Scoring
Overview
How are scores calculated for the clinical decision-making component?
How are overall scores calculated for the MCCQE Part I?
How is a pass/fail decision made?
What will appear on the Statement of Results?
What will appear in candidates’ online accounts?
How are scores calculated for the clinical decision-making component?
How are overall scores calculated for the MCCQE Part I?
How is a pass/fail decision made?
What will appear on the Statement of Results?
What will appear in candidates’ online accounts?
The Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part I (MCCQE Part I) is scored independently of the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part II (MCCQE Part II); the scores are not combined for the purpose of awarding the Licentiate of the Medical Council of Canada (LMCC). The candidate must pass both the MCCQE Part I and Part II.
MCC examination scores are reported as standard scores, which are typically scaled to have a predetermined mean and/or standard deviation. A candidate's pass/fail standing 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 MCCQE Part I results are reported on a standard score scale that ranges from 50 to 950. The pass score is set at 390. The mean score may vary from one administration to another and is reported in the candidates' Statement of Results. The standard deviation is set at 100 for all administrations.
How are scores calculated for the clinical decision-making component?
There is a maximum of one point per question. Some questions, such as a question whose answer includes four correct elements, allow candidates to receive partial marks, in this case 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 or 1.
After scoring each question, the MCC scores each case, which may have between one and five questions. A case score is calculated using the average of all questions included in the case. Scores are also calculated for groups of cases covering the different disciplines (Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Psychiatry as well as Population Health, Ethical, Legal and Organizational Aspects of Medicine).
How are overall scores calculated for the MCCQE Part I?
The final score is calculated by combining the multiple-choice question and clinical decision-making component scores. However, the multiple-choice question component counts for 75 per cent of the score, while clinical decision making counts for 25 per cent of the score.
How is a pass/fail decision made?
A candidate’s final result (i.e. whether someone passes or fails the examination) is determined based on their total examination score. Therefore, strong performances in some disciplines may compensate for weaknesses in others.
What will appear on the Statement of Results?
The Statement of Results includes the candidate’s final result (pass/fail) and
final score as well as the score that was required to pass the examination.
Additional information is provided on the Statement of Results, which is made
available through the candidate's online account.
What will appear in candidates’ online accounts?
The MCC provides the Statement of Results as well as the supplemental feedback report through candidates’ online accounts. Furthermore, the MCC has prepared a help file to assist candidates in interpreting their MCCQE Part I supplemental feedback report.