Reconsidering Your MBBS Result: The Pros and Cons of Retotalling

As a medical student pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree, you may find yourself in a situation where you are considering a retotalling of your first-year results. This process can be nerve-wracking, especially if you believe that a slight change in your marks could impact your future prospects. In this article, we explore the factors that influence the possibility of receiving additional marks through a retotalling request, based on real-life experiences and statistical expectations.

The Factors Influencing Retotalling

Whether you have the potential to receive up to 7-8 marks after a retotalling of your first-year MBBS result is dependent on several key factors:

Initial Grading

Initial grading is the first stage of your MBBS result. During this process, your examiners review your papers and assign marks based on their assessments. If you believe that there were errors in the marking or totaling of your exam, requesting a retotalling could potentially yield a higher score.

University Policies

Importantly, each university has its own set of policies regarding retotalling. Some institutions may allow a re-evaluation of marks, while others may only recheck the total. Understanding your specific university's policy is crucial in determining the feasibility of a successful retotalling request.

Nature of Errors

The nature of the errors is another critical factor. If there were significant marking errors or if certain answers were overlooked, you have a better chance of receiving additional marks. However, minor errors or insignificant omissions may not result in changes in your overall score.

Documentation and Evidence

Providing strong evidence and documentation for your request can significantly influence the outcome. If you can present clear evidence of errors, such as miscalculations or overlooked marks, your chances of success are higher.

A Real-Life Experience

Let's explore a real-life scenario that sheds light on the potential outcomes of a retotalling request. I, a fellow medical student, had a situation where I was just 1 mark away from passing in surgery. Fueled by frustration, I decided to file a Request for RTI Scrutiny and Re-evaluation challenge. Here's a breakdown of the costs involved:

RTI (Right to Information) - 500 per paper Scrutiny - 100 per paper Re-evaluation Challenge - 5000 per paper

After a week, I received the RTI copy of my exam. Upon re-evaluating my own marks, I discovered that there was a miscalculation in the addition of my answers. While I was disappointed, there was nothing I could do about it at that point.

One week later, I received the result of my re-evaluation challenge, where I was awarded 3 extra marks. These marks comprised 1 for the miscalculation and 2 additional marks for overlooked points. Following this, I awaited my pass result update on the university website. Eventually, I received my pass result, marking the start of my internship.

Notably, some of my friends experienced different outcomes. One friend saw their marks decrease by 5, while another had a significant increase of 8 marks.

Understanding the Odds

While the idea of improving your marks by 7-8 points through retotalling is enticing, it's important to understand that it is rarely a guarantee. In most cases, retotalling does not change the final result significantly. It is often a waste of time and money.

However, if you are certain that you performed well in your paper and the marks are due to minor errors, getting 2-4 extra marks is more achievable. It boils down to luck and the quality of your performance in the paper itself.

Remember, the success of a retotalling request is highly individual, and outcomes can vary greatly. It's crucial to proceed with a realistic expectation and to follow the proper procedures as outlined by your institution.