Final Countdown - What Should I Do?

[Ari]

Hello,

I am trying to decide if I should take one more practice test before the LSAT a week from Saturday. I took the test in November, but did not score nearly what I had been. I was scoring between 159-164 up until the week prior and then I felt like everything fell apart. I tried to stay positive, but I got a 154 the week before my exam. I was in the middle of midterms at school, working at a law firm, and trying to study for the LSAT. I also got sick the week of the exam. I ended up getting a 153.

I am feeling way better going into this one. I started back up a week and a half ago, once I was done with school. I am still working, but can much more easily balance that and studying. I have been taking sections of the exam and scoring well and I am feeling overall good about the exam. However, I have not taken a full exam since the LSAT in November and I am trying to decide if I should take one before the real exam. I don't want to shake my confidence like last time, but I am also in a way better place mentally. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Ari

[Rachael Wilkenfeld]

Hi Ari,

Going into the practice exam with the right mindset can make a big difference. I know it's anxiety producing to take a practice exam---the score can feel like it's the only thing you see at the end of the test. But there's so much information to learn from a practice test other than just the score. Practice tests let you know how your endurance is. They let you see your performance in a balanced set of sections. They help you learn what questions will trip you up during the pressure of even a practice exam.

With this many days before the test, I'd actually recommend doing two practice tests. One ASAP (ie today or Friday), one either Sunday or early next week. You need to do an in depth review of each test after you take them to get a good sense of your performance.

I will tell you I don't know anyone who has performed to their maximum potential without doing practice tests. Sections are not quite the same--you know that or you wouldn't prefer them to PTs. Don't think about PTs as showing you where you will be on test day. Think about them as clues to how your brain works so that you can avoid getting tripped up on test day.

You can do this. Don't outthink yourself.

[Ari]

Hi Ari,

Going into the practice exam with the right mindset can make a big difference. I know it's anxiety producing to take a practice exam---the score can feel like it's the only thing you see at the end of the test. But there's so much information to learn from a practice test other than just the score. Practice tests let you know how your endurance is. They let you see your performance in a balanced set of sections. They help you learn what questions will trip you up during the pressure of even a practice exam.

With this many days before the test, I'd actually recommend doing two practice tests. One ASAP (ie today or Friday), one either Sunday or early next week. You need to do an in depth review of each test after you take them to get a good sense of your performance.

I will tell you I don't know anyone who has performed to their maximum potential without doing practice tests. Sections are not quite the same--you know that or you wouldn't prefer them to PTs. Don't think about PTs as showing you where you will be on test day. Think about them as clues to how your brain works so that you can avoid getting tripped up on test day.

You can do this. Don't outthink yourself.

Thank you Rachael! I really appreciate your advice. I definitely needed to hear that. I am going to take one tonight!