Difference in scores when drilling vs. full PT.

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So I'm registered for the June LSAT, and I've now begun the final stretch of my LSAT studies and I've noticed a weird phenomenon.

I pretty much invariably do better when I drill a single section (timed, test center conditions) vs. when I do the whole exam timed. It's got me puzzled, because I can't figure out why I'm scoring less when I do a timed exam vs. just the timed single sections.

It doesn't seem to be from mental fatigue, as it doesn't matter whether the section comes 1st or 5th, I just seem to miss 1-2 more questions when doing a full PT. In BR I can usually find the correct answer in under a minute but during the exam I guess I just have a stroke? Idk

What is the diagnosis for this problem? Just do a bunch of PTs? This forum seems pretty opposed to the idea of doing any more than 3 timed PTs per week, but I honestly don't know how to study any more because when drilling I go -0/-1 but on timed PTs I go -1/-3 on my LR and RC sections. The drilling doesn't seem to be productive any more.

Ohnoeshalpme

Do you get nervous or find that your mind wanders during the actual test? It could be the mindset that you go into section drilling vs PT's

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@Ohnoeshalpme

Usually don't feel nervous but I do get tilted when I feel I've bombed a games section. Though it doesn't seem to matter whether games are 1st or 4th section

keets993

Wait, so are you saying this for a specific section (LR, LG) or any? Because if any then it's definitely fatigue. 3 hour test will tire you out more than doing one section timed.

If that is the case then I've read that you can raise your test taking endurance by doing two full timed tests back to back.

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@keets993

Only LR/RC and it doesn't seem to follow any rhyme or reason. If it was fatigue I would expect it to be my 3rd/4th sections but those are usually my best sections

keets993

@"Return On Inference"

If it was fatigue I would expect it to be my 3rd/4th sections but those are usually my best sections

Interesting. What's your warm up like? If those are your best two maybe try doing a section or two before warm up and see how that impacts your score.

Kateryna

Do you grade your full PT after you finished all 4/5 sections? Or do you grade after you finish each section?

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@Kateryna I grade after I finish the PT and blind review