Module 11: Clinical Evaluation

Standardized Oral Examination

Standardized oral examinations use realistic patient cases and one or two trained physician examiners. Each case scenario lasts 3 to 5 minutes, with the exam lasting 90 minutes or more. This type of exam assesses clinical decision-making and application of medical knowledge. A committee of experts develop the scenarios to focus the assessment on the key features of each case. Scoring is done by predetermined rules. Training of the examiners is very important, and this type of exam requires extensive resources to develop and administer. Fifteen of the 24 ABMS Member Boards use standardized oral examinations as part of their certification process.