Is it realistic to go to the bathroom during each break on the real MCAT?

[naixin]

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I have read some old post saying that you either dont have time or are not allowed to go the bathroom during the exam, really?

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Completely untrue. You are indeed allowed to go to the bathroom during each break. I did, and if it becomes routine as you take FLs to do so, then I would suggest doing the same come test day.

 

[MedOldAge]

Completely untrue. You are indeed allowed to go to the bathroom during each break. I did, and if it becomes routine as you take FLs to do so, then I would suggest doing the same come test day.

Base on your experience last time, how much time did you have to make to the bathroom and come back and sit down? Some old thread talked about 6-7 minutes max 😱

 

[411309]

you have 10 min breaks and your breaks will be diff from everyone elses because of timing on the exam. you can easily use the bathroom and still have 7-8 mins left. I used the bathroom every break just because i didnt want to be the idiot that had to pee during the BS section, lol

 

[Cinclus]

I used the restroom and grabbed some water and food during each break (I recommend bringing calorie-dense, fiber-rich snacks, so that even the small volumes of food you can cram into your gut during breaks will keep you going). I didn't want my bladder, huger, or thirst to distract me while I was working. The 10 minutes go by quickly, so you have to be fast about it. I always made it back to my testing station in time, so it's possible.

 

[MedOldAge]

you have 10 min breaks and your breaks will be diff from everyone elses because of timing on the exam. you can easily use the bathroom and still have 7-8 mins left. I used the bathroom every break just because i didnt want to be the idiot that had to pee during the BS section, lol

Do you have to go through check in check out process through the exam monitor person by the door? If there is a long line waiting to get out of the room, that takes a few minutes, doesn't it? Just curious!

 

[411309]

Do you have to go through check in check out process through the exam monitor person by the door? If there is a long line waiting to get out of the room, that takes a few minutes, doesn't it? Just curious!

yeah you have to like sign out on breaks but that takes like 30 seconds. Theres never a line because everyone has different break times; people rarely finish sections at the same time.

 

[MedOldAge]

yeah you have to like sign out on breaks but that takes like 30 seconds. Theres never a line because everyone has different break times; people rarely finish sections at the same time.

That makes sense. Interesting. Nice to know ahead of time 😛

 

[MedOldAge]

I used the restroom and grabbed some water and food during each break (I recommend bringing calorie-dense, fiber-rich snacks, so that even the small volumes of food you can cram into your gut during breaks will keep you going). I didn't want my bladder, huger, or thirst to distract me while I was working. The 10 minutes go by quickly, so you have to be fast about it. I always made it back to my testing station in time, so it's possible.

Where did you put your snack/food? Besides your chair or they give you a locker down the hallway where you need to get out of the room to get it? 🙄

 

[Cinclus]

Where did you put your snack/food? Besides your chair or they give you a locker down the hallway where you need to get out of the room to get it? 🙄

They gave everyone a locker. The key was one of the things you were allowed to have in the test room with you.

 

[411309]

the proctors make you pat yourself down before entering too; you have to keep cell phones and stuff in the locker.

 

[MedOldAge]

the proctors make you pat yourself down before entering too; you have to keep cell phones and stuff in the locker.

Wow! Pat down? They don't trust anyone, don't they?

Is pat down also between entering the room on each break? 🙄

 

[Freeinfinity]

Errr... I don't know about a full pat-down, but for me they make you pull out your pockets, and then they wand you similar to what TSA does at the airport. I think you should just relax though because even if your breaktime is up, the timer doesn't start until you click to continue.

 

[411309]

Wow! Pat down? They don't trust anyone, don't they?

Is pat down also between entering the room on each break? 🙄

am i the only one they patted down? im def suing for sexual harrassment, lol. Well i never got wanded but they made sure I had nothing.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Base on your experience last time, how much time did you have to make to the bathroom and come back and sit down? Some old thread talked about 6-7 minutes max 😱

I would say it took me 1-2 minutes to do my business, then another 4-5 to eat my snack/relax. Then kind of sit around/de-stress and re-enter for the next section. I constantly checked the clock.

 

[MedOldAge]

am i the only one they patted down? im def suing for sexual harrassment, lol. Well i never got wanded but they made sure I had nothing.

That is crazy.

I don't think that is appreciated by anyone. I share how you feel.

 

[angldrps]

I used the restroom every break. Don't worry to0 much about the time running out because once your 10 minutes is up, the next page that shows up is the one that introduces the next section not the page with questions. Until you hit NEXT on this page, nothing really happens.

But this doesn't mean that you go way over 10 minutes because there will be record of when you enter the room and when you leave the room. If you are over by only few seconds/minutes, you would still be fine.

 

[MedOldAge]

I used the restroom every break. Don't worry to0 much about the time running out because once your 10 minutes is up, the next page that shows up is the one that introduces the next section not the page with questions. Until you hit NEXT on this page, nothing really happens.

But this doesn't mean that you go way over 10 minutes because there will be record of when you enter the room and when you leave the room. If you are over by only few seconds/minutes, you would still be fine.

I don't mean to change the discussion from bathroom run to other situation. Since we are on the subject of test room/break, may I ask, based on you folks experience, if the seat in the room pre-assigned before you walk in or first come first serve; so that you have the liberty of sitting at wherever you prefer?

 

[angldrps]

I don't mean to change the discussion from bathroom run to other situation. Since we are on the subject of test room/break, may I ask, based on you folks experience, if the seat in the room pre-assigned before you walk in or first come first serve; so that you have the liberty of sitting at wherever you prefer?

the seats are pre-assigned and you will be escorted to the particular computer on which you will be taking the test . But, they are 'assigned' on a first come first serve basis- meaning your proctor assigns you a seat once you have already signed in with her/him and not before you arrive at the testing location

For my test, i arrived at the testing location very early mostly because i didn't want to get stuck in traffic or get lost on my way over. My test was in a Sylvan tutoring center. While i was sitting in the waiting area, i noticed how loudly I could hear the sylvan students sharpening their pencils and talking to each other. This made me worried because i am someone who gets distracted very easily. So, I shared my concern with the proctor and asked if I can be assigned to a computer where the sounds would be minimal, and she was nice enough to accept my request.

Also, its always better to be at the location early so you can be one of the first ones to start the test. If you start late, then there are high chances that the people sitting next to you will be typing loudly during their writing section while you are still taking your verbal section.
hope this helps.

 

[MedOldAge]

the seats are pre-assigned and you will be escorted to the particular computer on which you will be taking the test . But, they are 'assigned' on a first come first serve basis- meaning your proctor assigns you a seat once you have already signed in with her/him and not before you arrive at the testing location

For my test, i arrived at the testing location very early mostly because i didn't want to get stuck in traffic or get lost on my way over. My test was in a Sylvan tutoring center. While i was sitting in the waiting area, i noticed how loudly I could hear the sylvan students sharpening their pencils and talking to each other. This made me worried because i am someone who gets distracted very easily. So, I shared my concern with the proctor and asked if I can be assigned to a computer where the sounds would be minimal, and she was nice enough to accept my request.

Also, its always better to be at the location early so you can be one of the first ones to start the test. If you start late, then there are high chances that the people sitting next to you will be typing loudly during their writing section while you are still taking your verbal section.
hope this helps.

You guys had been there and done that 👍

Yes, Definitely 🙂 Your info are extremely helpful. Make the long story short, I am here at this forum, running along side for my son who will be on the 3/24 test, trying to get as much logistic support as I can obtain for him in advance lessening the non-test issues burden on him. Well, every bit counts. (I end up getting sucked in deeply in this MCAT nightmare).

The wealth of info like those given by you & others in this thread are insightful & I deeply appreciate it.

 

[angldrps]

You guys had been there and done that 👍

Yes, Definitely 🙂 Your info are extremely helpful. Make the long story short, I am here at this forum, running along side for my son who will be on the 3/24 test, trying to get as much logistic support as I can obtain for him in advance lessening the non-test issues burden on him. Well, every bit counts. (I end up getting sucked in deeply in this MCAT nightmare).

The wealth of info like those given by you & others in this thread are insightful & I deeply appreciate it.

Oh yes! i remember you posting in the 1/28 (my test date) thread. Your son is very lucky to have someone like you who can ask questions and gain valuable information on his behalf. Wishing your son all the best wishes!

 

[Renaissance Man]

Completely untrue. You are indeed allowed to go to the bathroom during each break. I did, and if it becomes routine as you take FLs to do so, then I would suggest doing the same come test day.

This. When I took my practice tests I was used to taking a quick water and bathroom break, therefore I did the same during the real deal. As others have said it is possible, and your break will most likely not line up with others.

 

[kryptonian]

I would say it took me 1-2 minutes to do my business, then another 4-5 to eat my snack/relax. Then kind of sit around/de-stress and re-enter for the next section. I constantly checked the clock.

Do they allow test-takers to wear hand clock ? How do you monitor the time when you're on break ? Are there clocks everywhere on the wall ?

Also, its always better to be at the location early so you can be one of the first ones to start the test. If you start late, then there are high chances that the people sitting next to you will be typing loudly during their writing section while you are still taking your verbal section.
hope this helps.

My test time will be 1pm. Does that mean if I arrive at around 12:40pm, finish signing in around 12:50pm, they will let me start before 1pm ?

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Do they allow test-takers to wear hand clock ? How do you monitor the time when you're on break ? Are there clocks everywhere on the wall ?



My test time will be 1pm. Does that mean if I arrive at around 12:40pm, finish signing in around 12:50pm, they will let me start before 1pm ?

1. My center had 2 clocks on the walls, as well as a digital clock near where you sign in/out.

2. Yes. The first time I took the test, I signed in at 12:30 and started promptly then.

 

[angldrps]

Do they allow test-takers to wear hand clock ? How do you monitor the time when you're on break ? Are there clocks everywhere on the wall ?



My test time will be 1pm. Does that mean if I arrive at around 12:40pm, finish signing in around 12:50pm, they will let me start before 1pm ?

My test time was also at 1 pm. I was the first one who signed in and was allowed to start at 12:30pm.

No watches are allowed.

 

[kryptonian]

Thanks. Knowing how things will be like on the test day makes me a little less nervous 🙂

 

[IncognitoGuy]

Thanks. Knowing how things will be like on the test day makes me a little less nervous 🙂

If you want a breakdown, my post in the 30+ Habits thread goes through the process of signing in and doing breaks. Good luck!

 

[MedOldAge]

If you want a breakdown, my post in the 30+ Habits thread goes through the process of signing in and doing breaks. Good luck!

Thanks, I am heading toward the 30+ thread and check it out.👍

 

[kryptonian]

If you want a breakdown, my post in the 30+ Habits thread goes through the process of signing in and doing breaks. Good luck!

👍 Your post is incredibly helpful to me. I had been very anxious not knowing anything about the security procedures on the test day, especially the transition during the breaks. I'm the type that needs to consume a lot of energy to maintain clear thinking, so I was pretty worried if the security procedures would take up most of break time and leave no room for eating. Now upon reading your post, I feel a lot more informed.

Btw, congrats to your amazing score ! Good luck to you too !

 

[IncognitoGuy]

👍 Your post is incredibly helpful to me. I had been very anxious not knowing anything about the security procedures on the test day, especially the transition during the breaks. I'm the type that needs to consume a lot of energy to maintain clear thinking, so I was pretty worried if the security procedures would take up most of break time and leave no room for eating. Now upon reading your post, I feel a lot more informed.

Btw, congrats to your amazing score ! Good luck to you too !

Glad I could help! I have to admit, the procedure also threw me off the first time I took the test - it felt like I was under suspicion the entire time, and I think that may have affected me.

Nonetheless, that's in the past and over with. Good luck!

 

[MedOldAge]

Glad I could help! I have to admit, the procedure also threw me off the first time I took the test - it felt like I was under suspicion the entire time, and I think that may have affected me.

Nonetheless, that's in the past and over with. Good luck!

I went in to check out the details you mentioned in 30+ thread. Very impressive. It looks like you not only are a detailed person who knows how to plan & execute but also a damn good writer too (35T) 😛

My best wishes to your medical career. Since you are a "so" detailed person, you should be good either in primary care or research. Good Luck!

 

[chemhead123]

I took the MCAT last year, but canceled it, but I had plenty of time for the breaks. I used the restroom ate a snack, and read a few pages in my favorite book (one I have read multiple times) just to kind of relax me and take my mind off of the test.

I had a close relative die, and my studying got messed up, so I knew that I was going to cancel the test before I took it, so I just took it for practice, but in terms of the break.... plenty of time.

 

[heliscomo]

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[heliscomo]

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