

Temporary medical conditions that necessitate an adjustment to testing conditions (a broken limb or nursing mother, for instance) Some examples of conditions that commonly qualify test-takers for accommodations are: However, in the case that your condition is not addressed by these resources, you might qualify for MCAT accommodations. For some students with disabilities, these approved items and the standard testing format are enough to allow them equal access to the MCAT exam. The AAMC provides a complete list of items that don’t require prior approval for you to bring with you into the MCAT exam. In addition, you are permitted to bring specific items into the testing room with you after they’ve been visually inspected by test center staff. These features are available to all individuals who take the exam and would not require you to submit an application for MCAT accommodations. Individual paper booklets for test-takers’ scratch work Separate and secure storage for food, drink, and medication, which test-takers can access during their scheduled breaksĬomputer monitors with adjustable brightness levels Provided earplugs and/or headsets to reduce ambient noise Individual cubicles for test-takers to prevent surrounding visual distractions Testing rooms with limited movement and noise Here are the standard features of the MCAT testing environment: After all, maybe the standard testing format-which is designed to limit distractions and maximize focus-is by itself sufficient to accommodate the impact of your condition. To help you understand what types of conditions might allow you to receive MCAT accommodations, we should first take a look at the specifics of the MCAT testing environment. What conditions qualify for MCAT accommodations?
#MCAT ACCOMMODATIONS HOW TO#
After all your hard work as a premed to become a strong medical school candidate, don’t let confusion over the MCAT accommodations application process get in the way of your medical school dreams.Ĭontinue reading to discover what conditions qualify for MCAT accommodations and how to request MCAT accommodations step-by-step.

While it’s important to know that MCAT accommodations are available to individuals who qualify, applying for and receiving the right accommodations isn’t a simple process. And, even beyond the requirements of the law, the AAMC’s mission when it comes to MCAT accommodations is to “provide a valid exam while maintaining a level playing field for all test takers.” Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) must offer MCAT accommodations to ensure that students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and fit for medical school. And if you have a condition that impacts your ability to perform on standardized tests, you might be particularly worried about how to prove your potential to medical schools through the MCAT. This last task, taking the MCAT, causes premeds to stress every year. Olaf to fill out any portion of the accommodations application.Preparing for medical school is a major challenge that requires a lot of hard work-from earning strong academic stats to gaining meaningful clinical experiences to studying for the intimidating MCAT exam. Speak to your Access Specialist if the examining board requires St. Be sure to plan ahead to give yourself plenty of time. Sometimes, the application process can be quite lengthy.

Each testing board will have its own set of documentation requirements and reasonable accommodations. Some of your accommodations may also be granted by the testing boards. Together, you and your Access Specialist will fill out the remainder of the form prior to submitting it to Smith Center for Global Engagement.Īccess Abroad Form: Applying for Accommodationsĭisabilities and International Study Abroad Accommodations for Grad School Exams: Please print and fill out the student portions of the Access Abroad Form. There may be additional things to consider including refilling medications, and accessibility issues we sometimes take for granted living on our own campus. If you plan to study abroad or to study away, meet with your Access Specialist to determine any accommodation needs specific to the new environment.
