15 minute standardized break – Y or N?

  • Creator
    Topic
  • September 7, 2018 at 10:48 am #1960533
    brainfried75
    Participant

    I was wondering about the standardized break. This Monday will be my first time taking the exam with this new option. I know the break is optional but am just curious about taking it or not taking it. My concerns are the busy Prometric center staff and the number of people who are being checked in and out. In past experiences, before this option was offered, I never took a break because the clock was ticking. Now that this is being offered and the clock stops, I would like to take advantage of it to clear my mind but am worried that I will lose time due to the center staff. I would like to know, did you have plenty of time to go use the bathroom, stretch, etc. and get checked back in before the 15 minutes was up? Anyone experience otherwise? The center that I usually go to is always swarming.

Viewing 13 replies - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
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  • September 7, 2018 at 11:12 am #1960563
    Recked
    Participant

    I never had any issue getting out and back in within the 15 minutes. Not sure if just luck, or because its a smaller Prometric.
    I think my local Prometric only has 8-10 computers. I was also about an hour early for my afternoon exams.
    People were always done testing early before me, so I was able to get in and beat the rush/lines, due to being way early for my appointment.
    Then I was also able to take my break and get out/in without any wait.
    Recommend the break for restroom, drink and snack. Gatorade worked well for me, get that blood glucose level up to keep your brain firing on all cylinders.

    September 7, 2018 at 11:14 am #1960569
    Kat
    Participant

    I always recommend people to take the break. I know some people who just like to power through it so they can be done as fast as possible and if you can work that way, then all power to you. But I can't do that. I just need to chill for a few minutes to just calm myself. The SIMs can be so overwhelming. I have never had any issues making it back in time. Actually, I always come back with time to spare and then just sit there in calmness until the full 15 minutes are up. I find it to be a helpful release.

    September 7, 2018 at 11:20 am #1960584
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I took the break on all 4 of my exams. Normally only about 10mins of it, but was nice to get to relax and regroup for a few mins about 1/2 way through. My center is not normally super busy, but Prometric's was always able get everyone checked back in quick enough.

    September 7, 2018 at 11:28 am #1960602
    Lucy15
    Participant

    I took the break and never had any issues getting check back in on time. Just make sure you don't wait until you're 14 minutes through the break to start the check in process. During one of my exams a Prometric staff even bumped me to the front of the line when I was coming back from my break so I didn't have to wait behind people who hadn't even started their exams yet.

    September 7, 2018 at 11:48 am #1960650
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I would definitely recommend taking the break. As @Kat said the SIMS can be overwhelming and it is nice to take those few minutes to just close your eyes for a bit, relax, and not have to worry about the time. My Prometric has about 40 computers with a majority of people on the days that I have been there taking the CPA. I usually take about 10 minutes to get a drink and go to the restroom and my brain thanks me for it.

    September 7, 2018 at 11:55 am #1960677
    MSim
    Participant

    I recommend taking the break. I also had the same concerns as you before I took my first exam. But, like the others pointed out, other examiners start at a different time than you and also take different tests than you. So, there shouldn't be that much backlog if there is one. My test actually started ticking when I got back to my desk for a minute or 2 because I misjudged my time, but I needed that break to eat something, use the bathroom, get some fresh air and regroup!

    September 7, 2018 at 2:20 pm #1960827
    TommyTheCat
    Participant

    my prometric center (san jose) had two testing rooms/labs, maybe 50 computers, all with one single front desk employee. I took breaks during all of my exams, two of which were before the rule change allowing a 15 minute break window. I usually work fast so wasnt concerned about taking 5 to 10 minutes away from my test between testlets. Always was checked in an out really quickly even with there being a small line occasionally. Totally recommend it. Then again I am a guy and can easily make it in and out of bathroom in 2 minutes. Def don't recommend a bathroom break if you are going to be sitting on the john working something out…hold that in for after the exam.

    September 7, 2018 at 11:26 pm #1961523
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    You would be an idiot not to take it. take everything available to you. never leave exam early

    September 8, 2018 at 9:37 am #1961751
    Ian
    Participant

    My personal choice was to skip the breaks on all four exams. For me, taking the breaks would have just given my brain the time to loop around second guessing itself and stressing me out further.

    Given that you think the break would help lower your stress while sitting for the exam, definitely take it! The staff at the Prometric centers are going to have plenty of experience in getting you out and getting you back in within the time limits.

    September 8, 2018 at 10:23 am #1961781
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I took a short break after every testlet on every test to get water and go to the restroom. Took a slightly longer one (10min) during the 15 minute break.

    September 9, 2018 at 4:07 pm #1963875
    DeterminedDaph
    Participant

    YES. Take the break and be aware of your time allotment when you're working through your problems.

    September 9, 2018 at 4:45 pm #1963935
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I think it's just personal preference. I don't think either way is good or bad. I took breaks on 2 of my exams, but didn't on 2. If I am in a good groove, I just keep going.

    September 10, 2018 at 10:24 am #1964898
    SuperAccountingGod
    Participant

    I only took 5 min of that time to quickly use the restroom. I recommend only using it for that purpose unless you know you can hold it.

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