Self-study
There's a lot written about how to answer the questions on the LSAT, and rightly so. But what about how to think about the LSAT?
For me, the difference between low 160s and mid/high 160s is sleep/stress, which I am sure affects a lot of people.
One thing I've noticed about high scorers is they seem quite relaxed. Some of this may be because they meet or exceed their own expectations. It may also be because of their natural temperament. However is there a psychology to the exam, a way of thinking about it, that helps some people stay in the pocket and perform at their best?
I've hear it said that high scorers think of it as game. But how do you think of it as a game when for some of us the stakes are so high? We could be talking about thousands of dollars, career trajectory, or whether or where one has to live for 3 years.
Anyway, I'd love to hear any ideas readers of this post may have, about any books or articles on the subject, or any struggles people may share.
Good luck everyone
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When I was getting better at the exam, it required a lot of digging deep and pushing myself really, really hard. I kind of white knuckled it to around like, 170ish. It wasn't until I relaxed a little bit and focused on keeping my central nervous system calm, and remaining present, and being gentle with myself through the process that I started feeling really confident and could consistently score in the mid 170s. I don't know that any two people are the same, but that was my experience.
While not LSAT specific, there are a ton of resources on sports psychology out there. The same principles apply to the LSAT. Keep your breathing steady, focus on what you can control, self talk, positive framing, follow a routine, etc..
My personal opinion is like in most things, you have to find the joy in it to be great. Professional athletes deal with massive financial stakes when they play. Yet, they are also adults who are paid money to play games meant for school children. The LSAT is a series of fun little puzzles. It's no different from doing a crossword on the weekend. If you can find the joy in it, it will be easier to practice and to stay positive on test day.
High scorers are usually practiced and comfortable with the exam. They are able to predict the answer before reading the answer choices. This comes with effective use of study time.