Surgery Clerkship Assessment
For students rotating in the 2025-2026 academic year, please see the 2025-2026 Clerkship Exam and Grading Policy
Surgery is participating in CBME and Final Grades are Pass/Fail starting with the 2026-27 Academic Year. Composite of clinical assessment rating items, WBA performance, performance on required domains, completion of assignments, and test performance.
Clinical performance
- Assessed by clinical performance ratings.
- Must be assessed at level 2 or greater on assessment form globally.
- WBAs
- Must complete at least 3 per week AND at least 1 verified assessment at entrustment level of 2 or higher for each of the 8 required activities.
- Assignments: Must complete each of the required assignments.
- Patient write-up
- Surgical Mini CEX
- Mid-point feedback
- Required clinical encounters
- Virtual suture skills lab participation
Specific Domain Requirements
- Patient care & interprofessional and communication skills
- Level 2 or greater on clinical assessment ratings
- At least 1 verified level 2 WBA
- Pass Surgical Mini CEX
- Service to patients & community (Professionalism)
- Competent/approaching competency on clinical assessment rating items
- Completion of ALL clerkship items
If any element is failed, the clerkship is failed and remediation is required.
Medical Knowledge
- NBME exam
- Must get 59% (5th percentile nationally) or higher to pass
- If the exam is failed, clerkship is passed by student must pass exam prior to graduation.
- Clinical assessment rating items
- Must be assessed at level 2 or greater on assessment form globally.
Clerkship Exam
The Department of Surgery administers the electronic NBME “shelf” exam. The exam will take place on the last Friday of the clerkship. Students will be contacted by the School of Medicine Testing Services within the first couple weeks of their rotation will information on assigned testing site information. Testing Services handles all exam scheduling and testing site assignments. Please contact somtests@uw.edu with questions regarding testing location and schedule.
Students are required to be in their seat and prepared to start the exam at the specified time noted on their testing site assignment from SOM Testing Services. Late additions may not be permitted on exam day.
Students needing to delay a clerkship exam (in the event of a personal or family illness, emergency, or death) must complete an attestation form. Please see the UW SOM Exam Postponement Policy for details.
PLEASE NOTE: Per the Clerkship Grading Policy all required clerkships require a passing grade on the final exam in order to graduate. For more information, please see the Academic Grading Policy.
Helpful Exam Information:
UW School of Medicine Exam Website
NBME Surgery Exam Content Outline
NBME Surgery Self Assessment Pre-test (Optional Resource)
Grade Challenges and Appeals
In accordance with the School of Medicine’s Clinical Grade Review policies, students can request an informal grade review should there be a concern or discrepancy in an evaluation. To initiate an informal review, the student should contact the Program Administrator via email. The email should include the course name, rotation dates, and specific concern or discrepancy in question. The Program Administrator will connect with the Program Director to investigate the discrepancy. The student will be notified by the Program Administrator of outcome of this review. The purpose of an informal review is for students to seek understanding and bring possible discrepancies to light (ex. misunderstanding of grading, clerical error, etc).
Formal Grade Challenge
Following an informal review, if resolution was not obtained, students can formally challenge by completing the Clinical Evaluation and Grade Challenge form. Formal grade challenges are addressed at the department level. Students who wish to challenge a grade must submit the Grade Challenge form within four weeks of the grade being posted. The department will render a decision to the student within seven weeks of the grade being posted. Forms can be found on the SOM Grade Review Page.
Grade Appeal
Following a formal grade challenge, if a student is still not satisfied with the outcome, they may request a formal grade appeal by completing a Clinical Grade Appeal form. Formal grade appeals are addressed at the School of Medicine level by an impartial grade appeal committee. Formal grade appeal requests must be submitted to the SOM within eight weeks of the grade being posted. Students will be notified of the committee decision within twelve weeks of the original grade being posted. Forms can be found on the SOM Grade Review Page.
PLEASE NOTE: The decision of the grade appeal committee will be final. Based on the appeal and supporting materials, the committee can rule to raise OR lower a grade based on supporting facts. Please be sure you have followed the appropriate sequence of reviews and formal challenges before resorting to a formal appeal. Please review the SOM Grade Review policies for complete details and instructions.