The real MCAT Test Center: What does it look like?

[admin]

All testing stations include noise-reduction headphones already at the computer (some students complained that these headphones were huge, some said uncomfortable). Some sites also offered ear plugs.

You can see the general setup below (of course your center may vary the setup but this is an average layout; also note that some test centers have flat screen monitors):

http://www.mcat-prep.com/images/cbtcentre1.jpg

Note: some students also complained that the monitors were ancient, some flickered a bit, etc. Most students did not complain about their monitors nor the noise reduction headphones or ear plugs.

The following provides a list of MCAT centers from coast to coast: http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/sitelisting.htm

Of course the AAMC online practice tests are an important part of your preparation. Tests 8, 9 and 10 being the most similar to the real test. However, some students have assumed that the practice tests on www.e-mcat.com are identical to the real MCAT CBT. Well, not exactly. The real MCAT has no search function, no note taking function and there are some other differences.

From the AAMC: http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/differences.htm

[Matthew]

Hope this helps, too.

Before I registered for my test center, my dad's nephew was taking Step 3 at one of the locations. He describes that you could see the person next to you in peripheral vision. I even checked it out for myself from the outside. I drove to another location some 25 miles out. I got to see the room and talk to the manger. He was understanding and told me I could get a head set at Academy, the ones used for hunting to block ear out. I saw that the monitors were huge. The seats were not leather as opposed to the other location (which I like the non-leather one).

The thing that made me sign up for that location, the farther one was that the cubicle was very high. With you head in towards your monitor you can't see anyone. At the other location, it seemed more open.

Also the seats are randomly assigned. I found it very helpful to go "mcat center shopping" to make sure the location and everything was okay. It is an important exam.