October 2011 Study Log: 180 or Bust! Forum

[crumpetsandtea]

Exactly.


Starting a test that late at night probably didn't help, either.

But the actual test is going to be 5 sections, isn't it better to low-ball my score but get used to the 'exhaustion' rather than get slammed on test day?

And yeah I can't help that. Don't get home till 6:30 and if I don't eat dinner before starting, I won't eat till 11 pm and that's 1) not healthy and 2) distracting in the test in its own way.

Take dinner to work on test days and eat it in the office. I know its inconvenient but you need to start these tests as early as possible.

Hmmm. I might just do this. Or bring something I can eat one-handed on the drive home (though this is probably not the best idea RE: driving safely e_e)

[incompetentia]

Or, take your tests on the weekends and rest up during the week. You still have another 2 months before the test date.

[crumpetsandtea]

Or, take your tests on the weekends and rest up during the week. You still have another 2 months before the test date.

Then I'd have to take one on both days of the weekend...and sometimes I have things to do on the weekends. Isn't that just as detrimental (to do 2 tests 2 days in a row, I mean)? I guess I could do F/Sun, but then I'd lose a test a week.

[Neidermeyer519]

I really need to slow down on RC passages. I'm finishing passages in 6 minutes on average and am missing 0-2 per section, depending. I'm trying to figure out which one of the methods would work best...

1. Spending an extra minute reading/concentrating on the passage.
2. Reading the passage the same and spending more time returning to the passage
3. Diagramming/notating certain elements in the passage so they are easier to find.

Anyone have any suggestions for what works for you? I think I just get nervous and try to fly through it bc I don't want to run out of time.

[Jack Smirks]

I usually speed read the passage once and notate what I think will be important. I think that budgets the time so I can refer back to the passage when I need to.

[coldshoulder]

I have no idea how to fix my LR score. I've been -6 every single LR section for 3 tests straight, and I swear half the time I don't understand the reasoning for the testmaker's answer. I'm getting consistently -1 or -2 on RC, and -1 or -0 on LG, so my real work is all in LR.
Also, the bible has seemed to be of no help whatsoever. I never miss a question in the bible, but then the real questions are nearly twice as difficult and complex.

Freaking the fuck out. Advice on LR?

[coldshoulder]

I really need to slow down on RC passages. I'm finishing passages in 6 minutes on average and am missing 0-2 per section, depending. I'm trying to figure out which one of the methods would work best...

1. Spending an extra minute reading/concentrating on the passage.
2. Reading the passage the same and spending more time returning to the passage
3. Diagramming/notating certain elements in the passage so they are easier to find.

Anyone have any suggestions for what works for you? I think I just get nervous and try to fly through it bc I don't want to run out of time.

Since I don't find time to be a problem on RC, and you seem to have plenty of extra time too, slow down. I generally read the passage thoroughly, then go to the questions. If I need to refer back I do. I don't make notations, but it does work for a lot of people, so give it a shot.

[Neidermeyer519]

I find that I spend about 2-2 1/2 minutes reading the passages. How long on average do you spend on the passages? I was thinking I should take at least 3 minutes to 3 1/2 minutes per passage to better absorb and notate. Thoughts?

[crumpetsandtea]

I have no idea how to fix my LR score. I've been -6 every single LR section for 3 tests straight, and I swear half the time I don't understand the reasoning for the testmaker's answer. I'm getting consistently -1 or -2 on RC, and -1 or -0 on LG, so my real work is all in LR.
Also, the bible has seemed to be of no help whatsoever. I never miss a question in the bible, but then the real questions are nearly twice as difficult and complex.

Freaking the fuck out. Advice on LR?

Hmmm. Are you timing the qs you do for LRB? I don't really know what to say because the LRB helped me a LOT. How are you reading through it? Have you done LR drills separate from PTs?

[coldshoulder]

I'll read through a chapter about a specific problem type (say, assumptions) and then do the sample problems. I always have enough time on LR, so I don't bother timing them. It's just hard for me to switch my brain from choosing an answer that makes sense to an answer that the testmakers want.

Maybe I just need to give the bible more work and time to sink in....it's just destroying my confidence.

[coldshoulder]

I decided to do an untimed LR section on a test to see if I would be more successful. I ended up with a -2 instead of a -6, and I think I was close to the 35 minute mark. Looks like the first thing I need to do is spend more time analyzing each problem, especially between 10 and 20.

[crumpetsandtea]

I decided to do an untimed LR section on a test to see if I would be more successful. I ended up with a -2 instead of a -6, and I think I was close to the 35 minute mark. Looks like the first thing I need to do is spend more time analyzing each problem, especially between 10 and 20.

What order are you doing the problems in? Also, this time around were you just taking more time on the qs or going back and double checking too? If you have the time, double checking can make a big difference.

[coldshoulder]

I decided to do an untimed LR section on a test to see if I would be more successful. I ended up with a -2 instead of a -6, and I think I was close to the 35 minute mark. Looks like the first thing I need to do is spend more time analyzing each problem, especially between 10 and 20.

What order are you doing the problems in? Also, this time around were you just taking more time on the qs or going back and double checking too? If you have the time, double checking can make a big difference.

I'm just doing the problems sequentially, what's the advantage of switching up the order?
I was just spending more time on the original question, I found when I went back and double checked about half the time I'd change it to an incorrect answer, and that my first instinct was generally more correct.

[crumpetsandtea]

I'm just doing the problems sequentially, what's the advantage of switching up the order?
I was just spending more time on the original question, I found when I went back and double checked about half the time I'd change it to an incorrect answer, and that my first instinct was generally more correct.

Well questions 16-24 (I think?) tend to be the hardest, so some people say that you should go 1-15 in the first 15 minutes, then spend the rest of the time working backwards, so you get to the easy questions first and then end with the harder questions instead of the other way around.

I don't know if it's a psychological thing, but I experienced a slight (like, -1 or 2 more) change in my score when I went in order vs. when I went 1-15 and then backwards. Maybe try it out and see if it helps!

[coldshoulder]

I'm just doing the problems sequentially, what's the advantage of switching up the order?
I was just spending more time on the original question, I found when I went back and double checked about half the time I'd change it to an incorrect answer, and that my first instinct was generally more correct.

Well questions 16-24 (I think?) tend to be the hardest, so some people say that you should go 1-15 in the first 15 minutes, then spend the rest of the time working backwards, so you get to the easy questions first and then end with the harder questions instead of the other way around.

I don't know if it's a psychological thing, but I experienced a slight (like, -1 or 2 more) change in my score when I went in order vs. when I went 1-15 and then backwards. Maybe try it out and see if it helps!

Sounds good, thanks!

[Neidermeyer519]

I really need to slow down on RC passages. I'm finishing passages in 6 minutes on average and am missing 0-2 per section, depending. I'm trying to figure out which one of the methods would work best...

1. Spending an extra minute reading/concentrating on the passage.
2. Reading the passage the same and spending more time returning to the passage
3. Diagramming/notating certain elements in the passage so they are easier to find.

Anyone have any suggestions for what works for you? I think I just get nervous and try to fly through it bc I don't want to run out of time.

Since I don't find time to be a problem on RC, and you seem to have plenty of extra time too, slow down. I generally read the passage thoroughly, then go to the questions. If I need to refer back I do. I don't make notations, but it does work for a lot of people, so give it a shot.

Since I always do well on the science passage, Im thinking about finding that one first and blasting through it quickly, which should free up 9-10 minutes per every other RC passage. I really do just need to slow down...when I do and I truly absorb what I'm reading, there's only a question or two that will require me to return to the passage. Moastly I can just answer it from retained information. Some of this stuff though I could just care less about.

[Jack Smirks]

Just reviewed 38 again, will do Superprep A tomorrow.

[coldshoulder]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, decided to start my own study log as well to track things.
Good luck in your preparations!

[incompetentia]

Neider, as somebody who hated RC at the start, these are the tips I found most useful (if you do want to try some out, although my strange brain may not be the best baseline). -7 RC on diag, -0 on test day.


1. First thing I do is skim the main passage and extract one main idea from each paragraph to come up with a summary.
-This should free me up to do any main idea questions without having specifics in my head.
2. Skim the remaining questions for any that might be addressed by one specific lookup (for example, "This word would most likely mean..." or "Which of the following is/is NOT mentioned..."). Look up the section in the passage and answer the question.
3. Any general remaining questions should usually be easy to answer at this point without massive rereading. You should feel enough time in this case to spend lots of time on questions that you might not be so sure about.

[FloridaCoastalorbust]

Neider, as somebody who hated RC at the start, these are the tips I found most useful (if you do want to try some out, although my strange brain may not be the best baseline). -7 RC on diag, -0 on test day.


1. First thing I do is skim the main passage and extract one main idea from each paragraph to come up with a summary.
-This should free me up to do any main idea questions without having specifics in my head.
2. Skim the remaining questions for any that might be addressed by one specific lookup (for example, "This word would most likely mean..." or "Which of the following is/is NOT mentioned..."). Look up the section in the passage and answer the question.
3. Any general remaining questions should usually be easy to answer at this point without massive rereading. You should feel enough time in this case to spend lots of time on questions that you might not be so sure about.

Is that to say that after reading a passage you would skim the stimuli and answer the main point q's first? Or do each question in successive order per section

[incompetentia]

Is that to say that after reading a passage you would skim the stimuli and answer the main point q's first? Or do each question in successive order per section

The former. It's not smart to jump between passages, but when you have 6-8 questions that are based on the same passage, there's no point in restricting yourself to going in order.

[Jack Smirks]

This thread needs to brainstorm some anxiety control/coping mechanisms for test day.

I'm seriously considering xanax or booze... thoughts?

[Curry]

This thread needs to brainstorm some anxiety control/coping mechanisms for test day.

I'm seriously considering xanax or booze... thoughts?

Heroin works well.

[incompetentia]

I sedated myself before the test, and slept for 4 hours.

[Jack Smirks]

I'm going to have to test the waters and try a little bit of everything before my PTs. If anyone has any suggestions about the best kind of heroin to take before a test let me know. Thanks.