Step 1 - what to expect the day of the test?

[randomlogik]

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I have a few questions on what to expect on the day of the test that hopefully someone that has taken the test can answer. First, I have trouble doing any sort of calculations in my head. Are we allowed to use scratch paper? Also, I am guessing that food or drinks won't be allowed while taking the test, but do you have enough time to have a snack during a short 5 minute break? I was thinking of bringing my lunch in an ice chest and leaving it in the car. Is this how most people do it? Thanks.

 

[Wrigleyville]

I just took the practice exam this morning at the test center. I got three laminated sheets of grid paper, 2 dry erase markers and an eraser. The people who were there for the real thing seemed to get the same stuff. You can't bring any paper into the test room.

You can take breaks between blocks of questions and do whatever you want, but you have a limited amount of break time. If you finish a block early the time rolls over into break time, but not more time for other blocks of questions. You will have plenty of time to eat a lunch.

 

[Kluver_Bucy]

I just took the practice exam this morning at the test center. I got three laminated sheets of grid paper, 2 dry erase markers and an eraser. The people who were there for the real thing seemed to get the same stuff. You can't bring any paper into the test room.

You can take breaks between blocks of questions and do whatever you want, but you have a limited amount of break time. If you finish a block early the time rolls over into break time, but not more time for other blocks of questions. You will have plenty of time to eat a lunch.

What's a practice exam? It sounds like a good idea, but I don't know anything about it. Could you give some info for us. Thank you

 

[randomlogik]

you can sign up for the practice exam here: https://external1.nbme.org/CBTPSRegistrationWeb/jsp/usmle_CBTPS_registration.jsp

 

[pillowhead]

you can sign up for the practice exam here: https://external1.nbme.org/CBTPSRegistrationWeb/jsp/usmle_CBTPS_registration.jsp

if i'm taking the real thing on june 23rd, do you think it's too late to sign up for a practice exam? is it worth it?

 

[RetroMan]

if i'm taking the real thing on june 23rd, do you think it's too late to sign up for a practice exam? is it worth it?

Save your money for the beers after the test. The practice exam is composed of the same questions that you might have already done (the 150 released items). Just talk to people from your school to give you the details about you rarticular testing site and try to stop by the site so that you know where it is note the locker size and location of restrooms.


Retro

 

[Qwest]

if i'm taking the real thing on june 23rd, do you think it's too late to sign up for a practice exam? is it worth it?

Yea, i'm taking it in 2.5 weeks. Is this too late to do?

Also, can't you take the practice NBME exams there too? ($45/each i think)

 

[marlow]

From the NBME site:
"The Practice Sessions use the same sample test materials that are available for download on the USMLE CD-ROM and the USMLE website. NO NEW SAMPLE TEST MATERIALS ARE PRESENTED AT PRACTICE SESSIONS."

So what's the point of taking 2 $45 exams (there are 2 of them, right?) if they're all questions from the CD?

 

[DrBravesgirl]

I have kind of a random question..I'm being dropped off in the morning, and my ride said to call at lunch so they can hook me up with food..will I be allowed to access the stuff that's in my locker so I can get to my cell phone?

 

[randomlogik]

Yea, i'm taking it in 2.5 weeks. Is this too late to do?

Also, can't you take the practice NBME exams there too? ($45/each i think)

It does seem like it's to late. I just called them, and they said that they send out the permits every friday. Like you, I am taking it in 2.5 weeks, so I doubt I'll get the permit in time to use it. sucks..

 

[automaton]

I have kind of a random question..I'm being dropped off in the morning, and my ride said to call at lunch so they can hook me up with food..will I be allowed to access the stuff that's in my locker so I can get to my cell phone?

yes, in fact you can study during your breaks too, if you so desire.

 

[Horseradish99]

I just took the practice exam this morning at the test center. I got three laminated sheets of grid paper, 2 dry erase markers and an eraser. The people who were there for the real thing seemed to get the same stuff. You can't bring any paper into the test room.

You can take breaks between blocks of questions and do whatever you want, but you have a limited amount of break time. If you finish a block early the time rolls over into break time, but not more time for other blocks of questions. You will have plenty of time to eat a lunch.

If you finish a block 20 minutes early or something, can you move on to a new block or do you HAVE to wait 20 minutes and take that as extra break time? Theoretically could you go right through your 7 blocks and be done? Not that I'm planning to do that of course! Is there any manditory breaktime and if so, when? Thanks!

 

[jennie 21]

Also...are earplugs allowed? I tend to get really distracted by extraneous noises, so if someone's tapping their feet or sniffling next to me while I'm taking the test it's going to hurt my concentration. I'm really hoping earplugs are allowed, but if not, I'd like to know so I can get used to studying and doing Q-bank in a less quiet environment, without earplugs.

 

[Wrigleyville]

If you finish a block 20 minutes early or something, can you move on to a new block or do you HAVE to wait 20 minutes and take that as extra break time? Theoretically could you go right through your 7 blocks and be done? Not that I'm planning to do that of course! Is there any manditory breaktime and if so, when? Thanks!

You can move onto the next section, you don't have to wait. No mandatory breaktime.

I don't know if you can bring earplugs in, but at the testing center I went to they had those earmuff-looking things that airport worker wear outside. They were comfortable enough, and pretty handy considering some of the people around me were taking exams that required a ton of writing.

 

[jennie 21]

Thanks for the info Wrigleyville. If they have those noise-reducing headsets that's awesome. I just need some way to block out distracting noises. As long as they provide something, I don't care if I can't bring earplugs in, that's fine.

 

[DrBravesgirl]

yes, in fact you can study during your breaks too, if you so desire.

is this sarcasm? don't mess with me 10 days before the boards, man!

 

[randomlogik]

I got three laminated sheets of grid paper, 2 dry erase markers and an eraser.

So is this standard for all of the testing centers? I hope so...

 

[Doc Ivy]

is this sarcasm? don't mess with me 10 days before the boards, man!

No, it's not-- I took the practice test last week, you are allowed to do what ever you want during breaks, including study. You have to leave the testing booth, and since you can't go back to previous sections it really won't help you for questions you've already seen.

 

[DrBravesgirl]

No, it's not-- I took the practice test last week, you are allowed to do what ever you want during breaks, including study. You have to leave the testing booth, and since you can't go back to previous sections it really won't help you for questions you've already seen.

Holy crap! Thanks for the heads-up!