The administration just confirmed that Block 4 exams will be optional for everyone. I honestly never imagined we would get here but this outcome belongs entirely to you. We should keep an eye on how the final grading rolls out but for now please just take a moment to celebrate.
June 6, 2017
Final supporters
Given that finals are cumulative, with the best interests of students and administration in mind, we propose that Block 4 exams be made optional.
The student body has echoed the sentiment of prioritizing our USMLE Step 1 exam, given the immense impact it has on our future career.
Students who wish to take the Block 4 exams for personal, academic reasons should be allowed to do so in the interest of fairness. However, the vast majority of students feel as though finals (Ethics and FCM) and shelf exams are sufficient to test our cumulative competence and represent material which aligns to a far greater degree with the STEP 1 exam. Students signing this petition who wish to forego exams accept a grade reflective of the aggregate remaining percentage of the course minus the Block 4 exams, or whatever alternative grading schema the administration desires.
In other words, we all would like to make all exams before May 1st optional.
On both ends of the academic spectrum there is widespread support for this cause. Numerous students have expressed fear of being forced to repeat this year or delay the start of their third year due to limited study time. This is directly counter to the interests of both the students and the administration, especially with the changing curriculum. Given our limited recourse to repeat compared to previous years, we believe that extenuating circumstances warrant flexibility from the administration. Students strongly feel that these extra weeks would be immensely beneficial.
The transition of the new curriculum towards NBME exams echoes the notion that this material should be prioritized to maximize student success. Actions from the administration such as truncation of the PBL course, and transition to open-book biochemistry exams show willingness to help the student body succeed through curriculum modification.
In this light, please consider this petition.
Thank you,
MS2 Student Body
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
March 31, 2017
9 Comments
1 week of preblock studying, 3 weeks of exams, 3-4 weeks all day step prep and then having to sit for arguably the most stressful test of our lives seems like an undue burden. I second the idea of possibly another CBSE style exam. +1 for medical student mental and physical health.
It seems counterproductive to be tested over select material (block 4 exams), just to be tested over that SAME material + the material from the rest of the year (finals) a few days later.
It's not that i don't appreciate the lectures or the classes, i just think we are over tested and it is extremely stressful!!!
The current schedule is honestly burning us out way too fast. I just want to focus on board prep and stop stressing about these extra exams that dont really help my step score.
Block month seems very stressful. This would help us do better over all. I doubt many people would choose NOT to study block 4 material since that info will be on finals and often Step, so this would just help us maintain our sanity.
I just wanna study for step!
May the fourth block be with you.
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The administration just confirmed that Block 4 exams will be optional for everyone. I honestly never imagined we would get here but this outcome belongs entirely to you. We should keep an eye on how the final grading rolls out but for now please just take a moment to celebrate.
June 6, 2017
Final supporters
Given that finals are cumulative, with the best interests of students and administration in mind, we propose that Block 4 exams be made optional.
The student body has echoed the sentiment of prioritizing our USMLE Step 1 exam, given the immense impact it has on our future career.
Students who wish to take the Block 4 exams for personal, academic reasons should be allowed to do so in the interest of fairness. However, the vast majority of students feel as though finals (Ethics and FCM) and shelf exams are sufficient to test our cumulative competence and represent material which aligns to a far greater degree with the STEP 1 exam. Students signing this petition who wish to forego exams accept a grade reflective of the aggregate remaining percentage of the course minus the Block 4 exams, or whatever alternative grading schema the administration desires.
In other words, we all would like to make all exams before May 1st optional.
On both ends of the academic spectrum there is widespread support for this cause. Numerous students have expressed fear of being forced to repeat this year or delay the start of their third year due to limited study time. This is directly counter to the interests of both the students and the administration, especially with the changing curriculum. Given our limited recourse to repeat compared to previous years, we believe that extenuating circumstances warrant flexibility from the administration. Students strongly feel that these extra weeks would be immensely beneficial.
The transition of the new curriculum towards NBME exams echoes the notion that this material should be prioritized to maximize student success. Actions from the administration such as truncation of the PBL course, and transition to open-book biochemistry exams show willingness to help the student body succeed through curriculum modification.
In this light, please consider this petition.
Thank you,
MS2 Student Body
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
March 31, 2017
9 Comments
I feel like these exams are a barrier to my success on step 1 rather than benchmarks that will improve my performance on step 1.
1 week of preblock studying, 3 weeks of exams, 3-4 weeks all day step prep and then having to sit for arguably the most stressful test of our lives seems like an undue burden. I second the idea of possibly another CBSE style exam. +1 for medical student mental and physical health.
It seems counterproductive to be tested over select material (block 4 exams), just to be tested over that SAME material + the material from the rest of the year (finals) a few days later.
It's not that i don't appreciate the lectures or the classes, i just think we are over tested and it is extremely stressful!!!
The current schedule is honestly burning us out way too fast. I just want to focus on board prep and stop stressing about these extra exams that dont really help my step score.
Block month seems very stressful. This would help us do better over all. I doubt many people would choose NOT to study block 4 material since that info will be on finals and often Step, so this would just help us maintain our sanity.
I just wanna study for step!
May the fourth block be with you.
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I feel like these exams are a barrier to my success on step 1 rather than benchmarks that will improve my performance on step 1.