I just wanted to warn the new MT's that have just finished their course. Medquist's testing is not standard in any way. They purposefully make recordings you cannot hear in some areas, no heading is standard on their reports, if you miss one item on their tests they fail you and your resume never makes it to a live person. It's almost as if they want people to osmose what they expect from you. Everything you learned in an MT college or certification course is completely useless when it comes to Medquist's testing practices and Medquist's tests are not typical at all of real life MT work. Just a warning.

I am happy to read this! I tested for MedQuist and was a bit frustrated that they did not have the standard complimentary format guideline. It was frustrating to try and decide which format they would like (out of the numerous available ones) and I ended up transcribing the material as dictated. I did not pass their written test.

I have tested through MedQuist several times since I have graduated from college with an ASB in Medical Transcription. I have always asked to see the results of my scores (for they do not give you your test back to see what exactly you were marked wrong on) and have always fallen just a smidge short. I am not sure what they expect out of you. I have known quite a handful of people to test for them and have never came across any that have passed their transcription portion of their testing. I still try every time I am up, which is every three months to retest.

Call me crazy, but I still would love an opportunity to transcribe somewhere!

~Valleygirl

Valleygirl
Thanks for the heads up. I plan on hitting the transcripton job hunting after the holidays. My biggest problem is my internet connection. They say they want fast internet but no satellite, I live in a rural area and that's all I could get other than dial up. Have a good holiday season.
Pearls

Isn't Medquist the place that went through that big class action suit because they were ripping off their employees? Am I wrong? I don't remember.

This is interesting to read. I passed with Allied last year and have been taking time out to do other things and have some down time before I started looking for a job. I was hoping to try with Medquist as they seemed the only ones who would take newbies!
This is quite worrying.
A newbie friend in Canada found a job, but I researched them on the internet and they have many suits against them, too. It makes me wonder how I am supposed to get a job - and more to the point, from so many posters on here, maybe this wasn't the field to go in!
Apologies if I have made any errors here, cat is on my lap - something that will not happen if I ever get a job.

I Have tested with them as well and did not pass...good to know I wasnt the only one. Thanks for the information.

MedQuist does hire newbies. Their test is difficult, but fair- it isn't any more difficult than working live on an acute care account. Don't worry about the litigation or the complaints on the forums. They're a good company.

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?