On the real MCAT, what can I do during breaks?

[fiznat]

For those of you who have taken a real live (at a center) MCAT before: what do they allow test-takers to do during the designated breaks? Will I be able to get up/stretch/use bathroom? What about listening to music with headphones? I've found that listening to some select music during my 10 minute breaks has been really helpful in relaxation and getting ready for the next section. Will I be able to do that when I take the real thing?

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[USCTrojan11]

For those of you who have taken a real live (at a center) MCAT before: what do they allow test-takers to do during the designated breaks? Will I be able to get up/stretch/use bathroom? What about listening to music with headphones? I've found that listening to some select music during my 10 minute breaks has been really helpful in relaxation and getting ready for the next section. Will I be able to do that when I take the real thing?

You will be allowed to get up and stretch. Most test centers are in business buildings so there usually is a nice calming water fountain in the middle of the place. Its also usually close to the bathroom. You are limited by having to check in and check out though so your break will be closer to 7 mins. I'm not sure what happens when time runs out but I think it just goes to the beginning of the next section. Definitely use all your breaks to clear your head and mentally prepare for the next section.

No you cannot listen to music or look at notes. You can't even go to your car. Bring peanut m&ms and a bottle of water.

 

[fiznat]

Thanks for the reply USCT. I guess I would ask, if I am permitted to walk around the building during my break, whats to stop me from listening to music while I do so?

 

[fizzgig]

probably nothing other than the possibility that you'll be seen and reported and lose your score and your 230 bucks or whatever it was. you're there with fifty other neurotic premeds right? charley is everywhere. it's just not worth it. listen to it on the way there, and sing to yourself while on the potty during breaks.

 

[LUCPM]

Thanks for the reply USCT. I guess I would ask, if I am permitted to walk around the building during my break, whats to stop me from listening to music while I do so?

In my testing center, I was asked to leave everything in one of the lockers except for my ID. Even the food and drink I brought, they recommended me to leave them on the table so that I could have quick access without having to open the locker each time.

You will have enough time to run to bathroom, eat something quick, and come back to check in. It took about 7 - 8 minutes. I used the remaining 2-3 minutes to take a deep breath, do a little stretch, and be ready for the next section. All in all, 10 minute break was just enough for everything.

 

[fiznat]

probably nothing other than the possibility that you'll be seen and reported and lose your score and your 230 bucks or whatever it was. you're there with fifty other neurotic premeds right? charley is everywhere. it's just not worth it. listen to it on the way there, and sing to yourself while on the potty during breaks.

hahaha, I bet you're right on all counts. Too bad for the other premeds who can't be trusted and will have to use the bathroom while I sing loudly in the next stall over.

 

[Tin Man]

When I took it, I wasn't even remotely interested in listening to music. I spend a lot of time plugged into my iPod, and am not by any stretch of the imagination a neurotic individual. But during the break, I got up, used the bathroom, got some water, and basically just sat on a bench and closed my eyes for a few minutes. I was able to stay in test-taking mode, but still give my brain a quick break from all that darned thinking they make you do during the MCAT.

Listening to music at best would have done nothing more than just closing my eyes did, and at worst could have gotten me suspected of cheating (since I did have ExamKrackers on my iPod at the time...), or gotten a distracting song stuck in my head when I was ready to go back into the room.

I think you can trust me when I say that you'll be happy enough just to get to walk around and relax for a few minutes. The MCAT makes you feel so busy that the chance to do NOTHING is quite a reward. 🙂

 

[NickNaylor]

At my test center you were allowed to do pretty much anything outside of the room. I wouldn't use any electronic devices even if it's not against policy/the rules for fear of being seen as suspicious.

 

[Tin Man]

At my test center you were allowed to do pretty much anything outside of the room. I wouldn't use any electronic devices even if it's not against policy/the rules for fear of being seen as suspicious.

That's because it is. 😀

Mobile phones, Bluetooth headsets, and all these other ways of communicating electronically have made the testing environment much harder to secure than it used to be. Some Bluetooth headsets look quite a bit like hearing aids or can be hidden under long hair, and someone out in the hall using any sort of PDA-type device could easily be taking to someone in the testing room about the test.

Not to say that this couldn't happen anyway, but at least someone working from home wouldn't be able to just talk about the test. The tester would have to tell them what to look up, as opposed to someone on their break who has already finished the section and can give hints without the cheater ever having to acknowledge.