Can do and Cannot do during exam

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lopkiu

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For those who took the DAT, is there anything specific that you can do and cannot do during the exam or the break? Other than those listed in ADA.
I read the forum, someone said we cannot touch the screen of the computer? The test center does provide locker right, which you can access during the break for some snack and food?
 
From my testing experience:

You cannot eat or have anything in your mouth like a hard candy.

You cannot take any pens/ pencils into the room. You will be provided w/ sheets of laminated paper, dry erase markers, and an eraser.

You cannot carry a sweater into the room, but can wear it and take it off later.

And yes, lockers are provided and you'll be given a key for it.
 
Sorry, I forgot something.

You can access your locker during breaks. Also, don't forget that the computer is timing your break. After 15 minutes, your test starts automatically. So, keep track of the time.
 
can we bring our own ear plugs to supplement those crappy headphones?

my friend took it last year and he told me that they were doing cosntruction in the next suite and he heard hammers throughout most of the exam. the proctors didnt do anything. cant you get a refund or reschedule if something like that happens? he didnt do too well in the last section because he said he couldnt really concentrate.
 
During the exam if you feel frustrated or tired, can you take a quick bathroom break to wash your face or something?
 
I used my wife's glasses for the PAT section of the test and for a couple of the angles that were difficult to see I held the glasses out in front of my eyes a bit to magnify the image. They did not mind (I guess because the ADA allows glasses and doesn't specify what you cannot do with them). The angles got much bigger this way. Highly recommended:laugh:
 
can we bring our own ear plugs to supplement those crappy headphones?

I took my own set of ear plugs, and they allowed it.

Also I got paper and pencils instead of markers and a laminated sheet.

I also suggest taking extra pairs of clothes. I went there dressed up in jeans thinking it was going to be cold because the day before the test I went to check the center out, and it was freezing. So I wore jeans and long sleeve shirt, but on test day, it was 100 degrees (Cali weather) and their AC broke.
So I wish I had shorts or something to feel a little cooler.
 
They told me that I couldn't bring my textbooks into the testing center. They seemed kind of mad that I even had them with me. I wouldn't ask them if I were you... trust me, don't ask them. They don't think it's funny.
 
They told me that I couldn't bring my textbooks into the testing center. They seemed kind of mad that I even had them with me. I wouldn't ask them if I were you... trust me, don't ask them. They don't think it's funny.

Yeah.. i wouldnt bring any study material to the center either. I would just start freakin out and want to go over everything again.. not a good idea RIGHT before the test..
 
Yeah.. i wouldnt bring any study material to the center either. I would just start freakin out and want to go over everything again.. not a good idea RIGHT before the test..

Haha, I was trying to make a joke, but when I reread my post, it actually sounded serious. I'm an idiot.
 
for D.D.S....

where did you test that gave you papers...i live in teh CAli area too and i feel like paper/pencil would greatly help with my holepunching part of the PAT
 
for D.D.S....

where did you test that gave you papers...i live in teh CAli area too and i feel like paper/pencil would greatly help with my holepunching part of the PAT
If you live in OC, I was given paper/pencil at the Lake Forest testing center, just off of El Toro. I think there's a rule you can't fold, tear, or punch your paper though. If so you get 30 lashes follwed by keelhauling.
 
but don't they give you earplugs too? someone said earlier you can choose b/t earplugs and headphones. I don't know which one is beter, i'm thinking ear plugs should be more comfortable?
 
I took mine in Redlands. I called a week before, and they said that it was going to be laminated sheets so i started to practice with a little white board and dry erase markers, but when i got there, they gave me pink paper and pencils.

The headphone deal is they give you these big bulky head phone looking things that you wear. Personally I thought they were uncomfortable, so I just used my own spongy ear plugs that are way more comfortable and doesnt get in the way.
 
For TFE I usually use my pencil/pen to "trace the lines"... if I don't touch the screen, can I still hold my marker up?
 
the screen thing worry me the most for PAT if i dont touch the screen i m screw mentally
 
they wouldn't let me play cock-&-balls with the guy next to me despite his obvious enthusiasm for a quick match
 
WHYY DO WE NEED HEADPHONEESS???
i dont get it..
can someone please explain
im scheduled for sept15
first time taking and really nervous

In regards to clothing... whenever i take something at a center i wear lots of layers. tshirt and hoody just in case of temperature dealio.

also, what was said in regarding to bringing in notes during the break?
these rules should really be clarified because if you dont know you wont know until you break them... and that could risk being kicked out or something
mad scary...

thankss
 
WHYY DO WE NEED HEADPHONEESS???
i dont get it..
can someone please explain
im scheduled for sept15
first time taking and really nervous

In regards to clothing... whenever i take something at a center i wear lots of layers. tshirt and hoody just in case of temperature dealio.

also, what was said in regarding to bringing in notes during the break?
these rules should really be clarified because if you dont know you wont know until you break them... and that could risk being kicked out or something
mad scary...

thankss
The headphones are only for blind applicants to d-school. OK, so they're not really headphones, more like ear muffs. You don't need to wear them, just if you want to. There will probably be some GRE people in there typing like mad so wear them if you can't focus. If you get cold I recommend you wear your hoody into the test center, don't carry it. Otherwise they might not let you bring it in w/ you. If you're wearing it and then get too hot, you can strip down (to a limit!). Don't bring any study material into the test center. Studying on your break is a bad idea anyways. You should know this stuff cold by then. I recommend you stop studying about 24 hrs b/f your test.
 
I agree, I use the screen to help with the comparing of angles...🙂

Practice without touching the screen just incase....

Simpleome: I didnt ask for paper and pencil... the old man just gave it to me, so I took it without arguing...😀
 
for unscheduled breaks, do you need to ask the staff? So they keep an eye on you? As the test approaching i felt like my health is decreasing
 
I took my DAT today, U can't wear a watch !!!! But I touched the screen a lot for the angle section of PAT, no one said anything.
 
ok from the other new post that were made one more stupid thing seem to post about can't in DAT, no erasing can anyone else confirm this?
 
ok from the other new post that were made one more stupid thing seem to post about can't in DAT, no erasing can anyone else confirm this?


u can erase! that' so stupid! the person should get fired for not letting u erase. as for touchin the screen? call the centers! they will greatly answer ur questions for u..and if they're an ass..report them and they will lose their minimum paying job (kidding kidding). they're really nice.
 
Here's the rule again... it does not say you cannot erase. I would argue or even sue them if they violate their own rule

1. No personal belongings or miscellaneous items are permitted in the secure testing area. Any personal belongings brought to the test center must be stored in a designated locker or storage cubicle. Storage facilities are limited. Upon reasonable suspicion, your personal belongings may be inspected. Notes or any materials that appear to contain test content may be confiscated.
2. Items that are prohibited from the secure testing area include, but are not limited to the following:
a. Books, notes, study materials or scratch paper; dental instruments, models or materials
b. Slide rules, paper, calculating devices, rulers or other measuring devices
c. Electronic devices, such as telephones, pagers, recording devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), radios or stereos with headsets
d. Handbags; purses, wallets, backpacks, briefcases
e. Highlighters, pens, erasers, mechanical pencils, dictionaries, and translators
f. Food, candy, gum, water or other beverages
g. Outerwear, such as coats, jackets, gloves
3. Examinees may request a dry erase board to be used during the test. The dry erase board must be returned to the test administrator before leaving the Prometric Test Center.
4. Examinees are not permitted to engage in conversation while on a break. Use of a telephone on an unscheduled break is prohibited.
5. Test center administrators will report the activity of examinees who take unscheduled breaks. Examinees may not study or refer to notes or texts while on an unscheduled break. Examinees may not access personal belongings or prohibited items (listed in #2 above) during unscheduled breaks and may not leave the test center.
6. Although the test is administered under strict supervision and security, test irregularities may sometimes occur. On rare occasions, test scores may be voided based upon a breach of test security, invalid test conditions, or violation of Test Regulations or Test Center Rules of Conduct. Examinees are responsible for protecting the integrity of their answers. If cheating is detected during the test, or evidence of irregular behavior is disclosed when the tests are scored, or later, those involved, will have their test scores voided.
 
If you schedule your Dat for early in the A.M. there are very few other test takers, this let me get through the science section w/o much distraction. I was scheduled for 8 showed up at 7 15 and started by 7 30. The only thing i had to practice getting up early for about a month so i could think that early in the morning but I ended up with very good scores so it was deff. worth the early wake ups
 
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