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Mastery Exams: Giving Students a Second Opportunity to Demonstrate Understanding
Alexandra Rasdal1, Eleanor Streitwieser1, Cynthia Rabuck1
1School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Journal of Dental Education
|November 7, 2025
Summary
The Mastery exam policy allows students to retake exams, significantly improving scores and reducing academic probation risks. This initiative boosted student morale and well-being, demonstrating its positive impact on academic performance.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Academic Performance Assessment
Background:
- Student exam performance can be affected by various stressors, and a single low score may not accurately reflect a student's understanding.
- A "Mastery" exam policy was implemented to address this issue, allowing students to retake certain exams.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of the Mastery exam policy on student academic outcomes and well-being.
- To determine the effectiveness of retaking exams in improving student grades and reducing academic probation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of exam and course grades from the 2021-2024 academic years.
- Tracking student performance before and after the implementation of the Mastery exam policy.
Main Results:
- 47.1% of students utilized the Mastery exam option, with 83.6% improving their scores.
- 85.2% of students at risk of academic probation avoided administrative action due to improved Mastery exam scores.
- 89.8% of surveyed students reported enhanced morale, well-being, and reduced exam stress.
Conclusions:
- The institution-wide Mastery exam initiative led to fewer final course failures and reduced academic probation/dismissal risks.
- The policy supports the idea that exam performance can fluctuate and may not always represent a student's true capability at a given time.
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