Students' performance in written and viva-voce components of final summative pharmacology examination in MBBS curriculum: A critical insight

摘要

Sir, Assessment of learning has always been a difficult, yet an essential component of an educational program. In the undergraduate medical education system in India, curricular guidelines of Medical Council of India lay emphasis on methods of assessment of knowledge and skills in pharmacology. Although continuous formative assessment constitutes an integral part in the curriculum, the 'pass' and the 'fail' certificates are based to a great extent on students' performance in the final summative examination. The final examination consists of written papers, viva-voce sessions and practical exercises. Written examination consists of two papers. Each paper has the maximum marks of 40 and contains structured essay type questions and short notes. In viva-voce examination, each student is assessed by five examiners; two of them external examiners and the others internal examiners. In order to pass, a candidate must obtain 50% marks in aggregate with a minimum of 50% marks in written and viva together and a minimum of 50% marks in practical examination.