Taking an Assessment in ASCEND
Pre-Clinical Correlate Small Group (CCSG) Knowledge Checks
Knowledge checks ensure that students are prepared with the requisite foundational knowledge to succeed and participate in their CCSG sessions. These short answer questions are posted on BlackBoard at least 1 week before they are due and are completed via a Microsoft Form. They are due 1 hour prior to the start of the CCSG. Should back-to-back CCSGs be scheduled, they will be due 1 hour prior to the start of the first CCSG. Due dates will be posted on the Phase 1 Google Calendar and in the CCSG folder on Blackboard. Students must complete these individually, but there is no time limit once the Form has been opened. They are graded for completion and contribute to your overall grade in the course. Answers to the questions will be part of the CCSG discussions. Module and curricular leadership will review student responses and may reach out to individual students if their answers are consistently incorrect or poorly completed.
The pre-CCSG knowledge check is required even if you have a planned or unplanned absence. They cannot be postponed and students who do not complete the assignment in the designated window will receive a zero. Students should plan accordingly, and we encourage you to complete them by the night before the CCSG in case of an emergency.
Quizzes
Weekly quizzes form an essential part of the ASCEND module, focusing on the material covered in the preceding week. Except Molecular, Cellular, and Genomic Foundations, all module quizzes will be sourced from the AMBOSS Question Bank. While the quizzes contribute to the final grade, they mainly serve as formative assessment, encouraging consistent study habits and providing immediate feedback.
Amboss Account Activation and Setting Quiz Timing
To activate your Amboss account, go to this link and follow instructions. The default mode in Amboss is 90 seconds per question. Students with approved time accommodations can change their default setting. On your home page, go to "Accounts and Settings," located on the left-side menu. Click on "Accounts and Settings," and the tab will expand to include "Careers and Study Profile." Click on this, and a screen will open up. A section called, "Disability-Related Time Accommodations" will be at the bottom, and you will use the drop-down menu to select the appropriate extended time (e.g. 1.5x). This setting should only be used by students with approved accommodations. Students without approved accommodations should confirm their account is set to standard time. Selecting an extended time option that you were not approved for is a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy.
Quiz Administration
A link to the BlackBoard and Amboss quiz will be posted in the Blackboard module. The quiz will be open for two days and close at 11:59 PM EST on the second day. Students can see when quizzes occur on the Phase 1 Google calendar. The link should only be accessed via the BlackBoard site.
Postponing Amboss/Blackboard Quizzes due to Emergency
In the preclerkship phase of the MD program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the ability to take an online quiz (Blackboard or AMBOSS) during a prescribed assessment window provides students with flexibility in when and where they take the assessment. Given this flexibility, there are only a few instances when permission to take a quiz outside the window will be granted by the Office for Curricular Affairs.
Students can request an alternate window to complete their quiz in the following circumstances:
Unplanned Absences: Urgent reasons such as illness that physically prevents a student from completing the assessment or a personal emergency. Students experiencing an emergency should request an alternate window by emailing preclerkships@mssm.edu prior to the conclusion of the assessment window.
Technical Issues: For any unresolvable technical issue that prevents a student from initiating or continuing with the online quiz. Students must email preclerkships@mssm.edu and the module director within 60 minutes of the reported failure. The Office of Curricular Affairs will respond the next business day to reschedule. Failure to report the technical issue within the timeframe outlined will result in a zero for the assessment.
Planned Absences: Because of the generous (>48 h) quiz window, students may only request a rescheduled quiz if they are celebrating a major religious holiday that spans the duration of the window. Students who anticipate needing an alternate window to accommodate a religious holiday must email preclerkships@mssm.edu >14 days prior to the start of the quiz window.
Students who do not adhere to the policies above will receive a zero on their quiz and will not be allowed to take at a later date.
Rescheduling Amboss/Blackboard Quizzes
Rescheduling an assessment is not an extension to the testing window. Instead, students who meet the above criteria for an alternate test window will take the quiz on Thursday immediately following assessment close during the Independent Learning time (from 1 PM - 11:59 PM EST). Instructions with details about the rescheduled assessment will be emailed to you.
Anatomy Practical Exams
The anatomy practical exam will consist of groups of students rotating through stations (such as cadaveric, prosection, or images) with labeled items, and answering questions with paper and pen. After a specified amount of time, students will rotate to the next station. After all rotations are completed, students will have a short time to transcribe their answers into an electronic document. This is a restricted absence day, and absences will only be granted due to emergencies (unplanned) or observance of a major religious holiday (planned). Students will be assigned a makeup day to make up the practical.
Mid-Module Exams
In ASCEND modules that contain >30 hours of lecture, students will complete two Module Exams. Module Exams are created by module directors using the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Customized Assessment Services (CAS). Four out of the 14 modules will have mid-module exams.
Exam Administration
The mid-module exam is an NBME CAS exam designed by Icahn faculty from a bank of retired USMLE questions and is administered in a flexible, remote, un-proctored format. The exam time is set by the NBME convention of 90 seconds (about 1 and a half minutes) X number of exam questions = total exam time (e.g. a 60-question exam will be 1.5 hours long). Mid-module exams will be scheduled on Fridays with a 24-hour exam taking window starting 12:01 AM EST on that Friday morning and ending 11:59 PM EST on the Friday evening. Students with time accommodations will receive their designated time windows via email and it will be set up for them.
Preparation for Exam
Pre-certification is an important step in preparing for the NBME exams as it helps identify potential software conflicts and issues prior to an exam. All students were required to perform pre-certification of their laptops during Basecamp. As there can be periodic updates to laptop operating systems, or you may purchase a new laptop, we recommend that you go through the certification process prior to every exam. The directions can be found here: https://wbt.nbme.org/wbtexam/home.
Students who fail to certify their computer prior to the administration of an NBME exam may be unable to take the exam on the scheduled date, which may affect their overall grade and may necessitate taking the exam on a predetermined make-up day, which can be found on the Academic Calendar.
Exam Day
On the day prior to the mid-module exam, you will receive an email from nbmewebtest@nbme.org with your Login Information, Examinee ID and Start-up code. You will not be able to start the exam until the window opens at 12:01 AM EST on Friday.
Students should ensure that all software is up to date and functional prior to the start of the exam window.
Your NBME email will contain information on your total exam time and a clock within the exam software keeps track of your exam time. Students with approved exam time accommodations will see extended time reflected in total test time.
Since the exam is administered by the NBME, any technical issues should be directed to nbmewebtest@nbme.org or call 215-590-9298 during business hours 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday. Please also contact preclerkships@mssm.edu.
We encourage you to take the exam during business hours.
Mid-Module Exam Scores and Performance
Just after submitting your mid-module, un-proctored NBME CAS exam, you will receive access to your exam score and an exam item analysis app where you can review each exam question correct answer and compare it to the answer you chose. About a week after the exam, your official exam score will be posted to your Module Blackboard gradebook. You will also receive an email from NBME with access to an individual exam profile which provides your exam score and performance by exam subtopic in graph format. Should you have questions, you can meet with your module director to discuss.
End-of Module Exams
All ASCEND modules have an end-of-module summative exam. Summative exams are created by module faculty using the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Customized Assessment Services (CAS). In modules with only 1 exam, the exam will cover the full content of the module. In the 4 modules with mid-module exams, the end-of-module exam will only cover the material from the second half of the module.
Exam Administration
This NBME CAS exam is proctored in-person. These are held on the last Friday of the module at 9 AM.
Scheduled Exam Times
Students are expected to report for their proctored exams by 9 AM on the exam dates which can be found on the Phase 1 Google calendar and academic calendar. The end times provided are approximate, based on starting the exam on time without any complications. NBME technical difficulties, WiFi connectivity issues, personal laptop issues, and/or weather issues have the potential to substantially delay examination end times; students should take this into account when scheduling travel (flights or any other travel arrangements) after examinations. The school does not guarantee end times and will not reimburse or reschedule a student who misses any travel arrangements due to an extended NBME end time.
Preparation for Exam
Refer to the above Preparation for Exam.
Students with approved accommodations for the use of adaptive software including screen readers are strongly encouraged to test this software as well ahead of an exam.
One week Prior to Exam
Students will receive a Module BlackBoard announcement from the Office of Curricular Affairs team detailing the exam location and other important information, including verification of approved accommodation if applicable.
Exam Day
Exams are held in Annenberg on the 12th and 13th Floors classrooms. All in-person proctored exam days are considered restricted days, and planned absences will not be granted unless they are major religious holidays. Unplanned absences are allowed. Make-up days are designated on the Academic Calendar.
Students must arrive at their assigned testing room by 9:00 AM to check in, get seat assignments, and set up laptop. Exams start at 9:30 AM sharp. Students who arrive after 9:30 AM will not be allowed to sit for the exam. This rule will be strictly enforced.
Students should bring the following items with them:
Student ID Badge for identification purposes
Fully charged personal laptop
Laptop charger
Foam earplugs (optional preference)
Students will be provided a board and dry-erase marker for notetaking.
All other personal belongings must be left in front of the room away from the secure testing area.
In addition students must following the NBME’s rules and conduct found here and listed below: https://www.nbme.org/common-questions/exam-rules-and-conduct
Do not bring any personal/unauthorized items into the secure testing area.Such items include but are not limited to, outerwear, hats, food, drinks, purses, briefcases, notebooks, notes, pagers, watches, cell phones, recording devices, and photographic equipment.
You are not permitted to access any unauthorized items during the exam administration.
Do not make notes on your note board prior to entering your CIN or start up code. Once your exam begins, you are permitted to make calculations or notes ONLY on the erasable note board provided.
You must adhere to the instructions provided by proctors administering the examination.
Carefully review and agree to abide by any instructions provided or that appear at the start of the examination session.
Test proctors are not authorized to answer questions from examinees regarding examination content, testing software or scoring.
Do not leave the testing site at any time during your administration unless you inform and obtain permission from the testing proctor or are instructed to so do by test administration staff.
Failure to follow test day rules and procedures may result in the withholding or cancellation of your scores, and/or a bar from future exams administered by the NBME.
The proctor will provide instructions to students before the start of the exam.
Any technical issues will be handled by the proctor.
Proctors will have a limited number of back up laptops available in the exam room on exam day.
End-of-Module Exam Scores and Performance
About a week after the exam, your official exam score will be posted to your Module Blackboard gradebook. You will also receive an email from NBME with access to an individual exam profile which provides your exam score and performance by exam subtopic in graph format.
Practice of Medicine Exams
Each Practice of Medicine module will include two exams, which consist of one or more clinical cases using Standardized Patients (SPs), generally hosted in or in partnership with The Morchand Center.
These exams will utilize a standard checklist related to the skill being tested (such as history taking, physical exam technique, or documentation). A student must complete enough items on the checklist to be above a set cut off percentage to pass the exam. This cutoff will vary by exam and will be shared with the students ahead of taking the exam. The Clinical Comptency Mentors will score these checklists by observing students who are not in their own Learning Community.
Practice of Medicine exams will generally occur on Thursdays, and each student will be scheduled for specific times that day. Some exams, such as POM assessment week in the POM 2 module and sessions during PEAKS 1 will be scheduled over several days. These days are listed on the academic calendar as restricted days for absences.
A student must pass both exams to pass a POM module.
Postponing or Rescheduling an Exam
Planned Absences
Per the Preclerkship Absence Policy, days with assessments (Practicals, Mid- and End-of-Module, POM assessments) are designated as restricted days, during which absences cannot be requested. These restricted days are indicated on the Academic Calendar.
Students may request an exception to the restricted days policy for major religious holidays (e.g. Rosh Hashana, Eid al-Fitr, Good Friday). Requests for holiday absences must be submitted at least 14 days (2 weeks) in advance. This policy does not extend to religious ceremonies (e.g. weddings, baptisms). Students will be required to make up the exam on a designated make-up day. Absence Request Form.
Unplanned Absences
Exceptions for medical or other emergencies are permissible, but students must request an absence prior to the start of the assessment. Students will be required to make up the exam on a designated make-up day. Absence Request Form.
Unexcused Absences
Students who do not follow the policies above regarding notification of planned or unplanned absences for assessments will be considered unexcused. They will receive a zero for that assessment.
Students with Testing Accommodations
Approved testing accommodations occur through the Office of Student Disability Services. Accommodations should be requested as soon as possible to ensure adequate time to implement. Please note that accommodations can never be retroactive.
Accommodations are implemented by the Preclerkship team in the Office of Curricular Affairs. If you experience a problem on test day related to accommodations contact preclerkships@mssm.edu
Please be aware that a student’s status as a student with a disability is often noticeable during these exams when accommodations such as extended time, separate location, or alternate test taking device are used. You may opt out of these accommodations at your discretion by emailing the Director of Disability Services at least 2 weeks before the test date.
For more information: https://icahn.mssm.edu/education/students/disability
Pre-CCSG Knowledge Checks
There is no time limit once the form has been opened, and they can be taken from any location.
Blackboard Quizzes
Additional time for testing in standard coursework will be managed via Blackboard by the Preclerkship team. Please note you must initiate your exam/quiz during the scheduled test window set by the faculty. Your exam time will reflect any approved accommodations.
Amboss Quizzes
Students set their own testing time in Amboss. The Office of Curricular Affairs cannot see or alter student information. Only students with approved accommodations may change their quiz time.
NBME Customized Assessment Exams
For the unproctored mid-module exams and proctored end-of-module exams the Preclerkship team will receive your name and accommodation/s and will implement needed accommodations. They will communicate any necessary information to you via email (i.e., room location, etc.).
Practice of Medicine
The exact format of the exam will be provided by the course directors.
Anatomy Practical Exams
Students with similar time-based accommodations will rotate together, separate from the standard time group. Students who require accommodations for the way they take the exam (such as screen-readers, keyboard based, etc.) will be provided those accommodations in the room.
Last updated