Self-paced
Has this happened to anyone else?
one day I’m drilling and my scores are fine, improving even. Then say a few days later, I’m drilling again and they are worse then ever.
Here’s what specifically happened to me:
Last Tuesday so 5/26 I was drilling a category of LR questions that need the most attention. I drilled 10 questions (on the “harder” difficulty setting) and managed to score a 7/10. I was extremely happy. (Yes I do review my wrong answers)
Then I took the next few days off from the LSAT And grinded for hours (at least 5-7 hrs) each day to with the goal of completing my 3 summer classes early so I can focus entirely on the LSAT.
Today I just got back to LSAT studying, (so about 5 days off from LSATS) and did terrible with my drills. Same category, same difficulty. Horrible scores. For some reason today when I got back to LSAT prep it was like my mind wasn’t sharp like it was before, it also felt like I couldn’t comprehend the words I was reading much less apply them critically.
Everyone online says that scores fluctuating can be a sign of burnout and that you need to take a break and basically allow your brain to take in the knowledge and whatnot.
But I did take a break, at least from LSAT stuff. For those 5 days I didn’t work on LSATS at all. Just my normal class work.
So I’m extremely confused and rather discouraged.
Has this happened to anyone else? I can’t afford to separate my time into 1 day studying the next 5 no studying you know?
Does anyone have any tips? Experience? Literally ANYTHING
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2 comments
Hi there!
What you're experiencing is definitely a common challenge that people face when studying for the LSAT. It can definitely be helpful to take a break from studying, but when you're working hard on other work during those breaks, they tend not to be that refreshing. Then, when you come back after five days, you might feel guilty about taking time off and try to make up for it with more intense practice.
I'd recommend a more steady, balanced schedule so that you're spending a shorter amount of time each day devoted to LSAT prep. That will give you more time to dedicate to other things in your life each day, like your summer classes.
If you rush through your summer classes, you could end up feeling exhausted, and then you probably wouldn't get the most out of all that newfound free time studying for the LSAT. Better to spread both out over a longer time period so you get a mix of different activities each day.
I'd also suggest doing blind review and keeping a wrong answer journal if you're not already doing so. That will help you consolidate lessons when you get a question wrong. If you reframe each missed question as a learning opportunity, that can help you focus more on the long-term process and less on the immediate outcome of any individual drill.
Wishing you the best as you continue working toward your goals!
Welcome to the LSAT roller coaster ride! It is perfectly normal to have good days and bad days. I wouldn't read too much into it. So, you were a little off one day. That doesn't really mean anything. I suggest that you just take a deep breath and let it go!