Scoring
The Medical Council of Canada Evaluating Examination (MCCEE) is a four-hour computer-based examination consisting of 180 multiple-choice questions. Of these 180 questions, 150 are scored questions and 30 are non-scored questions.
The 30 non-scored questions are included for quality assurance and/or research purposes, as well as to monitor the performance of the overall examination or specific test questions. While the non-scored questions do not count toward the final score or final result, they are not identified as non-scored questions. Candidates are encouraged to do as well as they can on every question.
Test questions are calibrated on an ability scale resulting in a difficulty being assigned to each question. The determination of each candidate’s final score and pass/fail result take into account the question difficulty as well as whether or not the candidate answered the question correctly. Points are not deducted for incorrect answers. Therefore, it is always advantageous to make a “best guess” even when uncertain of an answer.
MCC examination scores are reported in a standard-score format, which are distributions scaled to have a predetermined mean and/or standard deviation. A candidate’s pass/fail result is based on where his or her standard score falls in relation to the pass/fail mark established for the examination. A candidate’s performance is judged in relation to the pass score for the examination and not judged on how well other individuals have performed on the examination. Candidates can, however, compare their performance to other candidates’ because standard scores also provide information on where a candidate stands in relation to other candidates.
The MCCEE results are reported on a standard-score scale that ranges from 50 to 500. The scores are reported on a scale on which the mean or average score is approximately 271, the standard deviation is 50, and the pass mark is always 250. Due to the nature of the examination and the different difficulty for each question, results are not presented as a percentage. The MCCEE scores can be interpreted in relation to the mean MCCEE score. For example, a score of 321 is one standard deviation above the mean score of 271 (271 + 50). A score of 371 is two standard deviations above the mean score of 271 (271 + (2*50)). The distance from the mean MCCEE score of 271 indicates, in general, how performance for one candidate relates to other candidates that have taken the same examination.
In addition to providing candidates with their final score, the MCC provides supplemental feedback on candidates’ examination performance. The MCC has prepared a help file to assist candidates in interpreting their MCCEE supplemental feedback report.
Note that the MCCEE was scored differently prior to 2007. Candidates who took the examination prior to 2007 would have had their scores established and reported differently than those of current candidates. As such, scores obtained prior to 2007 should not be compared to those obtained after this period. For more information, please contact us.