Hi everyone! I have been studying full time consistently since June, beginning with a low 150's diagnostic. I've taken few full exams since: 168, 164, 162, 165, 161, 162 (170 & 168 this week and last week, but those were merged sections done in the same day - not test day conditions).
I have gotten my LR down to -1-2, and hit -0 for the first time earlier this week - but can't seem to hold these scores steady getting up to -6 depending on the day. I took a break from sections a few weeks ago and focused solely on drilling weakness which really helped me feel much more comfortable in approaching every question type, and I feel like I have the foundations down.
For RC, my lowest is -2 untimed, and I typically get between -3-7 timed, but also get up to 9-10 wrong some days. I have done the 7 Sage curriculum and also the first three modules of RC Hero, but panic when I'm doing the full sections. I can do drills ranging from level 1-5, with 100% accuracy and within 7-8 minutes, several in a row, but can't seem to keep this up in sections.
I struggle to commit myself fully to practice exams. The 3-hour sit taunts me, and I can't focus knowing that I will be sitting there for so long and its not even the real exam. I have no issue sitting for three hours straight studying, doing sections, drills, review, etc., but panic when it comes to full tests (maybe because if I don't see progress I get super unmotivated?).
I am taking in November (rescheduled both September & October because of the variance) and am hoping for high 160s- low 170s). I have very few fresh sections left for both LR & RC, and have 8 more fresh tests in the 150's (although I want to save some, because I plan to retake the test next year if it doesn't work out)
Any advice for the variance and keeping scores consistent? Tips for the mental side of things? Also, for anyone who struggled to take the full Pt's and actually focus on them, did this level of focus change test day? Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for any tips you might have!
1 comments
Hi there! What you did to address your LR variance (focusing on weakening questions) is a great strategy for RC too. I've often found that students with a lot of variance struggle with a particular question type, or RC passage type/subject, and the concentration of those questions in a section can lead to high variance. So definitely take a look at your analytics and think about your experience taking those sections, and see if you can identify other question types, question or passage subjects, etc. that trip you up the most. I recommend that you keep doing some targeted drilling for particular question/passage types as a way to focus on the weaknesses you're able to pinpoint.
I've had a few students feel that way about practice exams, and I'll be honest and say I felt that way too when I was studying! It felt really daunting, and I was always very worried about how I'd feel if I didn't improve. The thing that helped me the most, and what I advise my students to do, is to not PT until you feel like you have something new to bring to the test. Don't PT for the sake of PTing. Instead, work on targeted drills and set clear goals (whether that's timing, a question type, reading closely, POE, etc). When you feel like you've made progress on those goals and are feeling more comfortable with the questions, then try a PT! That might be once a week, or once every two weeks, etc. I did feel like my level of focus changed on test day, but I also found that working towards a PT through my drilling helped me feel more ready to tackle it, and that helped a lot with my endurance and focus. See each PT as a practice marathon of sorts--you don't want to do too many of them at a time, and you've gotta train in between each one (and rest, too!). Hopefully that helps!