Ear plugs

[DoctorInASaree]

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For MCAT-testers-to-be: What sorts of ear plugs are you planning on purchasing (or have already purchased), and why do you feel they will adequately suit you? What are you expecting at your test center, and do you believe that your earplugs will assist you in nullifying certain...distractions?

For those who have written the MCAT:

1) Did you use the proprietary earplugs supplied by the testing center? If so, what was your experience like? Did they effectively deal with excess noise pollution?

2) If you didn't use the supplied earplugs, why didn't you? What was your experience like with the foam earplugs that you purchased?

Thanks so much for your input! 😀


*Apologies in advance for the rushed post, but hey...there are copious amounts of MCAT studying to do, and FLs to be written 🙂*

 

[Triton15]

I took the MCAT in September and didn't use the supplied earplugs at my testing center since they were pretty big and bulky and I prefer small foam ones instead. I bought some from CVS right before my exam and they worked great, I could hear some small noises but for the most part it was pretty quiet.

 

[butternutsquash]

The foam headset that was given by the testing center was horrible, so I used a pack of earplugs that I bought from Home Depot for ~$1.50. They worked great. I'd suggest studying/taking practice tests with them so you get used to the feeling

 

[Doug Underhill]

I took the MCAT in October. A foam headset was available. I did not use it, as I don't usually use headsets/earplugs to study. The test center was pretty quiet overall- I think there may have been an air conditioner occasionally turning on and off, but that was it.

 

[BJJ]

I was given nice headsets at my testing facility. On top of a very quiet environment these headsets really made me feel like I was actually reasoning out my thoughts very well. I loved them and typically use my headsets with simplynoise running in the background to try and mimic the testing environment

 

[TheOneAndOnlyJamesFranco]

Can I bring my own headset? And what are the rules and regulations? I have a month until test date and I would like to start studying/acclimating myself to either the headset/earplugs that I will be using on test date!

 

[Cawolf]

When I first wanted earplugs to start studying I read this list of reviews and thought it was helpful.

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/shopping/2005/05/the_sound_of_silence.html

I ended up with the #2 on his list and enjoy them.

http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight...=1417556382&sr=8-1&keywords=howard+leight+max

I usually get many uses out of each pair.

The #1 on his list is more comfortable for extended use/sleeping as they don't expand as much.

http://www.amazon.com/Hearos-Ultima...6445&sr=8-1&keywords=hearos+ultimate+softness

I have both and will probably use the Howard Leight for the test as they are quieter.

 

[Doug Underhill]

Can I bring my own headset? And what are the rules and regulations? I have a month until test date and I would like to start studying/acclimating myself to either the headset/earplugs that I will be using on test date!

You cannot bring your own headset, for obvious reasons. You can bring your own earplugs, but the test center will inspect them to ensure there's no cleverly hidden speaker piping Examkrackers Audio Osmosis into your ear. Due to the randomized nature of the passages, this would probably be more distracting than helpful anyway.

 

[TXhopeful]

Started using the Howard Leight Max Lite brand ear plugs and they're extremely comfortable. Bought like 25 for $5 on Amazon. Easily reused, and each comes in it's own sealed package.