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January 13th, 2012
09:30 PM ET
Video: KTH: Prescription for Cheating investigation
Evidence shows radiologists are cheating on medical exams by sharing test questions. CNN's Drew Griffin investigates.
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Post by: Anderson Cooper, Drew Griffin Filed under: CNN Special Investigations Unit • Medical News |
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I find this story amazing! I had a similar experience in dental school and was shocked to find out people didn't think studying from unreleased past exams was cheating. The excuse they used was "everyone does it, so it's OK." The more I research this, the more rampant I see cheating has become at the college level, but also the professional level. I am afraid of future professionals not having the capability to properly treat patients. Thank you for sharing this story.
I had a discussion with a fellow doctor who saw your piece on Radiologists cheating. Some points to consider. When I took the SAT (1979) no one scored 1600. These days it is common for students to score in that range. Why? Because high schools now specifically prepare students for the SAT and because of the proliferation of prep courses like Stanley Kaplan, both groups of which give booklets with test questions that are nearly identical to those on the SAT. I took a Kaplan prep course prior to taking the MCAT (Medical School Admission Test) in 1984 and even back then they gave us multiple booklets of sample test question. I saw nearly identical questions on the MCAT. The actual numbers used in a math or physics question may have been different, but the question was otherwise the same. Studying the "practice" test questions was strongly encouraged. . If this is cheating then the problem is much more systemic then what you portrayed.
As an educator, my district requires that I review previous test questions from standardized tests with my students. Many publishing companies make millions from computer programs and books containing old SAT/ACT/GRE/LSAT/MCAT questions. I simply don't understand why this soldier is concerned about the army providing recall questions. Any radiologist who know answers to 15 years worth of exam questions must be knowledgeable. Plus, this test is a minor part of becoming a radiologist. Sour grapes?
Oh Anderson, I used to really respect your show...please review a few of the responses on the CNN website regarding the inflammatory article singling out radiologists as cheaters. I would personally like to ask you directly...Mr. Cooper, when you were in college, did you ever use a study guide? How about Cliff's Notes? What about a test prep course (Kaplan, Princeton, etc)? No? How about when you were in high school and wanted to go to college and took the SAT or ACT? Any test prep materials there? The Bottom Line: every form of higher education uses studyguides. These guides are, without fail, derived from prior exams. The inherent problem with ALL higher education exams is this: there is a relatively finite number of things that each discipline requires that all of their exam takers know...things that are so important to that field that one would not be considered adequately prepared without knowing. There are only a finite number of ways that that particular material can be asked.
You are totally wrong – it is not cheating to use all available information to learn for tests, in-fact reviewing past tests provides insight into what is important & what "type" of question is likely to be asked in the future. Very standard practice in education, so I am somewhat confused about the failure of the examiners to defend the process.
I would be more understanding if your story focused on lack of variation in test questions from year to year, which may be the real story!
I note you hi-lighted the reliability issues in your snitch, and yet you chose to use him to be central to your story .... you can do better!!!!
What are you guys talking about?
Repetition of exam questions is the key to passing any of these exams. Physicians don't memorize the answers. There are a finite number of questions for any topic.
How is this different than studying for the SAT or MCATs
If the Board has an issue, all they have to do is switch questions/answers, but eventually they will repeat themselves.
Your claim is ridiculous!!!!