Test Irregularity--What happens now?

[ccrone]

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I attempted to take the MCAT today, but experienced a snafu: my periodic table wouldn't display. When I alerted the proctor to the problem with my computer, they blew me off. They told me that I wasn't allowed to have a periodic table, that "periodic table" wasn't on their list of "exhibits" I was allowed to have access to, and none of the other test takers had one.

I tried again to explain that this was a computer problem--I was completely positive that I was allowed to have access to a periodic table, and my computer refused to display it for some reason. At that point, they insisted that I was mistaken. They refused to assign me to a different terminal and re-start my exam. So I went back to my seat, clicked through all of the sections, and voided my exam. I wasn't going to waste 5+ hours of my life for an exam I was going to have voided anyway.

So, the exam is voided. The test center claimed they would file the appropriate report, and had me scribble something down describing the irregularity. Tomorrow, I will contact AAMC in writing and by phone.

What remediation can I expect at this point? I know that the most I can hope to get back is my registration fee, but will AAMC do anything non-monetary beyond that? ie, will they guarantee registration for the next scheduled exam date? Can they speed scoring turnaround so that my scores are released before August? Or am I SOL?

Thanks!

PS--Dear Prometric Proctors: You are HORRIBLE!

 

[TheShaker]

Why didn't you restart? It sounds like you were maybe 30 minutes into your test.

 

[pathologyDO]

I attempted to take the MCAT today, but experienced a snafu: my periodic table wouldn't display. When I alerted the proctor to the problem with my computer, they blew me off. They told me that I wasn't allowed to have a periodic table, that "periodic table" wasn't on their list of "exhibits" I was allowed to have access to, and none of the other test takers had one.

I tried again to explain that this was a computer problem--I was completely positive that I was allowed to have access to a periodic table, and my computer refused to display it for some reason. At that point, they insisted that I was mistaken. They refused to assign me to a different terminal and re-start my exam. So I went back to my seat, clicked through all of the sections, and voided my exam. I wasn't going to waste 5+ hours of my life for an exam I was going to have voided anyway.

So, the exam is voided. The test center claimed they would file the appropriate report, and had me scribble something down describing the irregularity. Tomorrow, I will contact AAMC in writing and by phone.

What remediation can I expect at this point? I know that the most I can hope to get back is my registration fee, but will AAMC do anything non-monetary beyond that? ie, will they guarantee registration for the next scheduled exam date? Can they speed scoring turnaround so that my scores are released before August? Or am I SOL?

Thanks!

PS--Dear Prometric Proctors: You are HORRIBLE!

Oh man, I feel for ya dude that is downright ridiculous. Its inconceivable that the test proctors didn't know how vital the periodic table is for the MCAT... pricks

 

[dnovikov]

Haha wow thats unfortunate. I also had a problem with a computer today for the 2 pm test. In the middle of my VR section the screen goes blank... I immediately alert the proctor, she tells me to stand outside of the lab, restarts my computer and when I go back to my test I see that I lost a good 6 minutes off my clock... After this I just couldn't refocus on the test and ended up voiding... So pissed as I thought I was doing well and just want to get this test done!

 

[mr chievous]

When I took my exam on 04/28, there was an Ochem passage about X molecule going to Y and the passage dealt with molecule X. Funny thing is, I didn't see molecule X. It was a big blank box.

They really need to get their s.hit together.

 

[Cloud 9]

omg, that sucks for all of you guys. I really hope something like that doesn't happen to me, I'd be so furious. mr chievous did you end up voiding?? Seriously if the mcat test makers are gonna be lame and have convoluted passages for practically every question on the MCAT, they do need to ensure some better computers or something...they certainly have the CASH for it!

I do hope you guys get a refund!

I wonder, is the real MCAT offered online or is it offered on some pre-loaded software?

 

[ccrone]

I'll get a refund; I'm not particularly worried about that. It's the "other stuff" (ie, pushing my score release date out a month, etc.) that gets my goat. Offering the exam via computer and through a third party company definitely has advantages. But if a computer spazzes out, your only option is to void your exam and take it again. And you're at the mercy of seat availability, will wait longer for scores, etc. AAMC can do better.

 

[jerg]

omg, that sucks for all of you guys. I really hope something like that doesn't happen to me, I'd be so furious. mr chievous did you end up voiding?? Seriously if the mcat test makers are gonna be lame and have convoluted passages for practically every question on the MCAT, they do need to ensure some better computers or something...they certainly have the CASH for it!

I do hope you guys get a refund!

I wonder, is the real MCAT offered online or is it offered on some pre-loaded software?

It seems to be online from the computer terminals at the test centres, probably loaded straight from AAMC databases. The test centres are generic places where all kinds of tests are done, not just MCAT, so it'd not be feasible and controllable from AAMC's end unless it is 100% DRM lol, kinda like Diablo III.