Sorry if this has been discussed elsewhere, but I couldn't find anything on the USMLE website... Just wondering if you are allowed to finish the sections/test in less than the alloted time? I have always been a very, very fast test taker and it would pretty much be torture to finish a section in 15 minutes and have to sit there for another 30 minutes or whatever. And just preemptively- I don't go quickly on purpose, it is my natural pace and "taking my time" or slowing down or whatever doesn't affect my performance whatsoever. Thanks!
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Step I Finishing test sections early?
Started by MH1983
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Ok but can I lump the break time together to finish early or do I physically have to stay at the testing center the entire time? I don't want to spend a whole bunch of time just sitting around because I am forced to take a break that I don't need. Thanks!
mmmcdowe
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You can leave, but the clock keeps ticking. If you don't come back before your break time is up you are in for some hurt.
Shoot I am really not making myself clear I guess! Thanks for your responses... What I really wanted to know was if I'm locked in for the full 8 hours or whatever even if I actually finish the sections or the entire exam early. Like, can I finish a section in say 15 min or whatever (just for hypothetical considerations), move to the next section, etc etc and be finished in say 5 hours total? Or does the clock run for the entire 45 min per section and you can't move on to the next section, you can only use that time as extra break time if you finish a section early? I hope this clarifies what I mean. I know I'm fortunate to be thinking in this way rather than worrying if I will have enough time, but the idea of having to sit around for half the exam day waiting to begin a new section is really going to stress me out! Thanks for any and all replies.
