Angoff Method of Setting Cut Scores for High-Stakes Testing Foley Catheter Checkoff as an Exemplar

The Angoff method is a commonly used and legally defensible method for setting passing or cut scores for high-stakes examinations. It also can be used for setting passing scores on clinical skill checklists. Two variations of the Angoff method were compared with a traditional and arbitrary 75% passing score, using a Foley catheter insertion checklist as an exemplar. Both Angoff methods produced slightly lower scores than our traditional scoring; because of must pass steps on our checklist, 12 of 13 students still failed the evaluation. The project uncovered multiple variations of checklists within different courses and variations in teaching practices for this skill.