Should I stop taking PTs after work, and weekend only? Forum

[TOMaHULK]

I work full time.

I've been doing a few practice tests during the week, after work.

These scores have been bad, and haven't helped my confidence.

However, when I've been taking my weekend PTs, I've had my best scores by far.

I think it's really a matter of mental stamina/focus during the week.

However, I'm wondering if the negative effects of the lower post workday scores are hurting my confidence.

It seems like on the weekends I'm waking up, having something to eat, and hitting my best scores.

We're talking about a 12 point difference in some cases.

However, I know that the knocking out of these additional tests during the week is forcing me to keep my endurance up, as well.

Thoughts?

[hopscotch]

I think its absolutely absurd to take a PT after work. The goal of practice tests is to acclimate you to test conditions and to give you a way to judge your progress. Taking tests after work would appear to do little of the former, and none of the latter.

[09042014]

I think its absolutely absurd to take a PT after work. The goal of practice tests is to acclimate you to test conditions and to give you a way to judge your progress. Taking tests after work would appear to do little of the former, and none of the latter.

People get stressed on the LSAT, and might not have a great night sleep.

I took Pts after work on about 4-5 hours of sleep. It'd didn't really hurt my scores, and on test day, I rocked it.

[TOMaHULK]

I think its absolutely absurd to take a PT after work. The goal of practice tests is to acclimate you to test conditions and to give you a way to judge your progress. Taking tests after work would appear to do little of the former, and none of the latter.

Just don't really have much of a choice.

That's the only time I have available.

I don't think that 2 days (the weekend) is really enough.

[Marionberry]

I think its absolutely absurd to take a PT after work. The goal of practice tests is to acclimate you to test conditions and to give you a way to judge your progress. Taking tests after work would appear to do little of the former, and none of the latter.

Just don't really have much of a choice.

That's the only time I have available.

I don't think that 2 days (the weekend) is really enough.

I know it's kind of popular around here, but for me doing several full PTs a week, especially working full time, is kind of detrimental. It's just really taxing mentally, emotionally, and physically. Maybe just try and do one, replicating test day conditions, on each of the weekends before the test, and on days you work just do two or three individual sections, with breaks in between. The 5 sections tests are good for building endurance and getting used to doing it, but I don't know if it's going to improve actual technique or comprehension more than doing individual sections.

[TOMaHULK]

I think its absolutely absurd to take a PT after work. The goal of practice tests is to acclimate you to test conditions and to give you a way to judge your progress. Taking tests after work would appear to do little of the former, and none of the latter.

Just don't really have much of a choice.

That's the only time I have available.

I don't think that 2 days (the weekend) is really enough.

I know it's kind of popular around here, but for me doing several full PTs a week, especially working full time, is kind of detrimental. It's just really taxing mentally, emotionally, and physically. Maybe just try and do one, replicating test day conditions, on each of the weekends before the test, and on days you work just do two or three individual sections, with breaks in between. The 5 sections tests are good for building endurance and getting used to doing it, but I don't know if it's going to improve actual technique or comprehension more than doing individual sections.

I'd just have to agree.

I've been doing like 2-3 test during the week (after work) and 1 or 2 on the weekends. My scores during the week stink. My scores during the weekend rock. It IS mentally draining.



Maybe I'll just work through sections/Bibles this week and this weekend hit up 2 test and see how that looks...

[kommatas]

If you do take the practice tests after work, try to do it on days where you don't feel as tired. Doing too many can affect you negatively, mostly in the form of focus. I made the mistake of overstudying while working and on test day I really felt the negative effects. (That plus I had food poisoning a couple days prior to the test and was still taking PTs).

I am taking the test one more time, and this time I am not doing more than 4 PTs a week and I am going to my library and taking them in the hall where others are studying and making mild noise.

Just remember, you may feel tired the day of the test, I was exhausted and preparing yourself for that may be a help as well, just don't burn yourself out.

Good luck. Also, you may want to see where the test is being given a couple of days ahead. When I took mine we had really small desks: the ones that have the little fold out contraption and I couldn't fit my watch, extra pencils, or scantron on with an open booklet, being prepared for that may have helped me. Because I know I lost a good two or three minutes each section for that alone.

[TOMaHULK]

If you do take the practice tests after work, try to do it on days where you don't feel as tired. Doing too many can affect you negatively, mostly in the form of focus. I made the mistake of overstudying while working and on test day I really felt the negative effects. (That plus I had food poisoning a couple days prior to the test and was still taking PTs).

I am taking the test one more time, and this time I am not doing more than 4 PTs a week and I am going to my library and taking them in the hall where others are studying and making mild noise.

Just remember, you may feel tired the day of the test, I was exhausted and preparing yourself for that may be a help as well, just don't burn yourself out.

Good luck. Also, you may want to see where the test is being given a couple of days ahead. When I took mine we had really small desks: the ones that have the little fold out contraption and I couldn't fit my watch, extra pencils, or scantron on with an open booklet, being prepared for that may have helped me. Because I know I lost a good two or three minutes each section for that alone.

I tend to agree. I've taken the test before as well, and at the testing site I'm using, I was fortunate enough to get the "good room" last time. However, a lot of others got the auditorium, which had the flip desk. All I can do is "hope" I don't get those desk, but we'll see.