MCAT Madness

I've been trying to write this post for days now. Last Friday I finally took the MCAT! Thank you to all those who sent emails, text messages, or called to wish me luck or ask me how it went. Here's my story along with some tips for those of you thinking about taking the MCAT.

Tip #1: Google maps, although your friend, is not infallible.

I went the day before to "case the joint" and to test out my google map directions. As much as I love google, it turns out their directions aren't always clear. We managed to make it there and take a picture. I'll post it later.

Tip #2: Arrive early

Thanks to my reconnaissance work from the day before, I arrived way too early. I wasn't the only one. There were quite a few of us studying in our cars.

Tip #3: People watching can be a stress relieving activity.

After checking in and emptying my pockets into a locker I sat down and waited for my name to be called. It turns out people deal with stress differently. Some study, some close their eyes and take deep breaths, I people watch. I learned the hard way that most test takers are not in the mood for small talk before heading in for their test.

Checking-in is a procedure that is curiously similar to the process for booking inmates. After they checked my ID, took my fingerprints, and even took a mug shot, I was led to my computer station.

Tip #4: Noise reducing ear muffs aren't as uncomfortable as you might think.

Tip #5: Establish a rhythm.

The MCAT is a 5 hour exam consisting of 4 sections with 10 minute breaks between each. During the breaks I learned two things. 1) People are even less willing to talk than they were before the test started. 2) Everybody follows the same unwritten break time procedure.

1) sign out from the testing room (may or may not involving scanning your fingerprints again)
2) retrieve a granola bar and bottled drink from your locker
3) after you're done snacking, go to the bathroom
4) sign back in
5) sit quietly at your computer until your break is officially over.

I'm not sure why granola bars are the snack food of choice, but we all had them.

Tip #6: Don't forget your granola bars.

Tip #7: Don't forget to celebrate.

Just like people deal with stress differently, there are different ways of celebrating. I celebrated with lunch with my mom, a 4 1/2 hour nap, and later with ice cream with a friend. Apparently an hour and a half of sleep the night before was enough to get me through the exam, but not through the day. Despite a lack of sleep I was quite alert during the exam thanks to a father's blessing that I received the night before. In it I was promised that whatever sleep I did get would be sufficient. I was hoping he would bless me with a good night's sleep, but this was even better. Many of the things that I studied during the night when I couldn't sleep were on the test!

So it's over now! I have no idea how I did and won't know for another month, but it's nice to have it over with. Now I can do those things that I've wanted to do but have been too busy. Oddly enough I'm most looking forward to cleaning my room and doing my laundry. Perhaps I'll even try out that new shirt folding technique.