Only taken the exam once, but also underperformed compared to my practice exams (been studying on and off since September 2024, but sat for the exam for the first time in June). Standardized exams aren't my forte, and I quickly learned that I have high test-taking anxiety. Happy to talk about it or study together since we seem to be in a similar situation in terms of our scores/going through almost all the material (albeit I've made fewer attempts). You seem incredibly driven and very capable of getting a top score! I believe you can do it <3

Since you're still in school, the priority should be raising your GPA. The LSAT will always exist, so your emphasis should be on getting that number as high as possible by graduation. If you have free time during the summer, you could start studying early. But you'll need a diagnostic score to estimate how long/how much you'll need to study for the exam, so it's kinda hard to give you a timeline without that information.

Personally, I barely touched LSAT prep during school and don't regret it. I think it's best to invest that time into your grades, extracurriculars, and internships. But I'm taking two years in between, so your timeline could look different if you're a KJD. Unless you have some compelling reason to start law school immediately after graduation, I think I would probably overload my schedule with GPA booster classes (use RateMyProfessor to get a sense of a class's difficulty and grading scale) and pack the extra time with volunteering or clubs. Study for the LSAT when you're ready.

As a side note, your diagnostic will be the first of MANY three hour tests you will have to sit through while you study. Best to get used to it - but you can do it! :)

If anyone else is planning on doing something like this, I would love to be a part of it!

Some people highlight, others swear against it - I find highlighting helps me stay engaged with the passage so that my mind doesn't glaze over like you described. I highlight definitions, author's perspective, key arguments - not to reference them later, just to make sure I'm actively engaging with the passage. Sometimes time management is a struggle when I'm highlighting, though, so I've been trying to reduce the amount of time I'm spending on each passage. Worth giving a shot and seeing if it helps you stay engaged, since it's been great for me.

Occasionally, I feel this way when I start a practice exam or timed section. Has never been a permanent problem - usually, I find that the "fog" stems from residual stress from other aspects of my life (personal/professional) that makes it hard to devote all my mental energy to the exam.

I find it helpful to address whatever issues are clouding my mind - whether it's tasks from work, texts I haven't replied to, or whatever - when it happens. Even if it means I have to study when I'm more tired, I think it's better to be fully present than waste an hour with unproductive test prep.

Agree with people saying "push through." Take a break for an hour and just try again. You'll get into the flow once you're present.

Following!

Sent you a DM!

I prefer the old format - agree with everyone saying to change it back!