All assessments are tied to individual courses and include various components:
Block Examinations: Multiple-choice exams typically held every other Friday during didactic semesters, comprising test items from each course unless specified otherwise in the syllabi.
Integrated Assignments: Short-answer, essay-style assessments based on clinical case scenarios, with three assessments dispersed throughout each didactic semester.
Points of Entrustment Clinical Assessments 1-3 (POE 1, 2, and 3): Three assessments conducted at the RVU Healthcare Simulation Center to ensure learner progression to competence:
- Entering Clinical Rotations (POE 1): Confirms foundational knowledge, skills, and attitudes for supervised clinical experiences, associated with PAS 5138 Skills & Assessment II (consult the course syllabus for specifics).
- Mid-Clinical Phase competency testing (POE 2): Assesses requirements across clinical disciplines based on common primary care presentations, associated with PAS 5262 Supervised Clinical Practicum Experiences II (consult the course syllabus for specifics).
- Program Completion (POE 3): Ensures students meet graduation requirements, linked to PAS 5272 Capstone and part of the program's summative comprehensive examination.
In the event of failing the first attempt at any Point of Entrustment Examination, the student will undergo a remediation activity aimed at correcting identified deficiencies. After completing this activity, the student will be eligible for reassessment. If the student fails the reassessment, a comprehensive performance review will occur (evaluating didactic courses, clinical experience evaluations, professionalism evaluations, and competency performance). A formal remediation plan tailored to the student’s needs will be established. Following this, the student has one additional opportunity for reassessment. Failure to pass the second reassessment for POE 1 or POE 2 will result in dismissal from the program.
Failure to pass the POE 3 clinical examination after a second individualized remediation will necessitate the implementation of an intensive coaching plan to enhance clinical skills before the student is eligible to graduate and sit for the PA National Certifying Examination (PANCE). This may delay the student’s graduation date and their ability to take the PANCE until all program requirements are successfully met. Requirements following a second failure of POE 3 may include adherence to a tailored coaching plan and achieving Milestone Level 3 on assigned clinical case discussions or other evaluated clinical tasks.
An extended program may be required to accommodate the remediation plan and retake the examination for any of the POE competency assessments. The student may be responsible for costs associated with this extended program and retake process.
End-of-rotation exams (EORs): Multiple-choice examinations specific to each discipline are administered after each required clinical rotation. These exams are completed online via the Physician Assistant Education Association’s (PAEA) assessment portal and are linked to PAS 5261-5265 Supervised Clinical Practice Experiences I-V. Refer to course syllabi for criteria regarding failure and remediation procedures.
Physician Assistant Clinical Knowledge Rating Assessment Tool (PACKRAT I and II): Online multiple-choice exams administered through PAEA’s assessment portal. These exams are designed to aid students in preparing for clinical training and the PA National Certifying Examination (PANCE). PACKRAT I is administered during PAS 5150, with a second PACKRAT exam given during the clinical phase. There are no pass/fail scores; these assessments inform students of strengths and areas needing improvement.
End-of-Program Written Summative Examination: This multiple-choice examination is administered within the last four months of the program as part of the summative examination. It is associated with PAS 5272, and students must pass both the Written Summative Examination and POE 3 Clinical Summative Examination to graduate from the RVU PA Program. The program uses the PAEA’s End of Curriculum Examination as its summative written exam.
Students will receive their Summative Written and Clinical Exam scores (pass/fail) within two (2) weeks following completion of the exams.
In the event of failing the first attempt at the Summative Written Examination, a thorough review of the student’s performance will take place, considering factors such as didactic courses and clinical evaluations. A formal remediation plan will be initiated, after which the student may retake the exam one time, no sooner than 60 days after the initial attempt (per PAEA policy). A second failure of the written exam will require participation in an intensive coaching plan aimed at enhancing medical knowledge before the student can graduate and take the PANCE. Graduation and certification eligibility will be delayed until all program requirements are fulfilled, including adherence to the coaching plan and completion of NCCPA practice exams until the student scores within the “green” category overall.
An extended program may be necessary to facilitate the remediation plan and examination retake. The student may bear any costs incurred from the extended program and retake process.