NBME Testing

• Administration of the NBME exams will follow guidelines described by the NBME. 
• NBME exams that are required and contribute towards a course or clerkship grade will follow the accommodations procedure provided by Student Disability Support Services. 
• In the event of a late start, learners are expected to be available until 6 PM on in-person assessment days.
• NBME Testing Irregularities –
  • All testing rooms should be reserved until 6 PM on testing day to accommodate learners.
  • Technical difficulties will be addressed through instructions in the NBME Chief Proctor’s Manual.
  • If an exam cannot be immediately restarted, the Testing Administrator will contact the NBME and attempt to restart the exam within 30 minutes.
  • If unsuccessful, the chief proctor, in conjunction with other appropriate parties, will make the decision whether or not to exit the exam with specific keystrokes, found in the proctor’s manual in each testing room, to keep the first exam from being scored. 
  • If testing irregularities are resolved in real time and the student is able to finish the exam, the student will not be allowed a re-examination.
  • In the case of a misadministration of the NBME exam, the chief proctor can declare a misadministration and request to exit the exam to keep the first exam from being scored. Declaration of a misadministration must be made prior to the student leaving the testing center.
  • If the NBME exam is unable to be administered on the scheduled day, the Associate/Assistant Dean of Evaluation, Assessment and Educational Research (EAR) and Curriculum Office will identify the earliest possible date for exam re-administration.

The standard NBME web-based testing requirements apply to exams delivered over both wired and wireless networks. Any combination of fixed desktops, institutional laptops, or examinee personal laptops.

• Standard NBME Web-Based Testing Requirements

Note: For students who encounter technical issues, loaner laptops and wired internet connections will be available at request during exams.

To ensure a successful testing experience, please complete the following steps before every NBME exam:  

1. Students are advised to meet with Ken Melton (send an email or schedule a meeting) prior to each NBME exam to ensure completion of the laptop certification.
2. Restart your computer. 
   • It is recommended to complete a full restart to ensure all applications are closed. 
3. Run the Workstation Certification for Examinee-owned Laptops. 
   • Go to https://wbt.nbme.org/wbtexam/home. Click continue and follow the instructions to successfully download the Secure Browser. 
   • Go to your Downloads folder and click on the PCSecureBrowser.exe file to launch Secure Browser. 
   • Under Workstation Certification, select the Test Compatibility. Choose the Examinee Personal Laptop Certification link. The utility will test the laptop for compatibility with web-based testing. 
   • If the test is successful, you will be prompted to launch a sample exam as the final step. If the test is not successful and you receive an error message, DO NOT attempt to troubleshoot this problem on your own. Please contact Ken Melton for technical support.  

Note: Please arrive early on test day to ensure your laptop is working properly. 

If you have any questions or need technical support for laptop certifications, please email Senior Instructional Tech Associate, Ken Melton or schedule a meeting.  

Before your exam day, go to the NBME Secure Browser page and follow the on-screen instructions to run the Secure Browser. Select the Workstation Certification icon. Select the Examinee Personal Laptop Certification link. The utility will test the laptop for compatibility with web-based testing.

If the test is successful, you will be prompted to launch a sample exam as the final step. If the test is not successful, the system will provide feedback. If the instructions require further assistance from the technical support staff (i.e. a recording application or process detected), email Ken Melton as to the specific error you experience so we may assist you in resolving the issue before the exam. Note that you will only have three attempts to test your laptop before the system will lock you out.

If you have any questions or need technical support for laptop certifications, please email Senior Instructional Tech Associate, Ken Melton or schedule a meeting.  

Download the NBME testing software to test your computer’s compatibility with the program. You may test your computer by launching the software and selecting the ‘Workstation Certification’ option. If your computer fails the certification, you may try the solutions below:

Windows Users

• Starting the computer up in Safe Mode has been effective in the past. View link for instructions. Make sure it is an Admin Account and *Make sure BitLocker Drive Encryption is turned off.

macOS Users

• For macOS users, creating a new user profile on the computer solely for NBME exams has worked for students in the past. A standard user profile should work for the NBME exams. Make sure it is an Admin Account and *Make sure FileVault is turned off.

Baylor IT support will still be available at the exams should assistance be required. 

If you have any questions or need technical support for laptop certifications, please email Senior Instructional Tech Associate, Ken Melton or schedule a meeting.  

Note: For students who encounter technical issues, loaner laptops and wired internet connections will be available at request during exams.

Look out for NBME emails regarding system and web browser updates.

View the Calendar for 2024-2025 Academic Year.

The following general guidelines are applicable to all disabilities and are provided to assist you in documenting a need for test accommodations based on an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.  Visit the NBME General Guidelines to Request Test Accommodations page.