How to ignore the timer

[Mountaineer12]

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So I searched for topics like this, but couldn't find much. I'm taking the MCAT on the 28th and I'm having a lot of trouble ignoring the timer. I'm fine during PS and BS as I know I'm going to have time left over so I'm able to relax and truly do my best. But when it comes to verbal the timer has been killing my scores. Whenever I practice verbal I use a timer, but flip it over. I usually get a really good score and have tons of time left over. However, when I take practice tests, I get pretty freaked out and can't stop looking at the timer.

This lead me to AAMC 9 this past weekend where I had about 17 minutes left for two passages, plenty of time, but the timer kept freaking me out and I ended up with only a few minutes to answer half the questions and I had no idea how to answer them because I was paying attention to the timer when I should have been focusing on the passages. Needless to say, I got a really horrible score. I did a verbal test tonight and did great with almost 20 minutes to spare when I didn't have the timer in front of me.

So I guess I'm just wondering how you guys have coped with the timer and if there is any advice on what I can do to ignore it. Thanks!

 

[MedPR]

I think it's better to learn to not get freaked out by the timer. I mean, you are doing well and way under time, so use that as a confidence booster.

 

[Anesthetic]

Cover the timer

 

[Amba]

Yeah, find a way to cover it. Maybe a piece of tape?

 

[Mountaineer12]

Will I be allowed to cover it on the real thing?

 

[Anesthetic]

Will I be allowed to cover it on the real thing?

You should be able to, just tear a piece of your scratch paper off and put it over the timer if its in the corners, jam it into the monitor and it should stick

 

[iceman132]

Interesting, I find the timer to be really useful.

I tend to linger on the passages too much (OCD 😛) so the timer keeps me moving if I am taking more than 7-9 minutes per passage. (10 maximum for any passage) To each his own though

 

[Caesar]

....just don't look at it? Sounds psychological. Take the AAMC practice tests with the timer on.

 

[MedPR]

I don't think it's a good idea to hide or avoid the timer. Learn to embrace it rather than ignore it. You don't want to be in the middle of the real MCAT only to have time run out on you when you still have questions unanswered.

 

[Pisiform]

yes I get intimidated too but with practice, you get used to it. I try to immerse myself in the passages/questions so much so that I almost forget the timer and later when I see it ... I still have plenty of time left ... then I smile and carry on lol

 

[imnamerican]

You should be able to, just tear a piece of your scratch paper off and put it over the timer if its in the corners, jam it into the monitor and it should stick

Just want to warn that this is probably not a good idea. I've heard of some proctors being really strict about not tearing the scratch paper (mine checked our scratch paper before we left).

Sometimes the center offers tissues, which you can grab and do the same thing.

 

[FattySlug]

Use the timer bro. But don't look at it every 20 seconds. Learn to have check point during VR section. Ex: look at it when you finish your 3rd passage. It helps you to know whether you are ahead or behind. Sometimes you really have to rush through it to get all the questions. Leave NO blanks.