I don’t care who’s done first on exams. It doesn’t matter to me even a little. It isn’t an ego boost to be faster than your classmates, and it doesn’t mean you’re dumb if you take the whole time.
What does matter is not running out of time. As that clock ticks and ticks, your heart rate goes faster and faster. When that happens, panic grips your heart and your brain runs out through the bottom of your shoes.
Being first doesn’t matter but being too slow? That’s a major issue.
I was always the first one done with exams in my class. Like I said before, that DOES NOT translate into me being the smartest or having the highest scores. I will tell you what it does do. While most people are freaking out during their PANCE because of the clock, I was taking cat naps and letting the clock run out.
For real. I’d finish a section with ten or fifteen minutes left. Rather than start my break and eat into that time, I’d put my head down on my desk and shut my eyes for a few minutes. Then, I’d shut everything down and go out for a five-minute break. It felt like I had hours and hours of break time. That extra time was invaluable to calm my nerves and rest my eyes and my brain.
Being first doesn’t matter, but speed does matter.
In the May issue of the Physician Assistant Exam Scholars Newsletter, I’m going to teach you a way to study the material to make you much, much faster on exam day.
You can get it delivered directly to your door, but only if you sign up before the end of business on Friday. Click here for more information.
Physician Assistant Exam Scholars
Brian Wallace
