Using Ear Plugs While Taking Step 1

[JohnnyVegas]

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Anybody recommend using these/is it allowable........I'm talking about the foam kind that hunters use.......

 

[doc05]

don't bring your own (not allowed) - but they give you a pair when you begin the test. Try them and see how you like them. The test center can get noisy (since most others are not taking the usmle - typing essays, entering/exiting the test area) so they might help.

 

[scully]

They are new (not reused) aren't they? I think getting used earplugs would be more distracting than noisy people!

 

[Mystique]

don't bring your own (not allowed) - but they give you a pair when you begin the test. Try them and see how you like them. The test center can get noisy (since most others are not taking the usmle - typing essays, entering/exiting the test area) so they might help.

Is that so? And here I was thinking there'd only be other USMLE test-takers in there. Shucks...I have this horrible habit of looking up every time someone enters/leaves the room. Do you get to pick which computer you want (in my case one farthest away from doors) or is that left up to the test site? 🙁

 

[musicman1991]

They don't give earplugs anymore, just those big construction man headsets that weigh a ton. I used them towards the end but my brain was going crazy so i needed something.

 

[ttac]

They don't give earplugs anymore, just those big construction man headsets that weigh a ton. I used them towards the end but my brain was going crazy so i needed something.

That SUCKS! We can't use earplugs that we bring on our own? I was hoping on that. I concentrate way better with them in. On a related note (true story), my ex-roommate had some congenital hearing loss, so whenever he needed complete silence, all he had to do was take the batteries out of his hearing aids...

 

[Vincristine]

Is that so? And here I was thinking there'd only be other USMLE test-takers in there. Shucks...I have this horrible habit of looking up every time someone enters/leaves the room. Do you get to pick which computer you want (in my case one farthest away from doors) or is that left up to the test site? 🙁

If you take Step 1 during the busiest times of year (june/july +/- 1 month) at a center near medical schools you're likely to be with mostly people also taking Step 1. I took the test in Downtown Chicago the 3rd week of June and only had people taking step 1 in my room. I have no idea how many rooms there were total, but my room had approximately 12-18 people all in spacious cubicals. There were lots of windows and the inside wall was glass so we could all be easily seen (not that the cameras pointed on you isn't enough). Anyway, it was a really nice place, was very quiet, and I had this posh cubical in the corner. I know conditions can very, but my experience was a nice as could be. Oh, and obviously dress in layers since we all know that temps can vary greatly from hour to hour and seat to seat.

 

[Stinger86]

Our center had about 12 cubicles and they were all filled with people taking various exams from different programs. I was actually shocked by how quiet it was.. the only thing that bothered me was the proctor walking through the room checking computer screens every 25 minutes.. sigh

 

[Jaded Soul]

Is that so? And here I was thinking there'd only be other USMLE test-takers in there. Shucks...I have this horrible habit of looking up every time someone enters/leaves the room. Do you get to pick which computer you want (in my case one farthest away from doors) or is that left up to the test site? 🙁

It's different for every center, apparently. I was assigned a computer at my center. Friends who went to different centers said they got to pick their seat. I think it depends on how busy they are. My seat was right next to the door and every 10 minutes someone was coming in or going out. Totally distracting.

 

[musicman1991]

I was the last person to leave the testing center. They were all very happy to see me leave. Yeah GMAT, LSAT, have nothing on us!

 

[Mystique]

It's different for every center, apparently. I was assigned a computer at my center. Friends who went to different centers said they got to pick their seat. I think it depends on how busy they are. My seat was right next to the door and every 10 minutes someone was coming in or going out. Totally distracting.

Oh terrific! I just KNOW I'll be one of those people that gets seated right near the door. I probably already set myself up for this. I bet someone from my test center is on SDN here making a note..."give Mystique computer by door". Thanks for the info guys.


Vincristine,
Hopefully my downtown Chicago experience will be similar to yours. BTW, is there parking nearby that test center? I'll go the day before to find the building, but I just wanted a heads up on the parking situation in case I overlook the obvious. Thanks.