{"id":52084,"date":"2021-05-31T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-31T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/?p=52084"},"modified":"2021-05-30T04:15:23","modified_gmt":"2021-05-30T11:15:23","slug":"test-taking-advice-for-people-with-learning-disabilities-or-test-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gmatclub.com\/blog\/test-taking-advice-for-people-with-learning-disabilities-or-test-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"Test-Taking Advice for People with Learning Disabilities or Test Anxiety"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Test-taking<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nobody likes taking tests, right? Well, perhaps a few of you out there get psyched at the chance of showing how well you have boned up for your exams. But most people facing a timed test can\u2019t wait to get it out of the way. Even those who are fairly confident of their abilities will feel that uncomfortable pressure to perform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of you, though, will always struggle on tests. You may have a learning disability. You may become highly anxious beforehand. Perhaps a medical condition makes taking tests more difficult. You can\u2019t afford to freeze up when the clock starts ticking. Some MBA programs allow you to apply for a waiver, though not all. And your request may be denied. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What can you do? Here are some suggestions from Accepted consultants:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Practice mindfulness<\/strong>

    We live in an anxious age, which is why the mindfulness movement continues to flourish. There are hundreds of books, apps, and other resources to help calm a mind on overdrive. \u201cWhether you suffer from test anxiety, a learning disability, or simply live a typically hectic life, mindfulness practices such as guided imagery, meditation, and mindful, deep breathing can ease your mind and soul,\u201d observes Accepted consultant     Natalie Grinblatt Epstein<\/a>. \u201cI have suggested these kinds of exercises to many clients, and I believe it helped to position them better at work, school, or on tests. Many people use these apps and tools simply to relax enough to get a good night\u2019s rest.\u201d   <\/li>
  2. Plan to spend time on GRE\/GMAT prep<\/strong>

    You have lots of options in test prep. There are online courses, and off-line courses will soon return. There are also lots of self-study materials. Finally, if you want your test-prep customized to your needs and availability, consider hiring a tutor. \u201cIf you have a learning disability, look for a tutor who specializes in that specific issue,\u201d adds Grinblatt Epstein.  <\/li>
  3. Take supplemental courses<\/strong>

    If you anticipate not doing well on the GRE or GMAT even with test prep, and a waiver seems unlikely, enroll in quant-oriented classes, either through community colleges, extension programs, or online learning programs, such as HBS CORe or MBAmath.com. Scoring A\u2019s in these classes will put the icing on the cake, showing the adcoms that you can and will do well in a business related academic environment. Also, investing in these courses demonstrates motivation and a commitment to succeed. 

    << Watch the Webinar: The Impact of Your GMAT & GRE: A Critical Piece in Your MBA Application >><\/a><\/em><\/li>
  4. Make friends with the optional essay<\/strong>

    This wide-open space allows you to write about anything you want the adcom to know about you that you didn\u2019t have the opportunity to share elsewhere. Accepted consultant     Esmeralda Cardenal<\/a> suggests, \u201cThe optional essay can be key to showing the school why you have not tested well, but hopefully you can also contrast those lower scores with a consistently higher GPA. You can also tell a story about a relevant successful achievement at work or school that demonstrates your verbal and\/or quantitative abilities.\u201d Overall, a solid track record of good grades will counterbalance lower test scores and show what you are capable of.  <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    1. Get tested for a learning disability<\/strong>

      \u201cSometimes, learning disabilities remain undiagnosed even into adulthood,\u201d observes Grinblatt Epstein. \u201cI have suspected learning disabilities in several clients, and while I cannot make a diagnosis, I have strongly suggested they go for testing. If a learning disability is documented, you can ask for GRE or GMAT accommodations, providing you extra time, on those exams.\u201d  

      <\/li>
    2. Ask for disability accommodations<\/strong>

      Esmeralda Cardenal reports that most of her clients who successfully sought accommodations were also those with previously diagnosed learning disabilities. \u201cOne client with dyslexia received accommodation and was successfully admitted to London Business School as well as Columbia,\u201d she says. If you have a diagnosis of one kind or another that would qualify for accommodation, consultant       Jamie Wright<\/a> advises, \u201cContact the GMAC or ETS to discuss your options. Remember that each organization has slightly different processes, so make sure to carefully review the application requirements and processes for requesting the extra time.\u201d 
      <\/li>
    3. Ask recommenders to talk up your skills<\/strong>

      The folks writing your letters of recommendation already intend to build you up, but Jamie Wright recommends asking them to particularly highlight relevant experiences and achievements. \u201cRecommenders can give evidence of when you have employed the analytical and quant capabilities the exams assess to succeed at work and that show you can also succeed in an MBA classroom,\u201d she says.   
      <\/li>
    4. Reconsider your school options if necessary<\/strong>

      Many of our clients with learning issues have gained acceptance to their target schools given GRE or GMAT accommodations. However, if despite all your efforts       your test results are still disappointing<\/a>, Esmeralda Cardenal suggests, \u201cIt\u2019s time to adjust your school choices so that your GMAT-GRE scores are not too far off the mark, and apply to a few safety schools as well.\u201d  <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Even with a learning disability, an MBA can still be within reach. Let our consultants help assess your profile, guide your choices for the best programs for you, hone your application, and coach you in confidence-boosting, targeted interview prep. Check out our MBA Services Packages<\/a> to get the personalized, one-on-one attention you need to GET ACCEPTED!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"View<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      By Judy Gruen, former Accepted admissions consultant. Judy holds a Master\u2019s in Journalism from Northwestern University. She is the co-author of Accepted\u2019s first full-length book, MBA Admission for Smarties: The No-Nonsense Guide to Acceptance at Top Business Schools<\/em>. Want an admissions expert help you get accepted? Click here to get in touch!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Related Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \u2022 Different Dimensions of Diversity<\/a>, a podcast episode
      \u2022       So, You\u2019re Applying to Business School with a Low GPA or GMAT Score?<\/a>
      \u2022       Test-Optional MBA Programs: Everything You Need to Know in 2021<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This article<\/a> originally appeared on blog.accepted.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Applying to a top b-school? The talented folks at Accepted have helped hundreds of applicants get accepted to their dream programs. Whether you are figuring out where to apply, writing your application essays, or prepping for your interviews, we are just a call (or click) away.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Contact us, and get matched up with the consultant who will help you get accepted<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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