Pause during the MCAT

[deleted390966]

If you click "pause" during the MCAT, will you lose time if:

1/ you pause in the middle of a section?

2/ you pause at the end of a section?

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[milski]

You cannot click pause on the real test - the button is not there.

On the practice exam - it will just stop the clock and let you continue when you decide so.

 

[deleted390966]

Oh I see...

At the end of each section, there's a 10-minute break. I wonder if the test will start by itself after 10 minutes are over....

 

[wiloghby]

It does not start by itself after the 10 minutes... it will hang on the directions screen after the break is over. But I believe there is a time limit on how long you can stay on that screen before it will automatically begin the section and start eating away at your actual exam time. General consensus on some other posts is that you get at least another 5 minutes to sit at the directions screen before being penalized, but I can't confirm from my own experience.

The point is.. there's a little bit of buffer after that 10 minutes are up in case you have to wait a long time to sign out/sign in like I did on my test.

 

[DNA]

It does not start by itself after the 10 minutes... it will hang on the directions screen after the break is over. But I believe there is a time limit on how long you can stay on that screen before it will automatically begin the section and start eating away at your actual exam time. General consensus on some other posts is that you get at least another 5 minutes to sit at the directions screen before being penalized, but I can't confirm from my own experience.

The point is.. there's a little bit of buffer after that 10 minutes are up in case you have to wait a long time to sign out/sign in like I did on my test.

I tested the 10 minute break period to see if what would actually happen if I went over by 10 minutes. Nothing happened. I waited an additional 15 minutes. Still nothing. When I began the test, it proceeded with the correct time.

I do think however, AAMC takes notice of anyone whose taken prolonged breaks and will question the proctors (due to the possibility of cheating). It's also likely they'll review the tapes, and who knows, penalize you for extending the time more than you were allotted. I would avoid exceeding that 10 minute break period intentionally, but at least you know that if you by some chance were a few seconds delayed in getting to your seat, your test wouldn't automatically just start.

BTW - I planned on voiding that test when I took it because I was sick with the flu and it was too late to cancel or reschedule. Since I paid for it, I just used it as a practice test.

 

[DocE305]

The proctors are normally on top of the break timing. The screen will not start by itself after the 10 minutes are up, but if a proctor wants to be an ******* he can go in there and start your test even if you are not there.

 

[Dipraman]

Oh I see...

At the end of each section, there's a 10-minute break. I wonder if the test will start by itself after 10 minutes are over....

I mistakenly took a 15 minute break during my MCAT. Oops 😛

And to answer your question, no it won't start.

 

[deleted390966]

I don't even think of "cheating" the time, of course, I just wanna eat some snacks in between.