Doing Worse During Morning Practice Forum

[bdm261]

I admit that I've really been slacking in my LSAT prep. My highest PT since I've started is a 152. I probably have put in a max of 5 hours/week since February not counting PTs and my Kaplan class which is 3 hrs long every Saturday. I will probably retake in October and since it's my last Semester and I only have to take 3 very easy classes to graduate, I imagine finding time to study will be easier.

However, I've just starting doing section work about 20 min after waking up. I'm taking Summer classes which start afternoon, so I wake up around 11:30 and do a full practice section. I have realized that I usually do my prep at night and my scores average around 58-72% correct in each section. During my AM practice, I'm scoring 42-46%. I know I can obviously do better if my nighttime averages are higher, but what techniques work to get myself in the mindset of doing LSAT questions around noon? I am freaking out because I just came to realization that my LSAT ability at noon is crap, and the actual June LSAT will be at 12:30.

[rinkrat19]

Get up earlier, like a functional adult.

[Micdiddy]

Kaplan class

There, I isolated the problem for you.

But to now answer your question, what are you eating before studying? I used to wake up, drink coffee, then do sections, BAD IDEA! Get some real food in you (AND coffee of course, never neglect coffee).

Secondly, Wake up earlier.

[bdm261]

Kaplan class

There, I isolated the problem for you.

But to now answer your question, what are you eating before studying? I used to wake up, drink coffee, then do sections, BAD IDEA! Get some real food in you (AND coffee of course, never neglect coffee).

Secondly, Wake up earlier.

I didn't know how bad Kaplan was until I paid to take the class and already attended a few sessions before reading reviews online.

Didnt eat anything, so that sounds like a better idea. I will probably wake up at 8 am on test day, eat a big breakfast, run a mile, etc...anything to get my energy and mental ability up.

[rinkrat19]

Kaplan class

There, I isolated the problem for you.

But to now answer your question, what are you eating before studying? I used to wake up, drink coffee, then do sections, BAD IDEA! Get some real food in you (AND coffee of course, never neglect coffee).

Secondly, Wake up earlier.

I didn't know how bad Kaplan was until I paid to take the class and already attended a few sessions before reading reviews online.

Didnt eat anything, so that sounds like a better idea. I will probably wake up at 8 am on test day, eat a big breakfast, run a mile, etc...anything to get my energy and mental ability up.

You need to be waking up early well before test day, to get used to the routine. At least start getting up by 9 or 9:30 if you can't manage 8:00. (I get up at 6 for work and I hate it every day. It's called "being a grownup.")

[Micdiddy]

Kaplan class

There, I isolated the problem for you.

But to now answer your question, what are you eating before studying? I used to wake up, drink coffee, then do sections, BAD IDEA! Get some real food in you (AND coffee of course, never neglect coffee).

Secondly, Wake up earlier.

I didn't know how bad Kaplan was until I paid to take the class and already attended a few sessions before reading reviews online.

Didnt eat anything, so that sounds like a better idea. I will probably wake up at 8 am on test day, eat a big breakfast, run a mile, etc...anything to get my energy and mental ability up.

You need to be waking up early well before test day, to get used to the routine. At least start getting up by 9 or 9:30 if you can't manage 8:00. (I get up at 6 for work and I hate it every day. It's called "being a grownup.")

Sadly, this is true. You do need to get into the routine. I used to sleep in because I work part-time starting in the afternoon, but when I knew I was taking the LSAT I forced myself to get up with my wife at 8:30. The first few times it was difficult for sure, nowadays I cannot go back to sleep if I tried.
Get in the habit of waking up, eating something, then go jogging or whatever you plan to do on test day, then start your studying. Also, if you wake up earlier you will have time for more sections before class, and possibly even a whole PT.

[blurbz]

I admit that I've really been slacking in my LSAT prep. My highest PT since I've started is a 152. I probably have put in a max of 5 hours/week since February not counting PTs and my Kaplan class which is 3 hrs long every Saturday. I will probably retake in October and since it's my last Semester and I only have to take 3 very easy classes to graduate, I imagine finding time to study will be easier.

However, I've just starting doing section work about 20 min after waking up. I'm taking Summer classes which start afternoon, so I wake up around 11:30 and do a full practice section. I have realized that I usually do my prep at night and my scores average around 58-72% correct in each section. During my AM practice, I'm scoring 42-46%. I know I can obviously do better if my nighttime averages are higher, but what techniques work to get myself in the mindset of doing LSAT questions around noon? I am freaking out because I just came to realization that my LSAT ability at noon is crap, and the actual June LSAT will be at 12:30.

Honestly....It sounds like you just don't care enough to be bothered to put in the effort so you're blaming it on the time of day. As others have said, just wake up earlier and start putting some time in. Not trying is a sure-fire way to fail, no matter what excuse you use afterwards.

[Br3v]

I can't believe I hadn't thought about running on test day! I don't have a problem waking up or anything, I was just browsing this thread, but glad I did because I'm def going to schedule in a jog now

[gaud]

I can't believe I hadn't thought about running on test day! I don't have a problem waking up or anything, I was just browsing this thread, but glad I did because I'm def going to schedule in a jog now

Be careful though. Running = drinking a lot of water = having to pee during the test. Lol.

[twenty]

so I wake up around 11:30

Dear God.

[bdm261]

so I wake up around 11:30

Dear God.

yeah i know, its just a summer thing though. during fall/spring semesters I start at 8 am. i wake up, go to class, then go to work for a few hrs afterward whenever class ends.

[TyrionLannister]

I am freaking out because I just came to realization that my LSAT ability at noon is crap, and the actual June LSAT will be at 12:30.

This is not the part to freak out about.

My highest PT since I've started is a 152.

This is.

Solution - Push the test to October, start waking up early and dedicate yourself to actually achieving a good score.

Study, study, study. Don't take the June test. You are not ready.

The LSAT will affect every single aspect of the rest of your life. Take it seriously.

Regardless, GL to you.

[JJDancer]

Like people said, wake up earlier. It will take a few days to get used to this so I wouldn't just force myself up at 8 am one day and do a PT at 9. Instead get up at 8/9 and give yourself time to wake up and do other things (eat, read the newspaper, maybe work out) and then take a practice test at 11 or 12.

[Systematic1]

Was just reading a cool blog post on this actually, you should check it out.
http://lsatblog.blogspot.com/2010/05/ls ... -good.html

In short, I agree with what's been said so far. Start forcing yourself to wake up earlier so you can get into a routine well before the test day.