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Worst scores just before the LSAT, help!

carreno.katecarreno.kate Alum Member
edited September 2014 in General 135 karma
I've been consistently within the 167-170 range since June. I can't imagine that I've lost any knowledge or skill in the past week, but my scores have dropped. I scored a 164 on PT 70, and a 166 on PT 72. Logically, I think it's the pressure of the impending administration getting to me, but I can't help but think that somehow the other tests were a fluke, or that the PT's in the 70's are harder than those in the late 60's. I know these recent scores are still "good," but I also know they are not my best. My confidence has definitely taken a blow, and I'm not sure what I can do to regain it in the next week. I had PT 71 scheduled for Monday, should I risk taking it and scoring poorly right before the test? Or should I just work on my confidence? I've put more into this test than I thought I ever could, and I'm utterly disappointed that this is happening with 7 days left. If anyone has experienced something similar to this, I would tremendously appreciate your advice. Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • dictronic110dictronic110 Alum Member
    67 karma
    Retake the test that you're not satisfied with. It's like "fool proof" the whole test. But I think it not only boosts your confidence but also makes all the stuff in the test sink up your head. Good luck!
  • carreno.katecarreno.kate Alum Member
    135 karma
    That's a good idea, thanks! I'll try that! (:
  • chrijani7chrijani7 Alum Member
    827 karma
    I am right there with ya! I was scoring around mid 160's all over August and beginning of September, with a high of 170 and low of 165. However my last two tests , PT 67 & 70, have been a TRAIN WRECK. I am definitely one of those people that has major issues with nerves. I scored 159 on both 67&70, before I even checked the answers on PT 67 I reprinted it and did it without time, and my BR was 173. So I know I understand the test, and I know that your score is naturally going to drop a bit from BR to when you include time, but going from 173 BR to 159 seems kind of steep to me. I noticed that a lot of LR problems I actually finished in about a minute anyways without time but they gave me so much trouble during the real thing. I don't know what to do either, it has been a major blow for me. I have been at this test for so long and was finally feeling good thinking I'd be able to get my target score and get this over with (165+), but now it seems like I will have to rewrite. At this point, I don't think there is much you can do, you know what you know... just keep at it, try not to let it go to you, and do your best. Trust me, I know it is easier said than done, but reality is... what else can we do? It's not like some miracle is going to happen over the next 7 days that makes everything okay, and those nerves aren't going anywhere, if anything there going to get worse.

    Also interested in what others think/are experiencing.
  • laura.myers63laura.myers63 Free Trial Member
    32 karma
    Do you have a routine before your PTs? The last few weeks I've done the exact same thing before each PT - wake up at the same time, leave the house at the same time, egg sandwich, two iced teas, etc. Yesterday, I just woke up, ate some cereal and started in on PT 68. It went TERRIBLE. But today I went back to my routine and did well on PT 69.
  • laura.myers63laura.myers63 Free Trial Member
    32 karma
    In conclusion, shake it off. Which is both my advice and the song I listen to as the final piece of my routine.
  • polsckenpolscken Alum Member
    199 karma
    Crap. I'm glad everyone else is going through this too. I've had real trouble with my last three. I was averaging 167s, but on 69-72 I've been hitting 161-4. Really stressful.
  • madeleinemadeleine Alum Member
    259 karma
    Do not sweat it. I took in Dec. 2013; scored 5 pts lower than avg on my final PT, and scored 2 pts HIGHER than avg. on the real thing. FEAR NOT.
  • chrijani7chrijani7 Alum Member
    827 karma
    Praying I have a similar experience :D
  • Quick SilverQuick Silver Alum Inactive Sage
    1049 karma
    I'd definitely recommend BRing those two PTs.

    It's not uncommon for this to happen now - with all the pressure - especially if you're trying to cram in a lot of studying or PTs - remember, your brain can't handle too many in a row. At least space them out in the home stretch.
  • madeleinemadeleine Alum Member
    edited September 2014 259 karma
    Also, in the same bizarre vein, just graded one from this morning. My dumb room mate barged in at 3:45 AM from a Sam Smith concert and the door slammed and shook the whole place (i actually love her, but she was a total jerk for that). I never got back to sleep and finally just got out of bed and went to take it at 7:00 am instead of 8:30. I expected to BOMB. I did 1+ avg. The LSAT universe is strange.
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