Full disclosure, this isn't a post to vent. I'm genuinely looking for advice and hoping that people scoring better than I will be able to provide me with some tips, encouragement, advice, etc.

I graduated in 2020 with a bachelors and a 4.00 GPA (4.07 CAS). I then grabbed a master's degree because the job market was shit in my area and I was fortunate to go to a MUCH better known institution. I graduated in May of this year with a 3.59 GPA in the Master's program and received numerous scholarly awards. My softs are T-3 (Eagle Scout, Masters, President of school organizations, etc). I hope this isn't coming across as bragging. I just want to provide a little info about myself for assessment.

My problem, like many others, is the LSAT. I used a tutor for the beginning of my studies but we never PT'd. Expensive mistake. I registered for 7sage in December, took a diagnostic, and got a 149. For reference, the tutor was summer of last year, and the Diagnostic (2007 June) was in December. I stopped studying bc of the Master's and started again in June.

Now, after starting in June, my scores have been all over the place. I initially PT'd on Feb. 97' with a 161. Followed by a 160 on PT 36. "Amazing!" I thought. I was studying about a 2-3hrs a day. This was roughly a month ago.

Fast forward to the past two weeks. I went to a 153 (PT 60) to a 154 (PT70) to a 156 today (PT M2020). This is a drop in about 8-9 questions. I've been told that the tests have gotten harder overtime - I get it. I can't help but feel flabbergasted, frustrated, stupid, probably burned out, but most of all, disappointed. I have no one to blame but myself and I own that.

I originally was planning to take the test for August. My goal score is a 165-166. I haven't canceled but I probably will. Don't know what to do. I absolutely refuse to quit on this because being a lawyer and going to law school is what I want to do. Some might say, "okay, so just keep studying and take in October?" My problem is I'm starting a BITCH of a job in Early October that'll probably drive me into the ground (easy 80-90 hour weeks for 6 months out of the year / 50 for the rest). This is a job that I need because I'm trying to financially help my parents who are ill.

As the title says, any assessment/help/encouragement/thoughts are appreciated. I think I'll probably cancel and take a week off. I'm hoping I'm not too stupid for a 165.

As someone who is by definition an overthinker, I wanted to give those who fall prey to the same way of thinking some encouragement.

Stop overthinking your studies.

Overthinking leads to analysis paralysis where you'll end up worrying/overanalyzing/overthinking your LSAT studies instead of actually doing them.

Get a plan, stick with it, and work hard. The rest will come to you.