Anatomy is a beautiful, yet highly demanding science. The objective of the student of anatomy is not merely to name all the thousands of structures of the human body, but to describe and understand their relationship to each other. In order to allow this knowledge to become firmly seated within the depth of each student’s cerebral hemispheres, we have prepared fifteen tests (nine written and six oral), which occur throughout the year. Passing these tests is a prerequisite to obtaining credit, and thus for taking the final examination of anatomy.
Written tests
Written tests consist of a timed PowerPoint presentation, projected onto a screen. Each student writes answers to the questions displayed on the screen. Each question is shown for a predetermined amount of time, related to the difficulty of the question. It is not possible to return to previous questions during the course of the test or after it has finished. Each student must supply their own blank paper to write down answers to the tests. The schedule of practical classes states when the tests will occur and they always occur at the beginning of the practical training. If a student arrives to the class after the test has begun, he/she is allowed to join and may write the test, but does not have the opportunity of looking at the questions he/she missed. Questions occur in various forms: open questions, multiple choice questions, description of a structure in an image, clinical questions, etc. In the majority of the tests, students are required to draw an anatomical structure.
Oral tests
During oral tests, students may be examined by any of the teachers of the Anatomy Department (this includes professors, docents, assistants and lecturers). The main teacher of the class determines the order and selection of students for examination. The tests take place according to the schedule of practical classes. The examiner may ask theoretical questions, ask to draw an anatomical structure and ask the student to show and recognise structures on anatomical models or cadaveric preparations.
Evaluation of tests
To successfully pass each test, the student must acquire a score of at least 70%. A score of 70–80% is equivalent to grade C, 81–90% to grade B and more than 90% to grade A. Obtaining a score of less than 70% is equivalent to grade D. Correct answers to questions in written tests may be awarded with one or more points. If a student does not attempt a test, he/she automatically fails that test (grade D).
Grading of tests with a maximum of 30 points
These tests include: joints, muscles of the extremities, muscles of the head, neck and trunk, the digestive system, the respiratory system, the urogenital system, the vascular system, the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system 1.
A: 30–28 points
B: 27–25 points
C: 24–21 points
D: 20–0 points
Grading of oral tests
These tests include: bones, the skull and axial skeleton, the winter dissection course, central nervous system II and the summer dissection course
A: 100–91% of questions answered correctly
B: 90–81% of questions answered correctly
C: 80–71% of questions answered correctly
D: less than 70% of questions answered correctly, or a fundamental mistake during the examination
Attempts and test dates
Each student has the right to attempt each test three times: one attempt during the semester during and up to two retakes. Retakes of winter semester tests occur during the winter examination period. Dates for retaking winter semester tests are posted at the end of the winter semester. Retakes of summer semester tests occur during the summer examination period. Dates for retaking summer semester tests are posted at the end of the summer semester. If a student, for whatever reason, does not attempt a test during the semester or its retakes in the examination period, he/she is not entitled to arrange a new term.
Results
Results of the tests are given in the following practical class. Results are not shared to students electronically or by telephone.
Cheating
If a student is found cheating during a test, he/she will be immediately removed from the classroom and will receive a grade D for that test. Furthermore, the student will be accused of a disciplinary offense and the disciplinary commission of the Second Faculty of Medicine of Charles University will be notified.
Topics of the tests
To help students prepare for tests, we have created descriptions to all test topics that can make preparation for tests a little bit easier. See Test topics.
