No MCAT tomorrow?

[BYUXC]

I am signed up to take the MCAT tomorrow. I got a call from the Prometrics center this morning informing me that paper "temporary" ID would not be accepted for taking the MCAT. Seeing as I only have a temporary license (old license expired, and didn't have proof of address, so they gave me a temporary), and no passport or military ID, am I just going to have to cancel and sign up for a later date when I have my ID? If anybody has any insight for me, that would be great!

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[baxt1412]

Sounds like it. Contact someone from MCAT?

 

[el_duderino]

The ID requirements are 100% clear. You won't get in with a temporary paper ID.

https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/taking/

Remember! An acceptable form of identification must meet all of the following criteria:

• Have the same first and last name(s) as your MCAT registration
• Be current (document must have expiration date that has not passed)
• Have been issued by a government agency (driver’s license or passport)
• Include a photo which can be used to positively identify you
• Include your signature, which you will be asked to duplicate on test day

 

[Pose]

I believe you will ultimately have to reschedule, and pay for a new exam. Your only bet is to call and keep calling Prometric today and hope there's someone that gives you a different answer. No one is really available in the corporate offices to help on Saturdays, and the people staffing the testing center make no decisions for themselves. If you get nowhere with the corporate people, I'd show up tomorrow with your paper ID, your expired ID if you were allowed to keep it, and any and everything else with your name (and ideally, picture) on it. But unless an employee makes a mistake, or takes pity on you, probably won't work.

Good luck!

 

[BYUXC]

.

 

[BYUXC]

The ID requirements are 100% clear. You won't get in with a temporary paper ID.

https://www.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat/taking/

Remember! An acceptable form of identification must meet all of the following criteria:

• Have the same first and last name(s) as your MCAT registration
• Be current (document must have expiration date that has not passed)
• Have been issued by a government agency (driver’s license or passport)
• Include a photo which can be used to positively identify you
• Include your signature, which you will be asked to duplicate on test day

I read through those rules multiple times, but I don't see how a temporary drivers license doesn't qualify. Am I missing something?

 

[baxt1412]

I read through those rules multiple times, but I don't see how a temporary drivers license doesn't qualify. Am I missing something?

Looking at this:
https://www.aamc.org/students/download/372764/data/mcatidworkflow.pdf

I would have to agree with you. I'd reference this document and call prometrics. Possibly email them this link before doing so to allow them to see it while you're explaining it?

 

[el_duderino]

I read through those rules multiple times, but I don't see how a temporary drivers license doesn't qualify. Am I missing something?

Does it have a photo, a signature, and expiration date?

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

I read through those rules multiple times, but I don't see how a temporary drivers license doesn't qualify. Am I missing something?

does your temporary have a photo of you and your signature? I've never seen a temporary with any of this, but maybe I'm unfamiliar with your state. I know in my state a temporary is literally a piece of thick paper with no photo or anything.

 

[BYUXC]

does your temporary have a photo of you and your signature? I've never seen a temporary with any of this, but maybe I'm unfamiliar with your state. I know in my state a temporary is literally a piece of thick paper with no photo or anything.

It is just like a license, in that it DOES have a photo and signature.

 

[baxt1412]

It is just like a license, in that it DOES have a photo and signature.

Yup mine in NE are the same. It's basically a scan of what your real ID will look like, just says temporary and isn't in color.


Again, I think I have to side with you here... seems like it should qualify.

 

[el_duderino]

It is just like a license, in that it DOES have a photo and signature.

Oh, interesting. They should take it then. I can't find anything that specifically excludes temporary IDs if they meet all the other requirements.

Call them and say that your ID meets all the requirements but is temporary, and no information has thus far indicated that's a problem.

 

[Ismet]

Looking at this:
https://www.aamc.org/students/download/372764/data/mcatidworkflow.pdf

I would have to agree with you. I'd reference this document and call prometrics. Possibly email them this link before doing so to allow them to see it while you're explaining it?

If you look at the red box in the bottom right corner, it says
*We are unable
to accept
temporary forms of
identification.

Sorry OP, seems like you're out of luck. I'd still suggest calling Prometric and explaining the situation, but most likely you'll have to reschedule.

 

[baxt1412]

If you look at the red box in the bottom right corner, it says
*We are unable
to accept
temporary forms of
identification.

Sorry OP, seems like you're out of luck. I'd still suggest calling Prometric and explaining the situation, but most likely you'll have to reschedule.

derp. sorry lol

 

[el_duderino]

If you look at the red box in the bottom right corner, it says
*We are unable
to accept
temporary forms of
identification.

Sorry OP, seems like you're out of luck. I'd still suggest calling Prometric and explaining the situation, but most likely you'll have to reschedule.

Oooh. I followed the flow chart and never saw that.

 

[BYUXC]

If you look at the red box in the bottom right corner, it says
*We are unable
to accept
temporary forms of
identification.

Sorry OP, seems like you're out of luck. I'd still suggest calling Prometric and explaining the situation, but most likely you'll have to reschedule.

Oh bummer, I did not see that...

 

[baxt1412]

I guess that's why lsmet is a moderator 🙂 special moderator knowledge of knowing how to read hahahaha. thanks for the help lsmet and... OP sorry!

 

[BZG64]

"Temporary IDs and ID application receipts will not be accepted at the test center because we are unable to validate their authenticity."

This was from the email they sent me when I signed up for my MCAT. Very clear and straightforward.

 

[Pose]

So what happened?

 

[FluffyPolishUnicorn]

IT SHOULD WORK!!!

i went to my MCAT with temporary Green Card, and had absolutely no issues!!

good luck!! but call them ahead!!

 

[familyaerospace]

does your temporary have a photo of you and your signature? I've never seen a temporary with any of this, but maybe I'm unfamiliar with your state. I know in my state a temporary is literally a piece of thick paper with no photo or anything.

In Georgia, a temporary license looks almost identical to a real license or at least it did when I last got one.

 

[BYUXC]

So what happened?

After hours of calling everyone I could think of (AAMC, Prometrics, Drivers License Division) and continually getting the answer "I'm sorry, there are no exceptions" I decided to sign up for the July 2nd MCAT and get an expedited passport (a costly decision, but there's no way I could get my permanent drivers license by earl July). Now it's back to studying I suppose, and hoping that my application won't be too late by the time my MCAT scores come through.