what to bring...

[fun8stuff]

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I just want to make sure I don't forget anything..
lunch & coffee
ear plugs
passport and ID
usmle number and confirmation sheet

anything else?

 

[cdql]

Some people don't recommend coffee (jittery + pee a lot) but I guess that's a personal preference.

I'd check with the test site too about ear plugs. Some places allow the ear plugs without a cord connecting them and some places will require that you use the ones that they provide.

Otherwise, I'd pack some water, snacks (in the event lunchtime is not possible), aspirin (I hate computer-based exams), and maybe a coat for strong AC.

 

[Just Applied]

A driver's lisence will suffice for Identification right?

 

[alfie110]

A driver's license will definitely suffice, however make sure that is has both your first and last name on it. I have a very long last name and my license only had my first initial + last name. Fortunately, I realized this even before my practice test and took my passport for the practice and the real test day so there would be no problem!

 

[Medikit]

Don't forget the water filter and trail mix

 

[cubsrule4e]

at my place they offered you earplugs, and they also had those headphones at the station if you prefer those

 

[domer621]

The last thing I would bring would be coffee... my heart was racing for the entire 350 questions. I packed a lunch to bring but forgot it that morning. Luckily there was a good cafeteria in the building.

 

[fun8stuff]

thanks for the responses. i regularly drink coffee during exams and have been drinking it slowly throughout the day while studying, so i think i have kind of adapted somewhat to the effects. if i tried to go off coffee for the test, i would be moving like a slug and having withdrawals part way through. 😱 i do plan to cut back my consumption after the test though!

 

[PreMedAdAG]

What I plan on bringing in terms of food and supplies (aka.. my survival pack)

-As dorky as it sounds - i have traded coffee for "Go Girl" - it's actually pretty good and for an energy drink - doesn't have too much caffeine in it 🙂
-Nuts (portable and filling)
-Veggies, fruit, noncaffeinated beverage like gatorade or something
-Yogurt
-Probably a piece of chicken

My stomach does not handle carbs very well --> major abdominal cramping (celiac sprue anyone?!) So I have a high protein meal with extra sugar from the fruit I bring.

I got into shut down mode when I take an exam - I don't get hungry or thirsty, I"m like a machine!

Lastly - a lightweight sweatshirt and I plan on wearing pants and tennishoes in case my legs/feet get cold. I'm packing flip flops in my car and wearing a short sleeved shirt in case I start sweating profusely.

and finally - a positive attitude

 

[akpete]

thanks for the responses. i regularly drink coffee during exams and have been drinking it slowly throughout the day while studying, so i think i have kind of adapted somewhat to the effects. if i tried to go off coffee for the test, i would be moving like a slug and having withdrawals part way through. 😱 i do plan to cut back my consumption after the test though!

I actually brought Frappuccinos with me. Drinks aren't allowed in the test-taking area, so regular coffee just wasn't practical. Something to consider.

 

[njbmd]

I just want to make sure I don't forget anything..
lunch & coffee
ear plugs
passport and ID
usmle number and confirmation sheet

anything else?

You need to bring your orange permit. They are not going to allow you to use your own ear plugs, you have to use the ones that are provided.

You only need a Driver's License and your orange permit; leave your passport in a safe place. A sweatshirt is a good idea as the rooms can get chilly but they will adjust the temp if you are too cold.

You don't need to bring lunch unless your test location is in the "boonies". Most locations have nearby food. A bit of trail mix (with your coffee) is about all you need. You are going to have a small locker anyway.

The day just isn't that long and you will feel more like eating after as opposed to during the test.

 

[fun8stuff]

I actually brought Frappuccinos with me. Drinks aren't allowed in the test-taking area, so regular coffee just wasn't practical. Something to consider.

i have gotten so bad that i don't even care if the coffee is cold, heh.

So there is this terrible rumor that i have heard about not being able to skip the tutorial. this isn't true, is it? when is everyone taking breaks? i was kind of planning on:
set 1
set 2
----10 min break
set 3
set 4
----30 min break for lunch
set 5
----5 min break
set 6
----5 min break
set 7

which would leave me 10 mins to spare...

 

[fun8stuff]

You need to bring your orange permit. They are not going to allow you to use your own ear plugs, you have to use the ones that are provided.

You only need a Driver's License and your orange permit; leave your passport in a safe place. A sweatshirt is a good idea as the rooms can get chilly but they will adjust the temp if you are too cold.

You don't need to bring lunch unless your test location is in the "boonies". Most locations have nearby food. A bit of trail mix (with your coffee) is about all you need. You are going to have a small locker anyway.

The day just isn't that long and you will feel more like eating after as opposed to during the test.

orange permit???
this trail mix that you are referring to is just normal chex trail mix right? it seems to be pretty popular... i hope the locker fits my laptop (12'' screen)... i will be staying in a hotel the night before and i have to check out that morning... i do not really want to leave my laptop in my car to bake in the sun...

 

[The Buff]

I think the permits used to be orange back in olden times when they mailed them to you.... Now you just print them out yourself on whatever color paper you so choose. (although the test people would probably balk at anything other than white 😛 )

 

[domer621]

So there is this terrible rumor that i have heard about not being able to skip the tutorial. this isn't true, is it?

It is a terrible rumor, since it's not true!

It does automatically start you on the tutorial page, but all you have to do is click down to the last page on the left-hand side to exit.

 

[cubsrule4e]

What I plan on bringing in terms of food and supplies (aka.. my survival pack)

-As dorky as it sounds - i have traded coffee for "Go Girl" - it's actually pretty good and for an energy drink - doesn't have too much caffeine in it 🙂
-Nuts (portable and filling)
-Veggies, fruit, noncaffeinated beverage like gatorade or something
-Yogurt
-Probably a piece of chicken

My stomach does not handle carbs very well --> major abdominal cramping (celiac sprue anyone?!) So I have a high protein meal with extra sugar from the fruit I bring.

I got into shut down mode when I take an exam - I don't get hungry or thirsty, I"m like a machine!

Lastly - a lightweight sweatshirt and I plan on wearing pants and tennishoes in case my legs/feet get cold. I'm packing flip flops in my car and wearing a short sleeved shirt in case I start sweating profusely.

and finally - a positive attitude

Careful about the clothes layering...2 of my friends that took it at the same site i did said they wouldnt let you take off your sweater and hang it on the back of the chair or anything if you get hot, which could get pretty annoying if you have to take an unauthorized break/waste block time just to go outside to put on or take off a sweater. Maybe this site was just weird but id ask them when you get there

 

[cdql]

Careful about the clothes layering...2 of my friends that took it at the same site i did said they wouldnt let you take off your sweater and hang it on the back of the chair or anything if you get hot, which could get pretty annoying if you have to take an unauthorized break/waste block time just to go outside to put on or take off a sweater. Maybe this site was just weird but id ask them when you get there

I'd probably choke them with my sweater if they were that unreasonable

 

[fun8stuff]

i don't want to ever study again... never. 😴

 

[akpete]

At the center I was at, if you wanted to take off your sweatshirt, all you had to do was flag the proctor down (they are required to walk through the room every so often), and they'll take it outta the room for you. But yeah, nothing can be on the back of the chair.

They got rid of the orange permits shortly after I registered last fall. I was the only one there that day that actually had one.

 

[cdql]

I'm trying to think of a reason why clothing isn't allowed to hang off the back of the chair...and I'm coming up blank?

 

[imthatdumb]

You guys are going to think I'm really stupid, but I can't for the life of me remember if I'm an orange permit or if I'm an online permit. Whatever the case, I definitely can't find the orange permit if I've were ever issued one. What exactly do I do? Can I just print it out online anyways?

 

[fun8stuff]

You guys are going to think I'm really stupid, but I can't for the life of me remember if I'm an orange permit or if I'm an online permit. Whatever the case, I definitely can't find the orange permit if I've were ever issued one. What exactly do I do? Can I just print it out online anyways?

when did you register? i registered in february and i just have the online one that printed off after i registered. you may want to log back on and print it off.

 

[imthatdumb]

I think I got the orange permit at some point but I can't find it. Can I just print one out online too?

 

[imthatdumb]

Yeah looks like I definitely received an orange permit at some point. Anyone know if I can just print out a new permit online? NBMEs phone number is automated and not very helpful.