Practice MCAT Simulated Environment

[BenZq]

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I start taking practice exams next week. any ideas to simulate a good testing environment?

 

[NickNaylor]

Somewhere quiet, ideally where you have your own work space (like your own desk or study room), and a place with bathrooms. Other than that, it's up to you to replicate the actual testing conditions.

 

[emericana]

I start taking practice exams next week. any ideas to simulate a good testing environment?

Something I wish I had done and have not seen mentioned on this message board at all is practice on a desktop computer versus my laptop.

My laptop is a MacBook pro which has a great screen. The real thing was on a desktop pc which I found much harder to focus on. I wish I practiced using a desktop.

 

[MilkIsGood]

my mouse was really hard to use. it was stick or something, and sometimes it would overshoot what i was trying to press. those are things you cant really prepare for

 

[ridethecliche]

my mouse was really hard to use. it was stick or something, and sometimes it would overshoot what i was trying to press. those are things you cant really prepare for

Hm. Maybe I'll take a spare usb mouse with me?

 

[ridethecliche]

Anyway, my exam's in may. As I get closer to it (thinking mid april), I'm going to start taking the exam at 8 AM on saturday morning same as my test.

I'll get up at 6:30 or so, get ready, eat something and sit down by 7:45 to take the exam. My body will get used to taking the test on the test day at the correct time.

Might be mental, but isn't that what most of it is?

 

[eagles22]

Spend your time worrying about learning the actual material. You'll never be able to replicate the feeling of taking the actual test without actually taking the test. It's a waste of time to do anything other than make sure the place you'll be taking your practice full lengths is quiet and has a good internet connection if you need it.

 

[ru4real1666]

The MOST IMPORTANT thing is to develop a routine. Try to take each practice exam at the exact time you have to take your real MCAT and simulate waking up at the same time and eating the same breakfast, etc. A thing to note would be to experiment without various amounts/types of food and caffeine (if you're wondering whether you should). If you're not a caffeine person then you don't have much to worry about.

 

[murua]

When I took the exam they started everyone at different times so there was always someone up and about. The floor would shake every time someone walked behind me and the walls would rattle whenever someone shut the door haha. However, I think you will be so focused on doing well that day that you can block the other people out. If you're really concerned about the environment I'd say go to a computer lab in a library. One that has a few people in it, but not too crowded or noisy.

 

[MilkIsGood]

When I took the exam they started everyone at different times so there was always someone up and about. The floor would shake every time someone walked behind me and the walls would rattle whenever someone shut the door haha. However, I think you will be so focused on doing well that day that you can block the other people out. If you're really concerned about the environment I'd say go to a computer lab in a library. One that has a few people in it, but not too crowded or noisy.

yea, once you're in the zone, you wont even pay attention to people getting up and walking around.

 

[david05]

The MOST IMPORTANT thing is to develop a routine. Try to take each practice exam at the exact time you have to take your real MCAT and simulate waking up at the same time and eating the same breakfast, etc. A thing to note would be to experiment without various amounts/types of food and caffeine (if you're wondering whether you should). If you're not a caffeine person then you don't have much to worry about.

Would you explain why we should experiment without various amounts/types of food and caffeine? I used to drink coffee every morning and study for the MCAT. Should I stop it?

 

[NickNaylor]

Would you explain why we should experiment without various amounts/types of food and caffeine? I used to drink coffee every morning and study for the MCAT. Should I stop it?

In my case, I found the right combination of items that: 1) made me focused, 2) didn't make me poop, and 3) gave me energy.

You don't want anything you do on test day - including the snacks/drinks you consume - to be a surprise. Everything should've been tried before.