title: When to use a comprehensive final examination.
abstract: In summary, comprehensive testing should be discouraged when it involves simply repeating earlier content by means of new or reused test items designed to assess the same knowledge previously measured. A more advanced approach to comprehensive testing should be encouraged. This approach would challenge the student to integrate earlier concepts and principles as he undertakes more sophisticated tasks such as application of knowledge and problem-solving.
mesh_terms: D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D007858:Learning; D011340:Problem Solving; D013663:Teaching