Extra time for tests in dental school?

[dnt0711]

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It seems like some of my dental school classmates get "extra time" on their tests. I was shocked when I heard that this was still happening this far into our education. I thought it was something that ended in high school, or undergrad at the very latest, and IMO, these people are getting an unfair advantage. Especially when most of our tests have a lot to do with not having enough time, like running out of time to ID a tag in a gross test, while these people get unlimited time at the end to go back to these tags.

I was just wondering if this happens across the board at all dental schools. Like, is it a required thing for schools to do (is it a "disability"), or is my school just being nice?

 

[Daurang]

Yes, you can scam the dental school to get extra test time due to your 'disability'. It happens across the board.

 

[dnt0711]

Yeah, I can't believe how many people still play the "learning disability" card. Such a joke!

I mean, are they gonna get more time on their national board exams? Or during a surgery if they end up being OMFS?

 

[diasIItema]

We have 3 or 4 in our class. The number suddenly went up after Gross Anatomy. Doesn't matter though. They're mostly the individuals who are average or worse.

 

[AmpedUp]

Very insensitive. Get to know someone with a learning disability first before making snap judgements This thread should be closed.

 

[KillaCam]

Quit being so sensitive about this AmpedUp. I'm sure that nobody on here means any disrespect to those who really have a problem. I think the problem stems from those who take advantage of the system and use it to try and gain any edge they can over others.
And this does happen.......

 

[AmpedUp]

Quit being so sensitive about this AmpedUp. I'm sure that nobody on here means any disrespect to those who really have a problem. I think the problem stems from those who take advantage of the system and use it to try and gain any edge they can over others.
And this does happen.......

How can you be so sure? I certainly have no trust...let's make a rundown of why this thread is going to fail:

General description by the OP + General assumptions = Leaves it all wide open to misinterpretation

In my opinion, most disability cases are legitimate. You've never walked a day in their shoes...so how can you talk about someone without knowing the true nature of the problem?

Which leads me to a very important point...Quit making excuses and worry about yourself. Life is not fair. Get used to it!!!

 

[Halcion]

Actually they can get more time on their national board exams. They have to show documentation of the disability when they apply to take the exam. I know someone who has a documented disability and they got 3 days (instead of 2) to take part 2 boards.

 

[dnt0711]

The thing is, I do know some people who actually, clearly have a learning disability. I would not want most of them to be be working in my mouth.

And then I know a ton of other people who have a "disability". It's pretty easy to fake it and get false documentation, we all know that. I just thought people would stop playing this card by now. I mean, I certainly have a very hard time ready a textbook without spacing out every other line and having to re-read everything. We all have learning problems, but we figure out how to deal with them on our own. That is all.

 

[diasIItema]

Very insensitive. Get to know someone with a learning disability first before making snap judgements This thread should be closed.

Perhaps you shouldn't make snap judgments. I worked with a program for students with intellectual disabilities and handicaps. I know what a true learning disability looks like, and it's not someone who made it into dental school.

Fact is, people are abusing the system to gain an advantage in a profession that is undermined by cutting corners. Get off your high horse.

 

[dnt0711]

Perhaps you shouldn't make snap judgments. I worked with a program for students with intellectual disabilities and handicaps. I know what a true learning disability looks like, and it's not someone who made it into dental school.

Fact is, people are abusing the system to gain an advantage in a profession that is undermined by cutting corners. Get off your high horse.

👍👍👍

 

[Daurang]

My ex-gf and one of her classmates did got extra time on the national board because of their 'disability.' They had to take some evaluation tests, and she told me they "just sat there killing time, pretending they have problem concentrating." Yes, my ex-gf was a horrible test taker cause she couldn't concentrate under stress even if she knew the material. Whether that's considered a 'disability' at this high professional level, I'm not so sure. I'm sure it's easy enough to fake if one desire to do it.

 

[AmpedUp]

Perhaps you shouldn't make snap judgments. I worked with a program for students with intellectual disabilities and handicaps. I know what a true learning disability looks like, and it's not someone who made it into dental school.

Fact is, people are abusing the system to gain an advantage in a profession that is undermined by cutting corners. Get off your high horse.

Cool. I'm wrong.

but still...why should you worry about it? the boards are pass/fail. more time doesn't mean better grade.

 

[diasIItema]

More time on practical exams in dental school does make for better grades, however. You give me two minutes rather than one in Gross Anatomy or a morphology spotting practical, and I don't miss many questions, if any. Give me more time on the PAT of the DAT and that section quickly becomes exponentially easier.

So where it really offers no advantage in some areas, it offers significant advantages in others. I think that is the point the OP was trying to make.

 

[jay47]

Would someone find it suspicious if you were one of these individuals who needed more time at the very top of the class (dental school)?