Can we write formulas down before PS section?! New Rules says NO!?!?

[Ssina]

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So I thought you can spend the couple of minutes before the PS section to write stuff down on the scratch paper! But recently multiple people said they were told it is against the "new" rules by their proctors (all took the test during the summer) in SoCal.

I just wanted to see if anyone knows whether the rules on that have changed recently?!

not sure if I'll do it (if allowed), but it's good to know whether I have the option or not!

Thanks

 

[Hershi]

I took the test this summer and was allowed to ...

 

[shaggybill]

You can do whatever you want in the (optional) 10 minute Tutorial.

 

[SeminoleVesicle]

I did it, and I got a 12! WOOP WOOP.

 

[PingPongPro]

I took the test in so cal like 2 months ago and the proctors told me that I was NOT allowed to write during the 10 minute tutorial. I was aware that the proctors would say this to us. I also knew we were allowed to write during this time. Either way it didn't matter to me since writing stuff down will likely not help anyway and I didn't want to start an argument with the proctor.

 

[Tots]

I took the test in So Cal in Sept. and was also told by the proctors that I absolutely could not right anything down until the PS section started.

 

[BerkReviewTeach]

I took the test in so cal like 2 months ago and the proctors told me that I was NOT allowed to write during the 10 minute tutorial. I was aware that the proctors would say this to us. I also knew we were allowed to write during this time. Either way it didn't matter to me since writing stuff down will likely not help anyway and I didn't want to start an argument with the proctor.

Seriously? What a load of proctor power-trippin' bull. I've never heard of something so lame during the exam. How does writing a few formulas before the on scratch paper hurt anyone?

And why did they only do this in southern California? WTH?

 

[muhali3]

^+1

AAMC needs to get on this.

 

[liveoak]

i don't see the value in writing formulas. my proctors didn't care. the beauty of living in a state where people don't have forks up their ass*s. 🙂

 

[mightymoose02]

Really? My proctor never told me anything like that.

If I wanted to write for 10 minutes straight during the tutorial, I don't think she would have cared.

...and I think writing down equations is pretty useless now a days. There are barely any plug and chug problems. They test you on your logical/deductive thought process to get to the right answer than anything else. (Of course, there are always those math-heavy MCATs but generally speaking... those aren't the norm)

I just wrote down positive things and notes to myself.

 

[Ssina]

Interesting either way! I figured it would calm my nerves down to write some of the stuff down... so I don't have to think about them anymore

thanks for your responses guys!

 

[kehlsh]

writing formulas is not necessary most are easy to remember if you studied

 

[jowen88]

don't tell us tell aamc. they have awesome customer service...seriously

 

[Nymphicus]

I was told I was not allowed to. Southern california testing center.

 

[gettheleadout]

What if you just replied, "Okay, but I will be reporting this administration of the test to the AAMC as in violation of testing procedure."

 

[muhali3]

What if you just replied, "Okay, but I will be reporting this administration of the test to the AAMC as in violation of testing procedure."

I wouldn't do that. If you say that, who knows, maybe they'll report something against you.

 

[gettheleadout]

I wouldn't do that. If you say that, who knows, maybe they'll report something against you.

Oh it's just a hypothetical, but think about it, isn't that BS that your suggestion is plausible? I hate when people entrusted with upholding their own rules have no integrity.

 

[muhali3]

Yeah, I agree, it's stupid, but...what can you do...

 

[eDITN]

Well, at the very least someone should notify the AAMC that this is happening at only certain testing centers. It may seem like a minor thing to some, but it doesn't make for a completely standardized testing experience if this is allowed at some centers but not allowed at others. Because the MCAT is so important, it should be as standardized as possible.

 

[gettheleadout]

Well, at the very least someone should notify the AAMC that this is happening at only certain testing centers. It may seem like a minor thing to some, but it doesn't make for a completely standardized testing experience if this is allowed at some centers but not allowed at others. Because the MCAT is so important, it should be as standardized as possible.

This is a good point. Has anyone that has experience this ever notified the AAMC? If not, a quick phone call might suffice.