Accomodated MCAT testing

[corrections]

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Just curious if anyone has taken the MCAT's under accomodated testing conditions and if so, did it hurt you in the application process? Did your interviewer ask about it? (Technically they shouldn't because of the People with Disabilities act) but I doubt that stops certain people.

Furthermore, has anyone taken it once or twice under regular conditions and then switched to accomodated testing and done much better and how did schools view that?

 

[grheen]

what kind of special limitations?

 

[SeheePolyps]

I took it blindfolded

 

[BlitzSleep]

I believe he is referring to those with ADD, ADHD, and other disabilities. I am interested in this as well. I never did report to the disabilities office of my ADD, because I figure it would only handicap me.

 

[scowdeva]

A good friend of mine has pretty severe dyslexia, has the computer software that reads to him and everything...anyways, his grades are phenomenal (3.7+ in an honors program at a tough and highly respected uni) but his MCAT was pretty abysmal (less than 20). To this day he is still fighting to get into ANY school (MD and DO) and he is a legacy kid from a donating family. Really nice person, though!

I guess my point is, what I take from his situation is that if you use the special accomodations, the adcoms seem to expect above and beyond for you, since you received an extra X amount of time. He was told more than once that even with a disability that has been documented since he was a child, he should have scored over the average simply because of the extra time given. I guess they figure that the major limiting factor for most MCAT takers is the strict time crunch you're under...

This could all be completely anecdotal, but that is my perspective of it. If you are scoring OK on practice tests, you may want to just take it under normal conditions and then explain in interviews that you have to overcome a limitation to get the score you did. If you need the accomodations to have a shot at med school, though, definitely use them. Good luck!

 

[dreams]

the special adcoms are not noted anywhere or able to be seen by the admissions of any school. This is so they do not treat these people any different or their scores. that being said it is VERY VERY hard to get any adcoms for any reason for the MCAT. there is one guy on here who has ADHD and he tried and tried 3 times and finally got a lawyer to get special adcoms. I have ADHD and a memory problem and i am not even going to try and get adcoms bc it is so hard.

 

[Tutmos]

Don't you feel these conditions would hamper your ability to safely practice medicine? We are talking about life and death issues for patients, not what's fair.

the special adcoms are not noted anywhere or able to be seen by the admissions of any school. This is so they do not treat these people any different or their scores. that being said it is VERY VERY hard to get any adcoms for any reason for the MCAT. there is one guy on here who has ADHD and he tried and tried 3 times and finally got a lawyer to get special adcoms. I have ADHD and a memory problem and i am not even going to try and get adcoms bc it is so hard.

 

[dreams]

Don't you feel these conditions would hamper your ability to safely practice medicine? We are talking about life and death issues for patients, not what's fair.

they are not conditions that cannot be overcome or dealt with as with any condition. I believe that having these makes me more aware of what I am doing and how bc I have to be more aware. at least for me it boils down to tons of more study time to absorb the same amount of info, and then coming up with ways to remember everything, so like I said it makes me more aware rather than less if that makes sense. (but trust me I see your concern and I would have the same if I didnt put the extra effort in to make sure that it is not a hamper)

 

[grheen]

just because they need different circum. for test taking doesn't mean that they can't be a fully competent doctor.

 

[dreams]

just because they need different circum. for test taking doesn't mean that they can't be a fully competent doctor.

thanks...i agree😀

 

[Zinger09]

,

 

[What up doc]

no offence, but i wouldnt want to be treated by a dyslexic doctor

 

[Nishley]

I took the MCAT w/ accommodations. Getting accommodations is very difficult. The AAMC flag mcats taken under "non-standard conditions" but I have learned that this can actually be a good thing during the application process.

Feel free to message me if you any questions

Hi-

I have ADHD and am going back and forth on whether I should get accommodations. You mentioned that you got accommodations. I also heard that they flag you. I am interested in psychiatry. I can see how they might frown at that. But how could that be an advantage?

 

[JaggerPlate]

I took it blindfolded

Wheww just laughed out loud really hard in a crowded, public computer lab.