Prometric facility question

[FarEastGrapplr2]

are they all equally equipped? unfortunately, i was unable to schedule my exam in my town, so i will have to head south to take it before the holidays. im trying to contact the other center, but only a generic automated prometric service (not for the individual center, but national line) is what i get... im just trying to find out if ALL centers have lockers, a fridge, microwaves, and a fresh supply of coffee. ive checked out the one in my town and it has all those. are they all equipped the same? i'll head down the day before, but i'd like to have an idea what to expect.

much thanks

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[amgirlmd]

WOW!!!! i have never even thought or considered that they would have any of that!

in NYC-Rego Park, they don't have any of the amenities.

I am sure that all centers will have the lockers. the small square type where you would stuff your little things. no bookbag would fit. and there is a closet with hangers. and you can leave your bookbag but i wouldn't leave valuables there. i wouldn't even bring a laptop at all. stuff it all in the locker. no water fountain or microwaves or lounge-type stuff. and defintiely no fridge. but maybe that's because there are alot of places to eat around the center, ie dunkin donuts, mcdonalds, pizza hut, etc.

i assume that the centers in manhattan would be simliar to that as well. maybe you can get a spot over here since there are a bunch of centers. i think that there are 4-6 centers in manhattan alone. of course the flight and hotel can be pricey and not worth the added expense. but there isn't nothing like manhattan during the christmas season!

good luck! 🙂

 

[andwhat]

WOW!!!! i have never even thought or considered that they would have any of that!

in NYC-Rego Park, they don't have any of the amenities.

I am sure that all centers will have the lockers. the small square type where you would stuff your little things. no bookbag would fit. and there is a closet with hangers. and you can leave your bookbag but i wouldn't leave valuables there. i wouldn't even bring a laptop at all. stuff it all in the locker. no water fountain or microwaves or lounge-type stuff. and defintiely no fridge. but maybe that's because there are alot of places to eat around the center, ie dunkin donuts, mcdonalds, pizza hut, etc.

i assume that the centers in manhattan would be simliar to that as well. maybe you can get a spot over here since there are a bunch of centers. i think that there are 4-6 centers in manhattan alone. of course the flight and hotel can be pricey and not worth the added expense. but there isn't nothing like manhattan during the christmas season!

good luck! 🙂

Nothing like going to Manhattan period! Actually, I took my USMLE Step I in beautiful Budapest Hungary, and it was just amazing, with an incredibly nice view overlooking the city. The testing center itself was situated in a 5 star hotel, and there were extremely nice coffee and sandwich shops galore, even some crazy security leading into the building, sure wish that I took my step II there as well, because the prometric centers here in the US that I have seen are definitely subpar, the proctors are not very nice and helpful (they overlook all kinds of examinations, and they could care less if its probably one of the most important examinations of youre life so far), and there is literally nothing to eat or drink, I had a bad experience taking my step II here in Iowa. I took my step II here, and it took 7 and a half weeks to come back, and took my step I in Budapest in the midst of holiday season, middle of december actually, and it came back in less than 4 weeks. Oh man things are strange in life sometimes, you would expect the opposite of the above scenarios. You should bring youre own cold sandwiches if its possible, spend at least a few minutes around the prometric center if at all possible, I know that you want to revise youre study material at the last second, but its a good idea to get at least a glimpse of what to expect regarding youre environment on examination day, plus directions and how you are going to get there the following day. take it from me, its a TREMENDOUS ADVANTAGE taking it away from youre comfortable home surroundings, you may even prepare better in survival mode away from home, 'I just wanna take it and get the heck out of here, and go back home after this thing' - that mentality just might just help you out, and give you that little extra edge that you may need on game day.
good luck.

 

[kcrd]

my experience at the center in philly is the same as the previous poster's experience in nyc. we only had a tiny locker for our things - no fridge, no coffee, no microwave.

 

[El Duderino]

I took it in NYC (Penn Plaza) and as far as I could tell there was no coffee or anything like that. There was a Charbucks in the lobby of the building, but that elevator ride could eat into your break time. Overall, it was a good experience, and I wouldn't mind taking step 2 there as well. The proctors were friendly and I have no complaints regarding the venues. (They didn't offer me any earplugs, though. (Not that I needed any, but still... 🙂))

 

[FarEastGrapplr2]

man, you guys should head down to WV and take your next set of exams 😉 they'll spoil you down here

oh, what sleep aid do you recommend for the night before

thanks again