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I have taken the LSAT 2 times (June '11 / October '11).

Prior to the June '11 test I was PTing in the mide to upper 160s, and came out with a 159. Prior to the October test I was PTing in the low 170's consistently, and this time came out with a 158.

I've been wait listed @ a couple T10's, and thus am taking a third whack at the test this coming June. I've again been prep testing in the low 170's, with less than a point or two separation in each. My HUGE fear is that I'll again flop and ruin any chance of going to a T10.

ANY thoughts are welcome.... I've been around TLS for a while and realize we may see a troll or two

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

You need to deal with that test anxiety before you waste your last shot (for a while). Has it always been a problem for you, or it specific to the LSAT?

rinkrat19 wrote:Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

You need to deal with that test anxiety before you waste your last shot (for a while). Has it always been a problem for you, or it specific to the LSAT?

Literally never had a problem sitting down for a test before this. I absolutely rocked undergrad, and have all the confidence in the world in my ability to do well on the LSAT as well. I don't think I feel overly stressed on test day, but I'm obviously wrong.

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.

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"?

Are you experiencing the fail in one particular section, or is it spread equally across all sections?

As far as anxiety goes, I recommend hatha yoga. I started going maybe 1x / week in the past few months while studying for this retake. As an anxious and mentally hyper-active person, I'm finding that it helps me train myself to chill out and breathe, even while doing something strenuous. Other kinds of Yoga that involve constant movement rather than holding difficult positions--like Ashtanga--are too much like doing traditional calisthenics, so I don't get the same mental training. You might wanna give it a try.

BalanceCare wrote:Are you experiencing the fail in one particular section, or is it spread equally across all sections?

As far as anxiety goes, I recommend hatha yoga. I started going maybe 1x / week in the past few months while studying for this retake. As an anxious and mentally hyper-active person, I'm finding that it helps me train myself to chill out and breathe, even while doing something strenuous. Other kinds of Yoga that involve constant movement rather than holding difficult positions--like Ashtanga--are too much like doing traditional calisthenics, so I don't get the same mental training. You might wanna give it a try.

It has hit me pretty hard in every section, but definitely worse in RC. On test day I felt extremely fuzzy going through RC passages (and games) and had a tough time picking out tone/structure. I am absolutely not the yoga type, but I will straight up try anything at this point!

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

You can get the same equanimity and poise from meditating on your own as from yoga. Some rudimentary research into vispansa (i.e. mindfulness) meditation might prove beneficial, or just follow your breath and allow yourself to relax. Some visualization work could help as well. If you can remain jogging or exercising for 35 minutes, then that will psyche you up for activites based in 35 minute increments. Putting the test in perspective and knowing that you can adjust to any outcome will put your mind at ease.

See if one of the LSAT prep companies is proctoring practice tests under exam conditions in your area. I think Kaplan does it. Take as many as you can.

rinkrat19 wrote:See if one of the LSAT prep companies is proctoring practice tests under exam conditions in your area. I think Kaplan does it. Take as many as you can.

I'm currently enrolled in a Princeton Review prep course that has scheduled, proctored exams every Saturday. Having said that, I was in a class just like it prior to the last test so I'm not all that confident it will be the key difference.

cloudhidden wrote:You can get the same equanimity and poise from meditating on your own as from yoga. Some rudimentary research into vispansa (i.e. mindfulness) meditation might prove beneficial, or just follow your breath and allow yourself to relax. Some visualization work could help as well. If you can remain jogging or exercising for 35 minutes, then that will psyche you up for activites based in 35 minute increments. Putting the test in perspective and knowing that you can adjust to any outcome will put your mind at ease.

I've started jogging 35 minutes/day, which should help with energy / sleeping / not packing on weight from the LSAT blues.

..

Corsair wrote:I'm not saying you should take a shot before the test, and another between sections 3 and 4...


Actually yes I am.

Pretty sure it'd have to be vodka to stay within their liquid requirements lol

Corsair wrote:I'm not saying you should take a shot before the test, and another between sections 3 and 4...


Actually yes I am.

+1