Prevalence of test accommodations for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam Part I, 2013-2021

Abstract

Introduction: Previous articles have highlighted the laborious process of acquiring disability accommodations in medical education. We endeavoured to characterize the trends of test accommodations on the MCCQE Part I. Methods: Data was obtained from the Medical Council of Canada on the number of applicants who attained test accommodations on the MCCQE Part I between 2013 and 2021. The number of test takers for the same period was obtained from the Medical Council of Canada’s Annual Technical Reports; this data was not publicly available for 2013, 2014, or 2021. Prevalence rates and graphs were produced. Results: The number of test takers who attained test accommodations ranged from 35 to 126 between 2013 and 2021. The percentage of test takers who attained test accommodations ranged from 0.89% to 2.01% between 2015 and 2020. Per correspondence with the Medical Council of Canada, no applicant who provided all required documentation was denied test accommodations during this period. Discussion: The number and rate of test takers attaining test accommodations on the MCCQE Part I have increased substantially during this period. It is unclear whether this increase is due to greater rates of students with disabilities, or a reduction in stigma around using test accommodations.

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“…Clarke and Hanes considered the trends of test accommodations for the MCCQE Part I in their report, Prevalence of test accommodations for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam Part I, 2013-2021. 6 They observed a rise in the quantity and percentage of testtakers receiving test accommodations. Still, they remained uncertain whether the increase was a result of higher rates of students with disabilities or reduced stigma surrounding the utilization of accommodations.…”

“…In their letter, Updated data on test accommodations on the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam Part I, 2013-2021, 22 Clarke and Hanes followed up on their previously published article, Prevalence of test accommodations for the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Exam Part I, 2013-2021. 6…”

The case for centralization of academic accommodations in undergraduate medical education

“…Academic accommodations are imperative to provide medical students with disabilities an equitable experience as compared to their non-disabled peers. Although the prevalence of students requiring accommodations is increasing, 3,4,5 the process to acquire accommodations remain variable, complex, and burdensome. 6 These processes often require additional documentation, medical appointments, and personal statements that can take hours to days to collate and complete.…”