Break time vs. restroom visit?
Why does my break have to be used just to use the restroom?
I am not sure if every testing facility is the same or not, but the restroom at the local testing center in Nashville, TN has two restrooms, both in the general waiting area. I get nervous when taking the tests and for the last 3 or 4 tests that were all 3+ hours long I found that after an hour or two I needed to use the restroom. I would mark my test as on "break" and get up and use the facilities, to then come back and resume my test.
This has probably been stated at some point but I couldn't find it, if it has then add me to the list of complaints, if it has not be posted then am I the only one that finds this frustrating? The issue I take with having to use a break to use the bathroom is that it locks all of my test questions, and I can't go back. I understand why this is required so that you don't cheat, or look up and answer while on break, but if I had the option of using my phone while on break, or not having my test questions locked I would choose to not be allowed to use my phone, still take a break when and if I needed and be able to go back to my previous test questions.
Why is phone use allowed in the middle of the exam at all? The testing facility I went to makes me not just silence my phone but turn it off completely, I wouldn't know if there was an emergency that needed my attention, and if there was one I'd have to ask for the staffing to unlock my bag and get my phone out. Why can't there be two kinds of breaks, one with phone access which locks my test questions and another that is just a bathroom and stretch break that allows me to look back if I want.
There have been a few cases where I get a question in the second half of the test that makes me realize a previous question was wrong, but if its locked because I had to pee, I know can't go back and change it.
I realize this is a big ask because it would require two different types of breaks be programmed into the test, but if the staff has to verify my machine is "on Break" anytime I get up or leave the desk it would be easy for them to see the type of break and confirm the individual has requested a normal break or a phone break and based on the selection you make the staff would give you access to your phone.
For my testing facility the personal items are locked in a bag that you hang on the back of your chair and can only be unlocked by the staff, so I'd have to notify them no matter what to get into the bag.
I just strongly disliked the fact that I was penalized from reviewing questions later simply because I had to pee. Doubt I'm the only one that has ever found this an issue, and wanted to see if there is any chance of change for future tests.
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Hi Nathan,
I hear you!
The AREs used to just have ONE 15-min break. I usually went overtime because I need to eat during a 4-hr exam in addition to using the lav.
Now you get a longer, flexible break(s). 30-45 minutes of breaks. Like you said, you won't be able to access anything that you looked at before the break though. I recommend taking a 25 - 35 min break near the mid-point. 'Save' 5-10 minutes of your total break time for a lav emergency or other emergency (needing to take medicine for headache). If you've looked at exam questions that you haven't completed, and you desperately need to use the facilities, you could leave the clock running and go out quickly to the lav and come right back. In the testing center I used, that would still take a bit of time, because, like you said, the lav was near the building core, down a long hallway... But if you really need to go 3 min might be ok. Always time your break when there is nobody else checking in or out.
I don't recommend looking at your phone during your break anyhow. It'd be too easily to derail your focus.
Hope this helps!
Rebekka O'Melia, R.A., NCARB, B. Arch, M. Ed, NOMA, Step UP ARE 5.0 Courses
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Because they have to make it fair for everyone. Same thing with the piece of scratch paper - I can't use it testing from home, so testing centers can't use it either, it can be seen as an unfair advantage. Same goes for prior questions locking out. Since you could/would have phone access at home while on break, they have to make it the same for testing center / at home testers.
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Hi Nathan,
I hear you! NCARB does what NCARB does. Right now, they arbitrarily block my responses in this forum. Like it's a spam filter or something they refuse to adjust... 🙄
The AREs used to just have ONE 15-min break. I went overtime once or twice because I need to eat during a 4-hr exam in addition to using the lav.
Now you get a longer, flexible break(s). 30-45 minutes of breaks. Like you said, you won't be able to access anything that you looked at before the break though. I recommend taking a 25 - 35 min break near the mid-point. 'Save' 5-10 minutes of your total break time for a lav emergency or other emergency (needing to take medicine for headache). If you've looked at exam questions that you haven't completed, and you desperately need to use the facilities, you could leave the clock running and go out quickly to the lav and come right back. In the testing center I used, that would still take a bit of time, because, like you said, the lav was near the building core, down a long hallway... But if you really need to go 3 min might be ok. Always time your break when there is nobody else checking in or out.
I don't recommend looking at your phone during your break anyhow. It'd be too easy to derail your focus.
Hope this helps!
Rebekka O'Melia, R.A., NCARB, B. Arch, M. Ed, NOMA, Step UP ARE 5.0 Courses
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This is ridiculous NCARB. I had to urgently use the restroom today during my PA exam. There is no reason to lock previous questions when you have nothing on your person other than clothes and find yourself urgently needing a facility. You should also make it very explicit you can leave the exam room without taking a “break” as I’ve read some people here have done. You are penalizing candidates for needing to use a restroom.
Unbelievable
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