USMLE Break time clarification

[mehc012]

Hey all,

So I'm about 1.5mo out from the big day and I decided to take one of the full-length Kaplan Simulated exams today (long story short I got the Qbank in M1 and these exams came with and expire next week). I didn't really figure that timing would be a big deal for me on this test, because I've always been a fast test-taker. I either know the answer, don't, and I move on.

HOWEVER, in taking the exam today, I found that even though I was right in that I finish each block well ahead of time, I used up every second of the 45min allotted break time...and when I got my score report, the sections that I took breaks before scored 10-15 percentage points higher than the subsequent blocks. I had somewhat suspected this based on my Qbank scores (I'm trying to hit 3 blocks every day), but since I'm doing tutor mode and sometimes just take a spontaneous break because I can and because review-as-you-go takes longer, it's been harder to track.

I guess my question is: is it true that any time left over after each block gets added to your total break time? If so, how is this tracked on-screen on the real deal (aka will I be able to see it?) The Kaplan exams have their flaws, to be sure, but I do believe these are the only actual 7-block full-length exams*, and even these aren't wholly accurate, since the 15min tutorial time doesn't get added to your break time. I'm hoping that the residual block time not being added is an oversight on their part as well, because that would mean I could take 20min breaks before each block if I wanted to, plus a lunch break, and that seems as if it would make a real impact on my score.

Thanks! Also, while I'm on here...anyone have a good score conversion for the Kaplan Sims (not the diagnostic), other than the standard Qbank %correct conversion table that everyone loves to argue the accuracy of?

*(yes, I know you can simulate it by adding other blocks, but it's kind of annoying to me that nowhere else does a real full length with the actual timers and whatnot)

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[bobjonesbob]

Yes any time left over from the tutorial and each block gets added to your total break time. There is a total timer that counts down the entire test. So obviously if you end early there is more time on the clock. Even if you are a historically fast test taker I would recommend nailing down your timing to make sure you have a cushion. 40 qs in 40 min is a good goal. On the real test many people find themselves pressed for time even if they weren't on practice tests due the average stem being longer, anxiety, trying to reason through some of the toughest questions, etc.

 

[mehc012]

Yes any time left over from the tutorial and each block gets added to your total break time. There is a total timer that counts down the entire test. So obviously if you end early there is more time on the clock. Even if you are a historically fast test taker I would recommend nailing down your timing to make sure you have a cushion. 40 qs in 40 min is a good goal. On the real test many people find themselves pressed for time even if they weren't on practice tests due the average stem being longer, anxiety, trying to reason through some of the toughest questions, etc.

I'm sitting at about 30min per block right now with 1.5mo of practice left, which is why I really care about whether that time gets recycled!

Too bad it's just a total timer...that's less helpful than separate break and block timers. Hopefully it won't matter, though.

Thanks for the response!

 

[Obscure]

I'm sitting at about 30min per block right now with 1.5mo of practice left, which is why I really care about whether that time gets recycled!

Too bad it's just a total timer...that's less helpful than separate break and block timers. Hopefully it won't matter, though.

Thanks for the response!

I would say it's pretty unlikely that the actual exam is going to be like this. I was comfortably finishing with at least 10 minutes per block on each practice exam I took. In the real thing, I had about 3-5 minutes left at the end of each block. Sometimes not even that.

Don't bet on having time left over. Really, you don't need more than the allotted break time anyway.

 

[mehc012]

I would say it's pretty unlikely that the actual exam is going to be like this. I was comfortably finishing with at least 10 minutes per block on each practice exam I took. In the real thing, I had about 3-5 minutes left at the end of each block. Sometimes not even that.

Don't bet on having time left over. Really, you don't need more than the allotted break time anyway.

Well, right, real exams are always a little different...but even if I halve what I'm seeing left over now (which is what you saw), that's still a decent chunk throughout the course of the day. I've never once taken full time on any standardized test; for the MCAT I had roughly 20min left over on each section. I'd honestly be more surprised to see that trend completely and utterly bucked for this one exam.

Right now, it's looking like my score is substantially better after a break. I don't see much point in taking 5min breaks if the test center is gonna spend most of that checking you in/out. So I just wanted to make sure that I knew how much I had to actually play with, is all.