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@nycxchi Honestly, it was a combination of learning the methods and then figuring out how to make them fit the way my brain actually works best. These questions want me to assume, this type wants me to break the bridge etc...
At first I was trying to remember formulas and techniques, but eventually something clicked. The breakthrough came with RC to be honest! I kept thinking why am I not retaining this, I feel like I'm reading just to read. Then I have to go back an re-read after every question. I can't remember the PT but I wanna say it was a good passage where the authors were talking about patents and copyrights on algorithms. I just remember laughing when I realized that the way it was written was like, "Some people believe this and this is why. They support this by saying X, critics argue Y, but to that they say Z. Then in the next paragraph he surgically weakened every premise of theirs and then supported his conclusion. I couldn't believe that I had just been reading and expecting questions and not flowing with the passages until that moment. That is when I started putting myself into the passages and the questions. Even so much as to role play the voices of person A or B. Sounding like the artist or some 17th century novelist. Sounds funny but the questions stopped feeling like words on a page, and started feeling like conversations. Instead of just reading "Some modern day scientist claim that Pokemon did actually exist", after each sentence I'd ask, "What are you trying to convince me of? Why should I believe you? "Just because you found an ancient poke ball??" "What if?" How do you know that? Did you rule out other possibilities, or just assume them away?"
Once I started engaging with the argument instead of just analyzing it from the outside, the tools finally started working the way they were supposed to. Even now, I can tell the difference between when I'm mentally fresh vs tired. When I'm in a groove, it honestly feels like me and the question are in a dance. I'm not just looking for the right answer anymore, I'm trying to understand what role the stimulus is asking me to play. Then I'm looking for answers with the mindset of "Ma'am, if you want me to believe that, I'm going to need an explanation that suggests having a cat is somehow better than having a dog that can do tricks." lol Honestly, to me this is what I assume the 180s and our teachers here on 7Sage do on a elite level. They know how to get in the mind of the question type and then know what answer they need to make it work.
I still have my days where I forget the question is asking for EXCEPT... Or I misread the question completely. But my confidence is much higher now knowing that its working.
When it finally clicks... Finished undergrad in May after being out of school for almost 20 years. (I went into the Air Force after HS, then into my profession.) Originally I planned to take the summer off then start studying, but I felt it was better to strike while the iron was hot. If anything, I'd get an idea of the areas where I was weak/strong. Since my degree was in IT with focuses in data analytics and health informatics, all of this was foreign for the most part. I started around 152-ish but hovered around the 158 mark since June. Having ADHD, I was more encouraged than worried. Personally I felt like I just needed to have that moment when my mind could lock in and find that strategy that made the questions come alive, rather than me just reading them. And when that happened I reinforced it, until it became personal. Me vs the questions! I test on the 7th. DIALED IN!! 
@nycxchi You’ll do fine! Good luck!