How is the testing center in Houston (Greenspoint / Imperial Valley)?

[phEight]

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Fat chance of someone responding about this, but I guess it's worth a shot.

 

[Vanguard23]

Fat chance of someone responding about this, but I guess it's worth a shot.

I know what the testing center near LBJ is like, but don't know of the one near Greenspoint.

 

[TexasPrincess]

I just took the MCAT at Imperial Valley today! It was great! I googled directions. Found it ok. From the outside you would have no idea that it was a test center. The building had a nice atrium inside that I studied before the test. There were plants indoors and out. The staff was courteous. The place was clean and updated. We were given lockers to put everything in. There was a kitchette with water and a sign that offered free coffee and tea. The bathrooms were located right outside the office suite. The monitors were fine. Plenty of head phones that actually worked. I wore earplugs inside the head phones, too. I wasn't distracted too much by other people or the proctors. I did notice when the proctor walked up and down the aisle twice. It was a pain to get processed into the center because I had to wait a half an hour for everyone else go through the biometrics. I signed out and in during every break. It took about 30 seconds each way. They gave us 2 pencils and a packet of scratch paper. They said we could always get more. I traded it out after ps. used it for ws, but had enough room for bs.
I wasn't allowed to bring my wrap/scarf into the room. I didn't need it.

They said we were not allowed to study between sections. I ate a peanut butter and jelly on wheat during the first break and went to the bathroom. I ate a banana during the second. piece of chocolate for the last. I kept hydrated.

Overall, the test center is fine. If only it wasn't near gunspoint. When I left, there was traffic in the area.

Good luck!

 

[phEight]

Thank you so much TexasPrincess. This relieves a lot of my fear about this testing center. I read a few bad things from a few years ago. I hope for some weird reason I don't end up getting a dry erase marker / board type thing instead of scratch paper.

 

[TexasPrincess]

I went to Imperial Valley again today to take the GRE for PA school. It really is a great place to take a test. At least the people are really nice. I think it is funny to take off my shoes.

I just wanted to say that if anyone needs a testing location near the airport this one is very close by. Plus there is a hotel a block or so away you can stay at and walk to. I remember when I was looking for testing sites thinking about traveling to find a location that was available sooner. I would suggest this one for out of towners. Alternately, you could always stay over night at a local hotel and get up for the 8am testing without having to go very far.

I didn't bother with my ear plugs today, and I took off the headphones for a couple of sections because they were putting too much pressure on my ears. The room was quiet. I was near the air conditioning but it didn't bother me.

I suggest asking to be put in the back of the room if possible.

Again, scratch paper was adequate. Test easy to take on the computer. I think time doesn't count until you are really in the section.

I also learned from one of the prep books that you can do your outline for the essays write on the screen. I did that for both sections at the bottom of where I was writing. I forgot to erase the first outline. Uh, oh! I doubt it will affect my score much.

The test center has a bowl of candy. Mostly tootsie rolls and mints. The mints were almost gone. Water was nice and cold. I picked up subway on my way there. I ate half of the footlong right before the test and the other half in the middle during my 10 minute break. Seemed to work well for me.

I had to wait for only 2 people to be processed today. It took less than 10 minutes to get into take the test.

I drove there from I45 this time instead of from the hardy. It was just as easy to get to.

Hope this helps people. Overall, if you do this test site don't worry, it is fine.

Good luck!

Thank you so much TexasPrincess. This relieves a lot of my fear about this testing center. I read a few bad things from a few years ago. I hope for some weird reason I don't end up getting a dry erase marker / board type thing instead of scratch paper.