Test Day Nerves Helping Performance

[245399]

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Taking MCAT on May 2.
Practice test scores are fine, but I have been noticing that I am starting to lose my marbles.
At first when I took practice tests I was amped up and nervous, now when I take them I am completely calm which is great.
But unfortunately, now by the time I get halfway in the VR section I am nearly drooling on myself.

Did you guys find that test day nerves got you focused for the whole test or did you find yourself needing to slam red bulls to keep your brain from turning to mush?

I still have AAMC 9 and 10 left to take, so I'm open to trying new things to help prevent this from happening on may 2.

 

[Sleight]

I just took the test on friday and i know what you are saying about being too calm after so many practice tests...on test day...well...i wasn't calm to say the least...i was wide awake but there were times when i couldn't focus...i think that the anxiety helps to a certain point but it is exhausting...i have never been so tired during the BS as i was on the real day...for me with the practice tests it was that i was physically tired during verbal then i would eat a protein bar during the break before WS and then i would be awake for the BS but on the real test i was mentally exhausted...different ball game...

just a side note...make 9 your last practice test because it is a confidence booster...10 will break your heart lol (at least it broke mine!)...

GOOD LUCK!!

 

[fewcherpeedsdoc]

i think you shouldnt take so many practice tests. i took five and felt fresh on test day. i was a little anxious this past friday, but i was fine. if you dont normally take caffeine during your study sessions, DO NOT TAKE IT DURING YOUR REAL TEST. you'll go bonkers from anxiety and distractions.

test day, just make sure to have gotten about 9 hrs of sleep, bring gatorade and some nature valley granola bars. good stuff....

btw, i dont know if it was tiger woods' gatorade called FOCUS, but it kept me feeling good and fresh throughout the whole test. try it out. the theamine in it helps with focusing...it was a little risky for me to drink it on test day without drinking it ever before...hahaha out wells

 

[229141]

Taking MCAT on May 2.
Practice test scores are fine, but I have been noticing that I am starting to lose my marbles.
At first when I took practice tests I was amped up and nervous, now when I take them I am completely calm which is great.
But unfortunately, now by the time I get halfway in the VR section I am nearly drooling on myself.

Did you guys find that test day nerves got you focused for the whole test or did you find yourself needing to slam red bulls to keep your brain from turning to mush?

I still have AAMC 9 and 10 left to take, so I'm open to trying new things to help prevent this from happening on may 2.

If you truely have an anxiety disorder see your doctor. There are those who get kinda nervous and then those who literally are paralyzed by their anxiety...see your doctor and discuss it. A beta blocker, SSRI, or benzodiazepine (watch out for these...) may be right for you. DO NOT take it unless you talk to your doc and he/she confirms medication is right for you. I personally recommend psychotherapy/meditation before medication but something like a beta blocker could greatly help you

 

[not so calm now]

you might be interested to know that beta blockers are being investigated for treatment of PTSD and drug addiction in that they help decrease previously learned memories and habits. Do you want something that decreases/reverses learning on your mcat day?

 

[229141]

you might be interested to know that beta blockers are being investigated for treatment of PTSD and drug addiction in that they help decrease previously learned memories and habits. Do you want something that decreases/reverses learning on your mcat day?

Let me get this straight: you want to go into medicine and you let one small piece of anecdotal evidence smear the reputation of an extremely safe and long used drug...very comforting.

If you're so worried about this then take a hydrophilic B1-selective beta blocker than won't cross the BBB...avoid propranolol then and get on something else. Do your research first before making ridiculous claims...have you even been on this stuff?

 

[245399]

Thank you for all the good advice everyone.

Sleight, I am sure you did great.

fewcherpeedsdoc, I will definitely take your advice.

Alaska, thank you for your concern. I think we have a miscommunication. It's not that my anxiety is debilitating, it's that the anxiety I used to feel while taking practice tests was what helped keep me focused for the duration of a full length.
Taking so many practice tests has eliminated all anxiety, and my ability to maintain focus throughout the entire test is diminished. I was hoping that the eustress of the actual real test would help get me focused.

 

[229141]

Sorry to OP- I misunderstood


To those who feel beta blockers impair cognition..


"Although beta-blockers do not impair cognition in normal subjects, this article explores the possibility that central nervous system (CNS)-active beta-blockers could affect delayed memory in patients with cognitive impairment. The authors investigated the influence of beta-blockers on delayed memory function in cognitively impaired patients. There was a trend for worse delayed memory retrieval in patients who were on CNS-active beta-blockers. These data support the notion that common medications used in cognitively impaired elderly patients can worsen cognition and that careful selection of medications may help to maximize retrieval of newly formed memories."

Several things here- It only slows cognition is those who already have impaired cognition...in normal students cognition is not impaired. Also notice this only applies to CNS ACTIVE beta blockers like Propranolol...not hydrophilic ones.

Sorry for the misunderstanding


http://www.find-health-articles.com...-delayed-memory-function-people-cognitive.htm