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Hi All!

You guys have any tips on how to deal with mental fatigue/loss of focus? It literally feels like I'm fighting with myself to stay focused always during the last two sections. During the 15min break, I've tried eating a banana, drinking plenty of water, and doing some physical exercise i.e. push-ups, jumping jacks, etc. The first three sections zip by with no problems, then I get to the last two sections and it feels like I'm fighting the urge to take a nap! I crash.

I think it's amazing how some people can do 6 section tests, or even back to back tests, I wish I had that kind of stamina and endurance. I've probably taken around 5-7 full 5 section pts under test conditions thus far, and I don't feel like my endurance has increased that much.

Actually, I'm thinking of doing 5 sections of timed LR back to back since I feel that's the section that drains my energy the most. After that, maybe 5 sections of back to back RC. What do you all think?

I've always found LR to be the most draining section too. WHen are you taking? I started out with super sucky endurance but now I can comfortably do 6 sections in a go (prob more if needed but why? lol)

Practice is prob the best thing I can think of. Just keep pushing and pushing and eventually you adjust. Maybe tracking your energy levels (stuff like time you wake up, if you drink coffee or an energy drink or something like that) if you still feel drained after the break.

I know some folks try to keep their brains in lsat mode during the break too which could also help with fighting off fatigue, y'know you're still "in the zone" kind of?

blueme2 wrote:Hi All!

You guys have any tips on how to deal with mental fatigue/loss of focus? It literally feels like I'm fighting with myself to stay focused always during the last two sections. During the 15min break, I've tried eating a banana, drinking plenty of water, and doing some physical exercise i.e. push-ups, jumping jacks, etc. The first three sections zip by with no problems, then I get to the last two sections and it feels like I'm fighting the urge to take a nap! I crash.

I think it's amazing how some people can do 6 section tests, or even back to back tests, I wish I had that kind of stamina and endurance. I've probably taken around 5-7 full 5 section pts under test conditions thus far, and I don't feel like my endurance has increased that much.

Try a little bit of caffeine during the break? Not so much that you're totally wired, but enough to keep you awake for the rest of the test. Try different snacks too, like granola bars, etc.

When I first started working on preptests, I didn't start with full five-section tests. I started by doing two sections in a row, brought that up to 3, and once I felt comfortable, 4. Then I spent maybe a week or two doing 4-section tests until I felt comfortable adding a fifth. This approach was a lot less intimidating than jumping straight into full PTs. Do you remember your very first practice LSAT? Remember how long that thing felt?

Also, just keep at it, it takes time. Another 10 PTs in, and I think you'll feel a difference.

This may be just my experience... I felt fatigue moreso when under 2 conditions:

1) when I am in panic mode. If i totally botch a series of questions on LG, mess up a LG, or rush to finish RC. I freak out and it cascades throughout the test and after the break my brain just feels drained.

2) Burnout. You could just be burned out. This could be because you are studying too much. It could also be your diet. When you eat lots of refined carbs you typically have massive spikes in insulin etc. Not good. If you dont eat enough carbs then you will have a nice carb flu and be braindead (great for cutting but bad for testing).

During my studies 2 weeks before my test i experienced both of these. My average PT went from mid 160s to high 150s.... I took some time off and ate a bit better. Changed up what I focused on a bit (instead of JUST RC and LR i went and did a week of LG review since im normally solid on it). Took the Dec test and havent felt that good about a test ever. I finished sections with 2-5 minutes left to review questions. Only has some trouble with that one LG that everyone had issues with. No panic and no fatigue.

Also your mental state is a huge factor. If you dont feel it then you wont perform well. You have to be like "This is interesteing and fun.... i really like doing this". If you feel obligated and forced to study you will not get much out of it and burn out.

I started out feeling tired as well, but you just have to keep going, doing the same intensive work every day, until you reach a point when you don't feel tired any more. It's like, the first time you work out in a gym for an hour you feel tired, but after working out an hour each day you will feel it's nothing.

Also, try back-to-back, doing eight sections at a time. It feels a bit of a nightmare but after that five sections will be nothing.

keep doing it to build stamina. also make sure you are getting 7-8 hrs of sleep. sleep is the most important ime

I always trained with dark chocolate. Had a large piece during the break. It has to be dark (something to do with cocoa content I think) but it gave a nice release of energy without the tenseness and hyperness that comes with coffee. Served me well on test day.

All good suggestions! Pay attention to how much and how well you are sleeping.