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Related Experiment Videos

Pass/fail grading: a disadvantage for students applying for residency.

J A Dietrick1, M T Weaver, H W Merrick

  • 1Department of Surgery, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo 43699.

American Journal of Surgery
|July 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary

General surgery residency program directors prefer competitive grading over pass/fail. The pass/fail system disadvantages medical students applying for competitive general surgery residency positions.

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Area of Science:

  • Medical Education
  • Surgical Residency Admissions

Background:

  • Medical schools utilize various evaluation systems, including pass/fail and competitive grading.
  • The impact of these grading systems on residency application competitiveness is a significant concern for medical students.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To ascertain if medical school evaluation systems (pass/fail vs. competitive grading) affect a student's competitiveness for general surgery residency positions.
  • To gauge general surgery residency program directors' preferences regarding medical student evaluation methods.

Main Methods:

  • A survey was administered to general surgery residency program directors.
  • The survey assessed preferences for grading systems and perceived impact on student competitiveness.

Main Results:

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  • A significant majority (89%) of program directors prefer transcripts with grades over pass/fail evaluations.
  • 83% of directors would prefer to use a grading system for their own students.
  • 81% believe pass/fail evaluations negatively impact a student's ability to secure a residency position.

Conclusions:

  • The pass/fail grading system places medical students at a disadvantage when applying for general surgery residency positions.
  • Program directors favor evaluation systems providing more objective data, such as competitive grading.