I should be celebrating, I passed the Medical Transcription Exam yesterday but..
By iskayz
@iskayz (5420)
Philippines
October 21, 2009 10:03pm CST
Yes, I’m a certified Medical Transcriptionist now but I feel sorry and somewhat guilty for my friends and classmates who failed the assessment. There were 4 of us who made a bonding during the training and I thought they were just joking about relying on me when the assessment comes but I never thought they mean it.
There were 3 sets of test, an interview, a written exam and the transcription. They passed the transcription and the interview but failed on the written exam. Some passed only the interview. One of my friends after the interview walked towards me, looking sad and said to me, quote: “If you only allowed us to copy your answers then maybe we also passed the assessment.” Upon hearing that, I suddenly got confused what I should be feeling. I said sorry to her and I didn’t know that they don’t know the answers. I was sitting in front of them and she said she was kicking my chair so she could peek on my answer sheet and pass the answers to the others. I said I didn’t felt my chair move but I didn’t admit that I heard her calling me.
Yes, I heard her calling me and I know, I felt a hint that she might be asking for help and copy my answers that is why I did not responded and looked at her. I know it is cheating and I felt it is unfair for me cause’ I gave so much effort in reviewing. Besides, I thought they were prepared for the exams cause’ they keep telling me that they are reviewing at home. When I arrived at the school, I even saw them still reviewing so I know they are prepared.
I’m feeling guilty and sorry cause’ I know they need that certification more than I do. Most of them are not from well-off families and passing the MT assessment could be an opportunity in their careers. They weren’t mad but I can’t help thinking about what my friend told me.
Have you ever had an experience like this? I know this kind of cheating is not a “big deal” or a serious crime but have you ever let a friend or a classmate copy your answers during exams?
3 people like this
19 responses
@vandana7 (100664)
• India
22 Oct 09
Hi iskayz, am I glad to c u back! :) First and foremost, congratulations. :) And now, even if u'd passed on the answers, under that condition, they would not have done a good job of copying. Copying is possible if u r basically smart, but lazy. Looks like ur friends need to sharpen their wits a bit. As to their being from families that are not well-off, all the more reason for them to work hard, dont u think? Depending upon u, indeed. When it comes to job, their flaws will be exposed, isn't it? What would happen if they applied for a job, and got thru the interview by stroke of luck, and were eventually thrown out, in disgrace? Would u feel less guilty then child? That would end their medical transcription career for them, isn't it? At least now they can prepare once more and come up on their own. Please dont feel guilty about something that u did right! And ur thinking is also right. U worked hard, and it would be unfair to u if they got away easily. Who is thinking like that? Stop such procarastination and enjoy ur success. :) 
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
Hi dearest vandana and I'm glad too I am back in the community again
! I miss everybody here and the good advices/responses I receive.
Thinking about the scenarios you have mentioned that can happen in the future, even if I have did help them, it's their future job that will judge them. Everyone can easily pass an interview but the actual job and intelligence is what's important.
I still am feeling sorry for them but feeling a little less guilty now. I still need to keep telling myself it's their fault, they did not study well and took the training seriously. I am also thinking that my friend wasn't such a good person cause she didn't feel any shame on her part for admitting she needs to cheat to pass.
! I miss everybody here and the good advices/responses I receive.
Thinking about the scenarios you have mentioned that can happen in the future, even if I have did help them, it's their future job that will judge them. Everyone can easily pass an interview but the actual job and intelligence is what's important.
I still am feeling sorry for them but feeling a little less guilty now. I still need to keep telling myself it's their fault, they did not study well and took the training seriously. I am also thinking that my friend wasn't such a good person cause she didn't feel any shame on her part for admitting she needs to cheat to pass.
@agv0419 (3022)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
They are responsible for their failure if they are really want to passed on the exam they should study hard and not depending on you. Don't feel guity about it because you did what is right. If they really want that job in the first place they should take it seriously. You deserved your success because you work hard for it.
1 person likes this
@robert19ph (4577)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
hello iskayz,
don't feel any guilt or feel bad 
because your friends told you that. it's not your fault. besides, they should reviewed and prepared for the exam so they can pass the exam too. they should not blame you for not passing it for it's their responsibility not yours in making it possible. ofcourse, it will be unfair to you if you let them cheat for you reviewed really hard. they can try again anyway till such time that they will pass. it will be much easier for them for they have an idea already.
besides, you will be proud to anybody that you passed the exam because of your effort and hard work and not by anybody's help - or cheated for that matter.
by the way, congratulations. and good luck. 
because your friends told you that. it's not your fault. besides, they should reviewed and prepared for the exam so they can pass the exam too. they should not blame you for not passing it for it's their responsibility not yours in making it possible. ofcourse, it will be unfair to you if you let them cheat for you reviewed really hard. they can try again anyway till such time that they will pass. it will be much easier for them for they have an idea already.
besides, you will be proud to anybody that you passed the exam because of your effort and hard work and not by anybody's help - or cheated for that matter.
by the way, congratulations. and good luck. @iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
23 Oct 09
Thanks robert!
Yes, the assessor said they still have another chance. They just had to wait for the next schedule of assessment, maybe after a month or two. I guess by that time they can pass cause they have a longer time to review. Unlike what happened to me. I started a little. The class have already 2 weeks ahead when I joined the training. So I missed a few lectures and I had to study on my own.
I advised them to review seriously this time.
Yes, the assessor said they still have another chance. They just had to wait for the next schedule of assessment, maybe after a month or two. I guess by that time they can pass cause they have a longer time to review. Unlike what happened to me. I started a little. The class have already 2 weeks ahead when I joined the training. So I missed a few lectures and I had to study on my own.
I advised them to review seriously this time.1 person likes this
@lyzabelle (1668)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
It happened to me several times during school years.
My friends always copy my answer and I don't care. But the
teachers always caught us and I'm always in deep trouble.
But i always help my friend during exams. They needed me
and I wont turn my back on them...I understand your feelings.
Just be happy coz you passed. They can always try to take the exam
next time.
1 person likes this
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
23 Oct 09
You help your classmates to cheat always and you don't mind if you get in trouble? Wow, you're different.. But actually I think you've made your friends become lazy to review and study hard. Anyways, you are good friend!
But what about me? I did let my friends copy my answer. Am I not a good friend then? Or would that make me a less of a good friend?
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
22 Oct 09
Its been so many years that I have been in school I really can't fully remember. It may have happened a few times but not to the extent that you went thru. To be told if you would have let me see your answers. That is a terrible thing for her to make you feel guilty. She is cheating, she had the same opportunity as you did. You decided to work hard to get what you wanted and she and the others didn't. I know if I cheated I would not be feeling happy about it because I didn't get it the correct way and I really don't know the material so how could I have a job doing something that I really don't know how too do. Be proud of passing and let the "suppose" friends deal with what they didn't accomplish. Maybe they will learn from this and do it the right way and study next time. By the way Congratulations!
1 person likes this
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
23 Oct 09
Hi len! Yeah, I really got hurt cause my friend was actually blaming me cause I did not help them. She kept saying it until we parted ways and went home. Up to now I'm still feeling guilty. I feel I had something to do with their failure. I know I shouldn't be feeling this but I just can't help it. This is a sad experience for me though I know I should be happy.
experience for me though I know I should be happy.@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
23 Oct 09
Please if you take anything from this is she is not a "friend". A friend does not put you into such a perdictament and doesn't make you feel guilty. Its her failure and you need to put it out of your mind and celebrate your great achievement.
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
hello iskayz,
first of all, i want to congratulate you for your recent pass on your med-tech exam, and it was no joke taking that course really. I know friends are there thick and thin, but unfortunately, with regards to exam is concern, we should only be using our own brain, or else how can we learn it our way or helped the real people like our customers if we were to cheat,right? i hope they're not holding a grudge on you. well, good luck for them next year..1 person likes this
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
23 Oct 09
Hi dear friend! Nice of you to drop by Actually I think I am more concern of the friendship we've made and hope they are not angry with me because I did not help them. I also got hurt cause I feel they are blaming me that's why they failed on the written exam but I just try to understand them. It is really depressing to fail on something you have hoped for to achieve.
I had great moments with them in a short period of time and I like to remember it that way. And yes, that's what I told them, good luck for them next year and study real hard.
Actually I think I am more concern of the friendship we've made and hope they are not angry with me because I did not help them. I also got hurt cause I feel they are blaming me that's why they failed on the written exam but I just try to understand them. It is really depressing to fail on something you have hoped for to achieve.
I had great moments with them in a short period of time and I like to remember it that way. And yes, that's what I told them, good luck for them next year and study real hard.1 person likes this
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
24 Oct 09
i remember once when two of my friends didn't help me when we had a project about creating receipts and balances in accounting. i felt down but i don't think i should blame them because it's individual work..
@shadow41 (2351)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
Hi there. First, congratulations to you. I understand you feeling guilty about your classmates who didn't made it. Don't worry. You just did the right thing. No matter how you look at it, cheating is still a bad thing to do. If you gave them answers and they also passed what now? They will be incompetent transcriptionist. Competency is very important is the medical transcription field because it involves legal matters. I hope this can ease the guilt you're feeling right now. Again congratulations to you. Bravo!!! :)
shadow41
1 person likes this
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
Oh yes shadow, each and every response/advice I receive for this post eases those bothersome thoughts I have about this incident.
Ah.. and the word competency? I like that word. It was the word that the assessor put a check on while telling me I have passed, "COMPETENT TO BE AN MT". Even just remembering it, it still feel flutters in my stomach and then I just smile.
@silverglint (2000)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
You should not allow yourself to feel bad. You passed because you understood the lessons and you studied for the exam. Let us say that they did study but they still did not pass the test, then it only means that what they know is not enough for them to be able to work properly as MT. You are not helping them survive the career world by letting them cheat. Besides, cheating is wrong. If they needed to pass so badly, then they should have studied harder to make sure that they will pass.
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
Hi silver, I really did give so much effort studying and remembering all those difficult medical terminologies. I'm not a medical graduate so it's hard for me. I also did took the training seriously that sometimes my friends laugh at me that there are times I would think they aren't that serious with the training.
I also prayed a lot and I included my classmates so everyone can pass. And I thank so much that my efforts have paid off. I guess maybe for those who did make it, being an MT is not their world.
. I guess maybe for those who did make it, being an MT is not their world.
@djoyce71 (2511)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
Hello iskayz. It's really good to be back in mylot.
Many times iskayz, during college days, classmates share answers in quizzes and exams specially when the subjects are so hard. But, for exams like yours, I think you just did the right thing. You can help other people in the right time place and not during the assessment.
Congratulations my friend.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
22 Oct 09
hi yes I have and I refused to allow a university senior to copy from my sheet as he did not deserve this, and if the professor saw he was doing it and I was letting him, we would both have been flunked out.as I had gone back to the u at age 55 I did not want to flunk out when I had only a few weeks to graduation .it meant just as much or more than it did to him. it is wrong to aid someone to cheat and in Universities here in the US it can get you expelled. so now I would not ever do this.Here in the U's it is considered a crime.you can get lose out and not graduate.
1 person likes this
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
I was also afraid that I might get caught. I don't what will be the consequences if we were caught but surely it won't be a good one. The assessor might also think that I'm the one copying and I don't like to jeopardize my chance of being an MT too. If they badly need it to pass because of their status in life, I badly need it too, whatever reason I have.
I guess what I did is just fair everyone. This would also serve a lesson for them.
@shenqixu (130)
• China
22 Oct 09
First, Congratulate to you passed the Medical Transcriptionist examinaiton..Second, I do not think you should be respondsible for you friend failing in examination. You totall do not feel any guilty about this. You make an great effort to prepare the examination and you succeed. But you friend wanted to reap without sowing. It is unfair if they passed the examination without hard working..I have also had an experience like this but i let my friends copy my answer during exams and also i cheated my friends answer.A little shy!!!!
1 person likes this
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
22 Oct 09
quite frankly you are lucky you did not help them cheat and get caught, you also could have lost your certification then how would you feel? They put you in a awkward position asking you to cheat along with them. They have the same opportunity to study and pass a test just as you did.
If they did not pass the test they would not be able to do the work. If everybody cheated then your certification would mean nothing, that would be a worthless piece of paper.
By trying to ensnare you in their web of deceit I would hardly call them friends. Be proud of your accomplishments and move on.
1 person likes this
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
23 Oct 09
Hi mariposaman! Last night, I have been analyzing the word "friends" with what happened during the exam and with what my friend told me. And somehow little by little I'm having second thoughts of our friendship. I can still remember how my friend told me, straight on my face those phrases "if only.." I was shocked hearing it. If I was her, I could never say that to my friend or to anyone.
I'm helping myself to forget about what happened. This will pass I know.
. I can still remember how my friend told me, straight on my face those phrases "if only.." I was shocked hearing it. If I was her, I could never say that to my friend or to anyone.
I'm helping myself to forget about what happened. This will pass I know. @lindiebiz (1006)
• Canada
22 Oct 09
Dont feel guilty cheating is not good imagine if you got caught and failed as a result of that what would you say thay you failed all because you tried to help a frind that is really silly every should bear the consequenses of thier actions, if you did not study, prepare to fail. Being from poor backgrounds the should study harder so that the can break free from thier situation
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
Yeah, I guess you right lindie. Those who are less fortunately in life should try even harder to make things better for them in the future.
That reminds me, I do notice some of my classmates who doesn't even have a computer at home are the ones who don't come to typing class regular. They always say I have the advantage cause I have my own laptop at home but I still attend typing class regularly. I think the eagerness to learn and excel is the difference between me and some of my classmates.
@cheriezhao (246)
• China
22 Oct 09
i had the same experience,actually,i didn't want to give my classmates answers,i just thought that was unfair,cheating was really bad,if i were u,i would choose the same way to face their action,ignored,so,friend,don't be so sorry for anyone,i know what u did was right,i will back you up!
@sender621 (14893)
• United States
22 Oct 09
Congratulations on your achievement! You should be proud of yourself. Don't feel responsible for how fellow classmates faired. They have the same opportunities for success or failure that you do. I hope what you have gained from your medical transcription exam brings you what you hope it will. Good luck!
1 person likes this
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
22 Oct 09
well, what ever. the fact that you passed, it's a celebration, so let's celebrate.
congrats.
congrats. @JenInTN (27514)
• United States
23 Oct 09
Congrats on passing that exam! I have had people try to copy me in class before but I haven't ever had a friend ask me to let them cheat. It would be hard to say no because you would want to help but at the same time why would you study and work your rear off and someone else get to come in and breeze through by cheating?
Take care.
@dhysanne (449)
• Philippines
25 Oct 09
I don't think you should feel guilty about it. Since you've done the right thing. All of you have been given the chance to review and be prepared for the exam right? They should have done their part so they could pass the assessment. I myself don't let my classmates copy or ask for an answer to them, specially during major exams. I think of what might happen if i will be caught in the act of cheating.
@gemparado (71)
• New Zealand
22 Oct 09
I would definitely feel sorry for them as well but should never be guilty. You said that they need it more than you do then they should have studied more than you did to have passed it as well in the first place. You did the right thing coz cheating is always cheating whether it be big or small. When I was still studying I also did some assignment copying but I never depended on others for quizzes or exams. If I had no chance to review then I'd rather get zero than take the risk of being caught cheating.
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
22 Oct 09
Hi gem! I have not tried cheating even in my elementary days. I don't want to feel unworthy deep inside me getting a high grade. The reason why I also did not responded to my friend's call is because I might get caught and that might cause problems in my assessment process.
I know I shouldn't be feeling guilty but the words "if you only allowed us to copy then we might have passed too" kept bothering my mind. Sometimes I'm thinking then maybe if I did let them copy, I might be a big help for them in the future. As I have said, they are not from well-off families that is why they took the opportunity of getting a free training.
@daqiuqu (16)
• China
23 Oct 09
first congratulations to u!
i have let my friends or a classmate copy my answers many times, i don't think it's a big deal.
but there's sth different in ur case, i think the medical transcriptionist assessment is much more important, if u helped ur friends passing the exam by cheating, it's not only unfair to u, maybe mostly it's unfair to the patients.
i knew few about MT, so maybe i made a mistake, but that's my thought
