HELP AND ADVICE NEEDED!

[UWOSTUDENT1996123]

Hi everybody,

Just want to say thanks in advance to anyone who is able to offer some helpful advice on my current situation.



In mid August I purchased the power score books and began preparing for the November 17th LSAT. I have been putting in 20-25 hours a week since then. About 2-3 weeks ago I hit 5 practice tests in a row all above 160, with my highest being a week ago this past Monday (October 29th) at 165. During these tests on for the most part I would be between -3 and -6 on LR, -8 and -10 on RC, and -3-6 on LG. Unfortunately the 4 tests I have taken since my peak have been 160- 159-157-156. It seems the mistakes are stupid errors that make perfect sense when I look back on the problems reviewing. Obviously this is alarming with the test just 9 days away.



If anyone has experienced any situation like this in the past and has any recommendations they would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks again. 

[UWOSTUDENT1996123]

I forgot to add,

I have been completing 3 PT's a week , and doing daily section(s) of the section that I have done most poorly in in the previously days PT.

ironically my PB of 165 came after a weekend reunion with friends where I did not look at any LSAT material from the Thursday - Monday that I took the PT. Do you think that this may signal I am burning out and doing to much work consistently ??

If so, how do you reccomend I schedule my preparation the next 9 days leading up to the test to ensure I hit hit my highest potential.

Thanks again,

[Malila Robinson]

Hi UWOSTUDENT1996123,
What you are describing definitely sounds like burnout. When we over-study we can trigger something that can visualized as a negative learning curve. Instead of making gains you start may start to see drops. This happens for a number of reasons but the main ones are likely exhaustion, stress, & boredom.

Three tests a week is a lot, and may be unnecessary. At this point I'm assuming you have your timing down. It may be better to do something like 1 timed section per day for this last stretch. Doing this will allow you to continue to focus on your time and accuracy, but will likely not be as exhausting and boring. As you start to see your accuracy improve that will address your stress, and hopefully help you to feel a little better about the test.

At most I would say to take one full (timed) test at some point between now and the November LSAT just so that you can be confident that you are keeping up your ability to focus through the entire test.
Hang in there! You can do it!
-Malila

[UWOSTUDENT1996123]

This sounds like fantastic advice . Thanks for the recommendation and I will be sure to let you know how the test ends up going