How do I interpret results for the NAC examination?

There have been two important changes to the NAC Examination.

1. New reporting scale:

• The new scale for the NAC Examination is 300 to 500
• Scores can be compared to the mean (M) and standard deviation (SD) of total scores using results from when the new exam score range was established in March 2019

 

¹ Based on candidates in March 2019

² Based on candidates in March 2013

2. New pass score:

• The new pass score for the NAC Examination is 398
  
  

Statement of Results and Supplemental Information Report:

Candidates will continue to receive the same two documents in their physiciansapply.ca accounts: The Statement of Results and the Supplemental Information Report.

Statement of Results:

• Provides the candidate with their final result, their total score and the pass score
• The body of the report also provides the M and SD of when the scale was established

Supplemental Information Report:

• Formerly known as the Supplemental Feedback Report
• Provides the candidate with subscores in graphical format for the three domains assessed by the exam: Assessment and Diagnosis, Management and Communication Skills
• Allows candidates to assess their relative strengths and weakness and compare their subscores with the mean subscores of first-time test takers who passed the exam

How to interpret the results provided in these documents:

 

• Small differences in subscores or an overlap between Standard Error of Measurement indicate that the performance in those domains was somewhat similar
• Overlap between the Standard Error of Measurement for a subscore and the mean score of first-time test takers who passed the exam, signifies that the candidate’s performance is similar to the mean score
• No overlap suggests that the candidate performed significantly better or significantly worse than first-time test takers who passed

For more information, watch the How to interpret results for the NAC Examination video, visit mcc.ca to read our score interpretation guidelines or email [e-mail].