Nammertat wrote:99.9luft wrote:I can relate. So, i"d say between now and the June test, simulate that pressured conditions (PT with other people, maybe in the library, maybe with a study partner). Knowledge should, but doesn't always trump fear. Panicking or thinking about a negative impact of one section can run the subsequent sections. As a part of your prep, try to simulate the test conditions, so you don't fold under pressure on gameday. Everyone gets nervous, but there is the focused-nervous and there is that scatter-brained nervous state you can get into.
Alas, psychological conditioning is much harder to advise someone on than the knowledge drills (taking PTs, for instance). I, for one, can't say that I've mastered the psychological aspect yet, regardless of PTing in the low-high 170s.
I definitely agree with you. I've started a small group of 4-6 people that takes a PT every Sat/Sun at the local library. The past week I even tried to create some anxiety before the test to try and simulate some of the test day adrenaline. Any further suggestions on making the practices seem more "real"?
hmm... I am too lazy to do all of these, but try the following:
(1) take 5 section exams
(2)take a 15 min break in between
(3) eat EXACTLY what you plan to eat in June during the break
(4) experiment with getting less than 8 hours of sleep the night before and see how that affects the PTs the next day.
(5) also, try to PT on exams you have never seen before to avoid the illusion/reality of familiarity
(6) start taking the test at 1:30-2:00pm to simulate getting inept proctors
(7) don't score it the same day; come home, predict how you did, then sleep on it, then predict again, then score it.
(8) before starting the exam, convince yourself that there is nothing the exam cannot throw at you that you cannot handle and be excited to tackle it with a focus and precision of a surgeon (ok, getting too metaphorical here...)
there are probably some I am leaving out...but like i said, i am trying to tackle this myself, too. I found that a routine of physical fitness also boosts your morale if done leading up to your PTs (do whatever relaxes and makes you feel great...for me it could be gym or Ashtanga yoga (which, unlike what the posted above mentioned, does incorporate vinyasa (constant flow of poses), primary series (increasingly challenging poses, and pranayama (breathing techniques)). oh, and get off TLS - that could add to your anxiety, btw.
ETA: yoga stuff.
hth
