cigarette break during step 1

[econdr]

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is it possible to take a couple of cigarette breaks during the usmle? i'm not a regular smoker, but i find that it helps me focus and relax when i'm super stressed out studying or taking practice tests.

 

[ArcGurren]

is it possible to take a couple of cigarette breaks during the usmle? i'm not a regular smoker, but i find that it helps me focus and relax when i'm super stressed out studying or taking practice tests.

But what about when you get to the question about "what's the best intervention? answer: smoking cessation".

I'm kidding. You could probably pull it off but not after every section I imagine.

 

[MilkmanAl]

You can do it, for sure. I took a couple breaks to just sit and stare into space and even ran some stairs to keep myself awake. I think they flag your test for suspicious behavior after 4-5 breaks, though, despite the fact that you can easily take that many breaks and be well within the time limits.

 

[bbydoc]

You can do it, for sure. I took a couple breaks to just sit and stare into space and even ran some stairs to keep myself awake. I think they flag your test for suspicious behavior after 4-5 breaks, though, despite the fact that you can easily take that many breaks and be well within the time limits.

seriously? you know their reasoning?

 

[ar2388]

wait really? i was planning on taking a break after every block for a pee, sip of water, and a snack....

also.. there are med students who still smoke? jeez guys. way to kill yourselves faster. haha. how can you seriously tell your patients to stop smoking when you smoke?

 

[ArcGurren]

wait really? i was planning on taking a break after every block for a pee, sip of water, and a snack....

also.. there are med students who still smoke? jeez guys. way to kill yourselves faster. haha. how can you seriously tell your patients to stop smoking when you smoke?

I don't smoke, but seriously let's not get into this.

 

[ArcGurren]

You can do it, for sure. I took a couple breaks to just sit and stare into space and even ran some stairs to keep myself awake. I think they flag your test for suspicious behavior after 4-5 breaks, though, despite the fact that you can easily take that many breaks and be well within the time limits.

Wtf, why? That's ridiculous. What if some old dude is taking a test and has BPH? lol

 

[AlexMorph]

wait really? i was planning on taking a break after every block for a pee, sip of water, and a snack....

also.. there are med students who still smoke? jeez guys. way to kill yourselves faster. haha. how can you seriously tell your patients to stop smoking when you smoke?

like all doctors, do as i say not as i do

 

[DrBowtie]

You can do it, for sure. I took a couple breaks to just sit and stare into space and even ran some stairs to keep myself awake. I think they flag your test for suspicious behavior after 4-5 breaks, though, despite the fact that you can easily take that many breaks and be well within the time limits.

WTF not true. I took a break after every block.

 

[gracie369]

is it possible to take a couple of cigarette breaks during the usmle? i'm not a regular smoker, but i find that it helps me focus and relax when i'm super stressed out studying or taking practice tests.

I’m pretty sure you can smoke during the exam. They just put you in a clear box.

 

[dangit]

Not to sound like a jerk, but I wouldn't want the guy next to me to smell like cigarettes. Esp on a stressful day as taking Step 1. Maybe you can bring cologne to hide the smell. haha

 

[RadOncRocks]

Not to sound like a jerk, but I wouldn't want the guy next to me to smell like cigarettes. Esp on a stressful day as taking Step 1. Maybe you can bring cologne to hide the smell. haha

I don't know about cologne because that could be just as distracting. I do second the main point though. Cigarette smoke smell makes me want to puke and gives me a headache. Maybe nicorette? Or heck, use a patch and then you won't even have to leave the center...

 

[ar2388]

I don't know about cologne because that could be just as distracting. I do second the main point though. Cigarette smoke smell makes me want to puke and gives me a headache. Maybe nicorette? Or heck, use a patch and then you won't even have to leave the center...

agreed!

 

[redcard]

like all doctors, do as i say not as i do

And what happened to the " lead by example " motto ?

I do agree with the smell .. Could be distracting on such a nervy day.

And while i do get the "relaxing" benefits ( although you can relax in so so many other ways ) but wouldn't smoking leave you dehydrated , thus having to drink more water , thus having to pee more ? not to mention that the brain works best "hydrated" 👍

 

[DrBowtie]

agreed!

Good to know the ultimate gunner move is to show up smelling like smoke.

 

[MilkmanAl]

Wtf, why? That's ridiculous. What if some old dude is taking a test and has BPH? lol

WTF not true. I took a break after every block.

Our group was told that after you fill up your sign-in/out sheet, they flag you if you take additional breaks. Sounded stupid to me, too, but I dunno.

 

[event horizon]

Our group was told that after you fill up your sign-in/out sheet, they flag you if you take additional breaks. Sounded stupid to me, too, but I dunno.

They don't. I took the test in the Philippines, but I assume Prometric procedures are standard everywhere.

 

[21CentSouldier]

Just be mindful of asthmatics. Not sure what the odds are of someone else who has asthma taking the exam at the same time you are (CPA or whatever else Prom administers in there), but as one myself, it can easily be triggered in close quarters by its lingering presence. That goes the same way with strong colognes/perfumes.

 

[hyrule]

where do you keep your phone and stuff... can you pull out your phone in between sections during breaks and make a call/look at notes etc..

 

[event horizon]

In the lockers. We were allowed to review notes during breaks but not allowed to use phones.

 

[hyrule]

In the lockers. We were allowed to review notes during breaks but not allowed to use phones.

lol how's that enforced... the not taking your phones out of your locker part? What if you've got notes on your phone or something.

 

[event horizon]

They just tell you not to use your phone when you sign out for a break. And the area with the lockers has a security camera so it's easy for them to check. I guess paper notes are all you can use.

 

[Mr hawkings]

In the lockers. We were allowed to review notes during breaks but not allowed to use phones.

You see this is where i get confused. Someone else posted in another thread that his test was flagged because he was reading notes during his breaks.

 

[event horizon]

You see this is where i get confused. Someone else posted in another thread that his test was flagged because he was reading notes during his breaks.

It's what the people at Prometric told me. I actually wasted a lot of break time reviewing notes after the first block so I don't recommend it. I'd still like to think that all Prometric procedures are standard but for what it's worth I took the test in the Philippines so this might not apply to you. You can always ask on test day, and if they don't allow it it's not a big loss.