Information About The CCMG Objective Structured Laboratory Examination (OSLE)
The Canadian College of Medical Geneticists Objective Structured Laboratory Examination (OSLE) occurs every even year (i.e., two-year cycle) after the General and Written Specialty Examinations. It is used to test for practical knowledge as it relates to a candidate’s chosen specialty. It is designed to ensure that each candidate has obtained a standard minimum competency to practice in genetic diagnostics.
What To Expect For The OSLEs
About two weeks prior to the examination, the candidate will receive a letter stating the examination location and time of arrival. The examination length is approximately 3 hours.
On the day of the examination, the candidate will be asked to check-in with the proctor 30 minutes prior to the start time with government-issued photo identification. A pencil or pen and a non-programmable electronic calculator will also be required. Scrap paper will be provided in the OSLE rooms. The candidate may bring a bottle of water into the OSLE room.
The OSLE is composed of different “stations”, with each station presenting a different practical “scenario”. An introduction to each station’s scenario will be provided to the candidate prior to the start of that station’s examination, with each scenario composed of a series of questions that are provided to the candidate during the course of that station’s examination.
The types of clinical scenarios for OSLE stations may include (but are not limited to): data interpretation, report writing or real-life clinical scenarios requiring clinical judgement and decision making. All stations will be timed, and candidates will have a 5-minute break between each station.
Candidates are strongly advised to carefully consider what each question is asking prior to providing their answer, as the examiner or proctor is not permitted to further clarify questions. Candidates should ensure they answer only the question being asked, as each station is designed to be completed within the designated time limit and providing extraneous or irrelevant information could jeopardize their completion of the station. Some stations will have a strict linear progression (i.e., candidates cannot go back and alter previous answers once additional information has been revealed), while other stations may allow candidates the full time limit to answer all questions, or to move on to further questions and then go back to answer previous questions if time permits. Specific instructions regarding each station’s requirements will be provided to the candidate prior to or at the start of each station. For any station requiring written answers, candidates should write as neatly as possible, as illegible writing will not be marked. Scrap paper is collected and shredded by the examiner or proctor immediately following the examination and will not be marked.
Dates and location for the next Exam cycle can be found on the CCMG Examination Information and Registration Form page.