The Bottom Line
- Self-assessment scoring is driven by what you claim—and what you can evidence. Every claim must be supported by verifiable documentation.
- Your goal is a portable “evidence pack” that maps to common domains (QI/audit, teaching, leadership, research/publications, prizes, degrees).
- Upload the minimum evidence required to verify your score—extra files increase assessor workload and can backfire.
The most common failure mode
People do the work but cannot evidence it: no signed letters, no dates, no role description, no proof of impact. Evidence is not “nice to have”—it is the currency of self-assessment.
A universal rule across specialties
While scoring matrices differ by specialty, the evidence logic is consistent: select the statement that matches your achievement, then provide documentation that an assessor can verify quickly. Some specialties explicitly advise that you should upload the minimum evidence required for the score you claim.
Build your evidence pack (the “one binder” system)
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1) Create domain folders that match how applications are scored
Use stable domains: QI/Audit, Teaching, Leadership & Management, Research & Publications, Prizes/Awards, Degrees & Courses, Presentations, Commitment to Specialty (where applicable).
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2) For each claim, collect “proof + verification”
Proof shows the activity happened; verification shows your role and dates. The best evidence is signed, dated, and on letterhead or from an official system.
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3) Convert everything into assessor-friendly PDFs
One claim = one PDF. Use a cover page that states: what you’re claiming, which scoring statement it supports, your role, dates, and the verifying contact (if appropriate).
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4) Keep it minimal
If a specialty says “upload minimum evidence,” follow it. Avoid “portfolio dumping.”
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5) Rehearse verification: can someone else understand it in explainable minutes?
Give your pack to a colleague and ask them: “What is the claim? What is the evidence? Where is the date? Who confirms it?” If they struggle, revise.
Evidence templates that consistently verify well
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Use official scoring guidance (don’t guess)
Different specialties have different domains, thresholds, and definitions. Use the official self-assessment/scoring guidance for your target specialty and map your evidence accordingly. IMT, CST, Radiology and others publish explicit guidance on scoring/evidence expectations.
Practice
Test your knowledge
Apply this concept immediately with a high-yield question block from the iatroX Q-Bank.