Mastery Exams: Giving Students a Second Opportunity to Demonstrate Understanding

Various stressors can affect student exam performance, and a single weak result may not reflect true understanding. To address this, a "Mastery" exam policy was introduced in the 2021-2022 academic year. If a student scores below 80% on a didactic or pre-clinical laboratory exam worth at least 10% of their final course grade, they can choose to retake the exam. The reassessment is a new exam, and may differ in format from the original. The formally recorded grade is the higher of the two scores, up to a maximum of 80%.

Data from the 2021-2024 academic years were analyzed, tracking exam and course grades for all students. Original scores were retained for comparison with final grades before and after Mastery.

Overall, 47.1% of the students completed at least one Mastery exam, with 83.6% improving their scores. At our institution, students are placed on academic probation after one course failure, and risk dismissal after a second failure. Improved performances on Mastery exams resulted in 85.2% of students originally at risk of at least academic probation avoiding any formal administrative action. The initiative was well-received-89.8% of surveyed students reported improved morale, well-being, and reduced exam-related stress.

This institution-wide initiative yielded several important academic outcomes, including fewer final course failures and fewer students at risk of academic probation or dismissal. This supports the notion that any given exam may be only a reflection of the student's ability to perform to their capabilities at the specific time the exam is administered.