Thread: Exams during Rotations and Electives.

Please tell me what exams MUA conducts for students in their core rotations?

Are there shelf exams to take for each Clinical rotation ?

If so when are they taken ?

Will these be similar to Step2 CK or will they also include CS ?

Do all of the rotations have to be completed before you are allowed to sit Step2 or it only after all core rotations and corresponding exams are completed?
Thank you

what are shelf exams?

Originally Posted by manuka honey

Please tell me what exams MUA conducts for students in their core rotations?

Are there shelf exams to take for each Clinical rotation ?

If so when are they taken ?

Will these be similar to Step2 CK or will they also include CS ?

Do all of the rotations have to be completed before you are allowed to sit Step2 or it only after all core rotations and corresponding exams are completed?
Thank you

I would be so grateful if someone who knows the system at MUA would kindly answer the above post. Also if no shelf exam is conducted how do the exams conducted by MUA compare with the Step2

You schedule and go to H and R block to take your shelf exam. I do not know how much it counts towards your grade, I think 25%. The rest is from the rotation itself, whatever exams the hospital gives you. They are the same type of question format that you would see in the steps, by that I mean they are multiple choice. There is no CS component. The shelf exams are only for the core rotations and not for the elective rotations. I think you can take the test a week before your rotation ends and up to 3 weeks after the rotation ends. Again I am not sure about the exact time frame. I think you can take your step 2 anytime, and you do not need to finish all cores before you take the exam.

Originally Posted by JMT

You schedule and go to H and R block to take your shelf exam. I do not know how much it counts towards your grade, I think 25%. The rest is from the rotation itself, whatever exams the hospital gives you. They are the same type of question format that you would see in the steps, by that I mean they are multiple choice. There is no CS component. The shelf exams are only for the core rotations and not for the elective rotations. I think you can take the test a week before your rotation ends and up to 3 weeks after the rotation ends. Again I am not sure about the exact time frame. I think you can take your step 2 anytime, and you do not need to finish all cores before you take the exam.

Thank you .

The questions are taken from Exam Master. Many are very abstract and obscure. 55% is passing on most, except Psych. Each core shelf has a curve of roughly 25% added. They are nothing to worry about, as you can't really properly study to get a good grade for them because they aer so abstract, except for the core or 2 that you want to be sure to ace. You'll do well on those because that's your area and you've been reading and doing questions all during the core, of course. That would be the area you are applying for in residency.

Originally Posted by SPODAT

The questions are taken from Exam Master. Many are very abstract and obscure. 55% is passing on most, except Psych. Each core shelf has a curve of roughly 25% added. They are nothing to worry about, as you can't really properly study to get a good grade for them because they aer so abstract, except for the core or 2 that you want to be sure to ace. You'll do well on those because that's your area and you've been reading and doing questions all during the core, of course. That would be the area you are applying for in residency.

Thanks SPODAT I presume the exams you are describing are the exams set by the school. What about the shelf and where are they held

You're welcome.

These are "Shelf" exams, they are taken at your local H and R block, in the U.S., that is... as someone said above. Not sure where they have you take them outside of U.S.

Originally Posted by SPODAT

You're welcome.

These are "Shelf" exams, they are taken at your local H and R block, in the U.S., that is... as someone said above. Not sure where they have you take them outside of U.S.

Thank you SPODAT. I read elsewhere that you will begin your residency soon. Congratulations and all the best . I do hope you will continue to post on this forum as I have found you to be a mature and solid poster who gives us very valuable insights to get the best out of Medical School

Originally Posted by SPODAT

The questions are taken from Exam Master. Many are very abstract and obscure. 55% is passing on most, except Psych. Each core shelf has a curve of roughly 25% added. They are nothing to worry about, as you can't really properly study to get a good grade for them because they aer so abstract, except for the core or 2 that you want to be sure to ace. You'll do well on those because that's your area and you've been reading and doing questions all during the core, of course. That would be the area you are applying for in residency.

The breakdown is more like:

Clinical rotation from Attending: 75% (subjective)

Shelf 25% which consists:

Raw score (pass 55%) plus;
IM - 25% scale
Surg, OBGyn, Peds: 20% scale
Psych: 10% scale

This will all change May when the online courses go LIVE and they will count 10% and the above will probably change.