December 2013 LSAT Study Group Forum

cheme2014 · Post by **cheme2014** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 6:23 pm

john7234797 wrote:Scored my goal score on my most recent PT this past Saturday. Obviously happy about it but having trouble keeping motivated since there's still a bunch of time to go. Anyone got good advice on how to proceed in the studying when this happens?

Haha exact opposite of what I've been thinking. (I'm pessimistic

)

star fox · Post by **star fox** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 6:29 pm

PourMeTea wrote:
john7234797 wrote:Scored my goal score on my most recent PT this past Saturday. Obviously happy about it but having trouble keeping motivated since there's still a bunch of time to go. Anyone got good advice on how to proceed in the studying when this happens?
What was the score? The first time I PTed with a huge score jump to 177, I didn't get complacent because (1) it didn't account for nerves on test day (2) I'd heard about the "5 pt test day drop".

Congrats on reaching your goal score! Your next goal should be to consistently hit your target range.

Also, what helped keep me motivated when I was getting sick of the test was getting to excited a whole new set of data into my spreadsheet It was fun to keep track of averages, trends, etc.

173. Goal is >170. I've read people on these boards talk about a test day drop but didn't experience it when I took the test (admittedly back in June 2012 and I didn't take the test as seriously back then). Is it just nerves? Running into recycled questions on PTs? Thanks for the tips.

PourMeTea · Post by **PourMeTea** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 6:39 pm

Post removed.

Hotguy · Post by **Hotguy** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 11:25 pm

PourMeTea wrote:
john7234797 wrote:
PourMeTea wrote:
john7234797 wrote:Scored my goal score on my most recent PT this past Saturday. Obviously happy about it but having trouble keeping motivated since there's still a bunch of time to go. Anyone got good advice on how to proceed in the studying when this happens?
What was the score? The first time I PTed with a huge score jump to 177, I didn't get complacent because (1) it didn't account for nerves on test day (2) I'd heard about the "5 pt test day drop".

Congrats on reaching your goal score! Your next goal should be to consistently hit your target range.

Also, what helped keep me motivated when I was getting sick of the test was getting to excited a whole new set of data into my spreadsheet It was fun to keep track of averages, trends, etc.
173. Goal is >170. I've read people on these boards talk about a test day drop but didn't experience it when I took the test (admittedly back in June 2012 and I didn't take the test as seriously back then). Is it just nerves? Running into recycled questions on PTs? Thanks for the tips.
Well done! Personally, I think nerves are a HUGE factor in test day drops for those who have diligently studied for this, put in countless hours, and dream of a top law school. It's definitely a positive that you didn't experience a test day drop last time!

Anecdotally, I know of a TLSer who took an administration without taking it seriously, and managed a decent score. The poster then found TLS, and realized there was a lot of room for improvement, so he studied for a LONG time, very intensively. He came back and took it again, and this time he was a nervous wreck. He only scored 1 pt higher despite over a year of study after the first administration, and it was a hefty drop from his high 170s PT average. So yes, nerves can potentially affect you, even if they haven't before.

I think that being aware that this is a possibility can help you better prepare, and light a fire under your butt to really, really master the test until it becomes second nature so that potential nerves won't affect you negatively.

You're making me nervous PMT

don't do that

PourMeTea · Post by **PourMeTea** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 11:30 pm

Post removed.

Hotguy · Post by **Hotguy** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 4:40 am

PourMeTea wrote:
Hotguy wrote: You're making me nervous PMT don't do that
Nah, don't let that make you nervous. Knowing what nerves can do to people and dealing with your own now can only help prepare you more for test day.

What do you suggest one should do to prepare for nerves?

PourMeTea · Post by **PourMeTea** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 8:42 am

Post removed.

happycitrus · Post by **happycitrus** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:04 am

Thanks for posting the list, tea!

toshiroh · Post by **toshiroh** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 11:13 am

The 5pt test day drop is BS, at least as far as I was concerned it was. On October 2012 test day I scored 4 points higher than what I was Pting.

vicpin5190 · Post by **vicpin5190** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 11:21 am

toshiroh wrote:The 5pt test day drop is BS, at least as far as I was concerned it was. On October 2012 test day I scored 4 points higher than what I was Pting.

some people just thrive under pressure. I think nerves can either be used for you or against you, it all really depends on how you choose to embrace them when they appear. I do think you have far more control than you think over how you will cope with them, it's all about just having that confidence that you can cope with them, and also acknowledging that you aren't immune to them. I know running and the LSAT have had significant parallels that I've noticed, and one thing that saw with racing that is similar to the LSAT is that before races I was always feeling pretty awful and nervous, stomach pretty unsettled, and just overall pretty terrified, especially in a high stakes race. But when you get to the line you just clear your mind and embrace the pain you're going to experience for whatever the distance is, and that ultimately turns into adrenaline. Obviously a lot more is at stake during the LSAT but I do think it is very realistic to use nerves in your advantage.

just my $0.02. I have no clue how it's going to go down on game day but I'm just going to treat like a race.

Edit: Yes I know, life isn't all one giant running analogy, but it works for me.

dosto · Post by **dosto** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 11:40 am

tofuspeedstar · Post by **tofuspeedstar** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 1:17 pm

dosto5 wrote:
vicpin5190 wrote:
toshiroh wrote:The 5pt test day drop is BS, at least as far as I was concerned it was. On October 2012 test day I scored 4 points higher than what I was Pting.

some people just thrive under pressure. I think nerves can either be used for you or against you, it all really depends on how you choose to embrace them when they appear. I do think you have far more control than you think over how you will cope with them, it's all about just having that confidence that you can cope with them, and also acknowledging that you aren't immune to them. I know running and the LSAT have had significant parallels that I've noticed, and one thing that saw with racing that is similar to the LSAT is that before races I was always feeling pretty awful and nervous, stomach pretty unsettled, and just overall pretty terrified, especially in a high stakes race. But when you get to the line you just clear your mind and embrace the pain you're going to experience for whatever the distance is, and that ultimately turns into adrenaline. Obviously a lot more is at stake during the LSAT but I do think it is very realistic to use nerves in your advantage.

just my $0.02. I have no clue how it's going to go down on game day but I'm just going to treat like a race.

Edit: Yes I know, life isn't all one giant running analogy, but it works for me.
Everyone is more or less nervous leading up to/before the test. The question is how quickly can you get into your comfort zone that you've built PTing and, most importantly, are you able to handle any curveballs/surprises without losing your stride. People may run into tough games or experimental sections and get derailed; you can't really prepare for this but it's good to visualize how you'd deal with it beforehand.

Solution for overcoming exp games.

Every PT. Put in Dino game.

Hotguy · Post by **Hotguy** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 1:49 pm

toshiroh wrote:The 5pt test day drop is BS, at least as far as I was concerned it was. On October 2012 test day I scored 4 points higher than what I was Pting.

Yeah I agree, that's BS. Where did they even get the number 5 from? So arbitrary.

Edit: Btw, thx PMT.

dasani13 · Post by **dasani13** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 2:15 pm

dosto5 wrote:
vicpin5190 wrote:
toshiroh wrote:The 5pt test day drop is BS, at least as far as I was concerned it was. On October 2012 test day I scored 4 points higher than what I was Pting.

some people just thrive under pressure. I think nerves can either be used for you or against you, it all really depends on how you choose to embrace them when they appear. I do think you have far more control than you think over how you will cope with them, it's all about just having that confidence that you can cope with them, and also acknowledging that you aren't immune to them. I know running and the LSAT have had significant parallels that I've noticed, and one thing that saw with racing that is similar to the LSAT is that before races I was always feeling pretty awful and nervous, stomach pretty unsettled, and just overall pretty terrified, especially in a high stakes race. But when you get to the line you just clear your mind and embrace the pain you're going to experience for whatever the distance is, and that ultimately turns into adrenaline. Obviously a lot more is at stake during the LSAT but I do think it is very realistic to use nerves in your advantage.

just my $0.02. I have no clue how it's going to go down on game day but I'm just going to treat like a race.

Edit: Yes I know, life isn't all one giant running analogy, but it works for me.
Everyone is more or less nervous leading up to/before the test. The question is how quickly can you get into your comfort zone that you've built PTing and, most importantly, are you able to handle any curveballs/surprises without losing your stride. People may run into tough games or experimental sections and get derailed; you can't really prepare for this but it's good to visualize how you'd deal with it beforehand.

Sounds like great advice. Thanks!

dosto · Post by **dosto** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 2:37 pm

tofuspeedstar · Post by **tofuspeedstar** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 2:40 pm

dosto5 wrote:
tofuspeedstar wrote:
Solution for overcoming exp games.

Every PT. Put in Dino game.
I think the Dino game is one of my favorite games of all-time and I got -0 on it, but I knew it was coming. I admit that if I had something like that on the real thing (as the 3rd game, no less) it probably would have thrown me off completely. The panic is quick.

exactly. For some PTs I didn't do the actual section that came with the PT. I would mix in games from other PTs. I didn't grade these as the curve would be unknown. But it was great practice for me to be thrown off because I was expecting X but got Y. And for the October test I was expecting some ass raping game but was presented with games I enjoy doing.

cheme2014 · Post by **cheme2014** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 2:55 pm

tofuspeedstar wrote:exactly. For some PTs I didn't do the actual section that came with the PT. I would mix in games from other PTs. I didn't grade these as the curve would be unknown. But it was great practice for me to be thrown off because I was expecting X but got Y. And for the October test I was expecting some ass raping game but was presented with games I enjoy doing.

Same -- I was very pleasantly surprised by LG in October.

... too bad the other sections didn't go as well

dasani13 · Post by **dasani13** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 3:04 pm

You guys, our thread has been so slow. There are 43 days left. We need to do something to start building some momentum!

PourMeTea · Post by **PourMeTea** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 3:06 pm

Post removed.

rebexness · Post by **rebexness** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 3:11 pm

I shit the bed on LR last night.

Also, I think I am self-banning from PTing at home.

cheme2014 · Post by **cheme2014** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 3:15 pm

PourMeTea wrote:
dasani13 wrote:You guys, our thread has been so slow. There are 43 days left. We need to do something to start building some momentum!
scoar release will add serious momentum

Confession: I've been kinda glad this thread hasn't been moving super fast; the October waiters thread moves at the speed of light and I cannot keep up with it haha

tofuspeedstar · Post by **tofuspeedstar** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 3:17 pm

rebexness wrote:I shit the bed on LR last night.

Also, I think I am self-banning from PTing at home.

I am for this go round. I'm too comfortable here. Gonna hit my UG library for the Dec. PT prep.

wealtheow · Post by **wealtheow** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 3:32 pm

tofuspeedstar wrote:
rebexness wrote:I shit the bed on LR last night.

Also, I think I am self-banning from PTing at home.

I am for this go round. I'm too comfortable here. Gonna hit my UG library for the Dec. PT prep.

same here but more cause my mom's all WAT U DOIN WANT 2 CHAT?

tofuspeedstar · Post by **tofuspeedstar** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 3:36 pm

wealtheow wrote:
tofuspeedstar wrote:
rebexness wrote:I shit the bed on LR last night.

Also, I think I am self-banning from PTing at home.

I am for this go round. I'm too comfortable here. Gonna hit my UG library for the Dec. PT prep.
same here but more cause my mom's all WAT U DOIN WANT 2 CHAT?

I have the same problem.

rebexness · Post by **rebexness** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 3:36 pm

October Retakers: When are you planning on retaking PT 70? I'm thinking mid-Nov.