I did Career Step, not M-Tec, so I can't comment on the differences, although I have read repeatedly that Andrews and M-Tec are much better. Maybe they are, but I felt that I was prepared with the Career Step course, and I also did the Spheris Training Track and got hired on immediately after graduating, which is a wonderful way to bypass the whole first job issue. That being said, I studied the Career Step program like a madwoman, looking everything up, going slowly, and typing every report in their FOMS section (even though it is not required). If you feel comfortable learning on your own and don't need a lot of feedback, then Career Step can work for you. I don't think the 4 month time frame is realistic....give it a good 8 months to a year. I have had great QA scores since the beginning, and I don't regret doing their course. JMHO!!