RESUMO
<p> It has been suggested that bed-side learning in Japanese medical schools may be not sufficient in its term and content, compared to that in European and American medical schools, although medical knowledge of Japanese medical students is on a par with that of European and American medical students. AJMC (Association of Japanese Medical Colleges) is now trying to certify medical students as Student Doctors based on a uniform standard with the use of CBT and OSCE. The quality assurance of medical students before proceeding to bed-side learning can make satisfying participation in such training possible with the understanding of patients. The National Medical Practitioner Examination poses a considerable burden to medical students because of a large number of problems. It is desirable for the National Medical Practitioner Examination to become a test to evaluate students' ability on bed-side practice in the future. If post-clinical clerkship OSCE is conducted in all medical schools in Japan with fairness and objectivity, the burden on medical students due to the National Medical Practitioner Examination may be alleviated.</p>