Caffeine and the LSAT Forum

[RamTitan]

So, I'm a caffeine junkie; love studying for the LSAT with it.

However, I'm curious about what I'll be able to use with the LSAT. Personally, I'm a fan of caffeine pills so I don't have to pee during the test. Am I allowed to take these to the test center, or not?

[Maplesyrup]

yes

[RamTitan]

yes

Can I bring them in the test room with me, or are they left in the locker that I can go to during the test break or something along those lines?

[december1205]

yes

Can I bring them in the test room with me, or are they left in the locker that I can go to during the test break or something along those lines?

A locker...? from my past experience you're only allowed to bring the ziplog bag and not supposed to bring stuff that you can put in a locker, or anything to that effect. Don't bring cell phones or any items that's prohibited. DO remember to bring all the required materials bc i had a girl who did not bring enough identifications and was sent home.

Just put the pills in the zippoc bag. If you're super skeptica to do so, put them in those small travel sized advil case.

[Maplesyrup]

there is no locker or atleast there wasn't for me and I've taken it twice. i brought tylenol just incase i got a headache. I'm sure you can take them if you want but i highly doubt it will help.

1) a stimulant for me would increase anxiety
2) caffeine in dry form is still a diuretic and will make you have to pee
3) its not going to increase your ability to process the type of information thats on the lsat, this also goes for people who think adderall will help them do better.
4) if anything you will crash from the caffeine and possibly feel shitty instead of "up"
5) your not going to want to be wasting time opening bottles and taking pills during the actual test.

[joeycxxxx09]

Had one in my pocket I took right before the test started after I checked in and one in my bag I took at the break

[RamTitan]

I only mention a locker because for the GRE there were lockers.

I've never had issues with timing for the LSAT.

So, if I brought a bottle of caffeine pills in a ziploc bag, they would not be confiscated?

[RamTitan]

3) its not going to increase your ability to process the type of information thats on the lsat, this also goes for people who think adderall will help them do better.
.

I know caffeine won't help me process the information, but I'm so used to it that I think making a change would hurt my performance.

That's interesting about the adderall though. I feel like it would....I guess if you don't know the answer to the question, a drug is not going to be able to help you make that inference or something to that effect?

[december1205]

I only mention a locker because for the GRE there were lockers.

I've never had issues with timing for the LSAT.

So, if I brought a bottle of caffeine pills in a ziploc bag, they would not be confiscated?

Most likely, no. But like I said, you could always put them in an empty travel sized advil/tylenol containers to ensure that you won't get it confiscated 100%. Hope that helps

[RamTitan]

I only mention a locker because for the GRE there were lockers.

I've never had issues with timing for the LSAT.

So, if I brought a bottle of caffeine pills in a ziploc bag, they would not be confiscated?

Most likely, no. But like I said, you could always put them in an empty travel sized advil/tylenol containers to ensure that you won't get it confiscated 100%. Hope that helps

That definitely does help.

What is the check-in procedure like? Are there metal detectors, do they frisk you, check through all of your items, etc.?

[Sean_33]

Irrelevant to OP question but it seems like the thread to ask in...Are you allowed have a water bottle on your desk during the test?

[ffamran]

Irrelevant to OP question but it seems like the thread to ask in...Are you allowed have a water bottle on your desk during the test?

Nope

For OP: Note that peeing will cut into your exam time unless you can wait

[ffamran]

I only mention a locker because for the GRE there were lockers.

I've never had issues with timing for the LSAT.

So, if I brought a bottle of caffeine pills in a ziploc bag, they would not be confiscated?

Most likely, no. But like I said, you could always put them in an empty travel sized advil/tylenol containers to ensure that you won't get it confiscated 100%. Hope that helps

That definitely does help.

What is the check-in procedure like? Are there metal detectors, do they frisk you, check through all of your items, etc.?

For me, they asked for my form and ID while another looked through my plastic bag

[The Mixed Tape]

confused why popping one before isn't sufficient?

do u really need to take a bunch of small doses over 4 hours?

[Maplesyrup]

Irrelevant to OP question but it seems like the thread to ask in...Are you allowed have a water bottle on your desk during the test?

if your experience is anything like mine there won't even be room for the fucking test booklet on the desk lol much less a water bottle.

[jumbocolumbo]

If your caffeine dependence is that severe, stuff one in a PB sandwich or something.

[december1205]

The previous test centers were horrible. Both times (yes this is my third and last retake) the proctors were incompetent and my room started waaaaay past the scheduled time. Had 3 proctors go up and down each row during the entire test, and one proctor knocked over my pencil because the desks are small and small space inbetween.

+1 on not having water bottle on your desk. You cant have anything on there except for bare necessity. I always have to go to the bathroom during section 3 so ill skip coffee and drink very little.

I also picked a test center that reportedly provides bigger desk. Here's hoping!

[RamTitan]

confused why popping one before isn't sufficient?

do u really need to take a bunch of small doses over 4 hours?

One would be fine, but like someone else said, I can easily see the start-time being delayed, and then I assume there is probably a 30 minute period of filling in test info (name, test center location, etc.).

I wonder if a proctor would see me swallowing a pill and lose their shit though....

[RamTitan]

The previous test centers were horrible. Both times (yes this is my third and last retake) the proctors were incompetent and my room started waaaaay past the scheduled time. Had 3 proctors go up and down each row during the entire test, and one proctor knocked over my pencil because the desks are small and small space inbetween.

+1 on not having water bottle on your desk. You cant have anything on there except for bare necessity. I always have to go to the bathroom during section 3 so ill skip coffee and drink very little.

I also picked a test center that reportedly provides bigger desk. Here's hoping!

I've been trying to find test center info, and have been out of luck. Do you know people who have taken the LSAT in your area, or are there sources online?

[The Mixed Tape]

confused why popping one before isn't sufficient?

do u really need to take a bunch of small doses over 4 hours?

One would be fine, but like someone else said, I can easily see the start-time being delayed, and then I assume there is probably a 30 minute period of filling in test info (name, test center location, etc.).

I wonder if a proctor would see me swallowing a pill and lose their shit though....

just keep a spare in ur pocket and pop it in the hall during the break

[GreatBraffsby]

I'm a fellow caffeine drinker and bought some caffeine pills while studying for the Oct. test. Do yourself a favor and take at least 2 practice tests with caffeine pills beforehand. I found out that they made me read waaaaaay too fast and I couldn't keep my brain focused on details. Took my PT scores down about 5 points. Pills, at least to me, are totally different than coffee. Trust me when I say that one pill = at least 3 cups of coffee, no matter what the label says.

On the other hand, my first LSAT take started almost 2 hours late (long lines, bad proctors, huge auditorium, etc) and the coffee I drank beforehand made for a really unpleasant experience.

[The Mixed Tape]

there is no locker or atleast there wasn't for me and I've taken it twice. i brought tylenol just incase i got a headache. I'm sure you can take them if you want but i highly doubt it will help.

1) a stimulant for me would increase anxiety
2) caffeine in dry form is still a diuretic and will make you have to pee
3) its not going to increase your ability to process the type of information thats on the lsat, this also goes for people who think adderall will help them do better.
4) if anything you will crash from the caffeine and possibly feel shitty instead of "up"
5) your not going to want to be wasting time opening bottles and taking pills during the actual test.

ljl. stims are awesome. sry they don't work for u

1. everyone is different
3. yes it can, and so can addi/vyvance etc. certainly not for everyone, but lol at speed not being a performance enhancer.
4. that's why he wants to take a dose in the middle...
5. if ur that pressed for time, saving two seconds is the least of ur problems

[RamTitan]

confused why popping one before isn't sufficient?

do u really need to take a bunch of small doses over 4 hours?

One would be fine, but like someone else said, I can easily see the start-time being delayed, and then I assume there is probably a 30 minute period of filling in test info (name, test center location, etc.).

I wonder if a proctor would see me swallowing a pill and lose their shit though....

just keep a spare in ur pocket and pop it in the hall during the break

That's what I'll probably do. I even thought about taking an adderall on test day, but I'm not sure if that would backfire or not (for example, waiting around 1-2 hours to take the test while my mind is blazing 100mph).

[RamTitan]

I'm a fellow caffeine drinker and bought some caffeine pills while studying for the Oct. test. Do yourself a favor and take at least 2 practice tests with caffeine pills beforehand. I found out that they made me read waaaaaay too fast and I couldn't keep my brain focused on details. Took my PT scores down about 5 points. Pills, at least to me, are totally different than coffee. Trust me when I say that one pill = at least 3 cups of coffee, no matter what the label says.

On the other hand, my first LSAT take started almost 2 hours late (long lines, bad proctors, huge auditorium, etc) and the coffee I drank beforehand made for a really unpleasant experience.

I always study for the LSAT on caffeine pills, and feel comfortable. This is a big reason why I'm asking about caffeine and the LSAT, as I have a mental dependency at this point.

[RamTitan]

So, to summarize: I can take caffeine pills with me (or even adderall) in either my pocket or a travel advil case as the proctors will not frisk me or prevent me from bringing those items in?