How to pick a good testing center?

[BrownEMS]

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How did you pick your testing center. Did you simply go by the geographical approach (closest to you) or did you actually do some research and weighed the pros and cons?

I want one that will either (allow me to bring a ton of scrap paper/pens, or give me a ton of them especially for PS section). I want one that doesn't interrupt you during testing and enforce rules against annoying test takers.

I have a friend across the country who said her testing center allowed a mock exam (fake sample exam-non MCAT) to have her test it out. However, none of my nearby testing centers allowed this.

 

[sophie.lu101]

Testing centers all follow the same, strict regulations. I don't think a single testing center is going to let you bring in a ton of of your own scrap paper/pens...

 

[alex.jl1994]

^^or give you "a ton of them" for a section. Everyone gets a booklet of scrap paper and a few pencils before you enter.

 

[TheBiologist]

^^or give you "a ton of them" for a section. Everyone gets a booklet of scrap paper and a few pencils before you enter.

you can get more if you ask

to OP, you can't bring ANYTHING into your test except factory sealed earplugs, which they will check

 

[partypantss]

Go to the one that is most convenient.

 

[TheBiologist]

Go to the one that is most convenient.

yup

 

[starspells]

Some test centers have yelp pages.

 

[BrownEMS]

^^or give you "a ton of them" for a section. Everyone gets a booklet of scrap paper and a few pencils before you enter.

Do you know how large the booklet is, are we talking 2-3 pages. Where can I get this information from?

I didn't think every testing center would be so similar.

 

[kamakazi5]

The packet was 4-5 pages and you can ask for more at any point but you likely won't need it all. I wrote very spaced out during my test and still used barely over a page.

 

[holdthemayo]

Location. Avoid a long or stressful drive the morning of your test. There won't be much of a difference when you get in there.

 

[787593]

How did you pick your testing center. Did you simply go by the geographical approach (closest to you) or did you actually do some research and weighed the pros and cons?

I want one that will either (allow me to bring a ton of scrap paper/pens, or give me a ton of them especially for PS section). I want one that doesn't interrupt you during testing and enforce rules against annoying test takers.

I have a friend across the country who said her testing center allowed a mock exam (fake sample exam-non MCAT) to have her test it out. However, none of my nearby testing centers allowed this.

Dear lord, please please please go to the closest testing center. Mine was an hour away and it was terrible...

 

[greenturtle22]

Seriously, go to the closest/most convenient one. Don't make your life any more stressful and/or complicated than it needs to be on test day.

 

[DoctorCakes]

I had 3 testing centers around me. I chose one randomly. I ended up taking the test on a long table with other students separated only by a cardboard half-square surrounding my computer. I was so close to other students I could see their screen. Call and make sure you don't get shafted like me

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

I chose the one across town

 

[ChrisMack390]

There are 3 or so in my city. I chose the one closest to my favorite bar 😀

 

[Nietzsche's Barber]

Honestly, if you have a few testing centers in your area, try to see if you can go take a peek before you register. The testing center where I took my GRE? Deplorable. The testing center where I took my MCAT? Amazing.

I could be wrong, but I feel that testing centers located inside of academic centers are better than stand-alone's. Nevertheless, I agree with everyone else. Go to one that is CLOSE.

 

[Gibbward]

I got a bunch close to me too. I chose mine based on which center has the best breakfast option close by. McDonalds (aka greater potential for bathroom issues) vs Panera bagels. I chose Panera 👍

 

[KoalaT]

Online reviews.

Dang that was easy.