Alright, figure I'll chime in here as well. Admittedly haven't read EVERY post in this thread, but moshei the questions I saw from your post a few up were as follows:
"How would you suggest going about improving my speed in RC? And what would be my best bet to improve my focus in the later sections? I know that a lot of it was due to the frustrating distractions that got worse midway into the test, but in general, what's the best way to increase focus? What other advice would you be able to give on where I should move forward from here in terms of studying, practice tests, etc.? When and where do you think I should take my next test? At home where it's pretty quiet?"
I'll try to briefly weigh in on each. And I'll do so candidly, so prepare yourself for that
First off, environment can have a lot to do with focus, so taking it in a busy, bustling place can be a challenge. See if you can find a public place that's maybe a little less distracting for now, and potentially work up to the point where you could take it in a subway station at rush hour without issue.
That said, if you want to score well on this test, you've got to stop asking questions you know the answer to, because that amounts to an excuse to underperform. There are elements of the LSAT that assistance is invaluable for--conceptual explanations and personalized test-day strategies--and there are elements that only you can control. You know which one this is. This is the latter. Focus, attitude, positivity, confidence...these aren't taught. They're on you. So it's up to you, and you alone, to decide what kind of test taker you want to be. Can you do it? I think so based on what you've said so far.
Can you imagine someone looking to become a serious athlete asking "How do I run fast/far??" Me neither, because anyone serious about that type of goal already knows the answer: you work your ass off. You practice. Often. With intensity. You push yourself and with dedication and time you find that you get better and better (faster and stronger, more and more focused for longer periods of time). When you feel your focus start to slip realize it, pause for a second, and dig back in. And when it truly gets to be too much walk away, and come back fresh the next time ready to go harder. Some people are more naturally "gifted" when it comes to this, but there are still no shortcuts: if you want to be a more mentally-fit test taker you have to take control of your mind and train it to do what is needed. It's not going to be easy, and it's not going to happen overnight, but it will happen if you're willing to do the work. You want to score at the highest levels? You've got to start believing that you can do it, and acting like you're the king.
I know that may come off a bit harsh. But it's nowhere near as harsh as failing your potential. And it's certainly nowhere near as harsh as law school. You want a 160? Cool, no worries, just stay relaxed and do your best and study when you can and try to do the homework and you'll be alright bro
. You want a 175? Prepare for battle.
So this isn't just one long drill sergeant rant (which I am FAR from, believe me, but I sense it will help here
), for RC I'd focus on reading passages in under three minutes. If you're taking longer than that you're reading too slowly and focusing too much on the details of the passage (and probably notating/diagramming too much as well). Push yourself to get through it with an understanding of main point, tone, overall structure, and key ideas in 2.5 minutes. Almost all of the high scorers I know consistently break this barrier when reading RC passages.
In fact, that's where I'd start. Take an RC section, at home for now if you like, time yourself (as you read each passage, and as you answer questions), and monitor your mental state from start to finish. If you're ever less than 100% focused and dialed in, catch it, pause for a second, take a breath, and FIX IT. Then do it again. Then do LR. Then Games. Then two in a row. Then three. Then a whole test. But don't move to do more until you're a laser beam on whatever came before it. One section perfect focus? Try two. And then again. And again. Two with perfect, consistent concentration? Now three. Again. Again. Again. Make sense?
When you're in a groove taking sections back to back, get out in the world and try it. Get comfortable there and test day's a breeze. For now just start small and remember that you either want this bad enough to earn it, or you don't. So take control. Good luck and stay focused!
JD
