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More questions about the MCAT (timing)


TheLeo

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I've got another few questions about the mcat, and I know they might seem very stupid.

Can I complete the mcat in whatever order I want to? I.e start with CARS?

I keep seeing time slots per section. Say I wanted to spend much longer on CARS than Bio. Can I do this? Or do they handout one section at a time and then take it away once the 90 mins is up?

 

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No, you can't complete it in any order, and the time slots also can't be changed around.

You don't get the whole test at once. You complete Chem/Physics in the provided amount of time, and when the timer stops you get a short break. Then, you are able to move onto the next section (CARS), and the timer starts again for the allotted amount of time. And then the same thing for Bio, and lastly Psych/Soc. You can't actually access the questions until you start the section and the timer starts running, so you wouldn't be able to adjust around your timing or anything like that. Also, when a section is done and time is up, you can't go back. It's always the same order and everyone has exactly the same amount of time to complete each section.

Hope this helps!

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4 hours ago, phosphoenolpyruvate said:

No, you can't complete it in any order, and the time slots also can't be changed around.

You don't get the whole test at once. You complete Chem/Physics in the provided amount of time, and when the timer stops you get a short break. Then, you are able to move onto the next section (CARS), and the timer starts again for the allotted amount of time. And then the same thing for Bio, and lastly Psych/Soc. You can't actually access the questions until you start the section and the timer starts running, so you wouldn't be able to adjust around your timing or anything like that. Also, when a section is done and time is up, you can't go back. It's always the same order and everyone has exactly the same amount of time to complete each section.

Hope this helps!

Oh man that really sucks, but yeah, I guess that is sort of the point.

The mcat is done on the computer now, is that right? So if you do not finish a section on time it just submits itself?

I am guessing you couldn’t use a 10 min break to spend more time on a section of the test, only to start a new section of the test more quickly? 

Is there a clock right on your computer to keep track of time?

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3 minutes ago, TheLeo said:

Oh man that really sucks, but yeah, I guess that is sort of the point.

The mcat is done on the computer now, is that right? So if you do not finish a section on time it just submits itself?

I am guessing you couldn’t use a 10 min break to spend more time on a section of the test, only to start a new section of the test more quickly? 

Is there a clock right on your computer to keep track of time?

That is right - you cannot "steal" time from the break either. You can start earlier - some do - but most take the time to recharge. It is a marathon, not a sprint so conserve your strength ha.

The program itself will show you at all times how much time you have left. 

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21 minutes ago, rmorelan said:

That is right - you cannot "steal" time from the break either. You can start earlier - some do - but most take the time to recharge. It is a marathon, not a sprint so conserve your strength ha.

The program itself will show you at all times how much time you have left. 

Thanks! If you decide to take a food break you have to leave the room im guessing? And then go back to the computer you were originally at & click the next section?

Sorry for all the questions... I just want to know exactly what to expect lol

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9 minutes ago, TheLeo said:

Thanks! If you decide to take a food break you have to leave the room im guessing? And then go back to the computer you were originally at & click the next section?

Sorry for all the questions... I just want to know exactly what to expect lol

yup when you do that you have to leave and check back in prior to continuing. As you can imagine they are a bit picky about security ha :)

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