TAGME Recruitment and Resident Selection 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under ERAS, what is the latest date programs may begin reviewing applications in the standard timeline?
- September 15
- October 1
- October 21 (Correct answer)
- November 1
Correct answer: October 21
ERAS opens applications to programs on October 21, the standard date programs may begin reviewing applicant materials.
Question 2: Which of the following represents a legally prohibited question during a residency interview?
- What is your research experience?
- Are you planning to have children? (Correct answer)
- Can you describe a clinical challenge you overcame?
- What are your career goals after residency?
Correct answer: Are you planning to have children?
Asking about family planning intentions is prohibited under Title VII as it can constitute sex or pregnancy discrimination.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of the NRMP's Supplemental Offer and Acceptance Program (SOAP)?
- To allow programs to extend offers after the rank list deadline
- To fill unfilled positions after the main Match (Correct answer)
- To allow applicants to withdraw from the Match
- To rank international graduates separately
Correct answer: To fill unfilled positions after the main Match
SOAP is a structured process that allows unmatched applicants to apply to unfilled positions immediately after main Match Day results are released.
Question 4: A program director wants to guarantee a specific applicant a position before rank lists are submitted. This action is:
- Permitted if both parties agree in writing
- Permitted for applicants with exceptional qualifications
- A violation of the NRMP Match Participation Agreement (Correct answer)
- Allowed only for preliminary positions
Correct answer: A violation of the NRMP Match Participation Agreement
Pre-Match commitments or guarantees violate the NRMP Match Participation Agreement and can result in sanctions for the program.
Question 5: Which accreditation body requires programs to document their resident selection criteria and make them available to applicants?
- ABMS
- ACGME (Correct answer)
- LCME
- AMA
Correct answer: ACGME
ACGME program requirements mandate that programs have written selection criteria and that these are accessible to applicants.
Question 6: An applicant discloses a prior felony conviction on their ERAS application. What is the most appropriate program response?
- Automatically reject the application per institutional policy
- Conduct an individualized assessment considering all relevant factors (Correct answer)
- Report the applicant to the state medical board immediately
- Disqualify the applicant to protect patient safety without further review
Correct answer: Conduct an individualized assessment considering all relevant factors
Best practice and legal guidance recommend individualized assessment of criminal history, considering the nature of the offense, time elapsed, and rehabilitation.
Question 7: Which metric is generally considered the LEAST valid predictor of clinical performance during residency selection?
- USMLE Step 1 score (Correct answer)
- Structured interview rating
- Letters of recommendation quality
- USMLE Step 2 CK score
Correct answer: USMLE Step 1 score
Research shows USMLE Step 1 scores have limited predictive validity for clinical performance compared to structured interviews and Step 2 CK scores.
TAGME Recruitment and Resident Selection 4
Under ERAS, what is the latest date programs may begin reviewing applications in the standard timeline?