{"id":27686,"date":"2019-09-09T12:26:21","date_gmt":"2019-09-09T17:26:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/?p=27686"},"modified":"2020-09-11T20:40:46","modified_gmt":"2020-09-11T20:40:46","slug":"mcat-accommodations-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/mcat\/mcat-accommodations-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"MCAT Accommodations: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/study\/mcat\/last-minute-mcat-study-tips\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MCAT test day<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is stressful. For those of us with disabilities, physical impairments, or other health-related challenges, it can be even more daunting. The AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges), administrator of the MCAT, provides a variety of accommodations you can request to ensure that you have a fair experience with the MCAT. It\u2019s helpful to know beforehand 1) if you qualify for accommodations, 2) what your accommodations will be, and 3) how to submit a request for MCAT accommodations.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Keep in mind that <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kaplan also provides <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/help.kaptest.com\/s\/article\/Accessibility-Accommodation-Requests\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">reasonable accommodations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for individuals with disabilities for our courses.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_heading  avia-builder-el-first  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >1. Do I qualify for MCAT accommodations?<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Just because you have a diagnosis or you\u2019ve qualified for accommodations in the past doesn\u2019t automatically qualify you for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/students-residents.aamc.org\/applying-medical-school\/taking-mcat-exam\/mcat-exam-accommodations\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MCAT accommodations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. You\u2019ll still be required to submit a request detailing your functional limitations, the accommodations you require, and how those accommodations will give you the same opportunity for MCAT success as other test-takers.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some examples of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/students-residents.aamc.org\/applying-medical-school\/faq\/mcat-exam-accomodations-faq\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">conditions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> that might qualify you for accommodations are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Learning disabilities<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Physical impairments, either permanent or temporary (Crohn\u2019s disease, broken leg, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">ADHD\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Psychiatric (depression, anxiety, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sensory Impairment (hearing, vision, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nursing mothers\/pregnancy<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_heading  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >2. What will my MCAT accommodations be?<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You and your evaluator\u2014a qualified professional supporting your request\u2014will need to suggest the accommodations you deem appropriate for your situation. Some examples of accommodations you might request include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><i>Extended testing time<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Your evaluator will need to explain how extended time will accommodate your needs and suggest a specific amount of extra time.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Food and drink<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: While you don\u2019t need special accommodations to access food from your locker during breaks, food\/drink isn\u2019t allowed inside the testing room. That means that if you need to access food constantly or immediately, you\u2019ll need accommodations.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Stop-the-clock breaks<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: In addition to the regularly scheduled breaks between sections, this accommodation allows you extra breaks whenever you need them to manage a condition, take medication, access food\/water, etc. The reason for the breaks can\u2019t have anything to do with processing the test material (such as spending extra time on a question).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Pregnancy\/nursing-related accommodations<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: For pregnancy-related limitations, you\u2019ll need to suggest the accommodations you need in your initial request and explain why they\u2019re necessary. Nursing mothers cannot bring a baby into a testing center to nurse, and they cannot leave the testing center during a test. If you\u2019re pumping, you can request extra break time to pump. You can work with the testing site to find a suitable location.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Separate testing<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Because the testing environment is highly controlled for everyone, separate testing is a fairly rare accommodation. If you and your evaluator feel it necessary, though, you can request to test separately.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Accessibility accommodations including an <\/span>adjustable-height workstation, adaptive mouse, <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">or<\/span> text enlargement<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Items that don\u2019t require special accommodation include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pills<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Insulin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pillow<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Crutches\/cane\/walker<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wheelchair (Standard exam tables are 30 inches high. If you require an adjustable-height table, please request that accommodation)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oxygen tank<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Inhalers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Epipen<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Earplugs, noise reducing headphones, and tissues are also allowed, as long as they\u2019re provided by the testing center.<\/span><br \/>\n<div  style='padding-bottom:10px; ' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3    avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_sidebar  '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >3. How do I submit a request for MCAT accommodations?<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You\u2019ll submit your request for accommodations via <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.aamc.org\/mcat-ats-web\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MCAT Accommodations Online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/aamc-orange.global.ssl.fastly.net\/production\/media\/filer_public\/18\/90\/189077ca-f0d0-4c26-ac41-1bf72c1e8248\/understanding_the_review_process.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">review process<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> may take up to 60 days, so <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/students-residents.aamc.org\/applying-medical-school\/article\/mcat-testing-calendar-score-release-dates\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">plan accordingly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You need to submit documentation of your disability, related impairments, and how those impairments would affect your ability to take the MCAT without accommodations. A diagnosis does not automatically qualify you for MCAT accommodations, and an accommodation on a previous standardized test doesn\u2019t either\u2014your current functional limitations are the only things that can qualify you for MCAT accommodations.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The steps for requesting MCAT accommodations are as follows:<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Create an AAMC ID<\/strong>, if you don\u2019t already have one. Log on to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.aamc.org\/mcat-ats-web\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MCAT Accommodations Online (MAO)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and <strong>complete the Profile, Condition, and History sections.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Write a Personal Statement<\/strong>. This statement should be focused on your functional limitations, any previous accommodations you\u2019ve received on other standardized tests, and the MCAT accommodations you feel are necessary to give you an equal opportunity for success as any other test-takers. Don\u2019t worry about restating things included in your official documentation, and don\u2019t spend time describing your educational experiences as a whole. Your Personal Statement is an opportunity for you to discuss how your functional limitations have affected you in test-taking situations and how previous testing accommodations (if you\u2019ve received any) have helped you. If you have never received or requested an accommodation before, explain why.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Be evaluated by a qualified professional<\/strong>. According to the AAMC, \u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The professional should have comprehensive training and experience in the assessment and diagnosis of the disability or impairment in question. Simply having a particular degree or license does not necessarily mean that the professional has the training and experience in the appropriate area that is required for your assessment.\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Reference the AAMC\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/students-residents.aamc.org\/applying-medical-school\/faq\/mcat-exam-accomodations-faq\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">evaluator requirements<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for more information. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/aamc-orange.global.ssl.fastly.net\/production\/media\/filer_public\/18\/90\/189077ca-f0d0-4c26-ac41-1bf72c1e8248\/understanding_the_review_process.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to the AAMC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, the evaluator must address the following in his\/her evaluation:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Identification of your diagnosis and impairments<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Discussion of the current functional limitations affecting your access to the exam<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Recommendations for accommodation on the exam\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A rationale for each recommended accommodation<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Share the <a href=\"https:\/\/aamc-orange.global.ssl.fastly.net\/production\/media\/filer_public\/52\/e8\/52e8b4d6-4c4c-4f54-aabc-7f472e267e6a\/what_evaluators_need_to_know.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201dWhat Evaluators Need to Know\u201d Guide<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> with your evaluator, in addition to any<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">of the following further instructions that may apply to you:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/students-residents.aamc.org\/content\/downloadable\/1724\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Evaluation Requirements: Learning Disabilities, ADHD, &amp; Psychiatric Disabilities<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/students-residents.aamc.org\/content\/downloadable\/1725\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Evaluation Requirements: Physical Disabilities<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/students-residents.aamc.org\/content\/downloadable\/1723\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Evaluation Requirements: Sensory Disabilities<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/students-residents.aamc.org\/content\/downloadable\/1722\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Evaluation Requirements: Diabetes<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/students-residents.aamc.org\/content\/downloadable\/1721\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Evaluation Requirements: Acquired Brain Injury<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><strong>Provide<\/strong> <strong>academic and supporting documentation of your functional limitations<\/strong>. Documentation may include any or all of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><i>Academic Transcripts<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: These may include high school, undergraduate, and graduate transcripts.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Standardized Test Score Reports<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Only applicable if the requested accommodations have been received in the past. These include the reports of any standardized tests you\u2019ve taken, regardless of your date of diagnosis.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Verification of Previous Accommodation<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Only applicable if the requested accommodations have been received in the past. You should provide official documentation of any accommodations received on previous standardized tests or in educational institutions (such as Disability Support Services Letters, Section 504 plans, or IEPs).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Supporting Academic Records<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: These may include report cards, tutoring evaluations, notes of unofficial accommodations provided, notes from doctors referencing academic issues, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Previous Evaluations<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: You\u2019re required to provide both a current evaluation of your condition and previous evaluations, including any assessments of your functional limitations and discussion for your need for accommodations.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Academic Transcripts<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: These may include high school, undergraduate, and graduate transcripts.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Standardized Test Score Reports<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Only applicable if the requested accommodations have been received in the past. These include the reports of any standardized tests you\u2019ve taken, regardless of your date of diagnosis.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Verification of Previous Accommodation<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Only applicable if the requested accommodations have been received in the past. You should provide official documentation of any accommodations received on previous standardized tests or in educational institutions (such as Disability Support Services Letters, Section 504 plans, or IEPs).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Supporting Academic Records<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: These may include report cards, tutoring evaluations, notes of unofficial accommodations provided, notes from doctors referencing academic issues, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b><i>Previous Evaluations<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: You\u2019re required to provide both a current evaluation of your condition and previous evaluations, including any assessments of your functional limitations and discussion for your need for accommodations.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once you\u2019ve submitted your request, the AAMC will review your request and notify you via email when they\u2019ve made a decision. You can view the decision on your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.aamc.org\/mcat-ats-web\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MAO account<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. If your request has been approved, you\u2019ll be given information on how to schedule your exam with your requested accommodations and a date range within which your accommodations are approved.<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You can schedule your MCAT whether or not you\u2019ve already received approval for accommodations. If you haven\u2019t yet received approval and would like to schedule your exam, register and schedule your MCAT in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.aamc.org\/mrs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MCAT Registration System<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Once you receive approval for accommodations, call <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pearson VUE at 1-800-466-0450 to<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> confirm that the accommodations you require will be available. Some testing centers may not be able to provide every accommodation, so you may need to reschedule your MCAT at a different testing center.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you have already received accommodation approval, complete all the sections in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.aamc.org\/mrs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MCAT Registration System<\/span><\/a> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">except<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> the \u201cScheduling\u201d section. Call <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pearson VUE at 1-800-466-0450 to schedule a test date and location with your accommodations.\u00a0<\/span><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-builder-widget-area clearfix  avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_heading  avia-builder-el-last '><div id=\"text-72\" class=\"widget clearfix widget_text\">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><code><br \/>\n<span data-sumome-listbuilder-embed-id=\"412169cd3aa9977143b6f06c0fae300dfc947b95c5705249ca54c9f4a812a953\"><\/span><br \/>\n<\/code><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><div id=\"text-73\" class=\"widget clearfix widget_text\">\t\t\t<div class=\"textwidget\"><p><code><br \/>\n<span data-sumome-listbuilder-embed-id=\"69112752ce12d39d65c983f7db76907ae236d4cb30c38eaf7538c5f1d3530ae0\"><\/span><br \/>\n<\/code><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MCAT test day is stressful. For those of us with disabilities, physical impairments, or other health-related challenges, it can be even more daunting. The AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges), administrator of the MCAT, provides a variety of accommodations you can request to ensure that you have a fair experience with the MCAT. It\u2019s helpful [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27688,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[2],"tags":[3],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27686"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27686"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27686\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34303,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27686\/revisions\/34303"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27688"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}