Information overload and test anxiety

[Leiferjm]

Before I took my Powerscore course, I could complete all of the sections and score about a 158. Since I started the course about a month ago I have been unable to finish each section (I usually don't finish the logic games and reading comprehension sections). I think that this is in part due to information overload, over thinking, and anxiety since the test is coming up. I think the correctness of my answers is improving since I have been scoring a 158 without finishing all of the questions (if that makes sense). What would you recommend I do to relax and be able to complete the sections and ultimately score higher? Thank you.

[Nikki Siclunov]

Hi Leiferjm,

Thanks for your question, and welcome to the Forum! What you're experiencing is not unique; in fact, at this point in the game, I would be surprised if you didn't feel this way. When students first start grasping the core concepts behind, say, Logical Reasoning, or first start learning how to set up a Linear game, their accuracy on these questions and games naturally improves. However, it takes awhile to truly master these concepts well enough to answer the questions efficiently. Lack of efficiency typically leads to problems with pacing, and ultimately may contribute to your inability to finish the sections.

What to do about it? First, relax I know it's easier said than done, so we've developed several resources that might help with what we call "Test Mentality." Check them out:

1. Under "Free Lessons," download and watch the LSAT Test Mentality seminar here: http://www.powerscore.com/lsat/help/. It's really a great seminar to help you manage your stress level, and get the most out of it. Yes - stress is not all bad

2. Read this blog article by my colleague Ron Gore: http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/341 ... Your-Brain

3. A blog I wrote last year on score fluctuations, and what you can do about them: http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/309 ... st-Go-Down

4. How stress can actually help your score: http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/297 ... Your-Score

5. I've met several students over the last year who swear by what they refer to as "mindfulness training." Judging from the attention it's getting by Apple, Google, etc. it's worth a look. Check out this blog article I wrote on it last year: http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/303 ... n-the-lsat. Even the NYTimes wrote an article on how meditation can help increase your standardized test score. Check it out here:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/0 ... st-scores/

Ultimately, solid preparation is the absolute best way to avoid testing anxiety. Right now, you may be overthinking some of the questions, or overlooking important shortcuts you could be taking on others. With practice, these problems will naturally abate, and your pace will improve. You can't force yourself to read or think "faster." However, with the right training your brain will start recognizing the patterns of argumentation frequently used on the test, which will improve your speed without you even realizing it.

Keep up the good work, and let us know if you have any other questions we can answer!

[Leiferjm]

Thank you for all the resources. I will check them out.