Prior to full-time rotations, students will take a 145 question final competency exam covering all course work in the CPMA. Students who pass the exam with a score of at least 70% may proceed to the first full-time practicum. If a student scores ≤69%, he or she must return to take a new version of the exam after a two-week study period. Students who do not pass the exam on the second attempt will have another two-week study period and must return again to take the exam for the third time. Practicum hours missed to re-take the exam must be made up. Any student not passing the exam on the third attempt will be referred to the Academic Progress Committee to determine appropriate action, up to and including the option that the student is dismissed from the program. This exam is not a part of any course grade.
Who Writes the Exam – A team of three or more teaching faculty will compile the exam. A minimum of two of the faculty will check each question for content validity to evaluate whether the question assesses the defined content as per the RDN Study Outline provided by Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Test specifications for the final competency exams will be the same as for the national exam administered by CDR and will consist of multiple choice questions with four responses to each question.
The purposes of having students complete these exams are to:
-
Motivate students to begin preparation for the National Registration Exam
-
Provide the student with practice in taking comprehensive multiple choice exams
-
Ensure that the student demonstrates an adequate knowledge and application base for entry-level practice in dietetics
-
Allow the student to identify knowledge and application areas in which further study and practice is needed in order to be adequately prepared for the Registration Examination
