Standard setting

The process used to set a fair pass mark for each station and the exam, so that the standard reflects safe, competent practice.

Understanding that the pass mark is set to a defined standard (not a fixed quota) reassures candidates that they are competing against the standard, not each other.

More glossary terms

ABCDE approachA systematic method for assessing and treating an acutely unwell patient — Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure — dealing with each before moving on.
AMPLE historyA focused emergency history — Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last meal, Events — taken quickly in acute situations.
ARCPThe annual assessment that decides whether a doctor in training has met the competencies to progress to the next stage.
AVPU scaleA rapid way to grade consciousness — Alert, responds to Voice, responds to Pain, Unresponsive — used in initial assessment.

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