I n the august 2009 issue of SQUMJ 2009, Professor C.B. Hazlett wrote about the "Prerequisite for Enhancing Student Learning Outcomes in Medical Education". Basically, he discussed the three requirements for good outcomes in medical education. These include Active versus Passive learning, and how active learning material needs to be constructed, contextualised and cooperatively acquired. He then went on to discuss the importance of the two types of assessment: summative and formative. Summative assessments determine whether the individual should pass or be promoted, while Formative assessments promote lifelong learning if accompanied by appropriate feedback. Feedback is of paramount importance for this to happen, a point which Professor Hazlett underlined. s per Miller's pyramid. It is now a most appropriate time for Oman to assess the postgraduate assessment tools as the SQU medical school has recently implemented its new curriculum and has also developed its assessment tools, while OMSB is in the final stages of decision on core competencies and revision of its assessment tools.