10 pts below PT avg - #help going into October

Comments

• 4 Likes

  Nomads Poem Alum Member

  September 2020 89 karma

  This happened to me last November so I understand you may be devastated.
  But I think the last thing you want to do is let a potential "confidence thing" become an actual confidence thing.
  If you're properly PT-ing in that range (meaning 35 minutes only, blind review, no breaks between sections, etc), you know this test.
  You already have the ability to deal with the typical things the LSAT throws at you.
  The issue may be just translating that capability within the test by actually doing the thing you know to do. That means remembering to calm down and read every word on this test, skipping when you're uncertain or confused, and not losing momentum, etc...
  So that's more of a section strategy rather than fundamentals. So keep at that until October.
  Not sure how many PT's you did before August, but do more.

  You deserve the weekend off.
  Remember the 161 isn't your limit. It's your bad day. Don't let that define you as a person.
• 1 Like

  Constantine Member

  September 2020 edited September 2020 1334 karma

  Could be a technical glitch... idk
  I am in the same situation: 14 points below PTs.
  Probably you had the curve on the test -10 (to get 170 according to the PowerScore podcast).
  Keep study (Section or PTs, and BR of course)!
• Heinz Doofenshmirtz Member ⭐

  September 2020 481 karma

  Sorry to hear this How was your anxiety going into the test? do you think it could have been a factor?
• 4 Likes

  martinxi679 Member

  September 2020 281 karma

  My advice would be: try not to lose confidence, find some study partners, and think through your study plan to see if there should be any change to how you study and review the PTs. I was in a similar boat for July test where I scored about 5-6 points lower than my PT average (though it was largely due to some outside factor), but I was able to come back with a 11-point score increase on this August test. I personally changed my study plan considerably and really forced myself to dig deeper into my weakest section (RC). Lastly, trust yourself. If you can do it on regular PTs, then you can do it on the actual LSAT.
• 1 Like

  mrmurphy815 Member

  September 2020 91 karma

  @martinxi679 said:
  My advice would be: try not to lose confidence, find some study partners, and think through your study plan to see if there should be any change to how you study and review the PTs. I was in a similar boat for July test where I scored about 5-6 points lower than my PT average (though it was largely due to some outside factor), but I was able to come back with a 11-point score increase on this August test. I personally changed my study plan considerably and really forced myself to dig deeper into my weakest section (RC). Lastly, trust yourself. If you can do it on regular PTs, then you can do it on the actual LSAT.

  Would you mind elaborating on how you changed your study plan from getting your score back to going into August to best maximize the remaining days?
• is.saber Member

  September 2020 51 karma

  @martinxi679 said:
  My advice would be: try not to lose confidence, find some study partners, and think through your study plan to see if there should be any change to how you study and review the PTs. I was in a similar boat for July test where I scored about 5-6 points lower than my PT average (though it was largely due to some outside factor), but I was able to come back with a 11-point score increase on this August test. I personally changed my study plan considerably and really forced myself to dig deeper into my weakest section (RC). Lastly, trust yourself. If you can do it on regular PTs, then you can do it on the actual LSAT.

  I'd also be interested in hearing what you did!
• 1 Like

  martinxi679 Member

  September 2020 281 karma

  @mrmurphy815 said:

  @martinxi679 said:
  My advice would be: try not to lose confidence, find some study partners, and think through your study plan to see if there should be any change to how you study and review the PTs. I was in a similar boat for July test where I scored about 5-6 points lower than my PT average (though it was largely due to some outside factor), but I was able to come back with a 11-point score increase on this August test. I personally changed my study plan considerably and really forced myself to dig deeper into my weakest section (RC). Lastly, trust yourself. If you can do it on regular PTs, then you can do it on the actual LSAT.

  Would you mind elaborating on how you changed your study plan from getting your score back to going into August to best maximize the remaining days?

  Well I pretty much changed my plan so I could focus on RC in a very deep and through way. I think this really differs between people, because for me pretty much my weakness lies entirely in RC, with both LG and LR being -0 or close to -0, so I started a method where I kinda "fool-proof" all RC passages. Then I tried to make sure my PT environment is very similar to the real testing environment.
  Since your PT average is already high (169-174), I would think that there is nothing wrong with your study plan. It might just be better to put a little more effort on your weaknesses and make sure your performance and confidence on the real test is similar to your PTs. Lastly, if August was your first test, it is very common to have a well-below average performance on the first test. So keep up with your confidence and try your best!
• martinxi679 Member

  September 2020 281 karma

  @"is.saber" said:

  @martinxi679 said:
  My advice would be: try not to lose confidence, find some study partners, and think through your study plan to see if there should be any change to how you study and review the PTs. I was in a similar boat for July test where I scored about 5-6 points lower than my PT average (though it was largely due to some outside factor), but I was able to come back with a 11-point score increase on this August test. I personally changed my study plan considerably and really forced myself to dig deeper into my weakest section (RC). Lastly, trust yourself. If you can do it on regular PTs, then you can do it on the actual LSAT.

  I'd also be interested in hearing what you did!

  Please check on the upper post, thanks!
• is.saber Member

  September 2020 51 karma

  @martinxi679 said:

  @"is.saber" said:

  @martinxi679 said:
  My advice would be: try not to lose confidence, find some study partners, and think through your study plan to see if there should be any change to how you study and review the PTs. I was in a similar boat for July test where I scored about 5-6 points lower than my PT average (though it was largely due to some outside factor), but I was able to come back with a 11-point score increase on this August test. I personally changed my study plan considerably and really forced myself to dig deeper into my weakest section (RC). Lastly, trust yourself. If you can do it on regular PTs, then you can do it on the actual LSAT.

  I'd also be interested in hearing what you did!

  Please check on the upper post, thanks!

  Thank you!!
• jennyb29 Alum Member

  September 2020 36 karma

  I think the nerves of taking the official test vs taking a PT make a big difference in how you test. I've heard from many friends that their score decreased a lot between their PT average and flex and was worried that the same would happen to me.
  The week of the August test, I woke up every morning and took a flex PT at the time and place I was planning on taking my flex test. By the time the flex came around, it felt just like another practice round. I ended up scoring the exact same as my PT average so I'm really happy with the results! I think it's about the habit and routine. It was a little hard towards the end because it was a lot of tests, but the results made it all worthwhile! Good luck for the October test!