Coming from someone who has been putting this test off for years...I would study at a slow, steady pace. Maybe don't let yourself drop it entirely for more than a week or two, but study when you feel motivated and inspired. Make it a meditative and positive experience. A few months before the test, as MissChanandler said, start drilling like crazy! Until then, just keep test day in mind as being far away, but approaching.

I will be 26 in a few months, I also work in government for the legislature. I'm a working, independent adult, I am terrified of performing poorly. We have a lot in common!

My mentor did not go to law school until he was over 40. He is brilliant and thriving in his field. He did nothing in his twenties or thirties or even right after undergrad to set himself up for law school. This goes to show that it is NEVER too late to pursue law school and a career in law. In 20 years, you will look back and think "Wow! I had so much time, even though I thought I was running out and too old to chase something new. I could have done it a hundred times by now."

Don't make the mistake of thinking that law school is only a young mans game! It certainly is not! (and also we are still pretty stinkin' young!!)

Best of luck!

I fell exactly the same way. I lessened my stress a bit by planning to register for the January LSAT. If I come out of the November test feeling awful, or I get back a bad score, I know I have the January test to fall back on. The scores for this upcoming test are set to release before the registration deadline for the January test. So if you do not need to take it, you haven't lost any money! If you do need to take it, jump on board and give it another go. Go into the test on the 17th almost thinking of it as your trial run. Maybe that will help you relax and perform well, just knowing this is not the end all be all!

Find comfort in the fact that we are all stressed, anxious, and generally freaking out right now! Best of luck!