silent stopwatch

[birdie]

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Have any of you guys found a silent stopwatch? I have been trying to find one for the mcat for a while now.

 

[confewshz]

Hey birdie,

Try http://www.silenttimer.com. I've never used it, but it seems like a good idea, if the proctors at the location you plan on taking the MCAT will allow it. It even has buttons based on the type of test you're taking (MCAT, LAST, etc). Sounds like a good idea, if it doesn't take alot of keystrokes to use, as this would be taking away valuable time during the test. Hope this helps.

 

[freesolo]

on their website The AAMC recently disallowed the use of desktop timers in the testing room. Our timer is still excellent for practice. We are working hard to bring you a wrist watch that is legal on test day.
So maybe wait till wrist watch, even though it might look a little dorky =p.

 

[hamhamfan]

Originally posted by Abraham
on their website The AAMC recently disallowed the use of desktop timers in the testing room. Our timer is still excellent for practice. We are working hard to bring you a wrist watch that is legal on test day.
So maybe wait till wrist watch, even though it might look a little dorky =p.

I found setting watch at 12:00 for the start of every section pretty helpful. After a while, I knew where I should be on the section just by looking at the hand positions.

 

[OnMyWayThere]

Originally posted by Abraham
on their website The AAMC recently disallowed the use of desktop timers in the testing room. Our timer is still excellent for practice. We are working hard to bring you a wrist watch that is legal on test day.
So maybe wait till wrist watch, even though it might look a little dorky =p.

Who is "we"?

 

[pyau03]

We=producers of the silent timer. BTW, have anyone of you use this new gadget?? If so, any opinions? Good vs bad idea to study w/ one? I am considering whether or not to order one. I have a timer but it makes noises and I study in the library so it's bad. Hey, on my way there, I like your MCAT acronyms. 😉

 

[MeowMix]

Study with whatever you are going to use on the real MCAT, i.e. a watch. You need to figure out how you can use that watch and not make mistakes in timing. You also need to get used to timing yourself on every practice test; don't rely on the proctor.

Personally, it did not work for me to "set at noon" - too confusing. Instead, I wrote on the desktop itself, or on the back of the chair in front of me, what time the section started and what time it would end. That way I had something right in front of me as a reminder, instead of having to waste time calculating (and possibly making more mistakes).

 

[gary5]

You can't use a stopwatch for the MCAT. That includes a silent one. Don't risk having your scores invalidated. Use a regular watch.

 

[CanIMakeIt]

Buy a regular watch from walmart (digital) and open the back cover a put a plastic tape so that the circuit with metallic cover won't complete......and you have your silent watch 🙂
Total cost $7

 

[MedSchGirl7]

i bought the silent timer. when i found out i couldn't use it on the actual test, i almost returned it. but i decided to try it out, and it actually is really helpful! i used to be spending way too much time on my physics questions and would have like 10-15 left. the timer has really helped me stay on track.

i emailed AAMC to see if they would let me bring the silent timer into my test, but they said no. however, perhaps if lots of people emailed, maybe they would make it legal again.

it wouldn't hurt to try it and see if it helps. if you don't like it, just give it back!

 

[Super Rob]

I used a silent timer I bought for just under twenty bucks at a small, radio and electronics store.

It was sweet - I could track seven minutes a passage with my silent timer (huge number display) and track the over-all time on my wristwatch.

Please tell me the aamc still allows timers. Timing on the mcat is crucial (unless you're the type who plows through physics passages in under five minutes without having to guess).

They still allow you to use writing utensils, right? It would also be tough if they took those away.

 

[CanIMakeIt]

Straight from the MCAT essentials (page 10 point 8):

"Do not use or take into the testing room beeping, alarm, or calculator watches; timers (other than watches), pagers; cellular phones; books; notes; slide rules; rulers; calculators; cameras; radios; tape recorders; highlighters; colored pens; lapboards/deskboards; or aids of any kind. You may not wear earplugs during the test. The MCAT Program Office, MCAT staff and testing facilities are not responsible for lost or stolen possessions."

So start timing yourself with your wrist watch buddy (can be digital or mechanical)

 

[sabrinafair84]

In my August MCAT I did what CanIMakeIt said previously: I went to Walmart, pulled my digital watch apart, and used it on the test. It was easy. Sometimes the proctors are a little more lenient at certain testing sites as opposed to others. I can't count how many people simply took off their wristwatches and set them on the table (including me). Duh, isn't that the same thing as a desktop timer? I guess the AAMC is trying to make everything as fair as possible for those people who won't have the advantage of the "silent timer".

 

[MrTee]

For the August MCAT, I used my trusty G-Shock watch's stopwatch. It makes a beep when you start it, but nobody will confiscate your watch/void your score if it beeps once when you start. I never understood why people liked these kitchen countdown timers anyway--they distract the hell out of me and make me antsy if I see big ass numbers changing when I look up.

 

[OnMyWayThere]

Originally posted by MedSchGirl7
i bought the silent timer. when i found out i couldn't use it on the actual test, i almost returned it. but i decided to try it out, and it actually is really helpful! i used to be spending way too much time on my physics questions and would have like 10-15 left. the timer has really helped me stay on track.

i emailed AAMC to see if they would let me bring the silent timer into my test, but they said no. however, perhaps if lots of people emailed, maybe they would make it legal again.

it wouldn't hurt to try it and see if it helps. if you don't like it, just give it back!

I hate to blow your cover, but since you didn't really have one I gotta give it to ya...nice advertisement!! Sounds like one of those informercials I see when I get home drunk at 3am.

 

[CanIMakeIt]

Hey OnMyWayThere,

I PMed you.....so check it and let me know if it works

later