CDU MD students are currently struggling to find consistent and true quiet spaces to prepare for STEP, shelf exams, and other major examinations. Under the current reservation system, HPEB only allows students to make one 4 hour room reservation on the same day, while Cobb allows 4 hour reservations up to 24 hours in advance. These limitations can make it difficult for students to plan ahead and maintain a consistent study schedule, particularly during dedicated periods of exam preparation.

According to a study published in 2024, 44.6% of medical students reported studying 9- 11 hours per day during their dedicated STEP 1 preparation period. This is significantly longer than the current 4 hour room reservation limit and demonstrates the need for more consistent access to quiet study space. (Source: Springer, 2024: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40670-024-02072-2)

Although there are designated quiet spaces on campus, including the quiet room on the 4th floor of HPEB and the CDU Library, these spaces are not consistently quiet or free from distractions. Quiet policies are also not consistently followed or enforced, making it difficult for students to complete uninterrupted practice exams or maintain a focused study environment without relying on noise canceling headphones or other measures to block out distractions.

Additionally, as of August 10, 2026, MD students no longer have access to the Testing Center for proctored exams. Although CDU MD offers proctored testing on Fridays, this provides students with only one day per week with guaranteed access to a consistent, quiet testing environment. As a result, students preparing for major examinations often have to move between different study locations, both on and off campus. This makes it difficult to establish a consistent study routine and find a reliable location where students can complete full-length practice exams without interruptions.

Given that the MD program has the highest annual tuition at CDU, at $69,000 per year, as well as the highest number of national board examinations among the health programs, the MD classes of 2027- 2030 are requesting the establishment of a dedicated “MD Exam Prep Room” in HPEB for students who are actively preparing for or scheduled to take STEP, a shelf exam, or another major examination. This space would provide students with a consistent, quiet, and distraction free environment where they can study for extended periods and complete non-proctored practice examinations.