Study Programs for Candidates Repeating All Parts of the Certifying Examination

A candidate who fails 3 or 4 parts of the examination, or who fails to pass 1 or 2 failed parts during the permitted additional attempts, must submit a study plan with the application and fee to retake the examination. The study plan must be approved by the sponsor by a separate letter or by dated signature on the submitted plan.

The study plan must present, in detail and precisely, what the candidate intends to do as preparation for each examination section. For example, it is not sufficient to say that a weekly slide seminar will be attended. The usual content of the seminar should be given as well as the minimum number of slides for which written descriptions will be prepared and who will review the slides and critique the descriptions. Similar detail is required for other parts of the plan. A list of reading material and/or visual materials to prepare for each examination section should be included with concentration on identified areas of deficiency. Study should expand beyond the scope of the candidate's routine activities in a training or work environment which may be quite specialized. Of utmost importance is a plan for regular interaction with the sponsor or mentor. This interaction must allow the sponsor to assess a candidate's progress, to determine whether the candidate is on schedule in preparation for each section of the Examination, and to provide the candidate with feedback to correct any deficiencies. If the candidate and sponsor/mentor work in different institutions, the candidate must indicate how this interaction will take place. A timeline for the year of preparation should be included as well as exposure to study materials in an examination format (eg., a "mock" examination of 20 microscopic pathology test items to allow practice of description and diagnosis of visual material in the time frame of the Examination).

A candidate's application will not be accepted if the study plan, in Council's view, is inadequate. Deficiencies will be indicated and the candidate will be expected to present a revised plan that meets the required standard.

The sponsor should work closely with the candidate to ensure good study plans and habits. The sponsor must verify that the study plan has been followed before a candidate will be fully accepted to sit the examination. This verification must be signed by the sponsor, received by the Secretary/Treasurer and postmarked no later than August 1 of the examination year. The examination fee is not refundable if the sponsor recommends rejection because of the candidate's failure to complete the program of study.

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