Time & location: The final exam takes place on the final Friday of the course at the UW at 1:15PM in BB-1602.

About the exam: The final exam is a standardized subject test from the NBME (National Board of Medical Examiners). There are 100 questions and 2 hours and 10 minutes time allotted. The test is designed to have a mean of 70 and a standard deviation of 8. Scores will convert to Honors (79 and above), High Pass (75-78), Pass (60-74), and Fail (59 and below).

The main reason for a final exam is to provide an objective component to the grading process. Students getting Honors will be rewarded on the final grade.

There are several reasons for using the NBME subject test rather than an "internal departmental test". First, the NBME test is developed by expert question writers and reviewed by neurologists for importance. Second, it is good practice for students to see the type of questions used on NBME board tests. Third, it will allow evaluation of our neurology clerkship compared to other clerkships across the country. Is the correct material being taught?

The time allotted for this exam is determined by the NBME. Occasionally, a student has a documented learning disability that requires extra time on the test. If this is your circumstance, please let us know the first week of the clerkship. The disability must be documented in the School of Medicine.

Free advice:

1. Consider yourself warned that the test is challenging.
2. You will not see all of neurology in this clerkship. Read throughout the four weeks from the neurology topic list in your pocket syllabus. Do not wait until the last week.
3. Do not slow down to spend a lot of time on one question. Students who do have not had time to finish the test.