Screwing up on the first section Forum

[TunnelVision]

I've noticed that I tend to do much worse on the first section of the test, especially if it is LR or RC. I've also noticed that I barely finish on time only for the first section. Today I had LR first and missed 5 (3 of which were in the first 10 questions). Then after that LG: -1, LG: -1(Exp.) LR2: -0, RC: -3, finishing LG and LR2 with at least a few minutes left. I was thinking that for now I can do a section before my tests to get in the zone, but how will I deal with this on test day? Has anyone else experienced this and how did you warm up?

[princeR]

You should be working on your warm up routine. I have been doing mine about 30 minutes before I test, but I assume it will be an even larger gap for the real test. I have been doing the back 2 flaps of LR and the 3rd or 4th game. I wouldn't do an entire section and do not check your answers. I've heard the analogy before, but this is like an athlete warming up before a game.

[VasaVasori]

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[VasaVasori]

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[rinkrat19]

Do a practice section (from a test you've already done and did well on is best) before you go in to take the test. You do NOT want the first section on the real thing to be the first time your brain has had to work since you got up that day.

You can take pages into the testing venue and just throw them away when you are done.

[yankees42789]

I had a similar problem getting my brain warmed up for the test (predominantly for LR) and did 1/4ish of an LR section in my car right before I got out to take the test. Warming up definitely helps get your mind into LSAT mode, but on test day there's such a long time between when you finish your warmup and when you start the test (i.e. you have to go to your assigned room, have the instructions read to you, fill in your biographical info, etc), that there's only so much good that can do in keeping your mind sharp. I would definitely recommend doing the warm up, though, as it has to help (if only incrementally) and there's no real downside. One thing that I didn't do and would be interesting to see if it helped would be to try and simulate test day conditions by taking your warmup 60-90 minutes before you start your PT.

Best of luck, OP!

[princeR]

I'm still working on my routine, but, I plan on reading a decent amount to get my brain warmed up and thinking critically (something by Noam Chomsky probably), do some work at home to get warmed up, and than like others have said I am going to bring some with me and do it right before check in.

[Micdiddy]

I haven't warmed up before any PT yet, but I did plan to bring games and an LR section to the venue (especially because I'll prob get there 2 hours early).

Usually, I hope my first section is LR, that way I can warm up with the first 10-15 questions. If it's RC I do feel a little thrown off, but I think I'd rather have RC first than last. I figure I can do LG anytime, so I'd rather have it last when my mental capacity is waning.

I think I'll start a warmup routine also, it's a good idea.

[Br3v]

Prince why do you say not to check answers?
Incase you do bad?

[princeR]

Prince why do you say not to check answers?
Incase you do bad?

Exactly. It's just a warm up to get your mind going, no need to know if you even get them right.

[03152016]

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[lilhugsy24]

Do a practice section (from a test you've already done and did well on is best) before you go in to take the test. You do NOT want the first section on the real thing to be the first time your brain has had to work since you got up that day.

You can take pages into the testing venue and just throw them away when you are done.

Oh you can take old PT's into the room you're testing in? I didn't know that. I was just gonna do a warm up in my car because I didnt think you would be able to bring them in to the room. That's nice to know.

[rinkrat19]

Do a practice section (from a test you've already done and did well on is best) before you go in to take the test. You do NOT want the first section on the real thing to be the first time your brain has had to work since you got up that day.

You can take pages into the testing venue and just throw them away when you are done.

Oh you can take old PT's into the room you're testing in? I didn't know that. I was just gonna do a warm up in my car because I didnt think you would be able to bring them in to the room. That's nice to know.

No, they'll likely make you throw them away before you get into the room. But there's a fair amount of standing around in lines, hallways and other rooms (it all depends on the testing site and how they're organizing things).