test day questions

[beastmaster]

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1. punctuality - I hear that if you arrive a little early they let you get started. True? What happens if you arrive a bit late, do they extend the same courtesy?

2. the test center - (never been to a prometric) but it sounds multi-disciplinary, many people taking different exams in close proximity. Is this an issue, people starting and stopping at different times? I would imagine that different tests allow breaks at different times so there's a higher turnover rate. Especially with different start times.

3. the intro tutorial - what's this all about? I remember reading that you can add 15 minutes to your break by skipping these. What's the story. I've been using a computer for 15 years, I know how to operate a mouse and keyboard, and I got most of the lab values memorized. Can I just skip this stupid thing and not worry about it?

4. timing - I've read on here that some people finished "hours" early. Suppose you finish your 60-minute block in 45 minutes. Aren't you encouraged to revisit some questions? Or at least sit in front of the computer screen with your eyes closed just in case something pops into your head. I can't imagine there wasn't at least 1 or 2 that really required some deep thought. There aren't any "carry over" minutes are there? Don't you start with a fresh 60 for every block? I don't get it, do these people feel that 60 minutes is so abundant that finishing hours ahead of schedule is the only way to avoid a boredom-induced coma?

And also about breaks, can we just take a 5 minute breather at the computer station without leaving? How does it work, does the brake time just start counting down automatically after each section, until you press GO for the next one?

 

[Medikit]

1. punctuality - I hear that if you arrive a little early they let you get started. True? What happens if you arrive a bit late, do they extend the same courtesy?

Yes and maybe, probably depends on how late you are and when they close

2. the test center - (never been to a prometric) but it sounds multi-disciplinary, many people taking different exams in close proximity. Is this an issue, people starting and stopping at different times? I would imagine that different tests allow breaks at different times so there's a higher turnover rate. Especially with different start times.

Are you worried about noise? Wear the ear muffs they give you. I barely noticed anyone coming or going but a fair amount of people had come and gone by the time I was done.

3. the intro tutorial - what's this all about? I remember reading that you can add 15 minutes to your break by skipping these. What's the story. I've been using a computer for 15 years, I know how to operate a mouse and keyboard, and I got most of the lab values memorized. Can I just skip this stupid thing and not worry about it?

Take the intro from the downloadable version provided online and skip it on the real thing, it does give you an extra 15 minutes.

4. timing - I've read on here that some people finished "hours" early. Suppose you finish your 60-minute block in 45 minutes. Aren't you encouraged to revisit some questions? Or at least sit in front of the computer screen with your eyes closed just in case something pops into your head. I can't imagine there wasn't at least 1 or 2 that really required some deep thought. There aren't any "carry over" minutes are there? Don't you start with a fresh 60 for every block? I don't get it, do these people feel that 60 minutes is so abundant that finishing hours ahead of schedule is the only way to avoid a boredom-induced coma?

You get a few minutes here and there and it adds up. Most don't end up with an extra hour, more like 15-30 minutes. If I had 3 minutes left and I was done reviewing the ones I wanted to review I took my break rather than stress myself out for a few more minutes.

And also about breaks, can we just take a 5 minute breather at the computer station without leaving? How does it work, does the brake time just start counting down automatically after each section, until you press GO for the next one?

Yes, if you want you can take your break there. I sat in the lobby.

 

[jllander]

I would recommend going through the tutorial on the website before test day. It's peace of mind to have a few minutes more of break. And as for free time....I ended up with two hours extra time....I'm a fast test taker.

 

[cdql]

Two additional questions:

1) I was skimming over my 1st Aid book today and I could've sworn that I read people were allowed to review study materials during breaktime. That has to be a typo right?

2) I was told dry erase boards were provided for those of us who like to write and have scratch paper. Is that true?

 

[nockamura]

1.) Using study materials during break is allowed since you have closed the block you were working on (and supposedly the block in which you had a question). You may or may not get another question regarding what you look up, but if something keeps popping up you might want to look it up the next break. You cannot leave your station in the middle of a block.

2.) Yes, dry erase boards and pens (I got 2 of each) are given to you when you start your test. Not the best quality and the eraser didn't work very well. Someone said that they got pencil and paper, but I don't know anyone personally who got that.

 

[Medikit]

1.) Using study materials during break is allowed since you have closed the block you were working on (and supposedly the block in which you had a question). You may or may not get another question regarding what you look up, but if something keeps popping up you might want to look it up the next break. You cannot leave your station in the middle of a block.

2.) Yes, dry erase boards and pens (I got 2 of each) are given to you when you start your test. Not the best quality and the eraser didn't work very well. Someone said that they got pencil and paper, but I don't know anyone personally who got that.

Just for the record I wasn't allowed to use study materials in my test center, but it seems like most people didn't have that problem. This is was the test center in Rancho Cordova, CA.