Comments on: Whew.

By: Joe Lucas

Joe Lucas — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 04:13:26 +0000

Congratulations on the grade.
That sounded like an interesting test.

By: donna

donna — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:36:37 +0000

I had a “bone” test like that once in Anthropology. Numbered bones were passed around the room, and we had to label them correctly on our exam paper — no multiple choice, just “which bone is this? Great, pass it on.”

Our class did so dismally bad that she came up with another test a few weeks later just so that SOME of us had a chance of passing… :)

hey, when you have an anthro class with a bunch of people with NO background in anthropology OR biology… something’s gotta go. :)

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 02:55:59 +0000

I just bombed a bell-ringer lab test today. I find them quite challenging because you’re put on the spot, with a time limit, with no chance to go back after your time is up. It gets me all wound up and I make stupid mistakes. I think an anatomy test like this would be extremely challenging.
As far as m/c tests go, I agree that they allow for the testing of a broader range of material. Plus, I think they better test your knowledge of a subject (being able to recognize a correct answer can mean more than just memorizing lists)

By: Dr Kitty

Dr Kitty — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 23:48:27 +0000

Sometimes MCQs can be harder than SAQs, especially if there are distractor questions. But I am always happier to sit a MCQ, even if my marks are similar in both formats!

You would have done well no matter what format the exam was in, and no matter which medical school you went to. And you will rock the USMLEs!

Congrats on getting this far xxx

By: jhawke

jhawke — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 23:47:02 +0000

also, while it’s true that USMLE requires clinical correlation, one of the biggest things that make multiple-choice exams so much harder is that they can test a broader range of knowledge in a shorter amount of time.

ie: 60 seconds (or whatever) per question with multiple-choice is fine, but wouldn’t be enough for short answer. therefore, you would have more questions (on potentially more topics) in a one hour multiple-choice exam than a short answer exam.

By: jhawke

jhawke — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 23:45:10 +0000

interesting, Brad.

i find it curious that a lot of people in our class consistently score at least 10 percent higher on the theory (also multiple-choice) than the lab. obviously some people are the opposite, but a lot of people that are very strong in theory (which also involves studying/memorizing the structure) are weak in lab.

is it the exam format? or the state of the dissections (remember, we did them ourselves and sometimes they’re not very “clean”) or… something else entirely.

i’m not sure. but i find it sort of fascinating.

By: Brad

Brad — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 22:19:40 +0000

I think multiple choice on a practical makes it easier! You have one minute to exert the confidence it takes to correctly name a structure you have had several weeks to study. Having the answer choice in front of you surely makes it easier!
The USMLE expects you to analyze the material and come up with the correct clinical correlation. Different than an anatomy practical…

By: Kyre

Kyre — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 21:06:04 +0000

Nice work!

Be proud. For some strange reason, I am.

Cheers, Ky.

By: jhawke

jhawke — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:02:31 +0000

good point, Alexia. and thanks for bringing that up.

i would actually like to take my words back because i would never mean to imply some people in our class are working harder than others. we are ALL working our butts off.

By: dearheart

dearheart — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:47:45 +0000

You are rockin’ it…as always! :-)