Took MCAT a month ago and got a weird letter from AAMC

[Johansef]

So I am in a bit of a sticky situation. The AAMC sent me a letter saying someone reported me for reading and talking out loud during the test and it warrants further investigation and could result in cancellation of my score and suspension of registration eligibility. I was wearing ear plugs during the entire duration of my test and must have been so nervous I was whispering to myself and wasn't aware of it. The proctor told me after the PS section I was being a bit loud so I paid attention to my volume level after that and didn't think anything of it. Any sound advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

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[rfvbnmju]

Not much you can do at this point. If they ask for anything, just be truthful about it.

The testing center I went to had video recording (and possible sound recording too?) That could work in your favor or not.

 

[CaffeineZombie]

So I am in a bit of a sticky situation. The AAMC sent me a letter saying someone reported me for reading and talking out loud during the test and it warrants further investigation and could result in cancellation of my score and suspension of registration eligibility. I was wearing ear plugs during the entire duration of my test and must have been so nervous I was whispering to myself and wasn't aware of it. The proctor told me after the PS section I was being a bit loud so I paid attention to my volume level after that and didn't think anything of it. Any sound advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

That really sucks man. See if there's a number you can call and express that concern to a supervisor. Maybe they can notate something.

Perhaps you can say you were mouthing thoughts to yourself, but never said anything outloud and that the proctor on duty is just trying to get promoted. Hey, ...I highly doubt the cameras have audio attached 🙂 Edit: I was joking about the proctor part (don't say that).

 

[CaffeineZombie]

And you can always flip it and say the proctors were being extremely disruptive (slamming doors, speaking loudly, walking around ...hovering over you), and so mouthing things helped you focus better. That was the case during my exam.

 

[Johansef]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll try to see if there's someone I can speak to to voice my concerns. If not I guess I just have to sit tight and prepare my case if I get questioned or anything.

 

[TriagePreMed]

Don't act like an idiot. Don't say anything bad about the test center or the people there. They will see the video for themselves. If you were wearing the noise cancelling and didn't appear to have a conversation, AAMC will likely be reasonable. Just be truthful and apologize if you created an inconvenience to anyone. If this takes a next step, deal with it then with some kind of legal counsel. For now, just be patient.

 

[xx3344]

Hey everyone. I know this is random, but I was wondering if anyone could give me any relief or advice, for I was reported today by my proctor after my MCAT exam. (Please PLEASE do not read me off the rules and regulations on the AAMC website-I'm aware.) First and foremost, I would like to state that I did not cheat, read, or review any study material during any of the 3 breaks, and was not caught doing any of these illegal acts. At 7:30am, I was reviewing some last minute amino acid information in my car in the test center parking lot. When I realized test time grew closer, I hastily and accidentally grabbed all of my bags, along with my notebook, and ran into the test center. Before registering for my exam, I went to my locker to get my sweatshirt. With the lockers being extremely small, my sweatshirt was stuck, so I pulled out my other belongings, notebook included, and put it on a table in the break room. While taking my sweatshirt out of my locker, I was called in by a proctor to have my photo and finger prints taken and begin the exam. Being flustered since this is naturally a high-stress environment, I rushed to put my bag and lunchbox back in the locker, but never realized that I left the notebook (with my name on the cover) out on the table AND FORGOT IT WAS THERE THE ENTIRE TEST. Not realizing that the notebook was left out, I did not touch the notebook once from the start to the end of the exam during any breaks. I have been studying for the MCAT for 6 months, and would not think twice about "studying" during a short break when there is minimal time to even eat, rehydrate, and use the restroom. At the end of my exam, the proctor took me aside with my notebook in her hand, and stated that she had to report that she found a notebook in the break room with my first and last name on it. She also stated that she and the second proctor did not visually see me reading or touching the notebook during breaks. I do not know at what point during the exam the proctor took my notebook, for I had no idea the notebook was left out in the first place.

Does anyone have any insight on a situation such as this, either personally or through hearsay? I am sick to my stomach, for I have worked so hard studying for this MCAT, and have already applied to 20 schools. This was a complete mistake and misunderstanding, I understand it was a screwup on my part, but I in no way shape or form used any materials during the exam or breaks. I would appreciate any and all thoughts/advice/opinions regarding this. Thanks so much.

 

[TexasSurgeon]

Hey everyone. I know this is random, but I was wondering if anyone could give me any relief or advice, for I was reported today by my proctor after my MCAT exam. (Please PLEASE do not read me off the rules and regulations on the AAMC website-I'm aware.) First and foremost, I would like to state that I did not cheat, read, or review any study material during any of the 3 breaks, and was not caught doing any of these illegal acts. At 7:30am, I was reviewing some last minute amino acid information in my car in the test center parking lot. When I realized test time grew closer, I hastily and accidentally grabbed all of my bags, along with my notebook, and ran into the test center. Before registering for my exam, I went to my locker to get my sweatshirt. With the lockers being extremely small, my sweatshirt was stuck, so I pulled out my other belongings, notebook included, and put it on a table in the break room. While taking my sweatshirt out of my locker, I was called in by a proctor to have my photo and finger prints taken and begin the exam. Being flustered since this is naturally a high-stress environment, I rushed to put my bag and lunchbox back in the locker, but never realized that I left the notebook (with my name on the cover) out on the table AND FORGOT IT WAS THERE THE ENTIRE TEST. Not realizing that the notebook was left out, I did not touch the notebook once from the start to the end of the exam during any breaks. I have been studying for the MCAT for 6 months, and would not think twice about "studying" during a short break when there is minimal time to even eat, rehydrate, and use the restroom. At the end of my exam, the proctor took me aside with my notebook in her hand, and stated that she had to report that she found a notebook in the break room with my first and last name on it. She also stated that she and the second proctor did not visually see me reading or touching the notebook during breaks. I do not know at what point during the exam the proctor took my notebook, for I had no idea the notebook was left out in the first place.

Does anyone have any insight on a situation such as this, either personally or through hearsay? I am sick to my stomach, for I have worked so hard studying for this MCAT, and have already applied to 20 schools. This was a complete mistake and misunderstanding, I understand it was a screwup on my part, but I in no way shape or form used any materials during the exam or breaks. I would appreciate any and all thoughts/advice/opinions regarding this. Thanks so much.

I think it's unfair they reported you despite not even seeing you touch the material. I would say though that because they saw you not touch anything, if AAMC actually investigates this, you'll have the test proctors on your side, and I don't think this could be much more of an issue other than the technicalities.

But...I'm no med school admissions person who would know much more, so I'm gonna tag the SDN celebrities, @Goro, @gyngyn, and @Winged Scapula because they're way more knowledgeable than me.

This sucks. But I think you should stay optimistic

 

[gyngyn]

The content of the report will determine the outcome.

 

[DesitnationMD]

I think it's unfair they reported you despite not even seeing you touch the material. I would say though that because they saw you not touch anything, if AAMC actually investigates this, you'll have the test proctors on your side, and I don't think this could be much more of an issue other than the technicalities.

This sucks. But I think you should stay optimistic

It might be unfair, but you need to remember one word: bu·reauc·ra·cy.

Think about it from the Prometric employees point of view. They are technicians, hired to oversee a test that makes the company millions of $ a year. They are the exclusive suppliers of the necessary exam and they want to hold onto that monopoly. They are not paid well and they are no paid to think. They are paid to cover their asses and protect the company, not use their best judgment. If they see that book, know you didn't touch it and say nothing b/c hey, nothing happened, what is to stop some other test taker from seeing the book, NOT know what is going on, and think some other student is getting an advantage over them? This student could complain to the prometric people directly or they may write the AAMC on their own. The AAMC contacts the testing center, and asks about the incident. The center staff says "oh, that, it was nothing, didn't want to bother you" Now the AAMC is worried. Was it nothing? Why did they not notify us of a potential discrepancy, even if the potential was negligible? What else are they being lazy about?

From the prometric center POV it is in their best interest to formally report everything, if for no other reason than to protect themselves. Justice/fairness is irrelevant to them, that is AAMC and the student's problem. Most of the real world, including medicine works the same way. Medical school admissions, as @gyngyn has stated above, do not care about investigating to see who was right or wrong, that is not their job. Adcoms will go off of what the AAMC report says. They may ask you for your side if you are ever interviewed, but any damage done will be done long before that is even possible. No one else wants to make a decision until the people at the top (i.e. AAMC) weight in. Bureaucracy is bureaucracy no matter where you find it.

It sounds like you just have to wait for the wheels to grind their way through but from your side of the story (if true), it sounds like you will probably be ok. I hope it works out well for you!