Station 5: The Borderline Student

Global overall score

Within the UK, Medical Schools use a variety of scales to rate the candidate’s overall performance at the structured clinical examination. The overall scores provided by the examiners are then used to calculate the pass mark for that station.

Some examples include five point scales such as: outstanding, very good, pass borderline or fail. Others include three point scales such as: pass, borderline and fail. Many examiners find the process of selecting a global score an unsettling one. Below you will find a guide to assist you.

Which score should I select?

It is important that during your local examiner training you identify the scale system used at the Medical School you will be examining at. Ensure you take the time to familiarise yourself with the local scaling system used, and direct any specific questions to the trainers there.

For the Final MB structured clinical examination the standard for selecting the pass scores are tied closely with the important question of whether the candidate performs to that which you would expect of a newly qualified foundation doctor.

Below we have included examples of: pass, borderline and fail. Please note, these are examples only.