Test Center Computer Crash: please help

[neilly]

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I took the MCAT on May 1 and 15 minutes into my Physical Sciences section the computers all stalled in computer cluster. The test center administrators made the examinees wait outside the testing room for 20 minutes or so and then put us back in. When I was back at my station, my clock was already running and I had no time to collect myself or get my mind reset and had to jump into the test to make up for lost time.

This whole incidence left me feeling extremely rushed and out of control of the test and thus did not allow for an equal testing experience had by all other MCAT examinees across the country.

I sent AAMC a fax detailing the circumstance and they still have not replied to me. Though the test scores have yet to come, I feel I could have done so much better than what I did.

Has anyone else had this happen to them? If so, did the AAMC do anything about it? Did they offer a compensatory retake? If not then will taking the MCAT again in July (no spots in June) affect my application drastically this year?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[ilovemcat]

That %#@*! is crazzzzy. I'd be pissed. If I were you, if I was unsatisfied with my score, I'd demand a compensatorey retake and the removal of the old score from your records. If they refuse to do that, get lawyers involved because they're at fault. I know it's a drastic action to take ...but hey, they just screwed you over on one of the most important days of your life. Even if it was a malfunction, the responsibility is on them. Good luck.

 

[The Law]

MCAT essentials:

Test Center Concerns Reported by Examinees
If you believe test center conditions interfered with your performance on the exam, you should report your concerns to the Test Center Administrator, who will file a Center Problem Report. The MCAT Office uses these reports in its investigations. If you would like a written response about a concern, you may ask the MCAT Office to research your concern. Please be aware that you must send your correspondence—either by fax or regular mail only—no later than five days following your exam, if you would like a response by the time scores are released. We will investigate any concern received within 10 days following an exam, however the processing time may be longer. Complaints received after 10 days will not be investigated.

When writing to us, please include the following information:
your full name, AAMC ID number or Social Security Number (SSN/SIN), mailing address, telephone number, e-mail address, date of test location of test center, detailed description of problem.
Attention: Test Center Complaints
Association of American Medical Colleges
2450 N Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037-1127
Fax: (202) 828-4799
2010 MCAT® ESSENTIALS©
28
We may need up to six weeks to conduct our research. We will notify you by regular mail of the result. Regardless of the result, scores will not be changed or voided.





I doubt that anything will be done.

 

[neilly]

I did exactly that and faxed them all the necessary information. Still no response. You may be right....which is extremely disheartening. These tests are so expensive to take in the first place.

 

[Maneuver]

Ouch that really sucks!!!

Where did you take the MCAT?

 

[neilly]

I took it in Mishawaka, Indiana. I have had other friends take it there and no such problems ever occurred.

 

[Rayhaan]

I feel you should definitely get a refund, but you should have voided if you felt the score would be "bad"; and I think that is exactly what AAMC is going to tell you.

 

[neilly]

Wondering if anyone else had anything to add to this situation. Thanks

 

[TriagePreMed]

You should have voided that test and demanded a reschedule/etc. If you've waited for your scores and then complain, that doesn't sound too honest from your part.

 

[Geekchick921]

I took it in Mishawaka, Indiana. I have had other friends take it there and no such problems ever occurred.

I took it outside of Philadelphia, and I had the same issue. The computers froze during the PS section (also May 1st) and it took them about 20 minutes to fix everything, but I didn't lose any time (in fact, it wound back a bit because the timer continued to wind down after the comps froze). I mostly just sat there and went over math in my head from earlier questions.

I'm very sorry this happened to you. I would do what one of the PP's copied and pasted from the MCAT essentials book.

 

[addo]

Most definitely should have voided....that was the right thing to do, if it really happened as you described. If 20 minutes disappear from my clock i wouldnt hesitate, even for a minute, to void. Then I would ask for a retake, free of charge. It is only fair.

 

[RATM2010]

You have the option to VOID your test if you feel the score is bad due to things out of your control. if you elect not to void, I fear you are at the mercy of the same rules as everyone else. It sucks but I feel that that void option is the insurance for teh mcat centers incase stupid stuff occurs. If I were you and I had a worse than normal feeling after the test, I would have voided and taken the test later on.

 

[cgk]

MCAT essentials:

Test Center Concerns Reported by Examinees
If you believe test center conditions interfered with your performance on the exam, you should report your concerns to the Test Center Administrator, who will file a Center Problem Report. The MCAT Office uses these reports in its investigations. If you would like a written response about a concern, you may ask the MCAT Office to research your concern. Please be aware that you must send your correspondence—either by fax or regular mail only—no later than five days following your exam, if you would like a response by the time scores are released. We will investigate any concern received within 10 days following an exam, however the processing time may be longer. Complaints received after 10 days will not be investigated.

When writing to us, please include the following information:
your full name, AAMC ID number or Social Security Number (SSN/SIN), mailing address, telephone number, e-mail address, date of test location of test center, detailed description of problem.
Attention: Test Center Complaints
Association of American Medical Colleges
2450 N Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037-1127
Fax: (202) 828-4799
2010 MCAT® ESSENTIALS©
28
We may need up to six weeks to conduct our research. We will notify you by regular mail of the result. Regardless of the result, scores will not be changed or voided.





I doubt that anything will be done.

In the 2012 MCAT Essentials PDF it states basically that if you have a legitimate complaint, they will either refund your money or give you a free retest. They do not make mention either yea or nea that voiding your test is an option, as the 2010 MCAT Essentials PDF apparently stated. Do you think the policy has changed to open up the option of voiding tests under documented unfair test center glich circumstances?

 

[maybemed2013]

You bump a 2 yr old thread.