Become a Volunteer

2 Member Positions Available  

• 2 Gynecologic, Sexual, and Reproductive Health-Pediatrics-Psychiatric/Behavioral Health (GSR-Peds-Psych) EDB Members 

 Members of this EDB write and review items for the maintenance and enhancement of the Gynecologic, Sexual, and Reproductive Health; Pediatrics; and Psychiatric/Behavioral Health End of Rotation™ examinations.  

Nature of the Work 

Exam Development Board work follows a challenging but rewarding production schedule that involves:   

• Writing ~20 exam questions each year following specific blueprint guidelines and expectations set by the PAEA Form and Style Guidelines, PAEA Assessment, and the Assessment Advisory Board   
• Participating in virtual, synchronous review of colleagues’ questions in small groups    
•  Reviewing comments provided by colleagues and editors to revise your work   
• Participating in a pre-Exam Development Summit review of items authored by the GSR-Peds-Psych EDB 
• Participating in the annual Exam Development Summit, an in-person large group peer-review meeting, to approve content for exams administered to PA students more than 100,000 times in programs nationwide each year  
• Participating in a thorough review of items prior to planned meetings with the EDB  

 Meeting Commitments 

Exam Development Board members are expected to attend the annual Exam Development Summit each year for a four-day in-person large group peer-review meeting. The next Summit is scheduled for March 31-April 3, 2027, in Alexandria, VA. All applicants should reserve these dates on their calendars.  

 Other virtual meetings will be held periodically.  

Terms of Service 

EDB membership is a three-year term of service. EDB members in good standing may be eligible to serve additional three-year terms that begin April 1st and end March 31st of their final year of service.   

• For members selected during this recruitment cycle, terms will begin on or around July 1, 2026, and end March 31, 2029. Any subsequent terms will begin on April 1, 2029. 

Experience and Qualifications 

• Must be a current faculty or staff member at a PAEA member program or individual colleague member at the time of appointment 
• Should demonstrate skill in multiple-choice and vignette-style item writing 
• Must have a commitment to service and collaboration 
• Must have experience working in one or more of the following clinical or educational areas – gynecologic, sexual, and reproductive health; pediatrics; or psychiatry/behavioral health OR be a generalist who feels comfortable writing and reviewing items in each of these specialties. Preference may be given to candidates who demonstrate experience in psychiatric clinical practice or education. 
• Must be able to engage in a rigorous item development and review process 
• Cannot hold other item writing or review responsibilities outside the requirements of their faculty role (e.g., NCCPA, NBME, and other test and test-preparation services and publications).  
• Candidates will be asked to sign an EDB-specific volunteer agreement if appointed.  

How to Apply 

If you are interested, please complete the application by clicking here and apply by June 12 at 11:59 pm ET.  

Your application will request a brief letter of interest (500 words or less) that highlights: 

• Why you are interested in exam development work  
• Skills and strengths that you would bring to this role 
• Experience you have working in one or more of the following clinical or educational areas – gynecologic, sexual, and reproductive health; pediatrics; or psychiatry/behavioral health 
• Experience you have working as part of a team  

Candidates will also be asked to submit three sample exam questions. The questions should address the following exams and content and task areas:   

• Gynecologic, Sexual, and Reproductive Health  
• Prenatal Care/Pregnancy, Clinical Therapeutics  
• Pediatrics 
• Growth and Development, History & Physical 
• Psychiatric & Behavioral Health 
• Anxiety; Somatic Symptom-Related Disorders, Clinical Intervention  

You may refer to the PAEA Assessment website for more information related to content and task areas. 

1 Chair Position Available  

1 PACKRAT EDB Chair  

Chairs are tasked with independently leading an EDB of 11-13 volunteers in their charge to write, review, and validate high-quality objective exam content for PAEA exams.  

Nature of the Work 

The Chair provides leadership and oversight to their EDB members for the annual item writing and review activities of the EDB, which include the following stages: item writing, small group peer review, author review, pre-summit review, and in-person large group peer review in March each year. The Chair is responsible for creating item writing and small group peer review assignments, as well as coordinating the peer review processes under the guidance of PAEA Assessment staff. During each of these stages, the Chair works closely with their EDB members to provide mentorship support and monitor committee productivity, timelines, and deliverables. The Chair is responsible for supporting their members through regular check-ins and instructive guidance. The Chair is also responsible for facilitating the in-person large group peer review at the annual Exam Development Summit each year.  

 The Chair serves as a member of the Assessment Advisory Board, led by the Assessment Editor in Chief. This group meets quarterly in support of the Assessment Editor in Chief and provides guidance to the development and implementation of assessment services at PAEA to ensure that products and resources align with program, faculty, and student needs. Support is given to the Chair through regular consultation with staff, members of the Assessment Advisory Board, and the Assessment Editor in Chief.  

 The Chair may be asked to participate in other activities, as needed, such as the recruitment and evaluation of new EDB members, exam form reviews, or providing recommendations or revisions to items based on statistical performance or other factors. 

 Meeting Commitments 

The successful candidate will be expected to: 

• Participate in quarterly virtual meetings of the Assessment Advisory Board 
• Attend and lead their EDB in large group peer review at the next in-person Exam Development Summit each year. The next Summit will take place March 31-April 3, 2027, in Alexandria, VA. All applicants should hold these dates on their calendars. 
• Convene virtual calls as needed to discuss challenges and opportunities among the EDB. 

Terms of Service 

This position’s first term will begin on or around August 1, 2026, and conclude on February 28, 2029. Second term will begin on March 1, 2029, and conclude on February 28, 2032. 

Members must have Assessment Editor in Chief and Exam Development Board support to continue into their second term. 

Experience and Qualifications 

• All candidates must be a current faculty or staff member at a PAEA member program or individual colleague member at the time of appointment 
• Must have served on a PAEA Exam Development Board 
• Must possess strong leadership skills, communication skills, and the ability to guide and mentor a group of item writers     
• Should have an extensive background in quality item writing, peer review practice, and editorial work   
• Should have an interest in the critical evaluation of exam forms, including familiarity with item statistics, key validation, and form review  
• Should have PA educational and clinical experience 
• Candidates will be asked to sign an EDB-specific volunteer agreement if appointed.  

 How to Apply 

Your application will request a brief letter of interest (500 words or less) that highlights: 

• Why you are interested in exam development board work 
• Skills and strengths that you would bring to the role 
• Experience you have leading a team 
• How you would help to advance diversity and inclusion in this role 

If you are interested, please complete the application by clicking here and apply by June 12 at 11:59 pm ET.