be provided on the overhead screens. You are prompted to log onto a secure NBME browser platform to take their tests online. Student progress and exam activity are monitored individually at the Chief Proctor station and in real time at the NBME in Philadelphia.

4.1.4 A brief tutorial precedes every NBME exam. Follow the Chief Proctor's direction to proceed through this and wait to start the actual exam. Students should not begin an NBME exam until instructed by the Chief Proctor.

4.1.5 For biweekly exams, students will click on the test delivery software icon (currently Examplify) and follow the prompts to launch the exam. You will be given an accession key on the overhead screen during login. Students must wait for Chief Proctor to begin.

 

4.2.1 Every exam is administered by a Chief Proctor and staffed with a Whiddon COM Information Technology (COM IT) person. The Chief Proctor is the Assessment Coordinator in the Division of Medical Education. Proctors are authorized to deliver exams by an Executive Chief Proctor designated for the NBME (Assistant Dean of Student Assessment and Evaluation), who will advise the Chief Proctor or consult the NBME should problems arise. In addition, each exam requires an external proctor stationed outside the testing room to monitor security for students on breaks.

 

4.3.1 The following items are prohibited from the Whiddon COM Testing Center unless allowed by university-approved accommodations:

• Electronic devices of any kind, including cell phones, personal digital assistants, pagers, watches, image-capturing or memory-capable computers, recording glasses and calculators
• Writing devices of any kind
• Recording and film devices
• Reference materials, including texts, notes, notebooks
• Non-essential apparel (warm clothes acceptable)
• Bags, purses, computer sleeves, or backpacks
• Beverages or food of any type

 

4.4.1 Phones that are turned off can be deposited in a cell phone basket, which will be kept secure by the hall proctor or the Chief Proctor, depending on prior arrangement.

 

4.5.1 Any prescription medication that a student might require during an exam is to be kept with the Chief Proctor. The Chief Proctor must be informed of any accommodations a student may need during the test because of a medical condition. The nature of the medical condition (diagnosis) need not be revealed.

 

4.6.1 One erasable whiteboard and marker are provided for every student entering the Testing Center or Test Room. These items are not to be used until the exam has started. The student is responsible for cleaning the board after completing the exam.

 

4.7.1 Only foam earplugs are acceptable. Headphones and ear buds of any type are not allowed unless noted by the Chief Proctor as needed for the exam (e.g., audio of heart sounds). Foam earplugs are provided at the proctor’s station once a semester.

 

4.8.1 Secure NBME exams require a monitoring system. The Testing Center and Testing Room in MSB 2015 have high-resolution, proctor-driven security cameras that record exam sessions and are monitored. Additional security measures incorporated into assessments include scrambled questions.

 

4.9.1 Examinees arriving late will not be given extra time for biweekly exams or NBME exams. The NBME will be notified if an examinee arrives more than 30 minutes late for an NBME exam, and the examinee can be refused admission to the exam by the Chief Proctor.

 

4.10.1 In the event that a student experiences an interruption of internet service during an NBME exam, the student will notify the Chief Proctor, who will authorize the student to launch a restart protocol. After the restart, the student may resume the exam without loss of time allowed or questions answered. Spare computers will be available if needed.

 

4.11.1 NBME exams are self-timed according to the student’s precise start time and download rate of the student’s computer. The results of NBME exams are automatically uploaded if the student runs out of time. The student's individual countdown clock for an NBME exam is in the upper right corner of the screen.   

 

4.11.2 For biweeklies, the exam time (90 seconds per question) is built into the exam. 
 
4.11.3 For biweeklies, your exam upload is successful when you see the green screen. If you have any difficulty or experience a freeze, see the Chief Proctor for assistance. Student must stay in the exam center until their exam has finished uploading.

 

4.12.1 If a student witnesses or overhears anything that could be considered cheating, he or she must report it on Canvas or to the Chief Proctor.

 

4.13.1 One student per each of the two available restrooms are allowed to leave the testing center for restroom or snack breaks. Students with approved accommodations may be allowed these breaks at any time. Students must sign out and sign back in at the designated table outside the Testing Center. Students must use the restroom proximal to the Testing Center. Students testing in the Medical Education Testing Room must use the restrooms located next to the Division of Medical Education bulletin board.

 

 

4.15.1 Post-exam reviews after pre-clerkship course exams are scheduled in the Small Group Learning Center (SGLC) for biweekly exams but not for NBME exams. Post-exam reviews last 60 minutes. Attendance is not required. For the review, students can review the exam on the team monitors and their answers through the exam taker portal in the Whiddon COM testing platform.

 

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Division of Medical Education