How is the passing score determined for the total score criterion?
The passing score for the total score criterion is the average of all the station passing scores plus one standard error of measurement. The standard error of measurement (SEM) is a statistical term. It is calculated for each examination. The SEM is an estimate of the amount of random error in the measurement process. Adding one SEM to the scores decreases the chance that a candidate will pass the exam when he or she should not pass. This is the same method used by the Medical Council of Canada for its Objective Structured Clinical Examination (MCC QE Part II).
