What to do about endurance??

[SephirothXR]

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This test demands a lot of respect, not just with how much information it covers, but also how it wears you down. I just took a practice MCAT on paper, and I started getting EXTREMELY tired when Biology started. I didn't even do the hour long writing section. I can't imagine what 5 hours of staring at a computer screen will be like.

Aside from taking more practice tests (which I have access to), what are some good ways of staying focused? I've heard of looking away at far distances between sections is a good idea, but does anyone have any personal tips? Obviously on test day I'll be under more pressure and focus more than I do on practice tests, but I don't want to be thinking of how tired I am even if I have to push through it.

 

[Monocles]

Practice practice practice.

It seems impossible now, but when you're actually out there on the testing field, there's going to be so much adrenaline running through you that you will stay focused. Also, a few important things...

- Do not get burned out studying the day before. Take the time off to relax and absorb what you learned.
- Get a good night's sleep the night before.
- Eat a healthy breakfast but make sure you are not too full.
- Bring a light snack like fruit or granola bars.
- USE THE BREAKS given during the tests.

If you've ever had back to back finals, this is what it's basically like. Don't think of it as one massive 5(?) hour test, think of it as different subject finals within 10 minute breaks in between.

Also, as for staying focused now, try to find a place where you can study without distractions (ex: computer, music, friends, etc) so you won't be tempted to facebook every 15 minutes.

 

[inquiry101]

This is one beast of a test. Treat practice passages as the real test with timed conditions. Get enough sleep the night before, eat properly, and exercise to relieve the stress. Before every passage, close your eyes and take a deep breath. This helps me

 

[ridethecliche]

It's not that bad.

Finals at my school were 3 hrs long with no breaks. And that was for only 1 subject. 3 sections of about an hour with 2x30 min essays sounds fine. The essays are a break anyway since no one cares about those.

Just pace yourself, keep concentrating, and as always, bring your A game.
Or 'eh' game if you're canadian.

 

[SephirothXR]

Do you feel that I should take all my practice tests on the computer (I just print them off and take them from there)? I don't know if I've ever heard of such a thing as strengthening your eye muscles (or in this case, I guess your ciliary muscles (I know that after studying lol)), but I also don't know if there is that much of a difference of comprehending passages worse or better when reading them on a computer.

 

[NinjaMed]

Just remember how lucky you have it. The exam used to take about 8 hours. It's now down to about five. Verbal Reasoning used to be 85 minutes long with 9 passages, and more questions. The sciences used to be 110 minutes each.

From 2015 onwards, the MCAT will be back up around 8 hours again, with a second verbal reasoning-like section.