greets fr. nyc said:
oh yeah,
a few details on my recent actual USMLE experience:
the center i had, gave me 3 double sided thin yellow dry erase sheets (they were in a grid pattern), two good thin point black markers, and an eraser.
the nice proctor escorted me in and gave me the run-down on how the computer works
you keep the bottom of the orange ticket with your test ID#, and as soon as you type in your id and press <return> the exam begins. (sort of took me aback when i heard about this, but it's not too bad, because you can prepare your brain as much as you want before you press that final button.
you also can skip through the 15minute intro on how to use the interface (this is added onto your break time. it's exactly as the interface on the downloaded USMLE program)
also note: most/all sites are pretty strict. you must finish the section before you get up and leave the room or it will be marked as an "irregularity." if you have a question/problem, you raise your hand and the proctor comes in.
the only things i was allowed to take in the exam room was my drivers licence, the orange ticket, the key to my locker, and the dry erase goods. i.e. no wallet, no car keys, no out-side bought earplugs in my case, nothing else! you can put books into your locker and refer back to them during your breaks which is nice sometimes.
you finish, find your proctor, and then sign out with the time, and then sign back in with the time when you're ready for some more. however you must keep track of your break time and the number of sections you've done as no one else will do so and it's not marked down on anywhere per se.
the temperature in my testing site was warm to low hot. other testing centers are cold, so info thru your sources or visiting the center and asking the temp is a good idea.
once you get started it's really not too bad. you just work through it, plan your breaks within the hour or so you have, and then its over....