To those who wrote in crazy test conditions

[Jon Davis]

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I wrote my exam in a place where there was no running water because it was contaminated and the room was boiling, it felt like it was 95 degrees. This occurred because of the power failure. I just wanted to mention that if you went through a similar situations, write to the AAMC people because I am. These test conditions were horrible for taking the MCAT. But I doubt they will compensate for our scores. Oh well, I'm still going write them.
Anyone with a similar story?
Later.

 

[spinestudent]

a few questions:

1) how would no running water have any effect on your performance? You need to wash your hands during the verbal section or something? You can't leave the room to get a drink of water while the test is in progress anyway. Most people bring a gatorade or whatever to drink during the breaks and keep it in their car or bag.

2) You say you felt like it was 95 degrees? Was there air conditioning in the building you took the test at? I'm assuming there was, as I can't imagine the test would be scheduled at a center without AC. And if the air was on, I'm sure it was set somewhere between 68 and 80 degrees. Now I would be prefer to take the test at 71-72 degrees, but it wouldn't mess up my score if it was 78 degrees instead. Why wasn't the AC in the building working? If it was truly 95 degrees while you were taking the mcat I do sympathize with you, but I just can't imagine that it was really 95 degrees in the room.

At my center the air conditioner guys were working on some wiring above the building during the physical science section. There were some occasional thumps but hey........I didn't let it distract me. It was reported and at the break the AC guys were told that a test was in progress and that they would have to come back later. When minor distractions like that happen, you have two options:

1) keep concentrating on the passages and do the best you can on this very important test
2) get frustrated and decide to blame your poor performance on other factors

Now obviously something like a fire alarm going off for 30 minutes or the electricity being cut off is a serious issue and that is cause for concern. But the occasional thumping or occasional train coming through or plane flying overhead or AC set 5 degrees off isn't cause to question the fairness of the mcat.

It just seems like half the people who do poorly on the mcat always blame something or someone other than themselves for their poor peformance. I just finished tok the test for the first time yesterday and I'm not sure if I got the score I need, but whatever I recieve I'm going to accept total responsibility for that score.

 

[Jon Davis]

You assume way too much.
First, the AC was NOT working since we just got power the hour before. Secondly, I mainly emphasized test conditions, not to make up for a "bad score". I was suggesting that they take into account the stats of the test group to see if there was some kind of trend in the affected region. Lastly, dont blast someone on the grounds of a few assumptions. You only make an ass out of yourself.

If you felt the need to make me feel dumb and/or to group me with "people who complain about [fill in complaint here]", thats cool with me.

P.S. Water is a necessity that the AAMC MUST ensure is there for health reasons at the test facility. Thats what they told me, no hydro/power, no test.

 

[ninaninanina]

Hey Jon, I totally sympathize with you, with the power outages and everything, things just seem like a mess right now! I can't believe personally that some students were informed of alternative test centers that they could write at because of the black outs, while I drove freakin 2 hours for my test site, and no one showed up to even tell us what to do because the exam was cancelled. On top of that, a number that they posted on the building for us to contact was wrong! I could only imagine how hot that room was since there was no electricity. Most places around me that got their power back just recently have been like boilers...that might be an exageration but I guess you never realize how much we need electricity!!

 

[docmira]

I'm not sure if this affected my performance, but it certainly made me laugh..
The room was boiling bc of the power failures..and of course we aren't allowed water while writing. Sooo the guy beside me felt extrememly hot, so he decided to undress and write the whole day topless.....yah.....

 

[silenthunder]

WHA?!?

Considering the bloody invigilators (wankers!) don't allow water at most testing centres, why do they let people undress?

I suppose it doesn't make any real difference, but I wonder if there were any females doing this.......🙂

is this considered a distraction to other test takers😀

did anyone slip the dude a fiver ($5) for his performance?

Cheers,

Silenthunder

 

[Wilford Brimley]

Originally posted by silenthunder
WHA?!?

Considering the bloody invigilators (wankers!) don't allow water at most testing centres, why do they let people undress?

I suppose it doesn't make any real difference, but I wonder if there were any females doing this.......🙂

is this considered a distraction to other test takers😀

did anyone slip the dude a fiver ($5) for his performance?

Cheers,

Silenthunder

If we had no air conditioning and crummy conditions, you could bet that I would do anything reasonable to stay comfortable.

I don't think there are any rules against taking the test in your boxers...

 

[docmira]

lol apparently there are no rules against it..
It'd be funny if they implement a rule for that from now on. Actually, I wouldnt be too surprised considering how anal they are already.

 

[Wilford Brimley]

Originally posted by docmira
lol apparently there are no rules against it..
It'd be funny if they implement a rule for that from now on. Actually, I wouldnt be too surprised considering how anal they are already.

Their rule can be: "No Shirt, No shoes, No service!"