What can you bring to the MCAT's?

[A1phaZer0]

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I checked all over the MCAT site and all I saw was a cryptic statement that basically said 'You cant bring anything except for yourself, clothes on your back, and an approved writing implement' But that seems kinda harsh, what about a basic scientific calculator? and a book bag to bring stuff in for during the lunch break/10 min break periods? Any insight is appreciated since I don't want to get there and have my stuff confiscated by the MCAT gestapo

 

[Spiderman [RNA Ladder 2003]]

calculator is not permitted.

 

[BUmiken12]

Calculator...absolutely not
Food....some proctors allow, some don't
Timers...should be allowed if buzzer turned off
Bookbags...nope

 

[dr. momo]

you can't bring ear-plugs. go figure. 🙂

 

[A1phaZer0]

Oh man! I dont know what to do, I cant do mental math, at all!! Any inventive suggestions are greatly appreciated since I am obviously running out of time

 

[Dr. Kermit]

I took 'em twice and both times, I was allowed to bring my backpack into the test room. However, everyone had to keep it in the bag of the room about 10 feet away from the desks. We were only allowed to retrieve materials/candy/gum etc. from them during the 10 minute breaks and lunch break. However, I kept a small pack of gum in my sweatshirt and was fine through the test. We were not allowed to have watches with beepers on them though. If we did, we were asked to prove that the timer/beeper was turned off.

Good luck on Saturday 🙂

 

[missbonnie]

You don't need to any heavy calculations, if you are , you are doing sumthing wrong. Round as much as u can and use scientific notation and proportions.

 

[A1phaZer0]

Really? Some of the practices I have done are really number heavy? Maybe I am reviewing the wrong way, a little late to find out now <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

 

[Doctora Foxy]

Mike: just turn everything into scientific notation and work from there. Practice it a few times tonight and you'll get used to it--it's easy. 🙂 You are definitely not allowed to bring a calculator. You should also know that for the writing sample, you are only allowed to use a black pen! I'm surprised you didn't know about the calculator thing right now. I suggest you read the mcat bulletin or something so you make sure you know what to expect.

You ARE allowed to bring lunch (I think). I brought a bookbag and kept it at the side of the room. My proctors were lenient, but on my desk I had tissues, 2 ERASABLE black pens (yes, that's right!), 4 pencils and one of those pencil-sized erasers. I also had cough drops since I was getting over a cold. But some proctors won't allow that.

p.s. Bring tylenol or something for a headache just in case. I was dying of a migraine by the bio section.

 

[oldman]

i didn't get a headache. i got spaced out. I had to stop reading for five minutes in the bio section because I couldn't read anymore.

I was lucky that the testing center was right next to my friend's apartment. I went over to his apartment, ate my lunch, and watched tv during my lunch break. i was super relaxed.

 

[oldman]

for the math, you'd better be ready to do some rough math. just round everything into easy numbers and do the math.

 

[KyGrlDr2B]

TPR advises on the math just to round. The writers of the exam know you cannot use a calculator so the answer choices will be far enough apart so that if you round, it will fit with only one answer.

Good luck!

 

[Assassin]

a gun?
I doubt they use a metal detector at any test center, but then again, times have surely changed since I took my MCAT.

 

[Scooby Doo]

Bring a bong for lunch...I found that everyone will want to be your friend when you whip that out at lunch 🙂

 

[missbonnie]

what practice tests are u looking at? Look at aamc 3,4,5,6. There is nothing u cannot do with very simple calculuations, like everyone has said, scientific notation and rounding are your friends.

 

[Chnobli]

Hi everyone,

I tried to bring a pillow for a "smoother" and softer MCAT experience (those chairs kill my back...), but I was not allowed to bring it in.

I guess I should have brought my arctic down parka instead as they can't take away your jacket!

Chnobli

😀