EDUCATION
YOUR MCAT NOTEBOOK BOOKLET Some students are surprised to receive a laminated notepad and a marker (“wet-erase pen”) instead of scratch paper with a pen or pencil when they take their computer-based MCAT at Pearson VUE. A few tips and a little familiarity with your new exam tool will help you to treat it like a friend and not like your enemy!
1
What does the noteboard look like? The current booklet is laminated, 8.5” x 14” with spiral binding. The printing is double-sided composed of a cover page and 9 pages with graph paper. You are also provided with 1 fine point marker: a Staedtler Lumocolor non-permanent marker. All of your calculations and notetaking must be done in your booklet.
What if I run out of space or my marker dries up?
2
Raise your hand! If you require an additional marker or noteboard during the exam, raise your hand to alert the test center administrator, and they will make an exchange providing you with a new one. Of course, it is preferable not to waste precious exam time waiting for an administrator to arrive! A simple tip: Always cap your marker when not in use so that the risk of drying out or leaking is minimized. You should have ample space with 1 noteboard but, just to be sure, use your space efficiently.
3
So it’s “wet erase,” does that mean that I’m allowed to erase? No! Despite being a “wet-erase” marker and an “erasable notepad,” do NOT lick your finger and erase during the real MCAT! It is considered to be an act of misconduct. If you make a writing error, just cross it out and continue on another line. Additionally, you may not rip or separate the notepad or try to conceal or remove any part of it.
4
Are left-handed people at a disadvantage? For the most part, not really. On the other hand (he he), left-handed people whose palms sweat excessively when nervous will have set the conditions for instant wet erase! But to be practical, most people’s palms won’t sweat that much and so a little smudging is more likely than real-time erasure!
autumn 2020 || 5
