Crazy test taking strategy

[charfdorn]

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I'm going to suggest something a little off the wall. I did this when I took the PCAT. I can't say how much of an impact it made, but I did come out with a 99 composite.

What I did was go to the PCAT in a suit. The theory is that if you look good you feel good, and the better you feel the better you will do. It's also an intimidation technique. The PCAT is a curved test, so every question someone else gets wrong is a potential point for you. If dressing up distracts other test-takers, you can actually benefit from this. In the same vein, you also want to look as calm and prepared as possible. Obviously, you want to be calm and prepared, too, but appearing like you aren't the least bit nervous about the test can make everyone else nervous.

This probably seems petty, but consider it. And most of all, don't let other people distract you. You have to block out the other test-takers, because it's not about them.

 

[tommyVoltage]

I'm going out and buying a new suit today.

 

[WhiteSnows]

I'm going to dye my hair to all red to distract other students.

 

[Kaxa2000]

That's so funny....but I could never do that...not b/c it doesn't sound like a good idea, but because I'd be distracting myself by doing that. I'd feel paranoid.

 

[Rcu]

That's funny charfdorn. I definitely would've second guessed my ensemble (t-shirt and jeans I think) and been initially distracted by someone wearing a suit to the test site. What gave you that idea?
I kind of doubt it made a difference, though. The most important thing is to prepare for the test, which I'm sure you did, so you'll be relaxed.

 

[homeslice]

That's a pretty interesting idea, if not just for the strange looks you would get. As for distracting other test takers, it really wouldn't make any difference to your score even if it did throw them off since scores are based on previous years' test takers.

 

[FunnyHunny]

I showed up to the test in PJ's and bunny slippers. I didn't really care what I looked like and just wanted to be comfortable. I think i shocked a lot of people but hey, I wasn't there to impress anyone!

 

[charfdorn]

That's a pretty interesting idea, if not just for the strange looks you would get. As for distracting other test takers, it really wouldn't make any difference to your score even if it did throw them off since scores are based on previous years' test takers.

I thought your scores were percentile scores... anyway, distract everybody (and bomb the test yourself too), then come back a year later and kill it.

As far as where I got the idea, I don't really remember. I've always liked the idea of dressing up for occasions that are special to me but not necessarily required.

 

[diastole]

From the PCAT candidate booklet:

These five subtest scores and percentile ranks are based on the number of core items answered correctly in relation to the performance of the norm group—all first-time examinees who took the test between October 2004 and May 2007.

You could distract other test takers but the norm group is from two to five years ago.

 

[diastole]

The guy next to me was a bit distracting. He finished his exams way before other people. I can understand verbal or bio but he did it in math too. I kept wondering if he was acing the exam or bombing it.

 

[charfdorn]

The guy next to me was a bit distracting. He finished his exams way before other people. I can understand verbal or bio but he did it in math too. I kept wondering if he was acing the exam or bombing it.

I am that guy. The thing is, no matter how well I do on a test, I am always the first one done. I've bombed some tests and still had plenty of time at the end with nothing to do. You have to put that out of your head if you see someone doing this. Because his score has no impact on yours (apparently - this is news to me) and no matter what he does, you still only have 30 minutes to finish the section.

 

[blakroseimortal]

why would someone wanna do that? you dont wanna be mistaken for a waiter (or waitress)

 

[Darklord]

I'm going to do it! 👍 There is not reason not to.

 

[charfdorn]

I'm going to do it! 👍 There is not reason not to.

If I start a trend, I want the credit.

 

[CielloStelatto]

why would someone wanna do that? you dont wanna be mistaken for a waiter (or waitress)

how many black-tie waiters do you see at test-taking facilities, walking around offering hors d'ouvres??

 

[Jammerdez1]

how many black-tie waiters do you see at test-taking facilities, walking around offering hors d'ouvres??

We had 4 at ours. Those little weenie things were GREAT! You didn't have any? 😵

 

[JURGIS]

I've got to agree, in part, with the original poster. I think that if you feel good, you do better. For some, this means wearing a suit. For others, it might be a luck rabbits foot. Whatever you need to do to psych yourself up for the test.

Me, I like wearing a nice outfit, something I'd wear to a special event or occasion. I get my haircut a few days before and make sure to shave the day of the test or the night before (I normally only shave once or twice a week).

I also bring my "lucky" pencils. I started doing this when I was studying for orgo tests. I'd buy a new set of pencils and use them to do all my homework problems and practice tests. These were the pencils that I wrote my correct answers with for all my homework and practice tests. Then, I made sure to use the same pencils (imbued with the residual memory of having correctly answered so many orgo problems) for the test. It's stupid and superstitious, but it works for me.

Do whatever it takes to make you feel confident and comfortable. It's a long, grueling test and you need to have whatever mental edge you can muster. That being said, nothing takes the place of practice and preparation.

 

[charfdorn]

I've got to agree, in part, with the original poster. I think that if you feel good, you do better. For some, this means wearing a suit. For others, it might be a luck rabbits foot. Whatever you need to do to psych yourself up for the test.

Do whatever it takes to make you feel confident and comfortable. It's a long, grueling test and you need to have whatever mental edge you can muster. That being said, nothing takes the place of practice and preparation.

That's my point! Thanks for restating it.