Test Anxiety

[Raptorfan1526]

Hey PS, I was hoping I could get some advice

So I have a fear of taking full length prep tests and I think this fear comes the fact that I started off with a really low score in the 120s on my diagnostic, imposter syndrome telling me that "you are going to revert back to that score" and because I'm a perfectionist. On my most recent PT though, I got a 162 but even then, I'm very much afraid of seeing my next score drop.

Also while I do well on individual sections timed (in fact I got -2 on an LR section yesterday) and I feel that I have at least some what of a strong grasp on this tests' content given that usually my first guess on an A/C is correct, I'm still afraid to take full length PTs.

I understand that taking PTs is essential and seeing some score drops from your previous high score is completely normal. But nevertheless, I'm still terrified.

I also want to apologize to those who read this post and find my issues trivial in comparison to people who have more serious concerns than me. Its just that this test is very much a psychological battle and there is a massive psychological road block in front me that is preventing me from doing the best I can on this test.

Thank you for reading this

[Stephanie Oswalt]

Hi Raptorfan!

Thanks for your post. Keep your chin up! You got this! (Think like this blog post: https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid-32 ... -the-lsat/!)

And hopefully, you can find some comfort that you're not alone here. Test anxiety is so common that we have dozens of blog posts, podcasts, etc. on the topic. We have a lot of helpful information about test mentality, test day preparation, and more in this blog post: https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/the-ul ... urce-list/.

Also, Dave and Jon touch on test anxiety and performance in many of their podcast episodes. Here are just a few:

• https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/podcast/61/
• https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/podcast/34/
• https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/podcast/9/
• https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/podcast/7/

Also, congrats on the 162 PT! Don't be afraid of taking a PT and getting a lower score. First of all, you now know what you're capable of! If you can do it once, you can do it again, and increase that score even more! Second, if you do happen to get a lower score on a PT, that's actually a good thing, although I know it doesn't feel like it. But there's a lot you can actually learn from a dropped score: My LSAT Score Just Dropped… Now What?

There's a lot of information here, so this should be enough to get you started! Please let us know if you have any additional questions after reviewing these resources! Thanks!