Glenn Sturchio knows the prevailing myth: the CHP exam grading process is rigged and unfair, designed to magnify every flaw, nitpick mistakes and find ways to deduct points.
But the former “Part II” panel chair and grader says none of that is true.
“Exam takers think the Part II panel is out to get them,” says Sturchio, a director of health physics at the Mayo Clinic and a certified health physicist (CHP). “They think it’s biased, that we’re trying to keep them out of some exclusive club. But the truth is, it’s our job to maximize points, not to take them away.”
He adds: “The graders are on their side.”
And there are several ways to keep them there.
In the blog below, Sturchio shares an insider’s perspective on the exam grading process, offering tips to maximize your score and highlighting common mistakes to avoid for a better score.
The CHP Exam Grading Process: Designed for Fairness
Sturchio says the CHP exam grading is more structured and candidate-focused than many realize. The process is built on multiple layers of checks and balances, including:
- Triple Grading for Consistency: Each exam question is independently graded by three graders. “We want to ensure consistency and fairness,” Sturchio says. “If scores are significantly different, the group goes back to reevaluate the grading. We work hard to ensure everyone’s scores align within an acceptable range.”
- Statistical Adjustments Add Points: Beyond grading, statistical analysis adds another layer of fairness. “After the scores are averaged, additional points are often added to account for variability among graders,” Sturchio says. “This means your final score is often slightly higher than the raw average of the grades.”
How CHP Exam Graders Award Points: Examples of Fairness
Sturchio provides examples of how graders strive to award points, even when candidates make mistakes:
- Partial Credit for Mistakes If a candidate’s answer is wrong but their work shows a clear path and logical thought process, they can still earn up to 80% of the points. “For instance, if someone makes a simple math error—like multiplying instead of dividing—we deduct only 20%,” Sturchio says. “Even though the answer is technically wrong, we recognize it as a minor mistake.”
- Forgiveness for Transcription Errors Graders understand that candidates can accidentally transcribe a constant or given value incorrectly. “If your work is clear, and we can identify where the error occurred, we usually deduct only a small percentage,” he explains. “We’re not looking to penalize every little mistake.”
- Encouragement to Show Work “If you provide the right answer but don’t show your work, you might actually lose more points than if you showed your work and got the wrong answer,” he says. “The second part of the CHP exam is really about application, not just memorization. We want to see how you approach and solve the problem.”
Common CHP Exam Pitfalls to Avoid Them
Sturchio says there are several common mistakes candidates make. He shares those insights below, often expanding on the thoughts provided above—and offering tips to help them avoid losing points:
- Failing to Answer the Question: “One of the most frustrating things as a grader is when candidates don’t answer the question,” he says. For example, if asked whether the internal or external dose is greater, a candidate might calculate both but fail to explicitly state which is greater. “You lose points for not directly answering,” he notes.
- Disorganized Work: A messy, cluttered answer sheet makes it harder for graders to follow the candidate’s logic. “Use white space and organize your work clearly,” Sturchio says. “If we can’t see how you got from point A to point B, we can’t give you as many points.”
- Misusing Units: Incorrect units, such as radiation dose in “sieverts centimeters to the fourth,” signal a math error. “While it’s wrong, we look for where the mistake happened and award partial credit,” Sturchio says. “But taking the time to check your units can save valuable points.”
- Overloading with Irrelevant Information: Sturchio warns against the “shotgun approach,” where candidates include excessive information hoping to hit the correct answer. “If your answer starts strong but then veers off into what you may call fluff, you can lose points because it shows you don’t fully understand the subject,” he says. “Stick to what’s relevant.”
- Not Showing Work: Even a correct answer can lose points if it lacks supporting work. “If we can’t see your process, we might suspect you copied or just guessed correctly,” he cautions. “Showing your methodology demonstrates your understanding.”
The Human Side of CHP Exam Grading
Sturchio reminds candidates that graders are human, too.
“We’re volunteers giving up our free time to grade. When I was grading, it was always during the nicest weather in Minnesota, but I was in my basement grading,” he says. “When candidates don’t put in the effort to study or answer clearly, it can be frustrating. But even then, we still work hard to find ways to award them points.”
He also shares a humorous yet honest reflection: “Grading answers can be so baffling. Sometimes I’d yell ‘Why?!’ out loud in frustration. My daughter could always tell when I was grading because she’d hear me shouting from the basement.”
Final Advice: Help CHP Exam Graders Help You
Sturchio emphasizes that candidates should see graders as allies, not adversaries.
“Our goal is to award points wherever possible. But you need to meet us halfway by being clear, concise and thorough in your answers,” he says.
To summarize, here are his top tips for CHP exam success:
- Answer the question directly and explicitly.
- Show your work clearly and methodically.
- Organize your answers with plenty of white space.
- Double-check your units and calculations.
- Avoid irrelevant information and stick to the question.
By understanding the grading process and implementing the above strategies, candidates can better understand the exam grading experience and set themselves up for more success.
“The CHP exam isn’t about perfection—it’s about demonstrating your ability to apply knowledge effectively,” Sturchio says. “With the right approach, you can maximize your score and leave the exam room feeling confident that you will pass because the graders will work to give you every point they can.”