The Medical College Admissions Test accommodations process ensures that individuals with documented disabilities or medical conditions receive the necessary support to take the exam under conditions that allow them to demonstrate their abilities. MCAT testing accommodations comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are managed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). We offer psychological testing for MCAT accommodations for anxiety, ADHD, and learning differences, which can be vital to the process.
If you have questions about the process for getting extra time on the MCAT or other accommodations, please do not hesitate to contact us or schedule a free consultation.
How to Apply for MCAT Testing Accommodations: 
- Step 1: Create an AAMC account and register for the MCAT.
- Step 2: Submit an accommodation request using the MCAT Accommodations Request System through your AAMC account.
- Step 3: Provide appropriate documentation, including our psychological report, which will explain the disability, any history of accommodations, and justification for each of the requested MCAT testing accommodations.
- Step 4: AAMC will review the request, which can take up to 60 days.
Timeline: Submit the MCAT accommodations request well in advance of the intended test date. The approval process can take up to 60 days, and appeals or further documentation requests may extend this timeframe. This suggests you should call us about 120 days before the exam date.
Appeals Process: If MCAT accommodations are denied or insufficient, candidates can appeal the decision. Sometimes, people call us to get formal psychological testing that they did not use in their initial request. The appeal process also takes time, so early submission is critical.
Post-Approval: Once approved, you’ll get instructions for scheduling so that your MCAT accommodations can be provided. Test-takers can choose from a variety of dates, but some MCAT testing accommodations may require scheduling at specific centers equipped to provide them.
MCAT testing accommodations are intended to remove barriers for candidates with disabilities, allowing them to demonstrate their true potential without being limited by their condition.
Psychological Testing for MCAT Accommodations
Securing extra time on the MCAT and other accommodations can be a critical step for individuals with ADHD or anxiety to demonstrate their true potential in a high-stakes testing environment. Psychological testing plays a vital role in this process by offering objective, evidence-based documentation of the functional impairments associated with these conditions and their impact on exam-taking.
MCAT Accommodations for ADHD
For MCAT accommodations for ADHD, a comprehensive psychological evaluation typically includes clinical interviews, behavior rating scales (e.g., BAARS-IV, Conners 4, CEFI, BRIEF-A), and performance-based measures of attention, working memory, and executive functioning (e.g., TOVA, CPT-3, WAIS-IV working memory tasks, Trail Making Test). These tools help establish a clear and consistent pattern of symptoms across settings, demonstrating how these symptoms interfere with sustained attention, processing speed, organization, and impulse control in academic or exam contexts.
MCAT Accommodations for Anxiety
Evaluations for MCAT accommodations for anxiety often incorporate standardized self-report instruments such as the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), MASC-2, or SPECTRA, along with clinical interviews to assess the severity, persistence, and situational triggers of anxiety symptoms. These tools can illustrate how anxiety manifests in test-taking scenarios, such as racing thoughts, physiological arousal, cognitive shutdown, or panic, that undermine performance despite adequate preparation or ability.
Critically, the psychological testing process for MCAT accommodations for anxiety documents not only the diagnosis but also the functional limitations that directly justify accommodations such as extended time, additional breaks, reduced-distraction settings, or permission to use coping strategies during the test (e.g., speaking aloud or pacing). Our reports link these limitations to the specific accommodations requested, aligning with the AAMC’s requirement for clear documentation of a disability and its impact on standardized testing performance.
Summary
In sum, psychological testing provides the objective foundation needed to support an accommodations request. It translates personal experience into measurable data, offering compelling evidence that levels the playing field and ensures the MCAT results accurately reflect a candidate’s academic potential rather than the limitations imposed by ADHD or anxiety.
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Tips for Successfully Getting MCAT Accommodations
Applying for extra time on the MCAT and other accommodations through the AAMC can be a daunting process. However, with the proper preparation, documentation, and support, many students can secure the adjustments they need to succeed. Below are key tips to help you navigate the process effectively.
1. Start the MCAT Accommodations Process Early
Begin the MCAT testing accommodations process well in advance, ideally at least 3–4 months before your desired exam date. This allows enough time for a psychological evaluation, document gathering, and any appeals.
The AAMC prefers a clear, consistent history of your diagnosis and functional challenges. Include:
- School records (IEPs, 504 plans, tutoring documentation)
- Past accommodation approvals (SAT, ACT, college exams)
- Relevant medical or psychological evaluations
Even if you’ve never received formal accommodations before, that doesn’t mean you aren’t eligible, especially if you’ve been masking or working around your challenges. In this case, psychological testing will be even more vital, whether you use us or another provider
2. Get a Comprehensive Psychological Evaluation
This is often the most critical piece of an MCAT testing accommodations request. Our psychological or neuropsychological evaluations:
- Clearly diagnose the condition (e.g., ADHD, anxiety, dyslexia)
- Use standardized measures to show how your condition impairs exam performance
- Include specific recommendations that match the accommodations requested
Why it matters: The AAMC requires objective evidence of impairment, not just a diagnosis. Psychological testing demonstrates exactly how your disability affects your ability to take the exam under standard conditions.
We ensure our recommendations connect clearly to the MCAT testing accommodations you’re requesting. For example:
- If you need extra time on the MCAT, your assessment should show a slower processing speed or reading fluency
- For added breaks, the assessment should show fatigue, panic, or attentional dysregulation
- If you need assistive technology, the assessment should document a specific functional need (e.g., dyslexia or fine motor challenges)
We’ll make sure you work with a psychologist who:
- Has experience with specific MCAT accommodations
- Can tailor the report to AAMC expectations
- Writes with clarity, specificity, and advocacy
The strong report we write is not just diagnostic; it’s persuasive, grounded in evidence, and speaks the AAMC’s language.
3. Double-check the AAMC Requirements for MCAT Extended Time and Other Accommodations
Before you submit, make sure:
- Your documentation is complete
- All files are legible and correctly labeled
- Letters are on official letterhead and signed
- You’ve submitted through the MCAT Accommodations Request System (MCAT-AR)
4. Be Prepared to Appeal
If your request for MCAT testing accommodations is denied or partially approved, don’t give up. Many students succeed on appeal when they:
- Submit a clarification from us or, if they have one, a therapist
- Provide additional documentation (perhaps about past accommodations, or additional testing by us or someone else)
- Emphasize how their disability uniquely affects exam performance
Your persistence can make all the difference.
Why Psychological Testing Is Essential for MCAT Accommodations
The AAMC isn’t just looking for a diagnosis in order to grant MCAT testing accommodations. They want to see how that diagnosis functionally affects your test-taking ability. Psychological testing provides:
- Standardized, unbiased data
- A clear picture of cognitive, emotional, and executive functioning
- Evidence that connects your needs to specific accommodations
Without testing, most applications rely too heavily on subjective reporting, and that often leads to denials. A strong, recent evaluation can be the deciding factor in leveling the playing field.
Common MCAT Accommodations and the Tests That Support Them
| Accommodation | Purpose | Typical Conditions | Psychological Tests Used |
| MCAT Extended Time (50% or 100%) | Allows for slower processing or more time to manage symptoms | ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, slow processing | WAIS-IV/V, WJ-IV, WIAT-4, CTOPP-2, TMT, Stroop, BAARS-IV, CAARS, BAI, ESQ |
| Additional Breaks | Helps with cognitive fatigue or emotional regulation | ADHD, anxiety, trauma | BRIEF-A, CEFI, SPECTRA, STRESS, PAI |
| Reduced-Distraction Setting | Minimizes environmental interference | ADHD, PTSD, sensory processing issues | BAARS-IV, SRS-2, PCL-5, CAARS |
| Computer Use for Written Responses | Aids written expression and motor control | Dysgraphia, fine motor issues | DASH, BEERY VMI, Grooved Pegboard, WJ-IV Writing |
| Stop-the-Clock Breaks | Allows management of panic attacks, migraines, or other sudden issues | Panic disorder, PTSD, chronic health | BAI, SPECTRA, PCL-5, medical documentation |
| Permission to Read Aloud or Vocalize | Supports working memory or attentional strategies | ADHD, learning disabilities | BRIEF-A, TMT-B, ESQ, observation notes |
Psychological Testing for MCAT Accommodations: Case Examples
MCAT extended time and other accommodations are not about giving students an advantage. They aim to remove obstacles that prevent individuals with documented disabilities from demonstrating their true capabilities. The following real-world-inspired case examples illustrate how psychological testing can uncover barriers and support access to fair testing conditions.
Case 1: MCAT Accommodations for Anxiety
Name: Priya, 24
Challenge: Severe anxiety triggered by high-pressure exams
Priya is a capable and driven pre-med student who consistently earns top grades in class. Yet when she takes exams, her performance deteriorates due to overwhelming anxiety: racing thoughts, shaky hands, nausea, and mental blanking. She has no trouble comprehending scientific concepts; her difficulty lies in maintaining focus and mental clarity under pressure.
MCAT Accommodations for Anxiety Assessment
- Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI): Severe range
- SPECTRA: Anxiety and Internalizing Scales > 90th percentile
- Emotional Symptoms Questionnaire (ESQ): Clear spike in symptoms in testing conditions
- Trail Making Test (TMT): Poor mental shifting when timed
Outcome: Priya was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, with marked test performance interference.
Approved MCAT Accommodations for Anxiety:
- 50% extra time
- Quiet testing environment
- Stop-the-clock breaks for symptom management
Case 2: MCAT Accommodations for ADHD
Name: Malik, 28
Challenge: Difficulty regulating attention and maintaining pace during long exams
Malik has always known he learns differently. He’s a hands-on thinker who thrives in labs but struggles to stay focused on long readings or written tests. During MCAT practice, he loses track of time, misreads questions, and finds it hard to regain focus once distracted.
MCAT Accommodations for ADHD Assessment
- Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV (BAARS-IV): Significant elevations in inattention and impulsivity
- Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS): Confirmed executive functioning concerns
- CEFI: Weakness in time management, working memory, and sustained attention
- Stroop and TMT: Slowed processing and poor inhibition control
Outcome: Malik met criteria for ADHD, Combined Type, with executive deficits affecting testing.
Approved MCAT Accommodations for ADHD:
- 50% extended time
- Additional breaks
- Testing in a reduced-distraction setting
Case 3: Extra time on the MCAT for Dyslexia
Name: Elena, 22
Challenge: Exceptional academic strengths but slow, effortful reading
Elena has a long history of excelling in school, but always at the cost of working twice as long as her peers. Her fluency and decoding skills remain below average despite years of hard work and tutoring. On practice exams, she runs out of time even when she knows the material.
Assessment for Extra Time on the MCAT for Dyslexia
- WIAT-4: Word Reading and Reading Fluency in the low-average range
- GORT-5: Fluency significantly impaired
- CTOPP-2: Poor phonemic decoding automaticity
- WJ-IV: Strong reasoning skills, confirming the discrepancy
Outcome: Diagnosed with Specific Learning Disorder with impairment in reading (dyslexia).
Approved MCAT Extended Time for Dyslexia:
- 100% MCAT extended time
- Permission to use a screen reader
- Breaks for cognitive recovery
Conclusion: The Power of Psychological Testing
The MCAT is an intensive, high-stakes examination designed to assess readiness for medical school. For individuals with ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or other qualifying disabilities, the structure of the test can obscure, not reveal, their true intellectual and academic potential.
High-quality psychological testing is the gold standard for documenting the presence of these disabilities and, most importantly, demonstrating their impact in standardized testing contexts. Using data from attention assessments, learning style evaluations, and emotional inventories, we can create a robust clinical picture of how a person’s condition interferes with performance.
This evidence is essential in meeting the AAMC’s requirements for accommodations approval, which demand not just a diagnosis but a demonstration of functional impairment that aligns with the test environment.
Our Role: Leveling the Playing Field for Aspiring Physicians
As a psychological testing practice that specializes in high-stakes exam accommodations, we recognize how important it is that the MCAT reflects your knowledge, not your diagnosis.
Our mission is to help individuals like you get the support they’re entitled to through precise, personalized, and evidence-based testing. Whether you’re dealing with slow processing speed, attentional difficulties, or anxiety that clouds your focus, we work to uncover what’s getting in your way and how to remove it.
We advocate for a future where every aspiring medical student has a fair shot at success. If you’re preparing for the MCAT and suspect that testing conditions are working against you, we’re here to help ensure you don’t have to go through the process alone.
If you think you may qualify for MCAT accommodations for ADHD, anxiety, or a learning difference like dyslexia, we’re here to help. Our practice provides high-quality psychological testing that meets AAMC standards and is tailored to highlight the kinds of impairments that matter most in a standardized testing context.
Let us help you showcase your strengths without being held back by obstacles unrelated to your potential. If you have any questions about MCAT testing accommodations or would like to talk to us about your chances of successfully applying for them, please feel free to contact us or schedule a free consultation anytime.
