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PJam1989 · Post by **PJam1989** » Fri Jul 17, 2015 10:30 am

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lymenheimer · Post by **lymenheimer** » Fri Jul 17, 2015 11:08 am

PJam1989 wrote:I took an LSAT prep course (PowerScore), and I was consistently scoring well on all my LSAT practice exams. When it was time to take the actual LSAT in June, however, I did not nearly score as well as I was on all my practice tests. I got so nervous when the test started that I literally began to freak out. My nerves, I believe, caused me to have to re-read stimulus' over and over... and loose confidence as the exam went on. My questions are:

1. Did anybody have the same problem with this test?
2. How do you overcome the problem?

I scored well on my practice tests I feel because it is safe. In other words, it's not the real thing per say. You know at the end, it is just a fake graded quiz that gives you a baseline for what else you need to improve on.

What was your pretest routine? For instance, did you look over an RC passage, an LG, and a few LRs before you went and checked in? I think this definitely helped me get in the right mindset. At my testing center there was a line for check-in. I went and sat down and waited until about 5 minutes left to check-in before I actually did. Doing this will keep you away from the nervousness that others may impose on you as well as the discussion that may pull your focus away. Nerves aren't completely bad, as they can keep you focused, but you do need to do something to try and quell them at least a bit. Perhaps you should take your PTs more seriously. I noticed that I became very frustrated when I scored poorly on my PTs. While they may only be a "fake graded quiz", if you can't score as well as you want on it, then in all likelihood you won't be able to score well on the real thing.
During the test, you should probably do some breathing exercises. After 2 pages of LR, close your eyes and take a deep breath for maybe 10 seconds. This will help clear out your mind and will help you focus on the next set of questions (I know it did for me). Without knowing exactly what happened other than you "literally [beginning] to freak out" as well as the stimulus for it, it's hard to pinpoint where the patchwork should come in, but the above may help.
The June test was my second time taking and I did these things and noticed that I wasn't nearly as nervous with the experience as I was my first time. Also, it could've been familiarity with the testing conditions, center, and atmosphere (having taken it before in the exact same room). Perhaps another take would do you a bit better.

Dcc617 · Post by **Dcc617** » Sat Jul 25, 2015 11:28 pm

I just kept in mind that the real test was going to be exactly like the practice tests. There wasn't going to be some new section. I already knew exactly what to expect. I suppose I got that confidence from a bunch of practice tests under testing conditions. I scored one point above my PT average.

I also think the testing location plays a role. My first test was hot and crowded. My second was in a cool, spacious room with plenty of natural light and chill administrators.

somethingElse · Post by **somethingElse** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 1:45 am

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Mack.Hambleton · Post by **Mack.Hambleton** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 3:06 am

Ask your doctor about temporary use test anxiety drugs

Cop benzos or beta blockers

Take test without anxiety

Profit

appind · Post by **appind** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 3:32 am

your doctor may be able to give you beta blockers but i am not sure if they can prescribe benzos.

anyone know if a regular physician can prescribe adderall or ritalin or only psychiatry/psychologist can?

there are people who have reported benefits from these along with stimulants like adderall.

Mack.Hambleton · Post by **Mack.Hambleton** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 3:37 am

Doctors can prescribe basically anything

Stimulant drugs are the opposite of what you want to take if you're having test anxiety BTW

appind · Post by **appind** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 3:57 pm

i guess some doctors can but don't like to. they ask to go see specialist in psychiatry to diagnose and give adhd meds. they probably do so only cover their liabilities. i'm not sure if most doctors do it.

stimulants like adderall/ritalin (amphetamine) affect various neurotransmitters including dopamine. i guess benzos/beta blockers can counter the effect of amphetamine a bit, but may help some in right dosage ratio. anyone tried combing these? not sure about the exact biochemical pathway.

justkeepswimming794 · Post by **justkeepswimming794** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 4:17 pm

taking the lsat on benzos, or any other GABA or BETA reuptake blocker, is a horrible idea.

ETA: meditation every day, 10-15 minutes, is TCR for anxiety.

Clemenceau · Post by **Clemenceau** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 4:18 pm

Get some exercise in the morning. Cool down with a nice long stretch/breathing exercises.

Limit caffeine consumption too. You might not need as much to get your brain going on a test day because of the adrenaline.

Ron Howard · Post by **Ron Howard** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 4:57 pm

When I was taking practice LSATs, I was extremely anxious on everyone I took. I was really afraid of doing poorly., even though I knew they did not actually count. At first this negatively impacted my performance, but as I went through more and more practice tests, I learned to deal with the anxiety, and it began not to affect me. Come exam day, I performed the same as I had been on my most recent practice tests, despite a great deal of anxiety, because I was used to taking exams under these conditions.

Now I am not sure this will work for you--it was not even intentional in my case––but I think that if you can get yourself worked up for practice tests, you will be more apt at dealing with the anxiety come exam day. But let me be clear, too, that this is really just a specific instance of learning to deal with your anxiety. I am not even sure it is the best way--I would definitely try meditation--but I think it does highlight one possible solution, as well as a more general piece of advice: to take practice tests under conditions as closely resembling those that you will face on exam day as possible. When I hear students complain that their score dropped on exam day, I often think it is because they failed to follow this rule.

appind · Post by **appind** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 5:36 pm

why is beta blocker a horrible idea? plenty seem to have reported benefit from it. also there are several high scorers who have used and were helped by adderall.
it may heighten your nerves but being able to read an RC passage in 3 minutes and not having to refer back can be worth it. imo the main issue is obtaining it.

gentlemanscholar · Post by **gentlemanscholar** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 5:43 pm

two things:

1. Practice under test conditions.

2. Exercise lightly before the test to reduce your adrenaline.

Ron Howard · Post by **Ron Howard** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 5:57 pm

appind wrote:why is beta blocker a horrible idea? plenty seem to have reported benefit from it. also there are several high scorers who have used and were helped by adderall.
it may heighten your nerves but being able to read an RC passage in 3 minutes and not having to refer back can be worth it. imo the main issue is obtaining it.

Please stop encouraging drug use.

Mack.Hambleton · Post by **Mack.Hambleton** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 6:04 pm

Are you joking? That is what doctors recommend for test anxiety. If you went and told a doctor that your performance on the LSAT was being affected by anxiety they would likely prescribe one of those drugs for you.

Ron Howard · Post by **Ron Howard** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 6:10 pm

Mack.Hambleton wrote:Are you joking? That is what doctors recommend for test anxiety. If you went and told a doctor that your performance on the LSAT was being affected by anxiety they would likely prescribe one of those drugs for you.

I was referring to the the Adderall, not the anxiety medicine. The uppers are a no no.

ETA: Also, if the original poster obtains any sort of medication, it is probably best to take a large number of practice exams while medicated. Though do consult a doctor.

appind · Post by **appind** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 6:16 pm

you don't know the op or his medical condition. do you read or are stupid to think that your case represents all that may have testing issues. stop misreading, op may benefit from meds that you do not seem to know much about.

Ron Howard · Post by **Ron Howard** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 6:22 pm

appind wrote:you don't know the op or his medical condition. do you read or are stupid to think that your case represents all that may have testing issues. stop misreading, op may benefit from meds that you do not seem to know much about.

Are you a medical doctor? Because if not, I do not think it is appropriate--perhaps not even ethical--for you to be recommending any sort of medication at all. You ought to say nothing more than that the original poster should see a doctor about possible pharmaceutical options. That is it.

appind · Post by **appind** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 6:40 pm

op needs to know his options, no one here can prescribe him meds. you seem to be a lot of fun irl

Ron Howard · Post by **Ron Howard** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 6:55 pm

In one of the most egregious posts that I have ever seen on this site, you insinuated that the original poster might combine two different drugs, of which you clearly do not have a comprehensive understanding. It is not your place, indeed it is not your expertise, to be doing that. You could have simply stated that the original poster should see a physician about his or her problem with the intention of getting pharmaceutical relief. That would have been sufficient to inform the original poster of his or her options, and would allow those who have an actual understanding to address the original posters concerns.

ihenry · Post by **ihenry** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 8:01 pm

I would drink water and have a candy instead.

appind · Post by **appind** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 8:12 pm

do you read or are stupid to think that your case represents all that may have testing issues.

this for the troll who posted earlier in the thread.

LifeGoals · Post by **LifeGoals** » Sun Jul 26, 2015 8:20 pm

I'm a big proponent of regular exercise and meditation for anxiety management. I would also suggest maybe asking around about which test center near you is the best.

Don't consume more caffeine on test day than you usually do. Definitely don't start a regimen of stimulants just for the LSAT.

Abraham Lincoln Uni. · Post by **Abraham Lincoln Uni.** » Mon Jul 27, 2015 6:16 pm

Many students experience testing anxiety whether it is with the LSAT, FYLSX, or General Bar Exam. From previous student’s experience, the best way to calm their nerves is to do breathing exercises and to reassure themselves during the exam that you have prepared well for this and there is nothing that they will be tested on that they have not seen before. A big part of these types of exams is not only practice and preparation, but also confidence.

If you are scoring well on your practice tests, but not on the actual day of the exam, it could be because the level of difficulty in the questions has increased. It is beneficial to practice these questions from different supplementary sources and not just one. That way you are getting a wide variety of questions. Also, be sure to take every practice exam as if it were the real thing. If you are downplaying your practice exams because it is not the real score you will be based on, that could be an issue.

If the testing site permits, you may bring candy or gum if that can help calm your nerves. It is also best not to worry about other students, especially if they finish before you. Be sure to only focus on yourself, your efforts, and your own work. Lastly, you may also research different ways to calm your nerves and tips for testing anxiety.

Keep working hard, practice, and stay confident in yourself.

Best of luck!

AnMzungu · Post by **AnMzungu** » Mon Jul 27, 2015 6:34 pm

I was so nervous before the LSAT that I broke out in a rash. Once I had the test in front of me, though, I took a couple deep breaths, "ordered myself" to calm down and take things slow, and after a few questions I was in the zone and fine. I had to do the same thing after the mid-test break. I think that in most cases you should be able to un-psych yourself out similarly.

Taking the LSAT at Cooley also didn't hurt. There's a certain calm that washes over you when you realize that there's nowhere to go but up.