Testing Accommodations/Learning Disabilities

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lostmyway

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Has anyone received extended testing time as an accommodation for a learning disability on the USMLE examinations? I do not want to ask too personal information, but generally speaking, was this diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist? Also, what tests were completed to reach this diagnosis?

Can anyone help with input? I am soul searching and at a loss on how to proceed.

My situation is that I have had historical difficulty with standardized tests. I have had a long history of multiple attempts on exams (SAT, ACT, MCAT, and USMLE). While my scores have always gone up, it has taken more than one try. At this point in my career (I have graduated from medical school and completed a PGY-1 internship in medicine), I am continuing to struggle with the USMLE, as I cannot seem to pass Step 3. My 2 digit score has been 73s and 74. 🙁

During my medical school education, I worked with many different people and attended two knowledge enrichment programs. In addition to this, I had regular meetings with a psychologist and learning specialists to address my poor test scores, with the goal being of passing the USMLE Steps. While I have implemented a process to answer questions, it seems that I am still coming up short.

It seems like I have tried everything to no avail. I have read FA, Crush, Step 2 Secrets, and old PR notes. In addition to this, I have completed UW, Usmle123, Kaplan Qbank, UW CCS, and FA CCS. My last score report was the best. I had zero bars with a * indicating my performance was too low to be recorded. The majority of my bars were in the borderline or higher area. To my dismay, my CCS bar was the lowest on all 3 attempts, as this time it extended only into the borderline area, but not completely through it. I am trying to stay upbeat, but honestly, this is very frustrating....

This thread is not a cry-me-a-river thread. I understand my deficits and am trying to correct them. However, I am unsure what other options there are at this point. Thus, I am exploring the possibility of a reading comprehension learning disability. My time is always rushed, and I am rarely able to finish a block without answering a handful of questions with a stock answer (e.g. answer choice "c").

I have contacted the psychologist I worked in the past with, and depending on the response will determine if I should further pursue a learning disability accomodation for when I retake the USMLE. In addition to this, I intend to complete the Dr. ********** tutorial online. I will also redo Kaplan and UW questions and CCS. I have also began to do MKSAP 13 questions (I realize this is not the most up-to-date, but for my struggles, anything that can help me pass this test is a positive).

Again, any and all input (whether it be positive or negative) is appreciated.
 
Has anyone received extended testing time as an accommodation for a learning disability on the USMLE examinations? I do not want to ask too personal information, but generally speaking, was this diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist? Also, what tests were completed to reach this diagnosis?

Can anyone help with input? I am soul searching and at a loss on how to proceed.

My situation is that I have had historical difficulty with standardized tests. I have had a long history of multiple attempts on exams (SAT, ACT, MCAT, and USMLE). While my scores have always gone up, it has taken more than one try. At this point in my career (I have graduated from medical school and completed a PGY-1 internship in medicine), I am continuing to struggle with the USMLE, as I cannot seem to pass Step 3. My 2 digit score has been 73s and 74. 🙁

During my medical school education, I worked with many different people and attended two knowledge enrichment programs. In addition to this, I had regular meetings with a psychologist and learning specialists to address my poor test scores, with the goal being of passing the USMLE Steps. While I have implemented a process to answer questions, it seems that I am still coming up short.

It seems like I have tried everything to no avail. I have read FA, Crush, Step 2 Secrets, and old PR notes. In addition to this, I have completed UW, Usmle123, Kaplan Qbank, UW CCS, and FA CCS. My last score report was the best. I had zero bars with a * indicating my performance was too low to be recorded. The majority of my bars were in the borderline or higher area. To my dismay, my CCS bar was the lowest on all 3 attempts, as this time it extended only into the borderline area, but not completely through it. I am trying to stay upbeat, but honestly, this is very frustrating....

This thread is not a cry-me-a-river thread. I understand my deficits and am trying to correct them. However, I am unsure what other options there are at this point. Thus, I am exploring the possibility of a reading comprehension learning disability. My time is always rushed, and I am rarely able to finish a block without answering a handful of questions with a stock answer (e.g. answer choice "c").

I have contacted the psychologist I worked in the past with, and depending on the response will determine if I should further pursue a learning disability accommodation for when I retake the USMLE. In addition to this, I intend to complete the Dr. ********** tutorial online. I will also redo Kaplan and UW questions and CCS. I have also began to do MKSAP 13 questions (I realize this is not the most up-to-date, but for my struggles, anything that can help me pass this test is a positive).

Again, any and all input (whether it be positive or negative) is appreciated.

Good thing your posting your dilemma here. If it were in the military residency category, those ex-ROTC active military residents would have definitely gone for the blood in the water. But that wont happen here.
I feel for you. Its always hard finding that rhythm. Other factors that could be holding you back may be anxiety, if not that maybe you need to take more time off to study for your step 3. Look at it this way, you passed both the step 1 and 2 so that in it self should tell you that you can do this. It sounds from your passage that you are concentrating on too much wide spread stuff. This can sometimes be more confusing than helpful in terms of supplementing your overall knowledge with high yield test preparedness. I too have test taking difficulties. What helped me was to focus on just one source of complete review material. Just pick one. My preference is the new updated Premier review. Study it 3 or more times over, as many times as it takes to damn near know it well or even cold. That in itself should be more than enough for you to pass this exam. Next step that worked for me is to do both Kaplan step 3 Qbank and UW. Only do the questions timed, because this will set the pace for you to get the hang of doing efficient reading speed. And finally for the CCS, do UW CCS cases online and read the cases 2 to 3 times. Try to get all these steps completed withing 6 to 8 weeks. I know it sounds overwhelming, but doing this way you are only focusing on one source of material. Forget the rest. Thats my advice. I think you will not only pass this test but you will probably score higher than you expect. Stay confident. Remember the only thing that is worst than not preparing efficiently is not having the confidence within your self to kick this test in the ass. The confidence will build back again during your studying period.
Also, I know some folks in the past that have tried to go for increased time for the exam due to some types of learning disabilities. However, never heard of any of them ever getting extended time. The NBME people are notorious for not accommodating folks with learning disability's. They say they sometimes only allow such things if your disability has been documented since child hood or some crazy thing like that. Im talking like kindergarten or elementary school days. Bottom line, give a shot but always plan to succeed no matter what walls come up. Hope all this bantering helps you out. Good luck!! I wish you all the best. You came this far, no need to give up or doubt your own prov-en abilities. 😎
 
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