Today, we continue our newsletter series on the Success Coach by looking at an example of a protocol we have developed for a specific situation – preparing for the EOR (End of Rotation) Examination. A Success Coach begins by viewing the student holistically, observing their learning style, circumstances, and their specific problem. The coach can then offer a more customized response, rather than cookie-cutter remediation. 

This is a brief overview of principles students can follow to prepare for EORE. These principles can be used for both initial preparation and for those who must retake an examination. This plan provides several specific recommendations proven to be effective. Checkoff lists and materials are provided by the Success Coach to the students to assist them in completing these goals.

Self-Study Tutorial: EOR Examination 

First, there are some basic principles that are important for every student who is embarking upon a self-directed study plan:

• It is paramount for your study process to involve each of the exam topics on the PAEA blueprints. Intentionally study each topic throughout the year. 

• Distinguish the topics on the NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants) blueprint that are completely covered by the sum of the seven EORE. The study plan should include a proportional review of the exam blueprint task areas. 

• There are different levels of concentration for each task area. For example, clinical therapeutics comprises 20% of the questions. Therefore, review the most common treatments when approaching each disease topic area.

• It is essential to review the actual topic blueprint. Check each item off individually as you complete a satisfactory review. During a five-week rotation, check off several items each day to avoid falling behind in your process.

• Resources for reviewing content. It’s recommended to use conventional textbooks, such as Current Diagnosis, to clear up muddy points as you review the responses to standardized tests. For some topics, you may need to take a deep dive if your understanding isn’t very clear. For some topics, it’s a simple matter of refreshment. Be the judge of how much time to spend on specific concepts.

• It is not recommended to emphasize truncated review books, such as Pearls, as an exclusive resource. During the latter part of your study plan, however, they might prove to be a valuable resource. 

• Metacognitive Exercises. These are some powerful metacognitive exercises that will enhance the students' learning efficiency and effectiveness. 

  • The student is asked to take the practice boost EOR through ROSH/TEST BANK used during the first week of the rotation. If this is not available, the student is advised to take a minimum of a 120-question practice exam as part of this exercise. Then map the incorrect items by diagnosis title to the check off list for the EOR provided. During the rotation, focus on these incorrect items with more depth by triangulating with HIN Notes along with no more than two resources to double check the accuracy. 

• Note taking – or not? If students do not find that using high-impact notes are conducive to learning, they are encouraged to use an active learning method such as speaking aloud, mind maps, visualization, and writing question vignettes based upon topics. 

• To maximize this learning process, the student is recommended to take no less than 300 questions per rotation. This is the minimal amount that will help to identify the deficits in the students learning regarding the topic list for this clerkship. 

• Most students are incapable of systematically reviewing every topic on the EOR blueprint in a productive way. This system will prevent students from surface reviewing information, thereby perpetuating the same challenges when encountering higher taxonomy questions.

• The correct items on the practice exam as well as the subsequent question bank questions will guide the student in terms of the depth and breadth of individual topics. Using the EOR checklist note the incorrect questions and then study more specifically, the topics that you are missing. The number of correct questions that correspond with that specific topic will reinforce that the student has sufficient knowledge to move forward with other topics.

Because Student Success Coaching begins pre-matriculation and continues through graduation and beyond, students requiring assistance with EORE preparation are a priority for the Success Coach. EORE scores are excellent predictors of PANCE performance. It is to everyone’s benefit that these tests go very well!

In our next issue of the Dr. Scott Massey newsletter, we will conclude our discussion of the Success Coach’s importance in the Student Success Coaching Model.