How to perform well on test day

[graham0220]

I am looking for some advice in regards to performing well on the actual test day. I know that the LSAT is a gamble and you could either end up with a version you love or hate, but I am struggling a bit as I have a lot of test anxiety and happen to perform very differently on the actual test day. I know people say not to think of your PTs as a guarantee you will get that score, however I would like to think I can still get in the general range of my PTs on the real test given the # I have taken.

I got a 153 on the LSAT last year and this time around studying I have been PTing in the 163-167 range, with most at 164-165. On the August LSAT I did not perform even close to this and I am very disappointed in myself. Granted I did make a very stupid mistake on LGs that I did not have time to fix (normally -0 to -2 on LG, so this really affected my score I am sure). I am signed up for the October exam to try and redeem myself. I am trying to stay positive, however it is hard not to let the August LSAT haunt me and feel as though I am only going to do the same thing in October.

I am very proud of the progress I have made, but it is hard to be fully proud until I perform like that on a "real" LSAT.

Any thoughts on how to beat this?

[KelseyWoods]

Hi Graham!

I'm sorry your August test didn't go as you had hoped! Your practice test scores show what you are capable of, but individual tests can vary and everyone can just have an off day. So it's normal to be disappointed, but do your best to shake it off so you can excel on the October test!

The biggest thing you're going to need to focus on in these last couple of weeks before the October test is that test mentality component. You've got to work on building your confidence back up and trying to think positively. This blog post links to a bunch of other test mentality posts we have. I highly recommend that you follow the very first link and watch the Test Mentality Webinar for a discussion of test anxiety, how to develop a stronger test mentality, and a few mental tricks that can be useful: https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/the-ul ... urce-list/

The other thing to make sure you're doing as you prepare is taking your practice tests in a way that simulates actual test conditions as much as possible. The great thing about the Flex is that you can practice taking the LSAT in the exact location and with basically the same conditions as you will have on test day. So take advantage of this to make sure that you are feeling even more prepared for what you'll encounter on test day.

Remember that everyone can have a bad test, just like everyone can have a great test! So go into the October test believing that this time you'll be able to get the score you know you're capable of.

Hope this helps!

Best,
Kelsey