Do you have any suggestions for taking their tests? I'm almost scared to even look them up! :-)Do they tell you what type of dictation that it is? Do they give you their formats that they want you to use? Why is it so hard to pass?

Don't worry about formatting - the most important thing is to never, ever guess. Never! Leave as many blanks as you need to. Even after working for a few years, sometimes I'm 98%, say, certain that the dictator is saying something - but if I'm not 100%, I leave a blank. I heard an MT interviewed once who said, the most serious error that new MTs make, is being too over-confident. It's true - the longer you do this job, I think the more you realize how little you know! So, first - don't guess, leave blanks where you need to. Second - take your time! It isn't a race, no one is timing you, take as much time as you need. Slow down the dictation as much as you need to. Third - be very, extremely careful with the names of medications. Many medications sound alike - a lot of the penicillins, for instance, and the antiretrovirals - make sure you know what you're hearing, or leave a blank. And research! Don't use Google - use your medical dictionary and word lists and medication book and whatever other resources you have. Google is very unreliable. If you're careful, taking your time and doing your research and not guessing, there's no reason why you shouldn't do well. Don't ever be afraid of a test - as difficult as some tests are, they are nothing compared to some dictators - they can be hair-raising! And if you don't do well, don't be discouraged - go back and try again 3 months or 6 months or whatever it is later (you need to wait a certain length of time, depending on the company). Finally - good luck!

Thank you Rabbitgirl! I'll definately take my time and I won't guess at anything. If they do not take off for blanks, then I'd rather leave one than to have a wrong word! I just want soooo desperately to get my foot in the door doing what I've taken all of this time studying for, not to mention, what I paid for! :-) I just had a "thanks, but no thanks" letter from Nuance because I'm an Allied student and they do not recruit recent graduates from Allied.... Have to say that that was a little discouraging to say the least. There is VERY FEW sevices that even consider newbies, in fact, I believe that Inscribe and Medquist are the only ones that I've been able to find so far. Thank you for the advice - I'm grateful for any that I can get!
Diedre

I just finished U.S. career institute medical transcription course, and I am looking for a part-time job. I took medquist test and did not pass. I am a little discourage, but i want some experience doing medical reports. I would take on an intern job just to improve my medical transcription. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. Thank you!

I am very hesitant to recommend this company: On-the-Mark Transcription. The reason I hesitate is that the pay rate is absurdly low - but as you say you would consider working as an intern to improve your skills, you may consider applying to that company. I know that they do hire newbies (to be honest, I don't think too many experienced MTs would consider accepting such a low rate - I believe they pay in the 4 cent/line range for straight transcription, so it is really extremely low). You might also try some of the Australian companies, though they may have stopped hiring outside Australia - Ozescribe is one. In the worst case you may try general transcription, though really, I would say only if your rent is due and your fridge is empty - the problem with general transcription is, of course, that your MT skills take a nosedive. You really need to keep up on your MT skills, or they go downhill quite quickly. I would say while you're applying for jobs, keep practicing.

Where do I find this test?