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First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 8:39 am
by barnett2525
First post!
Hey guys I'm Alex... just posting here because I'm freaking out about the LSAT and would like some advice. I'm scheduled for a retake in June, and I'm trying to do a practice test every day. My problem is that no matter how hard I try, I can NEVER finish the games or RC within the time limit. I have LR down pact.... but the other two sections just seem to consistently own me...and during my practice tests when I know I've fallen behind the time limit I start getting all overwhelmed and feeling stressed etc and that makes it even harder to think straight. Upon finishing, I tend to do very well, but I know that those scores are meaningless because the RC and games took me too long.
Sorry if this is a wasted post... mods feel free to lock/ban/whatever lol...but some input would be very much appreciated...is 60 days (the time before test day in June) enough to do something about this??? As you guys can probably see by now, I'm straight up losing it.
Alex
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 8:56 am
by WaltGrace83
Your problem may NOT be stress, anxiety, etc. Your problem is most likely that you don't have a solid approach. Do you drill games? What about RC? What have you done so far? What does having LR "done pact" mean? Is that -0/-1 or -4/-5?
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:15 am
by barnett2525
I drill prep tests... I read the powerscore bible once
for RC I think I just read too slowly, and for the games I think I'm unsure of myself and double check my thinking and going around in circles
for LR I average like -2 through -4
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:19 am
by WaltGrace83
barnett2525 wrote:I drill prep tests... I read the powerscore bible once
for RC I think I just read too slowly, and for the games I think I'm unsure of myself and double check my thinking and going around in circles
for LR I average like -2 through -4
It's your process. Pick up Manhattan LG strategy guide - I really liked it and I go -0 on games in about 22 minutes consistently.
Post removed.
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:30 am
by mornincounselor
Post removed.
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 11:02 am
by WaltGrace83
mornincounselor wrote:barnett2525 wrote:First post!
Hey guys I'm Alex... just posting here because I'm freaking out about the LSAT and would like some advice. I'm scheduled for a retake in June, and I'm trying to do a practice test every day. My problem is that no matter how hard I try, I can NEVER finish the games or RC within the time limit. I have LR down pact.... but the other two sections just seem to consistently own me...and during my practice tests when I know I've fallen behind the time limit I start getting all overwhelmed and feeling stressed etc and that makes it even harder to think straight. Upon finishing, I tend to do very well, but I know that those scores are meaningless because the RC and games took me too long.
Sorry if this is a wasted post... mods feel free to lock/ban/whatever lol...but some input would be very much appreciated...is 60 days (the time before test day in June) enough to do something about this??? As you guys can probably see by now, I'm straight up losing it.
Alex
Here's the thing. You should be freaking out. You're a retaker so I'm assuming you have a target score in mind. Don't take the exam until you are consistently hitting well above that target. Be realistic about whether you can improve enough in time. Your freaking out is likely a sign you are not ready for this test.
Luckily you've found this forum. Stop taking preptests! You are wasting the material. If you consistently struggle to finish sections your fundamentals are off. Work on these. Use the forum search feature (
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/search.php) everything you'll need (except time) can be found within these boards.
This ^.
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 11:36 am
by Captain Rodeo
Alex,
Mornincounselor has a great point.
Take it from someone who did significantly worse on the LSAT (many of us do) due to ungodly amounts of anxiety.... DON'T STRESS
However
Your stress is originating from some place. That place is your current performance relative to the proximity of the test date.
Do not take this test if you are going to be stressed out. You won't be able to do the requisite studying for the test, moreover, if you are too stressed in preparations for the test to even put yourself in competitive and confident frame of mind to take and own the test, it will be a waste to take it.
Not only is the LSAT a game, but so is preparing for it. Both require strategy. Your frame of mind is just as important as your test-taking-ability because the former can significantly impact the latter.
If you haven't done the Manhattan LSAT Logical Reasoning book, I would seriously reconsider taking this test.
As a retaker, if you haven't checked out Noodley One's guide for retakers, I would seriously reconsider taking the June LSAT.
This forum is veritable treasure cove of information. If you haven't spent time reading LSAT-prep articles, haven't been on the MLSAT Forums, haven't watched LSATBLog's or 7Sages videos for logic games, haven't read the MLSAT LR, aren't finishing your sections in time.... Then just wait.
Make your retake the best it can be. Get in a frame of mind where you are not stressing and freaking out. You need to be well balanced before you take this thing.
Good luck. You'll find a lot of great advice on here.
Oh... stop stressing. You'll be fine. You found this forum and guess what- now you're going to be more prepared than you ever could have been without them. Don't stress. Start exploring these threads and be happy you found them. If you have to push your test back, whatever. Scoring higher and getting into better schools or getting thousands upon thousands in more scholarship money will be completely worth it.
Oh, did I say stop stressing?
Edited for damn iphone autocorrect
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:20 pm
by Clyde Frog
WaltGrace83 wrote:barnett2525 wrote:I drill prep tests... I read the powerscore bible once
for RC I think I just read too slowly, and for the games I think I'm unsure of myself and double check my thinking and going around in circles
for LR I average like -2 through -4
It's your process. Pick up Manhattan LG strategy guide - I really liked it and I go -0 on games in about 22 minutes consistently.
4 games in 22 minutes?
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:29 pm
by manillabay
WaltGrace83 wrote:barnett2525 wrote:I drill prep tests... I read the powerscore bible once
for RC I think I just read too slowly, and for the games I think I'm unsure of myself and double check my thinking and going around in circles
for LR I average like -2 through -4
It's your process. Pick up Manhattan LG strategy guide - I really liked it and I go -0 on games in about 22 minutes consistently.
This argument takes for granted that the Manhattan LG study guide was the cause of him going -0 on LG in about 22 minutes which is impossible anyway.
HTH
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:41 pm
by Clyde Frog
manillabay wrote:WaltGrace83 wrote:barnett2525 wrote:I drill prep tests... I read the powerscore bible once
for RC I think I just read too slowly, and for the games I think I'm unsure of myself and double check my thinking and going around in circles
for LR I average like -2 through -4
It's your process. Pick up Manhattan LG strategy guide - I really liked it and I go -0 on games in about 22 minutes consistently.
This argument takes for granted that the Manhattan LG study guide was the cause of him going -0 on LG in about 22 minutes which is impossible anyway.
HTH
Manilla, I'm going to take a wild guess and say that you don't like Manhattan all that much. Not a big fan of the RC (3rd edition), but their LR and LG are solid. Your entitled to your own opinion and all, but I was just curious to why you think their books aren't that helpful.
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:46 pm
by manillabay
Clyde Frog wrote:manillabay wrote:WaltGrace83 wrote:barnett2525 wrote:I drill prep tests... I read the powerscore bible once
for RC I think I just read too slowly, and for the games I think I'm unsure of myself and double check my thinking and going around in circles
for LR I average like -2 through -4
It's your process. Pick up Manhattan LG strategy guide - I really liked it and I go -0 on games in about 22 minutes consistently.
This argument takes for granted that the Manhattan LG study guide was the cause of him going -0 on LG in about 22 minutes which is impossible anyway.
HTH
I literally wasn't trying to make a statement about Manhattan. Just noticed the unwarranted assumption WG faced. I have no book by Manhattan, but they seem legit. I use their LR forums often and they're very helpful. Especially matt, he's really fucking good.
Manilla, I'm going to take a wild guess and say that you don't like Manhattan all that much. Not a big fan of the RC (3rd edition), but their LR and LG are solid. Your entitled to your own opinion and all, but I was just curious to why you think their books aren't that helpful.
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:48 pm
by Clyde Frog
Yeah I was thinking the same with 22 mins for 4 games. Thought it was a typo.
Figured you were mad after writing all those poems and not getting a book.
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:57 pm
by d cooper
For what it's worth, it's totally possible to go -0 on games in 22 minutes, and many top scorers reach that level of proficiency.
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:59 pm
by manillabay
d cooper wrote:For what it's worth, it's totally possible to go -0 on games in 22 minutes, and many top scorers reach that level of proficiency.
yeah, if you hand select 4 games, it's feasible. Doing 4 games, each at less than 6 minutes, in one particular section from one particular LSAT... not going to happen. Sorry.
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 10:09 pm
by d cooper
Manillabay needs a mod-mandated disclaimer pinned to the bottom of each of his/her posts.
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 10:10 pm
by manillabay
d cooper wrote:Manillabay needs a mod-mandated disclaimer pinned to the bottom of each of his/her posts.
If you genuinely think anyone can consistently complete a logic games section in an LSAT under 22 minutes, you are literally stupid.
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 10:26 pm
by Captain Rodeo
d cooper wrote:Manillabay needs a mod-mandated disclaimer pinned to the bottom of each of his/her posts.
lol
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 10:39 pm
by Clyde Frog
The Cleveland Cavaliers came back from 3-1 down against the Golden State Warriors.
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 11:01 pm
by manillabay
Yeah it takes me about 33-35 minutes to complete a section with 100% confidence. Granted, I'm not an expert, but I'm damn near close. You just got to keep doing them and watching the 7sage videos and reading the PS Bible before all that. Just get you some background and keep doing the games and eventually you'll learn the tricks and nuances and develop an overall good approach. You just have to be tactical, persistent, and self-aware of what you're doing when doing them. But if you stick at it, and keep reviewing em' and doing em' again and again, man you'll be there.
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 11:01 pm
by Captain Rodeo
.
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 12:37 am
by jk148706
manillabay wrote:d cooper wrote:For what it's worth, it's totally possible to go -0 on games in 22 minutes, and many top scorers reach that level of proficiency.
yeah, if you hand select 4 games, it's feasible. Doing 4 games, each at less than 6 minutes, in one particular section from one particular LSAT... not going to happen. Sorry.
manillabay wrote:d cooper wrote:Manillabay needs a mod-mandated disclaimer pinned to the bottom of each of his/her posts.
If you genuinely think anyone can consistently complete a logic games section in an LSAT under 22 minutes, you are literally stupid.
Wait wuuuuutt??? This is definitely possible. And in fact a lot of ppl can do it
Eta: that's not to say most ppl can do it or its realistic for everyone, but it is definitely possible to finish an lsat games section in fewer than 25 mins
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 12:45 am
by manillabay
jk148706 wrote:manillabay wrote:d cooper wrote:For what it's worth, it's totally possible to go -0 on games in 22 minutes, and many top scorers reach that level of proficiency.
yeah, if you hand select 4 games, it's feasible. Doing 4 games, each at less than 6 minutes, in one particular section from one particular LSAT... not going to happen. Sorry.
manillabay wrote:d cooper wrote:Manillabay needs a mod-mandated disclaimer pinned to the bottom of each of his/her posts.
If you genuinely think anyone can consistently complete a logic games section in an LSAT under 22 minutes, you are literally stupid.
Wait wuuuuutt??? This is definitely possible. And in fact a lot of ppl can do it
Eta: that's not to say most ppl can do it or its realistic for everyone, but it is definitely possible to finish an lsat games section in fewer than
25 mins
Hey bud. We are talking about 22 minutes, not 25 minutes. That's the first thing. Second thing, I can for sure complete a LG section in under 30 seconds. That doesn't mean I will have done well on it. We've already proven this fact, so please share your concerns elsewhere.
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 12:56 am
by jk148706
manillabay wrote:
Hey bud. We are talking about 22 minutes, not 25 minutes. That's the first thing. Second thing, I can for sure complete a LG section in under 30 seconds. That doesn't mean I will have done well on it. We've already proven this fact, so please share your concerns elsewhere.
Lolz da faq ?
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 12:58 am
by jk148706
manillabay wrote:d cooper wrote:Manillabay needs a mod-mandated disclaimer pinned to the bottom of each of his/her posts.
If you genuinely think anyone can consistently complete a logic games section in an LSAT under 22 minutes, you are literally stupid.
LITERALLY
Re: First post.... freaking out about the LSAT
Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 1:10 am
by Clearly
I doubt anyone can do it very consistently, but I'm sure 22 min has happened for some people.