MCAT Accommodations NO LONGER fLagged starting in 2016

[Rainbow Zebra]

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Per AAMC website:

How is the score of a non-standard MCAT exam reported?
The AAMC no longer reports annotated scores for non-standard test administrations. Scores from the previous version of the MCAT exam will not be annotated in the AMCAS 2016 application season or on future score reports.


Per conversations I have had with others who took MCAT under nonstandard conditions, they report that schools never asked them about it. I guess schools saw no benefit to a "flagged" score, so MCAT removed it.

I didn't see this announced, was brought to my attention by another student. Other tests (ACT/SAT/DAT/LSAT/GMAT) never flagged accommodations, so it appears the MCAT is finally catching up to the new standards.

 

[NeuResurgens]

I don't see why accommodated scores should have been flagged, to be honest. Doesn't seem productive

 

[AspiringERMD]

Ugh. I qualified for AAMC accommodations, and then decided to refuse them and try to gut through it because I didn't want my score flagged. Now I'm pissed. I would have scored closer to my AAMC practice tests. 😡

 

[Rainbow Zebra]

Ugh. I qualified for AAMC accommodations, and then decided to refuse them and try to gut through it because I didn't want my score flagged. Now I'm pissed. I would have scored closer to my AAMC practice tests. 😡

Yes, sort of screwed the earlier classes over, but better late as the MCAT is the last to ADA party on this issue. I just sorry I let sdn scare me that I took my first MCAT without an accommodation, and could not finish. Once I got a bit of extra time, I could finish, and scored more in keeping with my abilities and GPA.

 

[AspiringERMD]

Yes, sort of screwed the earlier classes over, but better late as the MCAT is the last to ADA party on this issue. I just sorry I let sdn scare me that I took my first MCAT without an accommodation, and could not finish. Once I got a bit of extra time, I could finish, and scored more in keeping with my abilities and GPA.

I ran out of time too. I think if I could do it over again, I would have just taken the accommodation and the figurative scarlet letter. It would have made a huge difference.

 

[Rainbow Zebra]

I ran out of time too. I think if I could do it over again, I would have just taken the accommodation and the figurative scarlet letter. It would have made a huge difference.

I've been in conversations with quite a few folks who had a flagged MCAT, and not one person said anyone brought up the matter nor did it seem to impede interview invites and acceptances, even at top schools. Even the top of the heap don't give a rat's behind if you need a minor accommodation to show what your true capabilities are.

 

[Rainbow Zebra]

I ran out of time too. I think if I could do it over again, I would have just taken the accommodation and the figurative scarlet letter. It would have made a huge difference.

Maybe use your history and past undergrad accommodations to get the accommodation for a bit of extra time on your med school tests. If it will make a difference on your steps, it is worth it. I don't think the steps have flags either, but if you don't have a history of getting extra time, it would be hard to request it new just for the steps. That is why I took the MCAT a second time with an accommodation, as I was counseled that to try to do it without without would only hurt me on the steps. Good luck to you in med school next year. My brother is an M1, and he is having a great time, isn't stressed at all about it (sort of his personality anyway).

 

[resiroth]

I qualified for extra time and didn't use it. In my mind we don't get extra time as doctors. It's up to you but I think most people are pressed for time on the MCAT and that's part of the challenge.

On the flip side I'm totally in favor of using whatever medication you may or may not need because you could have that same state mentally while practicing medicine.

I know this is likely an unpopular opinion but please remember that it's just that -- an opinion.

 

[FueledByRamen]

I qualified for extra time and didn't use it. In my mind we don't get extra time as doctors. It's up to you but I think most people are pressed for time on the MCAT and that's part of the challenge.

On the flip side I'm totally in favor of using whatever medication you may or may not need because you could have that same state mentally while practicing medicine.

I know this is likely an unpopular opinion but please remember that it's just that -- an opinion.

I agree with you. There are only a few instances where I think accommodations are justified and I hope AAMC is strict with regard who they approve now. Otherwise many will take advantage of this. At my school I know many students that just read off ADHD symptoms to the doc to get approved for disability benefits such as extra time in exams and class notes. Btw respect for not using the extra time. I know a girl with dyslexia that refuses to use any special accommodations and is doing just fine with a 3.8 gpa.

edit;
I also agree that those that qualify for it after their strict guidelines for accommodations shouldn't be flagged. So this is good news overall.

 

[AspiringERMD]

Mine wasn't for ADD; it was for a physical/structural problem. There may or may not be a surgical correction option. But yeah. Still really frustrating. And I made the wrong call on this for sure. But oh well. I do have an acceptance I like.

 

[DrBowtie]

I don't see why accommodated scores should have been flagged, to be honest. Doesn't seem productive

You don't see why a standardized test taken under non standardized conditions would be denoted?

 

[NeuResurgens]

You don't see why a standardized test taken under non standardized conditions would be denoted?

In my mind, accommodations are meant to help mitigate the effect of disadvantages which are out of the applicant's control. Flagging it just puts the disadvantage back in play, even if medical schools "ignore it" or not.

 

[Gandyy]

Isnt it pretty hard to get accomodation from AAMC for the MCAT?

 

[positivetension-]

Mixed feelings about this. I'm all for accessibility, but I agree that this seems to have huge abuse potential. The limited time on the MCAT is a huge part of what makes it difficult; I was lucky to score well, but I feel like I could have done even better with more time (and would have been a lot less stressed doing it).

 

[Rainbow Zebra]

Isnt it pretty hard to get accomodation from AAMC for the MCAT?

I had to get documentation back to middle school, and all day testing from a neuropsych clinic. 16 documents later, I get an extra 1/2 hour.

 

[Gandyy]

I had to get documentation back to middle school, and all day testing from a neuropsych clinic. 16 documents later, I get an extra 1/2 hour.

Yea, sounds about right. Well, its done that way so no one can cheat the system essentially. But if they gave you the accommodation, it had to have been 100 percent legitimate so good for you!

 

[gyngyn]

Mixed feelings or not, it is not for us to decide.

If you have a issue with it, write to The ADA, The Department of Justice, or your local Congressman. Civil Rights Laws are enacted to protect and assist qualified disabled Americans (who have medical documentation) get an equal chance to show their intellectual abilities. This includes the blind, deaf, those with physical disabilities (permanent and temporary), diabetes, dyslexia, ADHD, and any other disability that is protected by Civil Rights. People who meet the criteria of being disabled as defined by the law don't ask to be disabled. In fact, many probably wish they didn't need to go thru the long arduous process of seeking accommodations whether is for a test or for a ramp to enter a building. It is likely, many of the disabled would prefer to be in the "norm" (test under normal circumstances) and be done with it. Perhaps a little compassion for these folks would go a long way. Additionally, do some research on what it means to have dyslexia, ADHD, or any other disability...judging those with disabilities may be coming from a lack of knowledge on your part.

From my reading of this ruling I see nothing that will change the technical standards for completion of the MD degree.

 

[tenblackalps]

The last time I read it, the Surgeon General's plan to address health disparities including bringing more physicians with disabilities to the workforce, which I tend to agree with. Not every physician, whether able-bodied or disabled, has to have a career in the operating room.

 

[maxwell_edison]

They're strict, but very fair. They are far more nuanced than a typical school disabled students office. I know a guy who didn't get extra time (like he had in college) for very well documented ADHD, but they did let him pause the test whenever he needed a break (which is also part for his crohn's).

It's a standardized test, that is a time limited test for essentially everyone but the top couple percent. Extra time without a very compelling justification is probably unfair. But they do what is required under the ADA: reasonable accommodation.

 

[Doug Underhill]

This is a good thing. The purpose of the accommodations is to correct for the disadvantages those applicants face. There's no reason why the scores should be "flagged" in any way.

 

[Syns]

Thank god.

 

[1DAY91]

I was just approved to receive accommodations on the MCAT through 2017. I was given 50% extra time due to having ADHD that was diagnosed when I was 5. I had previously taken the MCAT without accommodations and got a 495 because I ran out of time on every section. I did not have accommodations in HS because my school was a joke and I did not have them on the ACT . I thought I had no chance at all of being accommodated after already taking the MCAT, but i'm glad that I will now be able to show my true knowledge of the material. I had accommodations throughout college and graduated with a 3.6C/3.5S GPA.

Key to getting accommodated.
I had documentation of diagnosis from physicians when I was 5 and every doctor I've seen since then.
Neuropsych testing done when I was 13 with all the percentiles and all.
Recent Neuropsych testing done within last year that showed nothing has changed. (have your physician follow the AAMC accommodations guidelines for testing) Insurance paid for it all besides my $25 copay
Documentation of college accommodations.
Personal statement that emphasized not only ADHD with regard to the classroom, but how it affects my everyday life.

Bottom line have great documentation and don't give up hope. Don't listen to what every1 says on SDN and that you can't get extra time for ADHD.

 

[Rainbow Zebra]

I was just approved to receive accommodations on the MCAT through 2017. I was given 50% extra time due to having ADHD that was diagnosed when I was 5. I had previously taken the MCAT without accommodations and got a 495 because I ran out of time on every section. I did not have accommodations in HS because my school was a joke and I did not have them on the ACT . I thought I had no chance at all of being accommodated after already taking the MCAT, but i'm glad that I will now be able to show my true knowledge of the material. I had accommodations throughout college and graduated with a 3.6C/3.5S GPA.

Key to getting accommodated.
I had documentation of diagnosis from physicians when I was 5 and every doctor I've seen since then.
Neuropsych testing done when I was 13 with all the percentiles and all.
Recent Neuropsych testing done within last year that showed nothing has changed. (have your physician follow the AAMC accommodations guidelines for testing) Insurance paid for it all besides my $25 copay
Documentation of college accommodations.
Personal statement that emphasized not only ADHD with regard to the classroom, but how it affects my everyday life.

Bottom line have great documentation and don't give up hope. Don't listen to what every1 says on SDN and that you can't get extra time for ADHD.

Similar experience, i wholeheartedly second your post. Did my first MCAT without accommodation, and like you, ran out of time, scored a 26, even though I had a long history of needing extra time due to delayed processing speed deficit. The second time with 50% extra time, and scored a 34 (was sort of mad with doing 36+ on my practice tests). If you have any issues, please get tested. There is no shame or stigma to getting the resources you need to show what you are truly capable of. Good luck to you!!

 

[MemeFactory]

I am all for encouraging individuals with learning disabilities/disabilities in general to pursue careers in medicine but, in my opinion, this is a move in the wrong direction and fails to stand up to even the simplest of critical analysis.

1. If these accommodations intend to "level the playing field", how are the said accommodations quantitatively determined? For example, how can we be sure that giving a student with ADHD 50% extra time actually levels the playing field relative to students without ADHD AND relative to students with different degrees of ADHD? What if the student with ADHD actually only reads and comprehends on average 20% slower? What if one student has a mild form of ADHD and another student with severe ADHD - how is the playing field level without being able to quantitatively determine their accommodations? Seeing as how the MCAT is supposed to be a standardized test and seeing as how applicants are competing against each other for a limited number of seats, I would argue that one would have to be absolutely certain that the accommodation does not confer an advantage.

2. Following the point above, how are accommodations for people with different disabilities quantitatively compared? How do we know that giving a student with dyslexia a 50% time increase is equivalent to giving someone with ADHD the same accommodation? It just isn't possible to compare disabilities across the spectrum.

3. Not all students with disabilities have access to the insurance/doctors needed to diagnose them with a learning disability. Students with genuine learning disabilities and lack of access to medical care are now at an even greater disadvantage. This policy further selects for those with money/resources in a process that already heavily selects those with means.

4. The possibility for abuse for this policy is very large. There is no simple test for ADHD and just as people seek to get misdiagnosed for access to prescriptions, I'm sure it would not be above some pre-meds to get misdiagnosed for accommodations.

In my opinion, if the accommodations are no longer to be denoted it makes much more sense to completely remove the time limit for ALL test-takers. Make it so that all test-takers can take as long as they want to finish the exam. This is a true "level playing field." Students with time-based disabilities are no longer held back and are also not given an accommodation that cannot be quantitatively determined. Instead, test-takers are strictly limited by their own reasoning skills/knowledge rather than how fast they can read and comprehend the information. The test-makers could even make the questions more difficult to really identify those with excellent reasoning/knowledge with a no-time-limit exam.

 

[terra330]

When you're in the OR, you don't get extra time to do something because you're disabled. While it's important to treat the disabled with respect, some people with disabilities shouldn't be doctors because of their impaired ability to function as a doctor

So that person shouldn't be able to do a surgery residency, but should still be allowed to go to medical school since there are other specialties that wouldn't be an issue.

 

[Lannister]

Sorry this is sort of off topic, but I'm just curious, someone mentioned that diabetes is considered a disability, why is that?

 

[ERDOC555]

In my opinion, if the accommodations are no longer to be denoted it makes much more sense to completely remove the time limit for ALL test-takers. Make it so that all test-takers can take as long as they want to finish the exam.

Agree 100%! Truly the only way to make the test fair for everyone. Each person has only their brain and the information in it and scores can get a true representation of who has the critical thinking skills and knowledge base to do well. Since an unlimited time limit is impossible, I think a 10 hour time period would be more than enough time to accommodate >99% of test takers. That way no one would be pressed for time!

 

[efle]

Removing time pressure completely changes the nature of what the exam tests - it was never meant to be a test primarily of knowledge or ability to eventually decipher correct answers, but rather a test of ability to QUICKLY understand and identify correct answers. It is not meant to be "fair" in this. It rewards intelligence, for example, which means not everyone comes into it on even footing. It is only meant to be standardized.

I know I'm in the minority and my view is not very PC, but to me making exception to standard time conditions for ADHD etc rests on a logic that should also justify time extensions for below average intelligence - after all wouldn't it be only fair to try and level the playing field for them, let them show what they really know? Why should they be at a disadvantage compared to the lucky geniuses when they can find just as many right answers, so long as they get a lot more time to do so?

 

[ERDOC555]

Removing time pressure completely changes the nature of what the exam tests - it was never meant to be a test primarily of knowledge or ability to eventually decipher correct answers, but rather a test of ability to QUICKLY understand and identify correct answers. It is not meant to be "fair" in this. It rewards intelligence, for example, which means not everyone comes into it on even footing. It is only meant to be standardized.

I know I'm in the minority and my view is not very PC, but to me making exception to standard time conditions for ADHD etc rests on a logic that should also justify time extensions for below average intelligence - after all wouldn't it be only fair to try and level the playing field for them, let them show what they really know? Why should they be at a disadvantage compared to the lucky geniuses when they can find just as many right answers, so long as they get a lot more time to do so?

I actually agree with you entirely that time is a part of the test as well as your point in bold.

However, when you allow some individuals to remove that constraint, the test loses it's fairness.

Do you think it's better to have:
1. Timed as it is currently with accommodations allowed for extra time?
or
2. No time limit in which nobody is given any sort of extra advantage?

I personally favor the second, since the third option of timed with no exceptions would be illegal under ADA.

 

[efle]

I actually agree with you entirely that time is a part of the test as well as your point in bold.

However, when you allow some individuals to remove that constraint, the test loses it's fairness.

Do you think it's better to have:
1. Timed as it is currently with accommodations allowed for extra time?
or
2. No time limit in which nobody is given any sort of extra advantage?

I personally favor the second, since the third option of timed with no exceptions would be illegal under ADA.

Timed, with accommodations that anyone can request, and a flag showing it was accommodated and how. If someone had extra time, the meaning of their score has changed, and that should be visible to the people tasked with evaluating test takers (of course they're free to ignore it). Whether they needed extra time because of attention problems vs difficulty grasping the material makes no difference.

 

[ERDOC555]

Timed, with accommodations that anyone can request, and a flag showing it was accommodated and how. If someone had extra time, the meaning of their score has changed, and that should be visible to the people tasked with evaluating test takers (of course they're free to ignore it). Whether they needed extra time because of attention problems vs difficulty grasping the material makes no difference.

Interesting, although it seems from the original post that most Adcoms didn't care at all about a marked score, at least on the surface. If that was accurate and Adcoms don't care about the notation would you still want to have things go the same way?

 

[efle]

Interesting, although it seems from the original post that most Adcoms didn't care at all about a marked score, at least on the surface. If that was accurate and Adcoms don't care about the notation would you still want to have things go the same way?

Lack of prodding people about it at interviews is a far cry from good evidence that they don't care. I think there's a good reason why AAMC is so strict about who it will provide extra time for, and that if suddenly anyone could request extra time, it very much would change how admissions viewed the exam.

And really, if it was true that adcoms would view it all the same, that's a good argument for extended time being handed out to anyone that desires it. Lets us put slower thinkers on a level playing field, truly making it a test of what you know and what you can eventually understand, rather than an unfair test favoring those who grasp things quickly.

 

[Syns]

I'm very glad to hear that they have changed their policy on this issue.

I was granted accommodation throughout college but used it as infrequent as possible (mostly during freshman year and never during junior/senior). I have a severe form of dyslexia and take longer than those born without my disorder to accurately read text. The complexity of the text isn't the issue. Despite scoring >30% lower on practice tests without at least 5/4 time, I choose to take the exam without accommodation due to the flagging mechanism.

For those wondering if wealthy students from privileged backgrounds prepare years in advance for unjust accommodations, they do. However I want to stress that disenfranchised peoples with disabilities will gain the most from this switch.

Last point of interest, because there seems to be a very clear misunderstanding of how the old flagging system worked:

If your test was out of the ordinary for any reason, It was indicated. And not explicitly so. If a diagram required to answer questions 5-8 malfunctioned and didn't show up, your test would be marked in the same way as someone who received time and a half.

The fidelity of accommodation practices seems to also have been drawn into question by several posters and I don't have the patience to combat voices who feel mistreated for not receiving equal treatment when equity is the standing issue.

 

[efle]

For those wondering if wealthy students from privileged backgrounds prepare years in advance for unjust accommodations, they do.

What do you mean, like rich kids fake ADHD for a decade so they can have some extra MCAT time?

I have a severe form of dyslexia and take longer than those born without my disorder to accurately read text. The complexity of the text isn't the issue.

Couldn't this be accommodated by having the test read out/audio proctored, without touching the timing at all?

If your test was out of the ordinary for any reason, It was indicated. And not explicitly so. If a diagram required to answer questions 5-8 malfunctioned and didn't show up, your test would be marked in the same way as someone who received time and a half.

I actually argued about this in past threads too, always seemed stupid to me. What on earth were they thinking, flagging all things identically? Something like a power outage would not be of any interest to anyone.

The fidelity of accommodation practices seems to also have been drawn into question by several posters and I don't have the patience to combat voices who feel mistreated for not receiving equal treatment when equity is the standing issue.

Oh, cya then

 

[KungFuPanda123]

Eh, although I feel on edge with how the MCAT gives accommodations due to the fact that it's so subjective; who deserves a small boost of time vs. who deserves a 50% boost in time? It's a test that is so hard to finish on time for even normal people. Almost everyone I knew finished the verbal section either basically right on time or weren't even able to finish the section on time. Time is truly a limiting factor when it comes to MCAT-VR (it feels a little less so with CARS), and I would argue not as much so for the BS and PS sections. I'm not against giving accommodations to certain students with needs to level the playing field, but I just wish there could be a more objective/quantifiable way to determine what amount of accommodations is appropriate... in other words, I wish that I lived in a perfect world...

For those of you who are against giving accommodations at all for the MCAT, consider the fact that USMLE gives accommodations that include extra time. Why should the MCAT take this away if the boards give such accommodations?

 

[aalamruad]

This policy is essentially just affirmative action based on disability rather than race. If it produces doctors who are better able to reach an underserved population of disabled patients, then that's great. But I really doubt that's the case; correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't get the impression that individuals with ADHD or dyslexia are neglected in medicine. If anything, there's probably over-diagnosis and over-treatment of some of these groups of people (not including dyslexia).

Fairness is treating everyone equally. Forcing a level playing field isn't fairness. There are only 2 real options if the primary goals are fairness and equality:

1) Offer every student accommodations for the MCAT, inform med schools of the specifics of those accommodations very thoroughly, and let med schools make the judgements, or

2) Don't allow accommodations for anyone. This is the only option that entails 100% equality, but I'm sure it's illegal.

There's no specialty in which intelligence, hard work, and quick thinking aren't beneficial. The MCAT is meant to test those things in a standardized manner, and this policy change tarnishes that goal.

Obviously, though, the ultimate goal is optimal patient care, so again, if this policy helps reach underserved disabled patients, then true fairness is secondary to that motive.

@mimelim I'm curious as to your thoughts on this topic

 

[aalamruad]

Eh, although I feel on edge with how the MCAT gives accommodations due to the fact that it's so subjective; who deserves a small boost of time vs. who deserves a 50% boost in time? It's a test that is so hard to finish on time for even normal people. Almost everyone I knew finished the verbal section either basically right on time or weren't even able to finish the section on time. Time is truly a limiting factor when it comes to MCAT-VR (it feels a little less so with CARS), and I would argue not as much so for the BS and PS sections. I'm not against giving accommodations to certain students with needs to level the playing field, but I just wish there could be a more objective/quantifiable way to determine what amount of accommodations is appropriate... in other words, I wish that I lived in a perfect world...

For those of you who are against giving accommodations at all for the MCAT, consider the fact that USMLE gives accommodations that include extra time. Why should the MCAT take this away if the boards give such accommodations?

That seems like a bit of a "begging the question" fallacy. It's certainly not widely agreed that accommodations for the boards are justified either, so using USMLE accommodations as a premise to justify MCAT accommodations doesn't make sense. Plus, getting accommodations for Step 1 and 2 are incredibly difficult, especially for things like ADHD.

 

[KungFuPanda123]

That seems like a bit of a "begging the question" fallacy. It's certainly not widely agreed that accommodations for the boards are justified either, so using USMLE accommodations as a premise to justify MCAT accommodations doesn't make sense. Plus, getting accommodations for Step 1 and 2 are incredibly difficult, especially for things like ADHD.

I don't see that as the only reason why accommodations should be allowed. I just added that in, because I think that most people can see some of the logic behind it, due to the fact that the MCAT is used to get us into a program that prepares us for the boards. All other means of supporting accommodations are highly debatable, and I didn't want to bother typing all of that up.

 

[efle]

I'm not against giving accommodations to certain students with needs to level the playing field

Who deserves a level playing field, though? Only those who struggle to keep their attention focused? Or also those who have no trouble with attention, but are simply slow to work out answers?

Why should the MCAT take this away if the boards give such accommodations?

Can I not disagree with time-extension accommodations at both levels?

Fairness is treating everyone equally.

This just ends up being an argument in semantics though. "I need extra time to be on equal footing; equal treatment for me is not the same as standard conditions." The problem is with parsing out why only some slower workers deserve equality.

1) Offer every student accommodations for the MCAT, inform med schools of the specifics of those accommodations very thoroughly, and let med schools make the judgements, or

It would be interesting to see the legality of this challenged under the ADA, along the lines of "this allows admissions to discriminate against people with disabilities." If anyone can elect for extra time, so that an extended time flag does not necessarily indicate any disability was present, this would be harder to argue.

 

[KungFuPanda123]

Who deserves a level playing field, though? Only those who struggle to keep their attention focused? Or also those who have no trouble with attention, but are simply slow to work out answers?


Can I not disagree with time-extension accommodations at both levels?


This just ends up being an argument in semantics though. "I need extra time to be on equal footing; equal treatment for me is not the same as standard conditions." The problem is with parsing out why only some slower workers deserve equality.


It would be interesting to see the legality of this challenged under the ADA, along the lines of "this allows admissions to discriminate against people with disabilities." If anyone can elect for extra time, so that an extended time flag does not necessarily indicate any disability was present, this would be harder to argue.

There is obviously a spectrum of attention deficit. How bad does it need to be in order to be considered a disability warranting an accommodation? I don't know; however, I do believe that at some unknown point, the attention is probably bad enough to be considered a disability. Those who are simply slow to work out answers do not need additional time, because that is not a disability; again, I don't know of any test that can reliably differentiate the two conditions.

You can obviously disagree with both. I'm just saying that in my opinion, there is no need to make the MCAT the bottle-neck for a person who needs accommodations to become a physician if the boards themselves aren't the bottleneck for them.

As a poster above pointed out, the issue is equity, not equality. Yes, that is a huge issue. I have no solution for you.

 

[aalamruad]

Who deserves a level playing field, though? Only those who struggle to keep their attention focused? Or also those who have no trouble with attention, but are simply slow to work out answers?


Can I not disagree with time-extension accommodations at both levels?


This just ends up being an argument in semantics though. "I need extra time to be on equal footing; equal treatment for me is not the same as standard conditions." The problem is with parsing out why only some slower workers deserve equality.


It would be interesting to see the legality of this challenged under the ADA, along the lines of "this allows admissions to discriminate against people with disabilities." If anyone can elect for extra time, so that an extended time flag does not necessarily indicate any disability was present, this would be harder to argue.

Equality =/= Equity

People don't seem to understand this concept when claiming that accommodations provide equality.

Equal treatment means giving everyone the same exact conditions, regardless of individual outcomes. You're referring to equity when saying "I need extra time to be on equal footing." I'm not saying that only some slower workers deserve equality; everyone deserves equality, even if that leaves slower workers behind. Entrance into the medical field isn't an appropriate place to advocate for equity.

For the record, I think we mostly agree. Interesting semantics discrepancy, though.

 

[aalamruad]

There is obviously a spectrum of attention deficit. How bad does it need to be in order to be considered a disability warranting an accommodation? I don't know; however, I do believe that at some unknown point, the attention is probably bad enough to be considered a disability. Those who are simply slow to work out answers do not need additional time, because that is not a disability; again, I don't know of any test that can reliably differentiate the two conditions.

You can obviously disagree with both. I'm just saying that in my opinion, there is no need to make the MCAT the bottle-neck for a person who needs accommodations to become a physician if the boards themselves aren't the bottleneck for them.

As a poster above pointed out, the issue is equity, not equality. Yes, that is a huge issue. I have no solution for you.

The entrance exam to medical school is literally the perfect place for a bottleneck to becoming a physician...

 

[efle]

There is obviously a spectrum of attention deficit. How bad does it need to be in order to be considered a disability warranting an accommodation? I don't know; however, I do believe that at some unknown point, the attention is probably bad enough to be considered a disability. Those who are simply slow to work out answers do not need additional time, because that is not a disability; again, I don't know of any test that can reliably differentiate the two conditions.

You can obviously disagree with both. I'm just saying that in my opinion, there is no need to make the MCAT the bottle-neck for a person who needs accommodations to become a physician if the boards themselves aren't the bottleneck for them.

As a poster above pointed out, the issue is equity, not equality. Yes, that is a huge issue. I have no solution for you.

How do you define an academic disability? If persons A and B both fail to finish under standard conditions, and both perform well under extended time conditions, how can you call one reason for slow processing a disability and another reason not? They present the same problem in this case and are mitigated the same way. If you were limited to viewing interactions with the MCAT (that is, barring specific psychological tests or responses to medication) you'd never be able to distinguish, which to me makes it clearly wrong to only give one or the other extra time.

This process has never been about building bottlenecks for passage to physician status, though. A mid 20s MCAT means you are very likely to do just fine in med school, but obviously medical admissions is using scores as something other than an ability bottleneck passage in this regard. The goal really should be providing adcoms what they need to be fully informed as they choose between many candidates well past the cutoff for competency.

Equality =/= Equity

People don't seem to understand this concept when claiming that accommodations provide equality.

Equal treatment means giving everyone the same exact conditions, regardless of individual outcomes. You're referring to equity when saying "I need extra time to be on equal footing." I'm not saying that only some slower workers deserve equality; everyone deserves equality, even if that leaves slower workers behind. Entrance into the medical field isn't an appropriate place to advocate for equity.

For the record, I think we mostly agree. Interesting semantics discrepancy, though.

Ah, gotcha. I think that from the pro-accomodation view, equality is equity. "Being equal" refers to the tester experience, so that an ADHD student with extra time is facing an equivalent/equal challenge to a standard student in standard conditions. This is, to be fair, the usual way equality is used when referring to disabilities. Adding braille or a ramp is done from respect for their equal rights, not called a "protection of equity" though that's what is happening.

We do agree I think, the MCAT is very much not meant to be fair/equitable between minds, but this position becomes illegal when you talk about certain aspects of cognitive speed like staying focused. It's clearly unfair to give ADHD students standard amounts of time. It's also clearly unfair to give slower problem solvers standard amounts of time. The test is not meant to be fair or reward only effort.

 

[GrapesofRath]

I dont have enough time at the moment to get into the discussion of whether this should be happening(one sentence summary I support it but I get why others dont although this requires a much more nuanced conversation) but my two cents is it's pretty clear what this is really: a power move by the AAMC.

You know the AAMC doesnt approve of how the MCAT is used in many ways. They dont like how schools discriminate against a 513 vs 518 vs a 523 etc. They dont like how alot of med schools use the MCAT and dont follow their recommendation(many dont average multiple scores or even consider it as one ex). So this is basically the AAMC saying if med schools arent going to use the MCAT the way we want and are going to discriminate against applicants who need special accomodations in a way we dont support(and they must believe this is happening), we'll take matters into our own hands.

What I see here from this is the AAMC decided theyre just going to use their power and get rid of the ability of schools to see whether or not somebody has special accomodations and make it up to themselves(not med schools) to decide how such things will be regulated and affect a tester/applicant. If med schools arent going to use the MCAT the way the AAMC wants, they're going to take things into their own hand if they have a chance and this is one opportunity.

 

[efle]

Eh, I really don't think it's meant to be a big middle finger to med schools like that. It's not like they display an averaged score to med schools for multiple takes, or display only high pass/pass/insufficient as a score. Those would be big moves to enforce their idea of how the test should be used. If it's any external pressure that caused this, I'd guess it's more like they feel safer this way - it's begging for trouble to sit around as the only major entrance exam flagging scores for disability accommodation in the current climate.

 

[aalamruad]

Eh, I really don't think it's meant to be a big middle finger to med schools like that. It's not like they display an averaged score to med schools for multiple takes, or display only high pass/pass/insufficient as a score. Those would be big moves to enforce their idea of how the test should be used. If it's any external pressure that caused this, I'd guess it's more like they feel safer this way - it's begging for trouble to sit around as the only major entrance exam flagging scores for disability accommodation in the current climate.

I wonder if the MCAT will ever have a sibling like the ACT to the SAT

 

[Lawpy]

I wonder if the MCAT will ever have a sibling like the ACT to the SAT

It would be redundant like USMLE/COMLEX.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Eh, I really don't think it's meant to be a big middle finger to med schools like that. It's not like they display an averaged score to med schools for multiple takes, or display only high pass/pass/insufficient as a score. Those would be big moves to enforce their idea of how the test should be used. If it's any external pressure that caused this, I'd guess it's more like they feel safer this way - it's begging for trouble to sit around as the only major entrance exam flagging scores for disability accommodation in the current climate.

It's honestly probably both things.

There was also a whole big press statement the AAMC released about the MCAT last year and one thing they said was paraphrasing here "we are giving applicants more time per section(and more time per question I've done the math in the past) to better allow them to demonstrate their abilities/skills. This way time will be much less of a hindrance in their demonstration of this and there will be fewer testers who need accomodations".

So that statement also tells me a) The AAMC doesnt want to make how fast/efficient you do something as a key part of what is tested to the best they can b) they want to cut back on the number of people needing accomodations, which also probably does cause less controversy.

Having said that, I do definitely buy this is about the AAMC wanting to dicate how things go. It is their test after all. I dont think there waving a giant middle finger so maybe "power move" is a bit strong. Their goal probably isnt to tell med schools we have the power, rather they want things done a way that might not be done otherwise and they want to take control of their own test best they can.

 

[efle]

Now that is interesting. The exam will remain percentile-based in interpretation I'm sure, but exactly what skills land you top 1/5th or 1/10th or 1/100th will likely be different now, less emphasis on speed. I look forward to the first studies on MCAT2015 and MD grades/scores.

 

[GrapesofRath]

You know how it goes with that MCAT vs Step 1/Graduation rate data, anybody who can hit a 50th+ percentile score is very likely to graduate(and honestly even people with 20th percentile scores graduate the large majority of the time). It's revealing in that almost anybody who enters graduates, but beyond that, doesn't say much. I doubt that changes. I just think it highlights alot about what the AAMC wants out of the test. I think they kind of realized time became too big of a factor on the old Verbal section in a way they didnt really want.

In some ways you can look at it as a trade off, a longer test means you are more likely to lose concentration at points, be off your game at points etc but now with more time you get a bit of a time buffer you didnt before. They also happened to have structured it favorably in that the psych/soc section is last when people are most drained but is the one which from what I've seen is by far and away least likely to be one where people struggle to finish on time.