TAGME Recruitment and Resident Selection 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following best describes 'holistic review' in residency application screening?
- Ranking applicants solely by USMLE scores
- Evaluating applicants using a broad set of academic, experiential, and personal attributes (Correct answer)
- Prioritizing applicants from the same medical school as the program
- Focusing review on research publications only
Correct answer: Evaluating applicants using a broad set of academic, experiential, and personal attributes
Holistic review considers the full range of an applicant's background, experiences, and attributes rather than relying on single metrics like test scores.
Question 2: When must NRMP rank lists be certified by program directors?
- By midnight Eastern on the rank order list deadline day (Correct answer)
- By noon Eastern on the rank order list deadline day
- Three days before Match Day
- At the program's discretion before Match Week
Correct answer: By midnight Eastern on the rank order list deadline day
NRMP requires rank order lists to be certified by midnight Eastern time on the designated deadline day to be included in the Match algorithm.
Question 3: A program receives an application from an IMG with ECFMG certification. Which statement is accurate?
- ECFMG certification replaces the need for USMLE scores
- ECFMG certification confirms the applicant has met minimum standards for GME entry (Correct answer)
- Programs are required to interview all ECFMG-certified applicants
- ECFMG certification is only required for non-citizen applicants
Correct answer: ECFMG certification confirms the applicant has met minimum standards for GME entry
ECFMG certification verifies that an IMG has met educational and examination requirements deemed necessary to enter accredited GME programs in the US.
Question 4: A program administrator notices that interview offers disproportionately exclude applicants from underrepresented minority groups. The best corrective action is to:
- Increase interview slots exclusively for those groups
- Review and audit screening criteria for potential bias (Correct answer)
- Defer to program director discretion as a legal matter
- Require all applicants to undergo the same standardized test only
Correct answer: Review and audit screening criteria for potential bias
Auditing screening criteria for implicit bias is the recommended first step to identify and correct systemic disparities in interview selection.
Question 5: According to ACGME requirements, programs must inform applicants of their selection criteria. This information should be communicated:
- Only upon applicant request after an interview
- During the Match agreement signing period
- Prior to or at the time of application (Correct answer)
- After rank lists are submitted
Correct answer: Prior to or at the time of application
ACGME requires that programs make selection criteria available to applicants prior to or at the time of application so candidates can make informed decisions.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of an 'unfilled position' signal that program administrators should address before the next recruitment cycle?
- The program matched all its positions in the first round
- Multiple highly ranked applicants declined interview offers (Correct answer)
- The program certified its rank list on time
- Applicant USMLE scores met the program's stated minimum
Correct answer: Multiple highly ranked applicants declined interview offers
Multiple interview declines may indicate concerns about program reputation, location, or interview experience, signaling areas for program improvement.
Question 7: Under the ADA, a program may ask an applicant about a disability:
- During the interview to assess technical standard compliance
- After a conditional offer of appointment has been made (Correct answer)
- At any time during the application process
- Only if the disability is visually apparent
Correct answer: After a conditional offer of appointment has been made
Under the ADA, disability-related inquiries are only permissible after a conditional offer of appointment, not during the application or interview phase.
TAGME Recruitment and Resident Selection 5
Which of the following best describes 'holistic review' in residency application screening?