Benefit to taking practice test at the site?

[Proverbs31]

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I just wanted to see what some thought about the opportunity to take the Practice USMLE at the Prometric site of your actual test. The only day they had available before my test was 2 weeks before my actual USMLE. Im studying at home in a different state and was really wanting to just stay at home in my good study zone, but didnt know if it really is beneficial to "be at" and see the site where you will take your actual test once, before the real deal. Any thoughts on this from others? Do all sites have the same set-up? Possibly-- I could take a practice at a prometric site in my hometown instead of where Ill be for test day?

Thanks in advance,
😳

 

[doc20]

there are some benefits of taking the practice test at the actual USMLE site you would be taking the exam at, because it familiarizes you with the place and there is definitely a lot less anxiety on the exam day because you already know what its like. but in your case if you had to travel out of state dont do it, and there are some differences in all the prometric sites, i really thought the 40$ was worth it because i knew how long it would take to get there , how the parking was, what were my food options and just scan the area in general and the site

 

[alliekat71]

Funny you bring this up- I JUST took the practice at prometric (where I will be taking the exam) yesterday. I was waivering whether it was worth it since the questions are also online (for free)- but in retrospect I absolutely feel it was worth the 40 bucks- my test is 5 weeks away (from tomorrow)- as was already stated- it lets you scope the place out which will hopefully translate into less stress on test day. Also lets you get familiar with their little quirks (ie, they made me take off my watch). I am also studying for the test in a different state (but also taking it here) rather than where my school is. It is fantastic to get away from that scene for a while (or it has been, so far!). Best of luck!

 

[Proverbs31]

Thanks! I totally agree with getting away for a while! Def easier to study....Hmmm Now I really kinda want to take it in the actual place. No kidding about knowing how the traffic is and what quirks they have. I didnt know they make you take your watch off Geez.
Its a 3 1/2 hr drive....Hmmmm
Could always listen to gol---leee---yaahhnn on way home and back...
I wonder if new dates ever just open up. As of a week ago they only had one date free at my actual site before my test June 9th. Maybe ill keep checking and see if I can push it to a diff date.
Thanks!

 

[sparkygalore]

I heard a rumor they also have walk-throughs, though I never followed up on it. Maybe there are better dates free? You could even do a walk through the day before as a quick trial run. Anyway, I loved the practice run, did it a week before I started studying and am I lot more relaxed knowing how chill the Prometric ladies are (such a better environment than the MCATs!)

 

[SirCuneus]

I just barely finished the exam at prometric and I got 75% correct. It made me feel comfortable especially since I have three weeks left to study. Nobody knows what this score equals in real score points though...which is disappointing.

It was great to relieve some stress and know that I don't want to sit by the door! People walk in and out and it's not quiet. You can't wear your own earplugs. They have a headset there that you can wear. Like the dude said earlier, you can't take in your watch which surprised me. It helped calm my nerves though for the real thing.

 

[doc20]

Thanks! I totally agree with getting away for a while! Def easier to study....Hmmm Now I really kinda want to take it in the actual place. No kidding about knowing how the traffic is and what quirks they have. I didnt know they make you take your watch off Geez.
Its a 3 1/2 hr drive....Hmmmm
Could always listen to gol---leee---yaahhnn on way home and back...
I wonder if new dates ever just open up. As of a week ago they only had one date free at my actual site before my test June 9th. Maybe ill keep checking and see if I can push it to a diff date.
Thanks!

ok i am confused, are you planning to take the test at a loation 3 1/2 hr drive away? please dont attempt that lol
get a hotel the night before near the place or something and dont listen to goljan on the way ha ha

 

[Proverbs31]

haha! Im studying in a different state that is 3 1/2 hours away...But i "live" and am taking the test there. So I actually do think Ill get a hotel...I live about 35 min from my site and I heard traffic is bad in the mornings. Thats new to me about the headsets. Luckily I got my date changed today!! So I have 2 full weeks to stay here at home and then head back to school where Ill be taking it -practice and the real! I got May 30...real test on June 9th so that should give me a good run.
🙂 Now for so nice hotels to stay in....

 

[bostonguy]

I just did it this AM, I can say the benefit is so that you will stress out less come test day. Also, the most important thing I learned is timing, I realized that I will now bring my lunch and make sure to take at least 5 min of a break to pee, snack, move around b/w each section. I tried to do the 3rd section without a break before and it killed me.

PS you can't bring tissues in with you, they do have them on site, but you can't easily access them during testing so make sure to take some OTCs to slow the nasal drip if you've got it come test day.

 

[emlopez2]

It was great to relieve some stress and know that I don't want to sit by the door! People walk in and out and it's not quiet. You can't wear your own earplugs. They have a headset there that you can wear. Like the dude said earlier, you can't take in your watch which surprised me. It helped calm my nerves though for the real thing.

So do they let you sit wherever you want or is it first come first serve? Im not too worried about the noise but I do get incredibly distracted by movement. Is each computer in a cubby or can you basically see everything your neighbor is doing? Im prolly gonna go check out my prometric site to get the whole scoop but hopefully they will let me do some kind of walk through.

 

[Helo]

d

 

[SirCuneus]

So do they let you sit wherever you want or is it first come first serve? Im not too worried about the noise but I do get incredibly distracted by movement. Is each computer in a cubby or can you basically see everything your neighbor is doing? Im prolly gonna go check out my prometric site to get the whole scoop but hopefully they will let me do some kind of walk through.

The site I was at was small with only about 20 computers. Quite a few people are taking the boards on June 9 with me and they're going to the same center. I will be getting there at least 20 minutes early to make sure I get a good spot. So, in answer to your question, you may possibly get seated in a bad spot if you don't get there early enough.