Self-study
As the title says, I always get confidence issues before my official LSATs about a month out (my next one is June) which contribute to my scoring a lot lower on my real tests than I do in practice. I have been in the 170s-range consistently since the fall, and have been studying for a while. I like to believe I have a solid grasp on the concepts and my issues on real exams have been the more logic games-y type Q's introduced and overthinking/mismanaging my time to the point I wouldn't finish. I also would struggle with the passages and found them to be quite tough, and consequently had to make a lot of quick judgments that were probably incorrect.
Given this, I psych myself out and tell myself that it is inevitable I will do poorly, or that I'm not ready, even though all signs point to having been ready and just being governed by anxiety. Does anyone have any advice for building confidence in the month before the test, making sure that you are zen for test day, things to hone, etc? I definitely will focus a lot on RC (my weak suit) and targeted drills.
Thanks!
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Quick plug for the Group Therapy Sesh I'm hosting next-next Tuesday. I made it for YOU (and the thousands of people like you -- super super normal experience).
Also made this special video message 4 U my buddy:
@MichaelWright Hi, and thank you so much for the personalized reply. Also honored to be recognized from the discussions (lol). I definitely resonate with what you're saying, since my previous experiences scoring lower make me panic that it is destined to happen again and I'll end up using all my attempts never having properly reflected all the time and effort I have spent in trying to understand and befriend this exam. Because of this fear of getting things wrong, I overthink and mismanage my time, and then panic over the mismanagement of time :)...It is cyclical.
Thank you for the underwater visual exercise! I'm going to implement that and look into progressive muscle relaxation. I also really appreciate everything you've said about decoupling results from skills understanding. I think I will definitely do a bunch of drills that work with maintaining composure and fighting through nerves if something feels off! Speed and efficiency training and behavior analysis sound like a plan.
Once more, I really appreciate it, and the time you took to respond!!! I hope you have a great week and many thanks for your kindness and help!
You’re not alone, this is something I experience as well. I second meditation and breathe work. If you’re super into wellness like me then I recommend the sauna + ice bath combo as it totally puts me in an out of world focused and relaxed state.
I also realize that scrolling on the discussion or on other chat pages the week before the test tends to do more harm than good. People’s nervous or insecure energy spreads! And hearing about everyone’s different strategies and scores…. It’s overwhelming!!
I’m gonna really try to give myself a really fun and peaceful week the week prior to…. Whatever that looks like for you! :)
@Stas1973 Definitely, and thank you so much for your post!! How have you balanced the easygoing week prior with still studying? I feel like I always overwork myself out of nerves right before.
Once again, many thanks!
@businessgoose I will do 1PT 7 days before, 1 section 4 days before, light drilling 2 + 1 day before
Mindfulness, meditation, building energy and stamina through exercise, and repeating positive affirmation mantras. I think that's a good start. Circular breathing techniques are always good to do. I do them during sections on my PTs
@DaisukeKaga Thank you so much! Do you have any breathing techniques you particularly find helpful?
@businessgoose Honestly google them. Everyone has a different method, I like 4-7-8 and 4-4-4-4 breathing!
@DaisukeKaga Thanks!