Grade Classifications:

The grading distribution for the Medicine Clerkship is consistent with the Grading Policy for the Medical School.

The Medical School defines:

"Honors—Outstanding work in the subject area, far exceeding the requirements of the course and representing a superior quality of work. This grade is generally reserved for students in the top quintile.

High Pass—For performance significantly above the passing level and above the average (mean) performance, within the top 40% of the class, but not qualifying for honors.

Pass—Successful completion of all requirements for the course." Upstate Medical University Student Handbook 2005-2006: pg 93

For the medicine clerkship, we have expanded these definitions to address specific course expectations:

Honors:

Performance was outstanding in all areas of evaluation, far exceeding the requirement of the course and representing a superior quality of work . NBME test score was at or above the 5 year class mean. Honors students met the requirements for High Pass and Pass. In addition, they demonstrated consistent ability to propose appropriate diagnostic and management plans. A typical Honors student became an integral part of the patient's care and was considered the primary team member coordinating the patient's care. (Approximately top 15-20% of students in class standing)

High Pass:

Performance was above average in all areas of evaluation. NBME test score was at or above 67. Students receiving High Pass were able to prioritize problems, interpret lab results and offer differential diagnoses. (Approximately 15-20% of students. They will be from the top 15%-40% in class standing).

Pass:

The majority (60-70%) of students fall into this category. Students receiving Pass achieved a passing grade on the final exam (NBME >62), a passing grade on the write-up of >8/15, and met expectations in all areas of clinical performance which includes >3.0 mean score in all individual competencies and <2.5 SD below the group mean in at least eight of the ten competencies (reference group for "group mean' constitutues the current clerkship group plus the three preceding clerkship groups, making a total of a year's worth of students and including "beginning-of-the-year" as well as "end-of-the-year" students). The ten competencies are:

History Taking
Physical and Mental Status Examination
Record Keeping
Oral Presentations
Fund of Knowledge and Understanding of Disease Mechanisms
Problem Solving and Clinical Application
Relationships with Patients
Professional Relationships
Attitudes and Behaviors
Self-Improvement

Conditional:

A student will receive a conditional grade if he or she receives a failing grade in at least one component of the course (NBME test, write-up score, inability to achieve competency in areas of clinical performance, or failure to demonstrate professional behavior) as enumerated above under "pass"

Fail:

A student will receive a fail in the course if he or she fails all of the three main components of the course (NBME, write-ups, and clinical evaluations) as enumerated above.

Remediation:

Conditional Grade:

A student who has received a conditional grade in the clerkship will need to successfully complete all criteria set forth by the Grades Committee during remediation. Clinical time is usually recommended as part of remediation, unless the deficiency is isolated to the test and all clinical competencies and write-ups compare favorably to the reference group.

If the student is successful at completing the remediation, the grade will become a CP (conditional pass); if the student fails to successfully complete remediation the grade will become a CF (conditional fail) and the student will need to repeat the entire 12 weeks of the Medicine Clerkship.

Fail Grade:

A student who has received a fail will need to repeat the entire 12 weeks of the Medicine Clerkship.

Return to COMPONENTS OF THE GRADE