Low resolution screens for the MCAT

[deleted303591]

I know that the testing centers use low resolution screens for the MCAT.

I have noticed that I read slower on most electronic devices, compared to standard paper. I know it is due to the resolution of the screens on the devices I use, with the exception of my retina display iPad.

This can affect timing on exams on the MCAT.

Does anyone think that the screens will be upgraded?

Also, are you able to adjust the size of the text on the screen for the MCAT?

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[zipnogg]

I'm not sure if you're seriously concerned about this...

 

[Bomikepa]

No you can't change the font size on the real exam. Tell me about it I am replying with my retina iPad lol.

No I don't think they will update the monitors anytime soon......get used to reading on lower resolutions on your pc/Mac

The places are in strip malls and the facilities are outdated for the most part . It's plenty suffiecient to take tests and I think pretty much all the exams are done there like lsat dat etc

 

[deleted303591]

No you can't change the font size on the real exam. Tell me about it I am replying with my retina iPad lol.

No I don't think they will update the monitors anytime soon......get used to reading on lower resolutions on your pc/Mac

The places are in strip malls and the facilities are outdated for the most part . It's plenty suffiecient to take tests and I think pretty much all the exams are done there like lsat dat etc

That sucks. I guess I am going to have to simulate the MCAT by using a low resolution screen.

It does affect reading speed.

Check this out. www.ets.org/Media/Research/pdf/RR-01-23-Bridgeman.pdf

Higher resolution screens affect reading comprehension positively. This was a 2001 (outdated) study done by the ETS (SAT developers) and higher resolution screens caused scores to rise by a quarter of a standard deviation, which is a lot considering how outdated this study is.

 

[Bomikepa]

Yea I don't think that pro metric nor aamc is going to change the screens no matter what study you show them.....it's going to cost them more than is worth since they will probably need new video cards too to support high res....more money spent on tech....less money for them lol

Btw I posted a thread a while back to the exact monitor that they used at my testing center incase you wanted to get a idea of specs

 

[Narmerguy]

I think people are overanalyzing the whole resolution thing. Most test-takers will all take it under similar conditions so it's not going to have a large effect since the scores are normalized anyway. The monitor resolution is odd for the first 3-4 minutes and after that you're way too busy freaking out to actually be paying attention to the screen resolution.

 

[AntonFreeman]

i think it is 1024 resolution on 19 inch screen. if you want to get yourself used to it before test day.

 

[La Presse]

I think people are overanalyzing the whole resolution thing. Most test-takers will all take it under similar conditions so it's not going to have a large effect since the scores are normalized anyway. The monitor resolution is odd for the first 3-4 minutes and after that you're way too busy freaking out to actually be paying attention to the screen resolution.

Sight's not that great. Hopefully, the AAMC will accommodate me.


Sent from my iPad using SDN Mobile app.

 

[hunterjumper14]

I think people are overanalyzing the whole resolution thing. Most test-takers will all take it under similar conditions so it's not going to have a large effect since the scores are normalized anyway. The monitor resolution is odd for the first 3-4 minutes and after that you're way too busy freaking out to actually be paying attention to the screen resolution.

Yep! I mean, if you take the time to really look at it, it does look archaic. But that being said you won't really be thinking about that when you're taking the real test. Most people will have practiced on higher resolution screens so you'll be in the same boat at the rest of the test takers.

 

[MedPR]

Take practice tests in a library with crappy monitors. Problem solved.

 

[askamsky51]

I'm not sure if you're seriously concerned about this...

I've actually warned a few of my friends about this issue, as I was unprepared for this during my MCAT (luckily I managed to squeak by with a 10 VR :-/, it didn't bother me as much in other sections).

The thing is zipnogg, I'm a very visual learner/critical thinker. When I read passages I mentally map where I read certain information within the passage. I know in the back of my brain that I saw X information within the small paragraph with the final sentence ending halfway through the screen.

this may sound ridiculous to you, but I became very accustomed to this practice. Unfortunately when the resolution is as large as it was (lord, it may have even been 800x600 after playing with my resolution), it seriously becomes a GIANT wall of text. Unless you become keen on highlighting to help with mental mapping, which admittedly isn't the same, then you're kinda screwed.

I was intrigued when I saw this thread. This was one of my first, and biggest complaints when taking the MCAT.