Modernizing exams with tablet-based marking system
The Royal College has introduced a new tablet-based marking system for examiners to grade exams. By fall 2022, this technology is expected to be in use by all specialties.
Benefits of an automated marking system
The Royal College is using Practique, by Fry-IT, for this work. There are a number of advantages to this technology:
- eliminates transcription errors from manual inputs of hand-written marking sheets;
- instantly collates marks and statistics, speeding up analysis;
- securely transfers data with real-time data backup; and
- stores all data in one place.
The most significant difference to examiners is that they will enter marks on a tablet. Most exam candidates will not notice the introduction of this technology.
System is being rolled out to specialties in phases
In spring 2018, two disciplines (Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and Nuclear Medicine) were the first examination boards to pilot Practique. This spring, nine additional examination boards will use this technology: Anesthesiology, Dermatology, Emergency Medicine, Nuclear Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radiation Oncology, Orthopedic Surgery, Pediatrics and Urology.
More specialties will continue to implement this new system into 2020, with all specialties expected to be on board by fall 2022.
