Is it usually really loud/distracting in the test center?

[JP2740]

I'm not comfortable with wearing headphones/earplugs or whatever they give me (for personal reasons, this really would throw me off). I was just wondering what I should expect, and if it would be any different than normal library kind of sound level, and how I should prepare for it beforehand?

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[csheng89]

For the most part, it should be really quiet. You might hear a lot of ppl typing on their keyboards or clicking with their mice, but that's it.

 

[rmaj79]

Have heard all types of accounts from dead silence to test center administrators chatting in the next room... For the most part generally quiet-mine was.

 

[rafflecopter]

Mine was quiet as well, but I did wear the noise canceling headphones. That being said I typically was easily distracted during practice tests, especially verbal to the point where it took me a few minutes to get back on track after any distractions, so I was especially susceptible to interruptions and even I had zero problem focusing during my exam!!

 

[pick8]

Mine was totally quiet, minus the sound of mouse clicking and people scribbling on scrap paper. We were provided with earphones to block out noise (which I used), so really noise was really a complete non-factor.

 

[FuSoYa]

If you have a good test center, the noisiest part is when everyone is on the writing section typing on their keyboards. If you're one of the first to start your test you'll be on bio when this happens, if you're later to start you'll be on verbal when it begins.

 

[addo]

When I took the test, people were coming in and out of the room, as people finished sections of the test at different times. The test proctors were also coming in and out. It wasn't terribly distracting, especially since I wore headphones, and always had done so when taking practice tests. My point though, is that there is movement and a certain amount of noise, so you have to be at least somewhat tolerant and capable of working in those conditions.

 

[illegallysmooth]

The A/C in my testing center was cranked up really high and even the noise it made bothered me. I used the headphones.

 

[knightstale4]

I didn't have the best experience with my last test center. Everyone had started at different times, so some people were typing while I was reading passages. It was so annoying! To make matters worse, an airplane would go overhead every five minutes!!!! However, these types of experiences are rare, so don't be scared. However, the second time around, it was the best experience ever!!! And you may surprised--the earphones aren't bad at all. They are actually quite effective and don't hinder you in any way.

 

[GoodmanBrown]

When I took the test, people were coming in and out of the room, as people finished sections of the test at different times. The test proctors were also coming in and out. It wasn't terribly distracting, especially since I wore headphones, and always had done so when taking practice tests. My point though, is that there is movement and a certain amount of noise, so you have to be at least somewhat tolerant and capable of working in those conditions.

+1

It's very unlikely everyone will be in perfect sync in the testing center. You should be able to continue concentrating while people type on their keyboard, click the mouse buttons, scribble on scrap paper, and get up and sit down as people start and finish sections. It's a definite distraction, but everyone deals with it, so I guess it's relatively standard.

 

[CoasterForce]

When I took the test, people were coming in and out of the room, as people finished sections of the test at different times. The test proctors were also coming in and out. It wasn't terribly distracting, especially since I wore headphones, and always had done so when taking practice tests. My point though, is that there is movement and a certain amount of noise, so you have to be at least somewhat tolerant and capable of working in those conditions.

Couldn't agree more. This mirrors the testing conditions I encountered a few weeks ago.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

When I took the test, people were coming in and out of the room, as people finished sections of the test at different times. The test proctors were also coming in and out. It wasn't terribly distracting, especially since I wore headphones, and always had done so when taking practice tests. My point though, is that there is movement and a certain amount of noise, so you have to be at least somewhat tolerant and capable of working in those conditions.

Curious how you knew what type of headphones to wear during your practice exams, it sounds like a good idea