Your Canadian (or American!) MCAT testing experience 2016-17

[Iv3chem2]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi everyone,

I'm going to be taking the MCATin September, and I wanted to hear some of your MCAT testing experiences. Things like, wait time of registration and testing, did they fingerprint you (apparently illegal in Canada, but I don't know..), did they photograph you, did they allow scratch paper etc. I really want to know what to expect. I know there are somewhere around a million threads about this topic (which I read through), but I wanted to be a little specific, also Canadian law regarding collection of bio-information has recently changed. So please share your experience, even which test centre you used.

Thanks!
,Cherie

 

[Coltuna]

Tested in America.
For my test, I walked in 45 minutes early.

Registration (maybe 10-15 minutes total from front desk to testing seat):
1. Took my ID and scanned it.
2. Gave me my locker key.
3. Escorted me to a foyer where they took my picture; gave me instructions for obtaining additional workbook pages, pencils, etc.; fingerprinted me.
4. Signed in binder with time I was walking in.
5. Used a metal detector wand and made me empty my pockets.
6. Escorted me to my seat.
7. Scratch paper and pencils were provided.

Breaks:
1. Entered foyer.
2. Was fingerprinted, signed book and time I was leaving foyer.
3. Grabbed a bite to eat, used restroom, etc.
4. Returned to foyer.
5. Emptied pockets, metal detector wand, fingerprinted, signed and wrote time in book
6. Back to testing room.

I was the first one at the testing center and was SO SO SO SO SO SO happy I was. I was the first one to register and first one to enter the test. I NEVER had to wait behind anyone for the fingerprinting, metal detector wand, singing in/out, using restroom, etc.. Despite not having to wait for anyone, scarfing my meals, and using the restroom quickly, I still only had about 3 minutes to spare for the shorter breaks. I really think I would've felt pressed for time and stressed if I wasn't the first one there and had to wait for people ahead of me.

Advice for test day in general:
1. Do your normal routine.
2. Do a passage or 2 before you leave your house, hotel, etc but don't score them.
3. Be the first one to the testing location. If they say you can show up an hour early, be there an hour early. As I stated above, I'm SO glad I got to start my test first and not wait for people on my breaks.
4. Scarf your meals, use the restroom quickly, and return to your seat as quickly as possible. You don't have your cell phone or anything in the waiting room, so there's no reason to sit there and look at the wall as opposed to doing the same thing while you're actually at your work station and ready to work once that 0:00 hits on the timer.

 

[pms_testosterone]

Tested in Canada.
10-15 min wait time to register.
No fingerprint.
Only 6 people writing the test(!), 3 staff members.
Scratch paper was provided by the test centre.
Really encountered no problems whatsoever.

 

[Iv3chem2]

Oh my! I am worried now, as I have hypoglycemia and have to eat often, but slowly as I also have chronic gastritis and have to eat very slowly.. Maybe I'll take some Gluco-Paste. I'll be sure to be there an hour early. The testing centre is open two hours before the test starts actually.

 

[Iv3chem2]

Tested in Canada.
10-15 min wait time to register.
No fingerprint.
Only 6 people writing the test(!), 3 staff members.
Scratch paper was provided by the test centre.
Really encountered no problems whatsoever.

Pms_testosterone,

Where did you test at? What was the name of the centre?

 

[workaholic181]

American tester. I would repeat the above advice, get there early. Some people started like an hour and a half after me because the time to get each person checked in adds up when there are 15+ testers.

Be careful on your breaks, they go by really, really quickly. Be watching the clock!