Learning Disability? Here’s How to Prepare for the MBLEx.

Here is an actual email from my inbox:

“Hi!
I failed the MBLEx last week. I have dyslexia and bad exam anxiety. I have never been a good test taker and I am afraid I will never pass this exam and get my massage license. Do you have any advice?”

If you were considering sending me a similar email, I want you to know something: you are not alone. I have hundreds of emails just like this. Massage therapists are often unique individuals that love the hands on nature of our profession. But in order to get licensed, we need to prove that we have met the minimum competency levels set for the massage profession via an exam. This is where many LMTs-to-be with learning disabilities get anxious.

About 1 in 5 people in the United States have a learning disability, but for a lot of people, these go undiagnosed. So this article is for you— whether you have a formal diagnosis or just struggle with academics, traditional learning, or testing.

Getting the Help You Need: The FSMTB and Accommodations

First, let’s talk about the FSMTB and what they can do for you on test day. They have a process for getting special accommodations for taking the MBLEx, but you have to know what they’re looking for. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requires them to provide reasonable accommodations if you have a documentable physical or mental impairment.

“Documentable” is the keyword here. It’s not just a note from your mom saying you learn a bit differently, or struggled in school. It’s a formal diagnosis from a licensed health care professional, like a doctor or a psychologist. This is a crucial step that many people miss. It’s about ensuring fairness and following the law.

If you qualify, you can ask for a range of accommodations, but it’s not a guarantee. They review each request and I have seen plenty denied. But, if you have a learning disability and want to know what accommodations the FSMTB might provide include:

• Extra time to take the test. This is one of the most common ones and can make a huge difference. Just know that tests aren’t untimed.
• A test reader to read the questions out loud to you.
• A separate room to give you a quieter place to focus without distractions.
• A larger font on the test screen.
• A scribe to write your answers for you.

Remember, they don’t let you bring your own helpers. It’s their staff to keep the exam fair for everyone. If you have any questions, you can email them directly at ada@fsmtb.org. Also, accommodations do not include language translation services. The MBLEx is still only provided in English and Spanish.

What if You Don’t Have a Diagnosis?

Maybe you’ve never been formally diagnosed with a learning disability. There is no age limit on getting a diagnoses. Speak to your health care provider if this is important to you to get a formal diagnosis and possible testing accommodations.

Or maybe your struggle isn’t a disability at all—you’re just a hands-on learner in a textbook world. Either way, you can still absolutely use the following strategies to help you pass the MBLEx.

• Create Your Perfect Study Environment. You know yourself best. What environments do you thrive in? Do you need to find a quiet spot and put on noise-canceling headphones? Should you turn off your phone and any other notifications to remove distractions? Your brain needs an environment where it can do what it needs to do.
• Use Your Hands and Your Voice. You’re a trained massage therapist, so you’re probably a kinesthetic learner. Don’t just read the information in your guides and textbooks. Draw the muscles, say the names out loud, review the concepts while massaging a practice client/friend, or even just walk around while you study. It’s all about getting your body and your senses involved to help you retain the information.
• Break It Down. The MBLEx has 100 questions, and that’s a lot to think about all at once. Break your study sessions into small, manageable chunks—maybe 20 or 30 minutes at a time – called pomodoros. It’s a lot easier to stay focused on a small chunk of material than on a whole textbook. Our program also includes mini MBLEx simulations that are 25% of a full exam so you can take small tests when you do not have time. We really try to keep you from being overwhelmed.
• Work on Weak Areas. Don’t Avoid Them When you take a practice test, don’t just look at the overall score. Find out what subjects you’re consistently scoring low in. If you’re missing a lot of questions about pathology, that’s where you need to focus your time. Lots of people avoid the subject they are weak in. This won’t work with the MBLEx since you need to read minimum scores in each area, not just overall. Working on weaknesses is another one of our strategies we use for our program.
• Use All the Tools. Your textbook is a great starting point, but don’t stop there. Look for videos, podcasts, and online study guides. Finding a resource that explains a concept in a different way is all it takes for it to finally click.

Here is another an actual email from my inbox after someone used our program:

“Hey! I actually took the test at 12:15 today and passed!!! I really loved your website it broke things down for the ADHD impaired like myself. I was having difficulty with other sites and study ideas. I didn’t feel as overwhelmed with your exam prep.

Thank you!”

Ultimately, your brain isn’t broken. It’s just a different kind of powerful. Your unique way of learning is a gift that makes you a great hands-on therapist. You just have to find the study strategy that speaks your language. At Massage Exam Academy, the goal is to make a program that fits the needs of most learners. It isn’t for everyone, but maybe it is for you. You can check out our program details and see if it might be a tool for you to use to pass your exam, get your massage license, and start getting clients on your table.