Academic Policies

Examinations may be given via electronic (e.g., ExamSoft,  Canvas, or PAEA Exam Delivery Platform) or traditional paper format as decided upon by the course director. If an electronic route of delivery is chosen, students bear the responsibility for assuring that their device is properly charged in advance of the assessment session. In addition, as a requirement of electronic test delivery, students may be required to utilize internet browser lockdown programs or other downloaded programs for assessment integrity. 

Expectations for Students

• If electronic route of delivery, students will be required to utilize their personal computer or another suitable device for the assessment.

• Students should download the exam at least 1 hour prior to exam start.

• All personal belongings, other than an electronic device and pen/pencil should be left in a designated area outside of the testing room.

  • This includes, but not limited to,  drinks, snacks, bags, cell phones, smart watches, large jackets, or headwear (unless worn for religious purposes).

• Students must sit as directed for exams (e.g.,opposite sides of desks).

• Students must have a privacy screen protector on their device.

• Scratch paper will be provided by the program and will be turned in at the end of the exam session.  

• Students are expected to take all examinations on the scheduled date. The course instructor may allow the rescheduling of an examination if circumstances warrant or in the case of an excused absence. If a student fails to take a scheduled examination without obtaining permission from the course director, the student will receive a zero.

• Examinations are generally timed; therefore, all examinations will begin on the scheduled date and at the scheduled time. Students arriving late for the exam after peers have completed the exam will not be allowed to take the exam.  Under extenuating circumstances and with timely notification from the student, exceptions to this policy may be considered by the course director.

Didactic Phase Exams

Examinations will not be returned to students. Following the exam, a statistical analysis of the exam will be performed and reviewed by the faculty. Adjustments to scoring will be made based on the psychometric performance. Individual exam items may not be challenged. 

SCPE Phase Exams

During the clinical year, the program uses standardized exams provided by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA). As these are validated, peer-reviewed, and proprietary evaluations, no exam review will be conducted. However, students will be able access performance metrics in content categories, tasks, and concepts (e.g., keywords) in order to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement.

Initial Notification

Students, who have been approved through the Accessing the College Community and Enabling Student Success (ACCESS) Program for accommodations, must notify the  program in  advance as follows:

Exams

• If approved for accommodations on exams,  students must notify the Director of Didactic Education or the Director of Clinical Education at the beginning of the semester (or when accommodations are approved) about their intent to utilize accommodations for exams for the semester.

Quizzes, Readiness Assessment Tests (RATs), and Other Assessments

• If approved for accommodations on quizzes, students must request to utilize the approved accommodations to the applicable instructor at least 48 hours in advance of the assessment. Failure to notify a faculty member is considered a deferral.

Ongoing Notifications

Each semester, the student must officially notify the School of Physician Assistant Studies and the ACCESS Program if he/she plans to continue or change the use of previously approved accommodations. To comply, each student should:

1. Email the Director of Didactic Education or Director of Clinical Education regarding their intent to use the approved accommodations as required in the initial notification.

2. Complete the Semester Request through the Bison Accommodate App found in the MyLipscomb portal promptly at the beginning of each semester. This process is separate from the required notification to faculty, as mentioned above. 

Note

A student may defer using accommodations for any assessment; however, students will not be allowed to retake that assessment with accommodations afterward.