Bias in Medical School Clerkship Grading: Is It Time for a Change?

[...]the psychiatry subject examination of the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) is impacted by a timing bias, with students taking the exam later in the clerkship year performing significantly better than those who take the exam at the beginning of the year [13]. [...]in a study considering the perspective of medical student faculty, the respondents acknowledged that traditional grades are subject to bias [16]. [...]our selective review of the literature suggests that bias may have a significant influence on the assessment and evaluation of medical student performance. Because of the impact clerkship grades have on the applicant’s success in the residency match process, addressing this bias is crucial. Shifting to a competence-based assessment model will give the learner multiple opportunities over time to demonstrate their mastery of skills and knowledge, thereby reducing the power of a single biased assessment.