Prometric Testing Experiences

[Pooya]

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Wow, this forum is a goldmine. I'm bummed I didn't know about this before I took the DAT.

Anyways, I just took the DAT and lets just say i didnt do so hot 🙁 I only did kaplan and touched up on class notes. I didn't know about Top Score, Achiever, etc.. I have realized after taking the DAT that Kaplan is NOT enough. I now know what resources are out there and will take advantage (thanks to the people on this forum).

Another factor that affected my performance was the testing center itself. I'm not sure if ALL testing centers are the same. On this thread I would like to know peoples experiences at the testing centers. Was it noisy? Were there any distractions? Is there anything you would change?

My experience was this.....the testing room had a total of about 20 computers. Each computer was in a cubical. When I walked in I saw people taking various tests (not just DAT). I was thinking to myself, aren't these people distracted by people walking in and out of the room and by the proctor who was somewhat whispering guiding them through the log in process? Sure enough, when I was taking my test I was getting annoyed by the very same thing. It was a busy day that day I guess. I was thinking I should have drove to another location that wasn't as busy. The computer screen was also one of those old school screens (not flat) that took up most of the desk area. It was extremely close to my face when I pulled up to use the desk. Also, my two laminated sheets (front and back) were light red in color and was gridded (like graphing paper). The black markers were also not thin. My 5's looked like 6's due to the thick marker.

Did any of you experience any of this? What were your experiences?

 

[Dentalicous1234]

wat center is this?

 

[Pooya]

It was the tempe location here in Arizona.

 

[Dentalicous1234]

sorry to hear you had a bad experience. I'm not in AZ but can anyone else confirm if all centers are like this? I thought you get your own booth room thing not just your own cubicle? and dont you have head phones?

if not i am bringing some ear plugs cuz I would get sooooo irritated too! and don't want to be so distracted and upset either.

good luck with the rest 🙂

 

[komodo]

yea my experience was pretty much the same. But it didnt bother me too much.

The only thing that bothered me was the fat tipped pens and the grided laminated sheets (mine were yellow). THe pens dry out fast too and the eraser for the boards leave smudges on the sheets. 😡

Other than that I was trying to keep in the zone and not be bothered with the distractions.

 

[Dentalicous1234]

do you get headphones to block out noise? if not are you allowed to bring ear plugs? anyone know?

 

[Pooya]

do you get headphones to block out noise? if not are you allowed to bring ear plugs? anyone know?

Yeah, they have headphones but be prepared to sweat! Just make sure not to face the door. In my case there were only 4 desks that faced the wall (I wish I had those ones).

The people who took the DAT, did you guys have flat monitors?

 

[toothgut]

My experience at the Prometric Center was amazing. I know people have a lot of bad things to say about their testing experience, but to those who have not already taken the DAT, don't get psyched out by those who have posted negative comments. After reading a bunch of posts that complained about their testing center, I was very nervous when it came for me to take the DAT. I didn't have a flat screen, there were people walking around, and I had to use those dry erase laminated papers, but I remembered to take everything in stride and to make the best of the situation (esp. since I couldn't change it anyway). As far as the earplugs thing, I got a choice of earplugs or headphones (I chose the earplugs b/c those were my savior in college and so I was used to them).
So to those who have yet to take the DAT - have a postive outlook about your testing center experience. Things may not go exactly as you might have planned, but don't get worried or pissed off about certain things (i.e. the whole dry erase boards) b/c that'll just make things worse...

 

[rdhdds1]

Pooya,
I think we were in the same DAT prep class at the Tempe center. Sorry your experience was not the best. If you do not mind PM me and let me know how you did. What else would you have doen differently?

 

[Pooya]

Pooya,
I think we were in the same DAT prep class at the Tempe center. Sorry your experience was not the best. If you do not mind PM me and let me know how you did. What else would you have doen differently?

My experiences were bad, but as one guy put it he had an "amazing" experience. I guess I didn't expect the testing center to be like that so I was thrown for a loop. My experiences are not to scare anyone, but to describe the enviroment one would be in. I let it get to me during the test and it affected my concentration. I am now familiar with the enviroment so I will be mentally prepared. Its not a typical classroom experience...just go in there and focus on your work, your screen, and block everything out.

 

[bennijai]

my testing center was brand new, so they have the new flat screens, cushion seats and ac. what ruined my whole experience was the fire alarm right in the middle of my exam. it kinda disrupted everything and caused the a/c to shut off. so imgaine 20 people in a room all breathing down each others neck. =)

we also had people walking in and out of the center since there were people taking gre, mcats, etc. that girl that kept pounding the keyboard was really annoying. i was going to take my keyboard and throw it at her.