Break Time

[blebb]

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If you finish a block with time to spare, is that time added to your break time?

 

[DrYoda]

Yes. You also get the left over time from your tutorial (15min) added to break time.

 

[fuzzywuz]

Are you allowed to wander out of the test center to step out for some sun or phone calls?

 

[DrYoda]

Are you allowed to wander out of the test center to step out for some sun or phone calls?

yes.

 

[gpac123]

Not that I personally give a ****, but technically you are supposed to have your phone off the entire time...just be careful.

 

[tco]

What's the deal with the breaks? Does anyone have a quick link to the details of test day?

 

[DrYoda]

Not that I personally give a ****, but technically you are supposed to have your phone off the entire time...just be careful.

You obviously can't have phones in the testing area, but on break you are free to use them.

Link to rules:

During computer-based testing (Steps 1, 2 CK, and 3), you may use a telephone or other communication device while outside the secure testing area and only during an authorized break. You may not use it for any purpose related to test content. During Step 2 CS, you may not use a personal telephone at any time while you are in the testing center.
http://www.usmle.org/General_Information/bulletin/2011/testing.html#regulations

 

[xlr8]

.

 

[step1saga]

you can do whatever you want during break time, i looked up some stuff on my phone in between blocks

Can you look up stuff on the phone---not Inside the testing center, but in the corridor/restroom? The latter might sound crazy but sounds normal to me right now becuse I have flashcards stuck on the wall of my home restroom, to keep me comforted at all times.😱

 

[SirGecko]

Yes. You can literally do whatever you want during the breaks so long as you aren't in the actual testing area. Just don't make a ton of noise and don't tell people the questions from your test. (Also don't do anything illegal. Like rob a bank or punch someone for no reason.)

As others have said the guy saying that you have to have your cell phone off is wrong. It just has to be silenced and placed in your locker when you are not on break and are in the testing center. If you are on a break between sections and are outside the testing area you can call people, look up stuff, etc.

 

[tco]

Yes. You can literally do whatever you want during the breaks so long as you aren't in the actual testing area. Just don't make a ton of noise and don't tell people the questions from your test. (Also don't do anything illegal. Like rob a bank or punch someone for no reason.)

As others have said the guy saying that you have to have your cell phone off is wrong. It just has to be silenced and placed in your locker when you are not on break and are in the testing center. If you are on a break between sections and are outside the testing area you can call people, look up stuff, etc.

So, the "secure testing" area is the actual area you have to sign in to get into with the computers, etc? Not the waiting room outside of that with lockers and the chairs and such.

 

[SirGecko]

So, the "secure testing" area is the actual area you have to sign in to get into with the computers, etc? Not the waiting room outside of that with lockers and the chairs and such.

Well at my testing center the part with the lockers was like an antechamber that you didn't hang out in. (just sign in and out and grab stuff from the lockers) There was a waiting room, then the room with the lockers, then the secure testing area. But yeah the area with the actual computers is the secure testing area.

 

[combat]

is that true that at prometric they do fingerprinting?? What the hell 😱

 

[kl323]

is that true that at prometric they do fingerprinting?? What the hell 😱

Didn't they also fingerprint during the MCAT? I can't remember...

 

[combat]

I took my MCAT's in England, i don't remember fingerprinting 😕

 

[combat]

lol it might be funny but, is that fingerprinting one of those machine, where all the data comes on screen like FBI thing 😀

 

[happylunchbox]

is that true that at prometric they do fingerprinting?? What the hell 😱

they sure do. and when i was taking my practice exam they also walked in and did a lap around the room every 20 mins and THAT got pretty annoying...and i'm not one to normally get peeved at background noise/activity.

yeah, like i've somehow managed to hack their system and loop their surveillance video while i cheat off of all the material i sneaked in despite being eyed up and asked to turn out my pockets every time i enter/exit the room. oh, and even though you also have a direct line-of-sight on me through the gigantic window between your desk and the computer i'm at on the other side...i'm probably still cheating, so better stand directly behind me to snag a better view.

i get the need to ensure that nobody cheats, but c'mon...i'm taking a 7+ hour effing exam...give me a little space.

 

[dozitgetchahi]

is that true that at prometric they do fingerprinting?? What the hell 😱

The "fingerprinting" just involves putting one of your fingers on an optical scanner. You do this at the very beginning and each time when you go in or out of the testing room. (My MCAT site did this as well.)

Funny that you mention the FBI bit - when I took the COMLEX they actually had a magnetic card reader and swiped my drivers license (this didn't happen at the USMLE test center). When they did that, a whole bunch of info popped up on their screen 😀.

 

[yamaraja808]

The "fingerprinting" just involves putting one of your fingers on an optical scanner. You do this at the very beginning and each time when you go in or out of the testing room. (My MCAT site did this as well.)

Funny that you mention the FBI bit - when I took the COMLEX they actually had a magnetic card reader and swiped my drivers license (this didn't happen at the USMLE test center). When they did that, a whole bunch of info popped up on their screen 😀.

+1

I assume this is true for all prometric centers.

 

[step1saga]

My testing center is on the 4th 5th some floor of the building, and I m pretty sure they have cameras in the restrooms/hallway aisle .. I doubt I ll be able to actually step out of the building, take the elevators and such.
Oh well I shouldnt be planning on looking stuff up, but just incase...

 

[tco]

How do most people use their breaks? I was considering 3-2-1-1, but I just tried to do 3 sets on Uworld and burnt out hard on the last one. I'm guessing most go 2-2-2-1?

 

[Step1Hash]

How do most people use their breaks? I was considering 3-2-1-1, but I just tried to do 3 sets on Uworld and burnt out hard on the last one. I'm guessing most go 2-2-2-1?

I think I'm gonna do 2-2-1-1-1. When I did 2 NBMEs back to back my 7th and 8th blocks sucked (even with a 30 min break before them)

 

[coralis]

Most faculty and 4th year medstudents I talked to, recommend the following:
2 blocks - 5 min break
1 block - 5 min break
1 block - LUNCH - 30 min
1 block - 10 min break
1 block - 5 min break
1 block - 5 min break
Last block

Still not sure how I'll manage to take tiny little breaks like that... I do know, after the full length test I took the other day.... that after 2 blocks I need at least 2 minutes to just stare at the ceiling or something... clear my head.

 

[dude1344]

Well I took mine today and didn't have any appetite through the day. I had one energy bar that's it. I went 2-2-2-1.

 

[tco]

Most faculty and 4th year medstudents I talked to, recommend the following:
2 blocks - 5 min break
1 block - 5 min break
1 block - LUNCH - 30 min
1 block - 10 min break
1 block - 5 min break
1 block - 5 min break
Last block

Still not sure how I'll manage to take tiny little breaks like that... I do know, after the full length test I took the other day.... that after 2 blocks I need at least 2 minutes to just stare at the ceiling or something... clear my head.

Interesting. Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely consider this.

I have no problem with the first two blocks, which is why I thought I'd try 3. Too much. I made so many stupid mistakes in that last block...But that's why I tried it now rather than on the big day!

 

[coralis]

Well I took mine today and didn't have any appetite through the day. I had one energy bar that's it. I went 2-2-2-1.

whoa, hardcore.... I would've burned out... congrats on being done!!!!

 

[dude1344]

whoa, hardcore.... I would've burned out... congrats on being done!!!!

thanks! Haha, but yea you'll be running on adrenaline the whole day. I didn't get very much sleep last night but I was wide awake the whole day. I ate a good breakfast though, so a good bar was all I needed. It helped that my prometric center let me start at like 8:15.

 

[coralis]

thanks! Haha, but yea you'll be running on adrenaline the whole day. I didn't get very much sleep last night but I was wide awake the whole day. I ate a good breakfast though, so a good bar was all I needed. It helped that my prometric center let me start at like 8:15.

Yeah the breakfast thing is VITAL.... still trying to make a meal plan in my head... eggs for sure... but should I have some bacon or is that too much fat? All I know so far:

1. if you eat bread... make sure it's 100% wheat or the simple sugars will get to you
2. AVOID turkey... you know that tryptophan will make you snooooozeee 😴
3. High on protein and complex carbs (read more whole wheat... and make sure it's 100% and none of that wheat, dark colored bread).
4. don't have OATMEAL for breakie... again too many simple sugars.... unless it's the 10 min oatmeal or something....

whoa... I should really be thinking about studying more than planning meals... lol...

 

[dozitgetchahi]

My testing center is on the 4th 5th some floor of the building, and I m pretty sure they have cameras in the restrooms/hallway aisle .. I doubt I ll be able to actually step out of the building, take the elevators and such.
Oh well I shouldnt be planning on looking stuff up, but just incase...

You will be allowed to review things in the waiting room/locker room area on breaks. When you're on breaks, you can do anything your heart desires. Unlike most other prometric-type exams, you can look at whatever you want during breaks on step 1.

 

[careboy]

I also want to find the right time

 

[septoplasty]

Yeah the breakfast thing is VITAL.... still trying to make a meal plan in my head... eggs for sure... but should I have some bacon or is that too much fat? All I know so far:

1. if you eat bread... make sure it's 100% wheat or the simple sugars will get to you
2. AVOID turkey... you know that tryptophan will make you snooooozeee 😴
3. High on protein and complex carbs (read more whole wheat... and make sure it's 100% and none of that wheat, dark colored bread).
4. don't have OATMEAL for breakie... again too many simple sugars.... unless it's the 10 min oatmeal or something....

whoa... I should really be thinking about studying more than planning meals... lol...

I thought i'd just point out there is more tryptophan in egg's than turkey lol

 

[bowlofmushypeas]

For the 5 min breaks, is it really long enough to sign out/bathroom or whatev/and come back or do most people just sit and stare at the wall for 5 minutes?

 

[SirGecko]

For the 5 min breaks, is it really long enough to sign out/bathroom or whatev/and come back or do most people just sit and stare at the wall for 5 minutes?

For me it was long enough to get out go to the bathroom and get back. (this of course would depend on the people at your testing center, how far away the bathroom is, and how long you take in the bathroom)