Ipod between sections?

[Insulinshock]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Are iPods allowed in between sections? Looking for ways to clear my mind in the ten minutes.

 

[garyinthehouse]

Are iPods allowed in between sections? Looking for ways to clear my mind in the ten minutes.

Ohh, I don't think so. I think I read something in the MCAT student handbook that did not allow electronic devices, even in between sections. I could be wrong, but I would not do it....😕

 

[IndianVercetti]

i don't think so either. I guess someone could use their iphone/ipod to call/text answers to someone else during the break or something. It's pretty sad that people really resort to doing this type of thing, and make them prohibit it, when there are honest people out there who just want a mental break with some music between sections.

 

[The Poet Sings]

i doubt it. i put exam krackers audio osmosis on my ipod so i could listen to it on the radio in my car. someone could've done the same and listened to it during the breaks if they wanted to brush up on something really fast. so i'm guessing it's definitely not allowed.

 

[Eye Cue]

Even if you could look at notes between breaks, or call someone between breaks... I highly doubt it would even help

 

[Emerald84]

No, they are not. You are unfortunately not allowed to access personal items between sections. I think I was allowed to leave my water outside the testing center. That's it. Nothing in your pockets either.

 

[Insulinshock]

Yea that's kind of what I figured.. For those of you who took it what did you do in between to kind of relax and recharge your batteries?

 

[garyinthehouse]

Yea that's kind of what I figured.. For those of you who took it what did you do in between to kind of relax and recharge your batteries?

I would go to the bathroom and splash my face with ice cold water...I do that in my 10 minute breaks at home, and it refreshes me.

I am doing a retake, so from what I remember, it takes about 2 minutes to leave the test room (at most, bc you have to get your biometric scan and sign a paper and then go to your locker to get food and water) and it takes another 2 minutes to walk back in your test room again (to do the reverse of what I mentioned)...so you lose about 3-4 minutes with purely the logistics. This gives you about 6 minutes to use the restroom and munch on some food...😱

So what I would do is eat my fruits and veggies as I'm walking to the restroom and just stand outside for about a minute or so to finish munching on my other fruits and drink some H2O and get back in the testing room asap...I know it sounds awful, but what can you do? 😕

 

[erskine]

do they mind if you chew gum or eat some lifesavers when you're taking the mcat?

 

[garyinthehouse]

do they mind if you chew gum or eat some lifesavers when you're taking the mcat?

I dunno...😕 I still wouldn't do it though. You can call them if you have questions

 

[NYR56]

do they mind if you chew gum or eat some lifesavers when you're taking the mcat?

I think I read that you need prior permission from the AAMC to do that (i.e. health reason). They used a hard candy as an example of a 'simple deviation' that requires approval.

 

[JmanDO]

NOT at all. I wasn't even allowed my watch (not even digital!). I wasn't even allowed to put on my sweater if I had taken it off earlier or vice versa. These guys are commandos.

Lock it all up before starting, take it all out only at the end.

 

[Geekchick921]

Nothing in my pockets? What if I need my contact drops? 🙁

 

[Insulinshock]

Nothing in my pockets? What if I need my contact drops? 🙁

On the bright side, that could be good material for your personal statement: "Not only did I kill the MCAT, but I did it with only one eye!"

 

[The Poet Sings]

Nothing in my pockets? What if I need my contact drops? 🙁

wear glasses instead? how often do you need to deal with your contacts and drops on a regular basis?

 

[erskine]

I think I read that you need prior permission from the AAMC to do that (i.e. health reason). They used a hard candy as an example of a 'simple deviation' that requires approval.

damn they're strict. but i can eat food during the breaks, right? are they going to be checking if i'm chewing gum when i get back from a break and start the mcat up again?

 

[erskine]

On the bright side, that could be good material for your personal statement: "Not only did I kill the MCAT, but I did it with only one eye!"

It could answer the "what obstacles have you overcome," "what makes you a good candidate for this school," AND "what made you want to become a doctor" essay prompts. You'll probably get bonus points for such efficient writing skills.

 

[NYR56]

Nothing in my pockets? What if I need my contact drops? 🙁

That's exactly what I'm afraid of. One of my contacts has gotten screwed up during 2 of the 3 practice MCATs I've taken. Would I be able to have a pair of glasses with me but not on when I start? They bother me so I'd much rather use contacts, although I guess the worst case scenario is I take both contacts out if one gets messed up and just sit close to the screen, heh.

 

[Geekchick921]

wear glasses instead? how often do you need to deal with your contacts and drops on a regular basis?

My glasses are an old prescription because I never wear them. And it really depends on the drops. Sometimes I need them a few times a day. I'll probably be good if I put some in right before the test, but it still makes me nervous.

 

[The Poet Sings]

My glasses are an old prescription because I never wear them. And it really depends on the drops. Sometimes I need them a few times a day. I'll probably be good if I put some in right before the test, but it still makes me nervous.

if i wore contacts and they gave me that much trouble, i'd go right back to glasses. which i currently wear but my prescription is so teeny i don't wear them that often. maybe switch drops or contact brands? i'm not saying that you'll have the time to do this before your test, but i don't know anyone else who has that much trouble with their contacts, so maybe you need to do some shopping around to find something that works better for your eyes. good luck with the contact/drops situation as well as the mcat. although people did eat, so i can't imagine why it would be taboo for you to put some eye drops in. it's not like they have knowledge in them that'll seep into your brain or project itself onto everything you look at.

 

[Geekchick921]

I don't think what I said implies that I have "that much trouble" with my contacts. I just don't like the thought of not having my drops with me if I need them for whatever reason.

I have had a lot of dryness problems with my contacts in the last two years because I was pregnant and then breastfeeding my daughter. I had no issues before that aside from a scratched cornea (that had nothing to do with my contacts, it just meant I couldn't wear them for awhile afterwards). My optometrist assured me it was totally normal, since pregnancy and nursing take so much fluid out of you. I weaned about 6 months ago and it's gotten a lot better but I got very used to having to use my drops more frequently. And I HATE wearing glasses (among other reasons, I think they make me look like Daria Morgandorfer), and I'd probably qualify as legally blind without my contacts so I just suck it up til I can pay for Lasik one day.

 

[The Poet Sings]

I don't think what I said implies that I have "that much trouble" with my contacts. I just don't like the thought of not having my drops with me if I need them for whatever reason.

I have had a lot of dryness problems with my contacts in the last two years because I was pregnant and then breastfeeding my daughter. I had no issues before that aside from a scratched cornea (that had nothing to do with my contacts, it just meant I couldn't wear them for awhile afterwards). My optometrist assured me it was totally normal, since pregnancy and nursing take so much fluid out of you. I weaned about 6 months ago and it's gotten a lot better but I got very used to having to use my drops more frequently. And I HATE wearing glasses (among other reasons, I think they make me look like Daria Morgandorfer), and I'd probably qualify as legally blind without my contacts so I just suck it up til I can pay for Lasik one day.

daria was my hero way back when. i don't see any problem with looking like her 😛.