What's the presiding opinion on the use of Red Bull during breaks on the MCAT? What about food? What's the recommended diet during breaks to maximize energy and attentiveness? Thank you!
Red Bull on MCAT Break?
- Thread starter Seldon
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grapefruit17
When I did mcat/any test in med school/USMLE, I would go with a 5 hour energy 45 mins before the test. Red Bull caused me to have to pee every 30 mins, same with a monster.
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True about peeing.
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Anything you're going to do on test day, practice it with full-length practice tests multiple times first. NEVER do something new for the first time on the actual test date. If it helps on your practice tests, go ahead and do it on the real thing. These things affect everyone differently, so you really need to see how your body responds.
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I haven't started taking practice tests yet. That's actually why I'm asking. Thank you for the advice though. I'll be sure to follow it.
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I ended up only taking the 30min break, just drank water and protein bar, didn't drink coffee before either. I just sat at my cubicle for the 10min breaks...leaving that TSA level security takes too much time to get up and leave since its fingerprints and metal detectors etc. I would just stay at your cubicle and chill for a little and then resume and only take the 30min break in terms of getting up and walking out
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Between checking in and out, you probably won't have much time to eat and drink on breaks. I saved my caffeine for lunch.
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Specifically because of the P-Factor, I went with caffeine pills. Took one 15 minutes before exam started, one during lunch. Did this every time I took practice FL to get used to it for real thing.
Caffeine is a diuretic regardless (inhibits ADH release). You'll definitely get away from the liquid volume, but you should still need to pee. IDK, if it works, it works.
On my break, I took two big bites of trail mix or a sandwich (depending on which break), a couple giant swallows of coffee and water, then used the bathroom, and then returned to the test room with barely any time to spare.
If you drink a lot, you might need the bathroom sooner... so that's why I opted not to guzzle a whole red bull.
If you drink a lot, you might need the bathroom sooner... so that's why I opted not to guzzle a whole red bull.
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As a serious issue, red bull gives you wings, and you're not allowed to leave the test center. Leaving the test center earns you a bad report sent to the AAMC and your test is automatically voided. You've been warned.
I'll just wear a corset. Might make things a bit more uncomfortable, but if Angel can do it, so can I.
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Smart test-taker! On a serious note, do whatever you want during the MCAT. Just please please PLEASE practice it on your practice FLs. Maybe Red Bull won't make you pee frequently. Maybe it'll give you diarrhea. Who knows. Just try it out before you actually do it. New stuff on test day is almost always a bad idea.
I think you're right in general, but there will be a whole other level of stress on test day. Honestly, any attempt to replicate the feelings on test day is totally futile. If I'm going to **** myself, there's nothing that will stop it then and nothing short of adding laxatives to my coffee, that will start it now.
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That's true. I took a FL MCAT roughly every week before my MCAT. Still couldn't prepare me for my real exam! All I can suggest is most things will be the same, but anticipate on being a little bit more nervous on test day. Jittery, etc.
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I second @Dr. Stalker on the feeling different - I thought I was going to throw up when I was standing in line to go in (didn't, just unexpected nerves).
As for the actual question, I needed a real break out of the chair so I left the test room and roamed about/used the bathroom. I went with water/gummy packs for the breaks and a Lunchable for lunch (I always wanted one in elementary school and my parents would never get it for me, so I figured better late than never).
As for the actual question, I needed a real break out of the chair so I left the test room and roamed about/used the bathroom. I went with water/gummy packs for the breaks and a Lunchable for lunch (I always wanted one in elementary school and my parents would never get it for me, so I figured better late than never).
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I ate what I normally ate during practice exams (salad with rotisserie chicken), drank some exogenous ketones, and had a bit of caffeine. I was on the keto diet during test prep and during the exam. I recommend caffeine in moderate quantities. Just not so much that you have to pee or have other issues. The breaks go by faster than you'd think and checking in/out is a royal pain.but definitely bring some food - something that will sit well.
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