10 minute breaks

[deleted98530]

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Hi guys,

When I took the MCAT yesterday, I got yelled at during the third break because I just sat back and relaxed in my seat and didn't leave the room during the break. I had the BS section right after that and couldn't really concentrate the first 10minutes cause I was worried if my MCAT would count or not. So is it mandatory that you leave the room if you do take the breaks? I never got yelled at before when I took the MCAT nor did I read it on the AAMC website.

Also, osteopathic schools have an average MCAT of 24 right? Thank you! 🙂

 

[gasapple]

Hi guys,

When I took the MCAT yesterday, I got yelled at during the third break because I just sat back and relaxed in my seat and didn't leave the room during the break. I had the BS section right after that and couldn't really concentrate the first 10minutes cause I was worried if my MCAT would count or not. So is it mandatory that you leave the room if you do take the breaks? I never got yelled at before when I took the MCAT nor did I read it on the AAMC website.

Also, osteopathic schools have an average MCAT of 24 right? Thank you! 🙂

Not sure about leaving the room during the exam but it would have been wise to inquire with the testing center proctor, but perhaps that wasn't an option based on the response you received. It's likely that if you were not informed otherwise, your MCAT will count. Sounds like someone at the center was just having a bad day - and possibly over-reacted if there was actually such emotion involved.

MCAT scores for osteopathic schools vary; some school averages are what you mention, some are higher and some are lower. However, the criteria for osteopathic medical schools is increasing as the playing field for medicine becomes leveled and this is not always reflected in the latest statistics. Some osteopathic schools are more difficult to gain admittance than some allopathic counterparts. For example, TCOM in Texas (also favors in-state) is statistically more difficult to gain an acceptance when compared to a majority of the allopathic schools in TX (except for UT Southwestern and Baylor). Another thing to consider is the applicant pool and those that have graduated. D.O.s make up between 10-15% of all practicing physicians. As the numbers increase (as was seen in the history of allopathic schools), so will the required stats. This will likely happen in the near future and is already evident in some parts of the nation. Just food for thought. 👍

 

[Jpc984]

I was required to leave the room when I took the paper based mcat. I do not know about the computer based mcat.

 

[Irongirl03]

Only a few people left the room during our short breaks, it was only required for us during the lunch break (paper test).

 

[gobluegirl]

I took the computer based test in May, and we were not required to use the breaks. In fact, I only took one break and finished the test early.

 

[Dr JPH]

Also, osteopathic schools have an average MCAT of 24 right? Thank you! 🙂

Yes. And that should be your goal. Straight 8s.

 

[prionsRbad]

Hi guys,

When I took the MCAT yesterday, I got yelled at during the third break because I just sat back and relaxed in my seat and didn't leave the room during the break. I had the BS section right after that and couldn't really concentrate the first 10minutes cause I was worried if my MCAT would count or not. So is it mandatory that you leave the room if you do take the breaks? I never got yelled at before when I took the MCAT nor did I read it on the AAMC website.

Basically you took your break in the testing room, which is not allowed. If you want to take a break, you have to go sit in the waiting room outside of the testing room. If you don't want to take a break you must continue on to the next section of the test.

Makes common sense right? Why might you think they don’t want people taking breaks in the testing room where a bunch of other people are taking their tests? Hmmmmm 🙄

As for your MCAT score question . . . . do a search or better yet pay $15 for a subscription to US weekly, which gives you access to stats for all US med schools (Allo & Osteo).

 

[gasapple]

Yes. And that should be your goal. Straight 8s.

LOL

 

[Patel1268]

a buckeyegirl and a gobluegirl in the same thread. how cute. haha

 

[HrvatskiDoktor]

Hi guys,

When I took the MCAT yesterday, I got yelled at during the third break because I just sat back and relaxed in my seat and didn't leave the room during the break. I had the BS section right after that and couldn't really concentrate the first 10minutes cause I was worried if my MCAT would count or not. So is it mandatory that you leave the room if you do take the breaks? I never got yelled at before when I took the MCAT nor did I read it on the AAMC website.

Also, osteopathic schools have an average MCAT of 24 right? Thank you! 🙂

I "took" two of my breaks in at the computer, but it wasn't for the full 10 minutes. They were only like 2 minutes. I just closed my eyes and strechted. Neither center I took the CBT at said anything to me. They also didn't care when you got back early sat for about a minute to take the full ten minutes.

One weird thing was that at one testing center they allowed my watch, and the second one she came in and took it from me during my WS section. I just laughed it off and gave it to her. I was like, so people use watches to cheat on the WS, eh?