If you’re seeking accommodations for exams like the MCAT, LSAT, GRE, USMLE, or bar exam, you’ve likely discovered that most high-stakes testing organizations require formal documentation of your disability, such as a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation.
We provide comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations with one of the fastest turnaround times on the east coast. You can have your report in hand 10 days after testing is complete. Schedule a free consultation today.
Despite common misconceptions, having a learning disability does not always mean you have bad grades. Some people develop their own compensatory strategies to navigate school and mask their challenges. For example, a student who finds reading incredibly difficult might avoid reading-heavy classes or rely heavily on audiobooks to keep up with coursework. They may do well enough in high school or college simply by selecting courses that favor their strengths, but those strategies can start to fall apart when the material gets more complex.
Many only recognize a learning disability may be underlying their difficulties when they transition into higher education and are faced with increasingly difficult reading levels or problem-solving tasks. Let’s say you were used to skimming material in undergrad: in medical, law, or graduate school, you might suddenly find that you can’t just skim anymore. The reading loads and technical language in lengthy legal documents, medical journals, or research articles can be overwhelming. If you have trouble processing the text at a typical pace, you might need more time than your peers to fully understand and integrate what you’re reading.
Finally receiving a learning disability diagnosis can be surprisingly empowering. Instead of feeling stuck or believing you’re just “not smart enough,” you understand why you learn the way you do. This clarity often reduces stress, allowing you to recognize your strengths and identify the right tools to help you succeed. For many, this is the first step in realizing higher education is within reach; there are accommodations available to reduce barriers related to learning disabilities in test performance. This may be especially important to those who need to take the MCAT, LSAT, GRE, GMAT, or various licensing exams.
There is a significant increase in students reporting ADHD and learning disorders [1]. However, testing associations (including the National Board of Medical Examiners, Law School Admission Council, and Educational Testing Service) require extensive documentation to confirm the presence of a learning disability for accommodations. This typically includes a neuropsychological evaluation, which can document the presence of ADHD, learning disabilities, or other cognitive challenges, serving as essential evidence when requesting accommodations.
High-stakes testing play an important role in the application process. By having the right accommodations, you ensure you’re being tested on what you know––your true intellectual ability––and not the limitations imposed by a learning disability. A neuropsychological evaluation can help you identify what these limitations are and how to reduce their impact.
So, if you’re finding yourself super overwhelmed in a high-stakes environment and suspect there might be more going on, it might be worth looking into a neuropsychological evaluation. The testing can help you understand what’s going on and what accommodations you may need.
References
- Pereira-Lima, K., Plegue, M. A., Case, B., & others. (2023). Prevalence of disability and use of accommodation among US allopathic medical school students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Network Open, 6(6), e2318310. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.18310