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Career Step Problems - Toro

Posted: Jan 30, 2015

I have to be honest.

I truly felt that Career Step's training was thorough and prepared me well for a career as an MT. I had an extensive background in terminology, but the transcribing was new for me. Nonetheless, I completed all transcription modules with over 98% accuracy. I can type over 100 WPM.

So, when it came time to take the final, I felt confident. I mean, I passed the multiple choice questions with flying colors and only got one wrong. But, apparently, I did so poorly on the transcription that they didn't even grade my editing. I was so shocked. The worst part was that I wasn't even allowed to see a copy of my test to find out what I needed to improve on. The Final Exam Consultant gave me such bland answers...''don't transcribe headings unless dictated.'' Not to mention the audio quality was FAR worse than any audio file in the training modules. So I took the final again.

I failed AGAIN. I tried to slow down the tape on one of the files, and it sounded like someone was talking underwater. I logged out and tried again. Same thing. Logged out, restarted the computer, tried again. Same thing. Guess I'm just going to have to listen to this woman speak as fast as she possibly can. Remember how I was told not to transcribe the headings unless dictated? LIES! I got points off for that!

Fortunately, I got a job anyway, although I expected there to be more MTE jobs available. Nah, just MT. Whatever, I guess they have to do editing too now.

I'm not sure if I'm going to take the final a 3rd time. I really am starting to think that they aren't keeping keys a secret to prevent cheating, but to make it look like people are failing even when they aren't so they can get the extra money for the final extension package. I have gone back to transcribe the hardest modules and still only got 1 or 2 points off. I am flustered and had to get this off my chest.

Also had problems - CMT/ME

[ In Reply To ..]
I had trouble with Career Step in testing for a job. I have never had a problem passing these tests for 15 years since working at home and have transcribed for years prior to that with full acute care/clinic work plus radiology/pathology. I failed the 2nd part of the Career Step test. The website immediately suggested that I should sign up for their educational courses and I have been bugged by Libman Education emails since that day. I am a CMT. Have I have lost my mind? My QA reviews were always great (about 10 reports a month), so I can't figure out what went wrong. I always double-check my answers. It does mess with your confidence. Hang in there.

The OP is talking about passing...SM - Old Anon

[ In Reply To ..]
the final exam for the Career Step MT Program, and I think you're talking about MTTest (put out by Career Step) for job testing. I know what you mean about MTTest though, as I've heard complaints similar to yours often. I had to take it for a job a few years back and was very nervous but I passed it. Didn't take that job, so had to take it again for another job, and passed that one too. I mentioned that fact on another MT site and was called a liar and that I must work for Career Step/MTTest. I don't. I really sympathize with you though. I have no idea why someone who is a very good MT would fail that test. It's got to be a glitch in their program or the job application was a 'front' to get you to take it so they could pitch their MT course to you. That's the only explanation I have.

I would not trust any school - That has no instructors

[ In Reply To ..]
Career step doesn't have instructors, so they can't even give feedback or be helpful. I'm guessing they have some sort of electronic program "grading" the tests, and of course they won't give you the answers, because you might actually have a followup question. They can't answer any MT questions, because they are not MTs and they are not instructors.

Students have been complaining about this - as long as I can remember

[ In Reply To ..]
They are pretty much famous for that. No instructors, so students are on their own. Passing their final has always been a problem. It has been discussed on boards like this for years.

Those same students nearly always insist they were well-prepared. You did not come right out and blame yourself, but most do. Well, it isn't your fault. How can you have been well-prepared if you were not prepared to pass???

They only think they are prepared - But...

[ In Reply To ..]
They don't realize that they don't know what they don't know, if that makes sense.

The only way to know what you don't know is to go to a school with instructors who will guide you.

People, regardless, get out of MT anyway.

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