NBME Shelf Exam Policy

Students are required to take their NBME Subject Shelf Examination on the last Friday of the clerkship as scheduled.  Students may request to take their shelf exam a day earlier than scheduled if extenuating circumstances warrant a special administration of the exam.  Students are advised that leaving for a wedding or for a conference is not an extenuating circumstance.  Medical school is not a convenience, it is a duty.

Students wishing to request a special administration of the shelf exam are required to inform the Clerkship Director in writing of their extenuating circumstances.  Students should expect a decision in writing.   A minimum of 4 weeks advanced notice is required. Extenuating circumstances like a death in the family or medical emergency must be communicated to the Clerkship Director and Clerkship Administrator immediately if an exam cannot be taken on the scheduled date.

Students who are excused from sitting for the shelf exam on the scheduled date will be offered the following three options:

1. Take the exam on the scheduled missed exam test date OR
2. Take the exam on the scheduled retake exam test date OR
3. Take the exam on the already scheduled test date at the end of the next clerkship.

The test date schedule for the 2012-13 academic year is noted below.

Students who fail a shelf exam will be assigned an Incomplete grade and will be required to retake the shelf exam. The retake test date will be determined following a meeting between the student and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs based on the student's clinical schedule. Students who pass the shelf exam on a second attempt will be assigned a grade Satisfactory based on School policy.  Students who fail a shelf exam on a second attempt will receive an Unsatisfactory grade and will be required to repeat the entire clerkship.

Kansas City Campus 3rd Year Clerkship Subject Exam Dates 2012-2013

All exams times are in the afternoon - Sign in: 12:45, Exam: 1-3:30 except 12/13/12,
All exams will be given in Dykes Library.