Hi guys!
Last year when studying for the LSAT I was hitting around 156-158 which I was fine with. I took the LSAT and got a score in the mid 140s, which was incredibly disappointing. I took it remotely, and there were some issues so I am not sure if that was the main reason for the huge drop in my score.
I am taking it again in October, and have been scoring in the high 150s and low 160s with BR in the high 160s low 170s. I am incredibly nervous that my score is going to drop into the 140s again when I take it. I get very nervous and anxious when I am in that kind of setting.
I have been studying at coffee shops and at the library to get used to people getting up and moving around.
Does anyone have any tips on how to manage my stress when taking the official test? Has ayone dealt with this issue before?
Thanks!
4 comments
The orange foam ear plugs work great to isolate you from your surroundings.
You already know you can hit your goal, so just practice sections untimed and review your answers. When you get to the point of being satisfied with your section score, retake an untimed PT. If that works, lean into getting faster. If not, go back to sections.
If you're getting railed by a specific question type, drill that question type until you're not.
The sections are great because of how you start priming your internal clock for the test environment. The questions of each section are arranged in an intentional way that can't be replicated in drills that focus on specific question types.
You can do it!
@afk Thank you for the advice!
Hey! I also have testing anxiety/stress and got way lower that I wanted to during my first official test that I took in April. The good thing is you have taken the test before, so just keep reminding yourself that you know how your testing environment is already. I think it's good that you have practiced in noiser areas. I would also try taking a practice test in a really quiet environment in case that's how it ends up being this time you test. Last time the 10 minute break really ramped up my anxiety. What has helped me is really taking the 10 min break to relax using deep breathing, grounding exercises, or just closing my eyes for a second. My favorite grounding exercise is listing a category from A to Z, like your favorite movies or albums- something fun to take the edge off.
Keep reminding yourself that the test is just like what you've been practicing. There isn't going to be anything unexpected or that you haven't prepared for. In other words- you got this!!!! Take it section by section, question by question.
@MallikaMalhotra Thank you so much. I think the fact it's SO quiet is definitely weird to me. But I am trying to get used to people getting up and leaving/coming in. But I agree, I should take tests/sections in like completely silence too with no distractions. The 10 minute break exercises are so smart, thank you for those!