Why would you take the optional 10 minute break?

[SuperSaiyan3]

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kind of doesn't make sense because a standard university final exam is 3 hours in length. The MCAT is really only 4.33 hours long in length.

I find that the 10 minute breaks really if anything disrupts your focus and in the meanwhile, just causes you to panic some more.

ALSO, are you allowed to bring your notes and study them during the 10 minute break? Not that I did this, but I saw some people doing this between a section when I went to the washroom to pee. They were really panicked and had a look of guilt and shame on their faces. I wasn't sure if you were allowed to do that, but either way, if you need to review between sections DURING a test, you're obviously not ready... I shake my head when people show up to the MCAT with like million pages of notes and still trying to memorize facts before they walk into the test room. NOT READY.

 

[ksmi117]

No, you aren't allowed to look over notes. Or you're not supposed to be allowed.

I liked the break because I could just sit there at my computer and clear my mind. When I did leave the testing room, it freaked me out and I got stressed, but when I stayed in the room, it was a nice time to forget about the last section and mentally prepare for the next.

 

[Captain Jack]

I always had the question of "Why would you NOT take the 10 minute break." I find it easier to take the few minutes to clear my mind of the previous section and put myself in the mindset of the next section. You don't need to get up and leave the room, but just to sit back and do nothing but breath between sections is refreshing. I would never advise NOT to take the break (unless it's between VR and WS because the writing is an hour break in itself).

As for the studying notes during breaks, my testing center specifically had signs saying you could not look at notes or the like during breaks. You could only get a snack or something out of your locker during breaks, but no studying of any kind once the exam begins

 

[waffle23]

the breaks are when you pee, poop, drink, and eat

 

[JeetKuneDo]

the breaks are when you pee, poop, drink, and eat

Well put.

 

[planktonelement]

the breaks are when you pee, poop, drink, and eat

I'm with waffle on this one. When I finish a section in practice, I just get up to walk around for a minute or two to just for the sake of walking around. I guess I clear my mind during that time, but I don't really think about it. Then I get right back to the test.

 

[roadcabe]

I used 5 minutes of one break to piss. the rest i skipped.

 

[DrDre2001]

The breaks were valuable to me atleast.

After the physical science section surprised the crap out of since it was so much harder than any practice AAMC (atleast it felt like it), I needed some time to calm down.

I don't really see how you can "lose focus" because you took a 10 minute break, but maybe this would indeed be a problem for some people.

 

[vandyam]

I took longer than 10 mins, and my test never started w/o me. I took 15 mins on one of them just for the hell of it.

 

[prettylady]

I took longer than 10 mins, and my test never started w/o me. I took 15 mins on one of them just for the hell of it.

ive always worried about!
thanks, good to know 🙂

 

[Snuffle]

To each, his (or her) own but the breaks helped me. I had a quick drink and snack, used the bathroom. Helped me to focus on next section, recharge my mental batteries. Usually took 6-8 minutes. If I didn't break I'm sure I'd get a massive headache with continuous concentration.

 

[Captain Jack]

I took longer than 10 mins, and my test never started w/o me. I took 15 mins on one of them just for the hell of it.

I don't know if this is completely accurate, but I heard one person at the testing center say that you had 7 minutes of a grace period (beyond the 10 minutes they give you) before the test starts again. Don't know the source of this information, but the person seemed really confident that she was correct

 

[thebillsfan]

after my time was up, i clicked ok and stared at the directions screen of each section for a couple minutes. it didnt start timing. i wouldnt want to be out of the room, however, in case it started on me.

also, saiyan, i think for most ppl the ten minute break is ESSENTIAL. a rare few can go on w/o clearing their minds of the last section.

 

[SuperSaiyan3]

also, saiyan, i think for most ppl the ten minute break is ESSENTIAL. a rare few can go on w/o clearing their minds of the last section.

Yeah I thought about it, and I guess it would be valid. A standard university may be 3 hours long but it's a consistent one topic exam. Whereas the MCAT is a completely different subject each section.

 

[richmond604]

1. u don't need full 3 hours for most university exams

2. i have to pee, often

 

[maharbry]

I didn't take any time in between my sections and Im glad I didnt. I think it comes down to your personality though. I am compulsive by nature and I feel uncomfortable if I stop something in the middle and leave it undone. If I had let myself relax it would have been harder to refocus.

On the other hand, I know people who literally can't sit still for that long. I don't think there is a right or wrong way. At this point in your academic career you know what kind of test taker you are and what works best for you. Don't listen to what others say; just do what makes you the most comfortable.

 

[Compass]

I took my 10 minute breaks staring out the window at the green trees and the blue sky while munching on cereal. Essentially free stress relief.

 

[Tutmos]

I used every break and probably a few minutes extra each time to fill up on processed carbs, coke etc. and take a pee break etc. Each section is only an hourish long so that prevents any "crash" from blood sugar drop since you can fill back up during each break. Of course I probably blew it and had a crap score but in theory the concept is sound unless you have some aversion to breaks.