I'm done!!!! here's my encounter with both prometrics and NBME
At my practice test, I realize that the moniter was flickering. And I realized it was because the refresh rate was set too low. after the practice test I asked the lady if i can check out other computers to see if they have different settings. She told me all the computers were off, but just ask for a different computer on the day of the real test, it should be fine then.
the next day, i call the center, just so i can make sure that i get a computer that has refresh rate at least 75. They informed me, there is nothing they can do, only the tech support can change the setting. i asked to speak to tech support, she told me that tech support will just tell me to change to a different station. i was like, are all the computers have the same setting, she told me yes. Then what's changing to a different station do?
Then I wrote to their headquarter about requesting a setting change. Here's what the trick part starts. They told me i'd have to have NBME to write to them with a request. Yeah, i thought that was a little ridiculous too.
Fine, I called NBME, got transfer a whole bunch times. Finally got to testing administring dept.
1. No one else ever complains about it, 1000s of people are taking this test every week, no one complains to us.
2. you have to write a written letter in and we'd think about it. (This was Tuesday, my test is on Saturday). I told her it would probably not get there and be processed by then. She then proceed to tell me, bascailly, she will do nothing even if she gets the letter. how nice of you, Ms. Davis.
Meanwhile, this was 4 days before my test, and i'm dealing with BullSh*t
Moral of the story.
1. if you have the same experience, please share with me. I'm determined to send a letter to them either way. It's such an EASY thing to fix. Refresh rate? com'on!
2. turn the contrast and brightness down.... it saved me today, but it is sort of tough when you have to read x-ray and ct's then you'd have to turn it up....
good luck all!
