Thinking about postponing September lsats..

[Salvi627]

Hello,
I am currently planning on taking the September LSATS. I have been taking a course since the end of June and I really do feel that it has been helping me. However, I have been dealing with a few post concussion issues that have been preventing me from fully concentrating on the exam to my best ability. Also, I am going back to college in a week and I am very nervous that I won't have ample time for the next month to concentrate on my rigorous course load as well as prepping for the LSATS for another month. Basically my question is if it would be a bad idea to start studying again next May and then take them next September. I will still have all of the powerscore books, but I want to know if it would be a "waste" to have studied all of this summer and then not take the test until next year. Is there any way to keep the concepts fresh in my mind throughout the semester so that way, come May, I will be familiar with everything I've learned and can pick up where I left off. However I will not be able to fully dedicate myself until may as I need to focus on my school work.

I am in a huge dilemma and don't know what to do! I definitely would rather wait and perform at the best of my ability, but I don't want to have wasted all this time..


Thanks
Sophie

[Ron Gore]

Hi Sophie,

I'm sorry to hear about the difficulty you're having. However, I am very glad to hear that you are giving your decision full consideration, which many people don't do.

Assuming that what you've said is correct, that you in fact are not ready, that you won't be ready by September, and that you won't have the ability to be ready by December either, then here is how you can proceed.

First, realize that your study thus far has created a foundation of knowledge that won't just disappear. You'll definitely get rusty if you don't practice, but you won't lose that foundation. The trick is to keep yourself engaged with the test without burning out.

To do that, I would make the LSAT into a fun diversion or respite from your school work. I know -- that sounds crazy. But you may find that without the immediate pressure of the looming test deadline that the test is actually quite fun. I know I feel that way. Keep some older test sections handy so that you can just pick one up and take some questions from them. Don't necessarily make it a structured, rigorous thing. You'll likely start to find yourself going to the sections more and more as a distraction as you get into your studies and are nervous about that. In other words, make the LSAT into a hobby.

Also, I would get into some other non-study material habits that will help your development. Sudoku games, for example, are like a lite version of LSAT games. Buy a book of those and start with the easy ones. Before you know it, you'll be crushing them, and it's decent practice.

Also, I would consider reading some blogs and listening to some podcasts that give you the same type of mental training. For example, the websites with high level analysis will help keep you focused on good argumentation. I like the The Volokh Conspiracy, Freakonomics, and The Becker-Posner Blog, which has recently stopped posting due to Prof. Becker's death, but still has interesting archives available.

Next Spring, start back through the materials, from the beginning, but as a review. Go as quickly as you can through the materials, not redoing all of the homework, and start taking timed practice tests. You'll find out quickly where you are and then can craft a plan for your study at that point.

Now, all of this is assuming that you actually cannot be ready in time. Many people find that they think they can't be ready, and then everything clicks for them in the last week or two. I don't know you, so I can't say that will happen. But, I want you to be aware of that possibility. If you are confident that your cloudiness resulting from the concussion will fade by next year, then it may certainly make sense to postpone. Just be sure that your decision is based on data as well as emotion -- which is not to say your decision isn't already doing so.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Best wishes,

Ron