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Score Dropped Significantly With Timed Test

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 2:56 pm
by Lying Lawyer
So I did my first timed test this past Saturday and it did not go well. I scored a 157. It was with test 62. I had previously not even timing myself and I had been using earlier tests, like the 40's for practice. I was scoring about 165-168 before loosely timing myself. For games I was fine. I was just a few minutes over. I got several more wrong where i was only getting 1 maybe two wrong at most. Reading comp about 40 minutes or so. LR I was taking about 45 minutes or so and that the section that took the biggest hit I think. I have read that the newer tests are a little harder. IS this something that is overcome with more practice or what should I be doing?

Re: Score Dropped Significantly With Timed Test

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 3:05 pm
by Smallville
Lying Lawyer wrote:So I did my first timed test this past Saturday and it did not go well. I scored a 157. It was with test 62. I had previously not even timing myself and I had been using earlier tests, like the 40's for practice. I was scoring about 165-168 before loosely timing myself. For games I was fine. I was just a few minutes over. I got several more wrong where i was only getting 1 maybe two wrong at most. Reading comp about 40 minutes or so. LR I was taking about 45 minutes or so and that the section that took the biggest hit I think. I have read that the newer tests are a little harder. IS this something that is overcome with more practice or what should I be doing?
so by first timed are you saying you timed up for each section to see how long you can complete it in rather than limiting yourself to 35 min??
If above is the case, 1. PT's can fluctuate especially earlier on in prepping so with the small sample size dont take it too hard.
2. even though you're not limiting yourself to a certain time limit you're still trying to finish it as quickly as you can (I assume) which is def different from completely untimed. You're still going to feel more stress and potentially rush though some stimuli or question stems so take all these (mental state differences) into consideration bc they play a huge role in your performance.

Re: Score Dropped Significantly With Timed Test

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 3:32 pm
by ltowns1
Lying Lawyer wrote:So I did my first timed test this past Saturday and it did not go well. I scored a 157. It was with test 62. I had previously not even timing myself and I had been using earlier tests, like the 40's for practice. I was scoring about 165-168 before loosely timing myself. For games I was fine. I was just a few minutes over. I got several more wrong where i was only getting 1 maybe two wrong at most. Reading comp about 40 minutes or so. LR I was taking about 45 minutes or so and that the section that took the biggest hit I think. I have read that the newer tests are a little harder. IS this something that is overcome with more practice or what should I be doing?
Looking at what seouless said in my thread might help
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6&t=239023

Re: Score Dropped Significantly With Timed Test

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 6:09 pm
by Lying Lawyer
Jgoods wrote:
Lying Lawyer wrote:So I did my first timed test this past Saturday and it did not go well. I scored a 157. It was with test 62. I had previously not even timing myself and I had been using earlier tests, like the 40's for practice. I was scoring about 165-168 before loosely timing myself. For games I was fine. I was just a few minutes over. I got several more wrong where i was only getting 1 maybe two wrong at most. Reading comp about 40 minutes or so. LR I was taking about 45 minutes or so and that the section that took the biggest hit I think. I have read that the newer tests are a little harder. IS this something that is overcome with more practice or what should I be doing?
so by first timed are you saying you timed up for each section to see how long you can complete it in rather than limiting yourself to 35 min??
If above is the case, 1. PT's can fluctuate especially earlier on in prepping so with the small sample size dont take it too hard.
2. even though you're not limiting yourself to a certain time limit you're still trying to finish it as quickly as you can (I assume) which is def different from completely untimed. You're still going to feel more stress and potentially rush though some stimuli or question stems so take all these (mental state differences) into consideration bc they play a huge role in your performance.
My prior tests I was loosely timing myself. This was the first time I applied strict timing. I got RC and LG done in time. I didn't.

Re: Score Dropped Significantly With Timed Test

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 9:12 pm
by Smallville
Lying Lawyer wrote:
Jgoods wrote:
Lying Lawyer wrote:So I did my first timed test this past Saturday and it did not go well. I scored a 157. It was with test 62. I had previously not even timing myself and I had been using earlier tests, like the 40's for practice. I was scoring about 165-168 before loosely timing myself. For games I was fine. I was just a few minutes over. I got several more wrong where i was only getting 1 maybe two wrong at most. Reading comp about 40 minutes or so. LR I was taking about 45 minutes or so and that the section that took the biggest hit I think. I have read that the newer tests are a little harder. IS this something that is overcome with more practice or what should I be doing?
so by first timed are you saying you timed up for each section to see how long you can complete it in rather than limiting yourself to 35 min??
If above is the case, 1. PT's can fluctuate especially earlier on in prepping so with the small sample size dont take it too hard.
2. even though you're not limiting yourself to a certain time limit you're still trying to finish it as quickly as you can (I assume) which is def different from completely untimed. You're still going to feel more stress and potentially rush though some stimuli or question stems so take all these (mental state differences) into consideration bc they play a huge role in your performance.
My prior tests I was loosely timing myself. This was the first time I applied strict timing. I got RC and LG done in time. I didn't.
unfinished sentence? lol
but then what I said holds even more weight... its new to you to restrict your time... okay you finished all of RC/LG (if the unfinished sentence doesn't contradict that) great... but if your rushing through those sections(even if subconsciously) you can easily misread even 1 word in a stimulus/stem that could make or break that question... its just something that takes practice and comfortability

Re: Score Dropped Significantly With Timed Test

Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 9:49 pm
by Shakawkaw
Lying Lawyer wrote:
Jgoods wrote:
Lying Lawyer wrote:So I did my first timed test this past Saturday and it did not go well. I scored a 157. It was with test 62. I had previously not even timing myself and I had been using earlier tests, like the 40's for practice. I was scoring about 165-168 before loosely timing myself. For games I was fine. I was just a few minutes over. I got several more wrong where i was only getting 1 maybe two wrong at most. Reading comp about 40 minutes or so. LR I was taking about 45 minutes or so and that the section that took the biggest hit I think. I have read that the newer tests are a little harder. IS this something that is overcome with more practice or what should I be doing?
so by first timed are you saying you timed up for each section to see how long you can complete it in rather than limiting yourself to 35 min??
If above is the case, 1. PT's can fluctuate especially earlier on in prepping so with the small sample size dont take it too hard.
2. even though you're not limiting yourself to a certain time limit you're still trying to finish it as quickly as you can (I assume) which is def different from completely untimed. You're still going to feel more stress and potentially rush though some stimuli or question stems so take all these (mental state differences) into consideration bc they play a huge role in your performance.
My prior tests I was loosely timing myself. This was the first time I applied strict timing. I got RC and LG done in time. I didn't.
I mean, test anxiety will start to kick if you're used to taking shortcuts (by loosely timing). When you're loosely timing, your brain says "Okay, no need to panic because I'm not being strict on time." This shifts when you start being strict.

Just keep drilling sections and you'll feel comfortable.