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Just an FYI, we do have tests that will show certain results if someone is feigning or exaggerating results. Most people think they can fool the tests, and appear a certain way. Most people are wrong. Just be honest about what you did and save everyone the hassle. What's done is done, you tried to cheat to gain an advantage, and it bit you in the ass. Now, you can do the right thing, or continue with the lie and waste a lot of everyone's time and money. Hopefully you pick the right option rather than the easy option.
 
WisNeuro said:
Just an FYI, we do have tests that will show certain results if someone is feigning or exaggerating results. Most people think they can fool the tests, and appear a certain way. Most people are wrong. Just be honest about what you did and save everyone the hassle. What's done is done, you tried to cheat to gain an advantage, and it bit you in the ass. Now, you can do the right thing, or continue with the lie and waste a lot of everyone's time and money. Hopefully you pick the right option rather than the easy option.
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I can tell him I got lazy on a few and picked wrong choices...I don't mind doing that. But, there were also a lot I answered truthfully. He says my intellectual score are bordering the disability line. They want me to see the neuropsychologist if my medical evaluation is clear. Even if I tell the truth, won't they still insist I see the neurologist and undergo further testing to disconfirm their prior results?
 
Then tell him the whole truth, that sometimes you answered truthfully, sometimes you answered dishonestly, and sometimes you just didn't even try. The thing is, the results are invalid, all of them because of this, and should be interpreted as such. It's wholly up to you where this goes next.
 
You would be best served to be honest and tell them you purposefully answered some questions wrong. Frankly while that may not have been the objective of the test your decision to do so may speak to some of what is going on and could be addressed. I don't think you're in "big trouble," but it was an error you can learn from.
 
That is up to the neuropsychologist, we all have our own policies. I'd be very upfront with everything, or you risk more invalid test results. Especially if they are wildly discrepant from the original results. Marked discrepancy is another reason for invalid results. If you are not completely honest, you will risk having more invalid results, and a lot of money and time will be down the drain. The consequences for your actions are already in place, any further dishonesty will just net you ever increasing consequences. Like I said, the next step is up to you. Just try not to stack up a long line of invalid results, some of us will reject consults if we see a long line of invalid test results from previous testing.
 
The MCAT gets flagged for "special testing conditions." This isn't like the ACT in high school where some rich people I knew of from Chicago's North Shore paid some professionals under the table to get accommodations that were never noted on the exams. Even though it's illegal for anyone to deny you admission due to a disability, you can be denied admission for a number of other reasons. If no one says it, then it's not illegal, even though everyone knows it's true. Think twice before getting special conditions. Good luck though!
 
amaris4you said:
{pls don't quote}

Am I in some sort of big trouble? I am once again getting anxious thinking about it. Am I supposed to tell him I got lazy and picked some wrong answers on purpose? I can also follow the next steps and say I don't know what happened with the first test. But can this get me into another turmoil?

Once again, I know this was dumb. What's done is done 🙁 just looking for options on how to move forward
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Big trouble? Well, you engaged in behavior contrary to your self interest, which is also defined as "folly".

So I'd say yes, and deservedly so.

My suggestion is to take some years off, work, save some money, and then try this path again when you're more mature.
 
Planes2Doc said:
The MCAT gets flagged for "special testing conditions." This isn't like the ACT in high school where some rich people I knew of from Chicago's North Shore paid some professionals under the table to get accommodations that were never noted on the exams. Even though it's illegal for anyone to deny you admission due to a disability, you can be denied admission for a number of other reasons. If no one says it, then it's not illegal, even though everyone knows it's true. Think twice before getting special conditions. Good luck though!
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They stopped flagging accommodations recently...
 
amaris4you said:
Okay. I'm not sure if I'm following this though...when I tell them, how would it correct the fact that my tests are invalid? Wouldn't those still be on my file? Also, I had no sleep the night before and very less sleep the night before that. My anxiety has also been contributing to this as I find myself unable to sleep well since the past few months. I was feeling extremely tired during the entire psychometric testing and felt my eyes glaze over the computer.

In your opinion, could this have contributed to my low results too?
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Being honest just lets them know for sure how to interpret the battery of tests. And, it's the right thing to do, given the situation. And, depending on the competency of the clinician, they may or may not have a great explanation for why your results are in the tank. Letting them know you faked will at least let them write off the results. As far as sleep and other things, I would only expect them to minimally affect results in most situations. I'm a little concerned that you seem to be looking for any and every reason to conceal your deceit on testing. This path will likely not work out in your best interest in the long run.
 
amaris4you said:
Hmm...I feel like having to take years off is a bit extreme. Yes it was a mistake on my part, but I will reiterate that I only tampered with a few of the tests (like 3 out of the whole battery). Everything else was genuine. I would think that those 500+ questions and prior tests that I did truthfully should showcase some representation of my condition. I also was on very little sleep. Basically, I feel like everyone is focusing on my "cheating." But there are also a bunch of other things that probably contributed to my low scores (anxiety, ADHD, no sleep). I think I will talk to my psychologist, explain these factors, then go for one more round of additional testing as suggested. It looks like that's best course of action now....
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So you won't get bored when you're taking the 400 question Step I or COMLEX for 6-8 hours???
 
amaris4you said:
Okay. I'm not sure if I'm following this though...when I tell them, how would it correct the fact that my tests are invalid?
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It won't. The truth is the truth is the truth... you're making it more complicated than it needs to be. It may get you some lost respect, though, as well as a retake.

Also, I had no sleep the night before and very less sleep the night before that. My anxiety has also been contributing to this as I find myself unable to sleep well since the past few months. I was feeling extremely tired during the entire psychometric testing and felt my eyes glaze over the computer.

In your opinion, could this have contributed to my low results too?
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You're searching for reasons to not tell the truth at this point. You cheated, suck it up and own it. I would also recommend that you try and find a treatment for your anxiety before applying, and even take Goro's advice of waiting a few years seriously as you work through your anxiety.

What everyone is saying really isn't that hard to follow... tell the truth.
 
There's a difference between 'got lazy' and 'got wrong answers on purpose'. They are not the same thing. The fact that you got bored and stopped giving a fµk means something in of itself.
 
amaris4you said:
I understand. I wasn't trying to come off as childish, but I do have anxiety and I think that contributed to my decision to tamper with some of the really easy tests since I'm on the verge of desperation with completing the MCAT. I guess my thinking was, if it's this easy, I shouldn't be getting a perfect score because then they will send me away with no report. The concern about my MCAT (I'm still not over the low score 🙁) combined with my anxiety led to this dumb action.
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You don't belong in medical school now. Take @Goro's advice and take a few years to mature, then go back to the MCAT. Being dishonest on an evaluation with the hope of getting what could be called an unfair advantage (because you don't actually qualify for the accommodation) is just wrong.
 
amaris4you said:
I understand. I wasn't trying to come off as childish, but I do have anxiety and I think that contributed to my decision to tamper with some of the really easy tests since I'm on the verge of desperation with completing the MCAT. I guess my thinking was, if it's this easy, I shouldn't be getting a perfect score because then they will send me away with no report. The concern about my MCAT (I'm still not over the low score 🙁) combined with my anxiety led to this dumb action.
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Your actions testify to your state of mind and current decision-making capacity. Own up to that --

Then take the tests again (perhaps a different battery) -- but this time, take them for the right reasons! Because you need to know WTF is going on and to gain insight into your intellectual strengths and weaknesses so you can learn how to play to your strengths and compensate for your weaknesses. Tell the truth. The whole truth. Including the part where you rationalized that without deliberately missing easy answers you'd almost certainly score too 'smart' for accommodations. You can be positively brilliant and still have learning disabilities. (And FWIW, still do extremely well in medical school. n=1)

And for goodness sake, don't underestimate the psychological and mental health aspects of all this. You're already in therapy because you're on shaky ground. And this is before medical school, and before the real pressure hits. Yeah, there's certainly pressure now, but wait until lives are on the line.

@LizzyM is on point with her concern that you don't belong in medical school right now. Your anxiety is crippling; you may have ADHD; and your decision making under stress is, well, pretty scary. Was it boredom, panic, deceit, manipulation, narcissism, cheating? Whatever the causes, you did some stupid and dishonest things for reasons that aren't very good.

Grow up. Calm down. Improve your self-management. Learn to cope. Then try again. Those first four take a while, so don't put your life on hold. Live Plan B until you're ready to take another shot at Plan A.
 
Planes2Doc said:
The MCAT gets flagged for "special testing conditions." This isn't like the ACT in high school where some rich people I knew of from Chicago's North Shore paid some professionals under the table to get accommodations that were never noted on the exams. Even though it's illegal for anyone to deny you admission due to a disability, you can be denied admission for a number of other reasons. If no one says it, then it's not illegal, even though everyone knows it's true. Think twice before getting special conditions. Good luck though!
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This policy has actually been changed, I think.
 
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