How to not get frazzled when we see a hard logic game on the test

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• 5 Likes

  NotMyName Alum Member Sage ⭐

  October 2018 5320 karma

  GREAT QUESTION!

  I consciously worked on this for months. This was my high 160s hurdle and I didn't break that plateau until it was fixed. Too often when PTing, I would blow it on a difficult game and finish -4 to -6 in LG.

  1) Develop a process. Once I recognized a stand-out game which had the potential to wreck my section, I entered this process which was different from that which I used for all other games. I slowed down my pace and shifted from an offensive mindset to a defensive one. My goal was not to bomb that game and control the bleeding. I wouldn't start writing until I could visualize the game and understood the tricky aspects. That might take 4 minutes but if it took longer I would skip the game (if it wan't #4) or check my previous answers.

  Upon returning I would resume my attempts at comprehension. By this time, my worst-case-scenario would typically be an inefficient setup free of any translation errors. That meant I could brute force a few answers at the very least. Again, I wasn't trying to go -0 at this point but rather keep it to -3/-2. Above all, try to remain calm.

  2) Meditation. I meditated every morning before studying and every evening before bed for 10 minutes. I envisioned myself reaching a difficult game and executing my process during these sessions. I don't know the science behind it and maybe it was entirely placebo affect. But my guess is that our imagination allows for virtual experience where we are in control and it accomplishes much of what actual experience does. Using this in conjunction with actual experience (where things can still go wrong) helped reinforce my process.
• 3 Likes

  BinghamtonDave Alum Member ⭐ 🍌🍌

  October 2018 8689 karma

  @NotMyName with a great comment. If I can echo it: develop a system to minimize damage and collect points!

  David
• MindyKale Alum Member

  October 2018 edited November 2018 350 karma

  @NotMyName said:
  GREAT QUESTION!

  I consciously worked on this for months. This was my high 160s hurdle and I didn't break that plateau until it was fixed. Too often when PTing, I would blow it on a difficult game and finish -4 to -6 in LG.

  1) Develop a process. Once I recognized a stand-out game which had the potential to wreck my section, I entered this process which was different from that which I used for all other games. I slowed down my pace and shifted from an offensive mindset to a defensive one. My goal was not to bomb that game and control the bleeding. I wouldn't start writing until I could visualize the game and understood the tricky aspects. That might take 4 minutes but if it took longer I would skip the game (if it wan't #4) or check my previous answers.

  Upon returning I would resume my attempts at comprehension. By this time, my worst-case-scenario would typically be an inefficient setup free of any translation errors. That meant I could brute force a few answers at the very least. Again, I wasn't trying to go -0 at this point but rather keep it to -3/-2. Above all, try to remain calm.

  2) Meditation. I meditated every morning before studying and every evening before bed for 10 minutes. I envisioned myself reaching a difficult game and executing my process during these sessions. I don't know the science behind it and maybe it was entirely placebo affect. But my guess is that our imagination allows for virtual experience where we are in control and it accomplishes much of what actual experience does. Using this in conjunction with actual experience (where things can still go wrong) helped reinforce my process.

  @BinghamtonDave said:
  @NotMyName with a great comment. If I can echo it: develop a system to minimize damage and collect points!

  David

  TY!