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Taking the Saturday observers test and due to intense allergic itching and stress (I was afraid to take a Claritin d, should I take it or will it cause clouded thinking?) I got very little sleep...

Should I take coffee? I've been getting solid sleep the entire week and took a hour nap yesterday afternoon (doh). Am I doomed?

I did the same/similar thing decades ago (sat for the LSAT with less than 2 hours sleep). I fell asleep three times during the test (rested my head on my raised fist which led to being awakened each time I fell asleep & my head slipped down toward the desk). Scored in the equivalent of today's 160s. Had just one cup of coffee--wish that I had consumed more. Retakes were uncommon during those times. My only prep was reading a Barron's guidebook during the night before the test.

Caffeine pills may help--but only take one or two, otherwise you might become too jittery to concentrate.

Non-drowsy antihistamines should not cloud your thinking. Try Eucerin skin calming itch relief treatment lotion. It's sold over-the-counter.

In answer to your question: No, you are not doomed because retakes are common today & law schools no longer average scores.

I have terrible allergies and I sometimes take Claritin. It doesn't cause cloudiness in me. Actually, I don't know if it does anything at all! Maybe lessens sneezing? It seems very light. But remember: everyone reacts differently to medications.

Also, ^ scored a 160 in his sleep? I hate my life, lol.

I took a PT after an all-nighter to see what effect it would have, and it only seemed to cost me a few (0-5) points. I had a friend take the LSAT after not getting any sleep, and he scored 170 after PTing closer to 175. I don't think one night without sleep is that much of a detriment. Adrenaline should keep you pretty alert.

No, not at all. You sound like you have a nice sleep bank stored up, which is more important than how much sleep you got last night.

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sanibella wrote:No, not at all. You sound like you have a nice sleep bank stored up, which is more important than how much sleep you got last night.

Yeah sleep deprivation of a single night doesn't really affect cognitive performance. It's more of a long-term thing.

Not exactly the same thing, but I only got an hour or so of sleep the night before the MBE (the multiple choice section of the Bar Exam), and whIle it was definitely more miserable, I scored right at my average practice test scores.

I took the LSAT after not falling asleep the night before. It cost me between 3-5 points, and was a truly miserable experience.

Upon completion, I'm happy to report that the first 3 sections went like a charm. I had an adrenaline high that lasted me till the break.

During the break, I consumed some fruit juice and a protein bar, did some stretches and spent most of the time getting fresh air, came back in and was ready to go. Only to find the most insane Logic Games 2 of all time, and a super easy LR 2. (see other topic post).

I felt really good overall, and I truly don't believe that getting more sleep would've helped me one iota on the LG2. That thing almost shattered my attempt at the really easy LR2.