Third Take- How to study

Comments

• sillllyxo Alum Member

  October 2017 708 karma

  Hi Pink Dust, you are not alone i promise! I blacked out during the first section this Sep test and got 9 right which is just awful. I didn't increase at all from my first take because of anxiety and stress.

  I am curious what others say. I am starting to practice mindfulness and yoga maybe this could help you as well.
• sillllyxo Alum Member

  October 2017 708 karma

  I honestly could have wrote your post. I was scoring in the mid to high 150's and in the 160's during BR. I am sending you positive thoughts!!!!
• 8 Likes

  nicole.brooklyn Alum Member

  October 2017 341 karma

  Here’s one tip for test day anxiety that helped me:

  You know that moment at the beginning of each section where the proctor says, “Begin,” and everyone frantically flips the page? You start holding your breath, trying to read faster, trying not to think about the last section, saying to yourself, “Focus!!” Instead, when you flip the page, pause. Watch everyone else panic for just a second. They’re about to make stupid mistakes because they’re panicking. But you’ve got this. Take a deep breath, and begin. The 2 seconds, or even 5 seconds, you spend doing this at the beginning of each section will pay off in dividends over the next 35 minutes because you took the time to correct your mindset before you began to fall into the rabbit hole of anxiety and panic.
• 1 Like

  sdsd1818 Alum Member

  October 2017 edited October 2017 97 karma

  I have a long way to go in combatting my own anxiety, but something that helped before and during the test was closing my eyes, inhaling slowly for 4 counts and exhaling slowly for 6. Think about breathing in everything you need for the test (e.g. focus, confidence), and breathing out everything you don't (e.g. anxiety, distractions, fear). Once you start, look only at the test-- not at other test-takers, or proctors, or the time (unless you're able to do this without freaking out). Repeat the breathing exercise every time you start to freak out.
• mcglz_64 Alum Member

  October 2017 891 karma

  Funny story - > @"nicole.burdakin" said:

  Here’s one tip for test day anxiety that helped me:

  You know that moment at the beginning of each section where the proctor says, “Begin,” and everyone frantically flips the page? You start holding your breath, trying to read faster, trying not to think about the last section, saying to yourself, “Focus!!” Instead, when you flip the page, pause. Watch everyone else panic for just a second. They’re about to make stupid mistakes because they’re panicking. But you’ve got this. Take a deep breath, and begin. The 2 seconds, or even 5 seconds, you spend doing this at the beginning of each section will pay off in dividends over the next 35 minutes because you took the time to correct your mindset before you began to fall into the rabbit hole of anxiety and panic.

  I totally believe in this! I really think that everything in this test (once you have the fundamentals down) comes down to a mental state. I'm retaking so I took a Diagnostic this weekend after 3 weeks of not even thinking about the LSAT. I obviously studied before so I just thought - "who cares if I botch this diagnostic? It's just to see what stuck with me" and I got a pretty good score! Just relax, don't think everything is resting on it. You've studied this before. Take a diag, relax and see what else you need to work on.
• 3 Likes

  Alex Alum Member ⭐

  October 2017 edited October 2017 23929 karma

  I would focus on drilling and solidifying fundamentals. I've truly realized that a mastery of the basics is sufficient to score in the 160s on this exam. Also, make sure you fool proof games to get those as close to -0 as possible. It is true that they are the most learnable section of the LSAT.

  Also, follow Sage CantGetRight's 3 step study process: https://7sage.com/webinar/post-core-curriculum-study-strategies/

  It's an hour long webinar and worth every minute.

  Good luck
• Pink Dust Alum Member

  October 2017 403 karma

  @sillllyxo said:
  Hi Pink Dust, you are not alone i promise! I blacked out during the first section this Sep test and got 9 right which is just awful. I didn't increase at all from my first take because of anxiety and stress.

  I am curious what others say. I am starting to practice mindfulness and yoga maybe this could help you as well.

  Hey! Good luck to both of us! I will try yoga or the gym more. My anxiety has just gotten worse since feb. I also think that I shouldn't spend all day studying for this exam. Max 3-4 hours a day. Will definitely PM you so we can both stay on track. Today I just drilled some games.
• Pink Dust Alum Member

  October 2017 403 karma

  @mcglz_64 said:
  Funny story - > @"nicole.burdakin" said:

  Here’s one tip for test day anxiety that helped me:

  You know that moment at the beginning of each section where the proctor says, “Begin,” and everyone frantically flips the page? You start holding your breath, trying to read faster, trying not to think about the last section, saying to yourself, “Focus!!” Instead, when you flip the page, pause. Watch everyone else panic for just a second. They’re about to make stupid mistakes because they’re panicking. But you’ve got this. Take a deep breath, and begin. The 2 seconds, or even 5 seconds, you spend doing this at the beginning of each section will pay off in dividends over the next 35 minutes because you took the time to correct your mindset before you began to fall into the rabbit hole of anxiety and panic.

  I totally believe in this! I really think that everything in this test (once you have the fundamentals down) comes down to a mental state. I'm retaking so I took a Diagnostic this weekend after 3 weeks of not even thinking about the LSAT. I obviously studied before so I just thought - "who cares if I botch this diagnostic? It's just to see what stuck with me" and I got a pretty good score! Just relax, don't think everything is resting on it. You've studied this before. Take a diag, relax and see what else you need to work on.

  I will definitely take a diagnostic since I haven't touched anything LSAT related since the exam. Just drilled some games today.
  I wanted to ask, will you be using the SEPT exam as just an exam to review over or will you take it again under timed conditions?
• Pink Dust Alum Member

  October 2017 403 karma

  @"Alex Divine" said:
  I would focus on drilling and solidifying fundamentals. I've truly realized that a mastery of the basics is sufficient to score in the 160s on this exam. Also, make sure you fool proof games to get those as close to -0 as possible. It is true that they are the most learnable section of the LSAT.

  Also, follow Sage CantGetRight's 3 step study process: https://7sage.com/webinar/post-core-curriculum-study-strategies/

  It's an hour long webinar and worth every minute.

  Good luck

  I couldn't even hold the inferences in my head during the timed exam I went -10 on games. On PTing, it was usually -5 sometimes -3.
  Ahh I just feel like so discouraged. I can't even put into words. I will definitely check out the webinar.
• 1 Like

  Alex Alum Member ⭐

  October 2017 23929 karma

  @"Pink Dust" said:

  @"Alex Divine" said:
  I would focus on drilling and solidifying fundamentals. I've truly realized that a mastery of the basics is sufficient to score in the 160s on this exam. Also, make sure you fool proof games to get those as close to -0 as possible. It is true that they are the most learnable section of the LSAT.

  Also, follow Sage CantGetRight's 3 step study process: https://7sage.com/webinar/post-core-curriculum-study-strategies/

  It's an hour long webinar and worth every minute.

  Good luck

  I couldn't even hold the inferences in my head during the timed exam I went -10 on games. On PTing, it was usually -5 sometimes -3.
  Ahh I just feel like so discouraged. I can't even put into words. I will definitely check out the webinar.

  It happens to the best .. Just keep pushing forward and don't let a test be what keeps you from achieving your goal of attending a great law school. It will all be worth it in the end!
• Maddie D. Alum Member

  October 2017 325 karma

  I'm also going to chime in with the mindfulness/meditation advice! Along with mastering fundamentals, it is essential that you don't lose your cool on test day. Easier said than done, I know. I'm a super Type-A, highly anxious person so for what it's worth, this isn't coming to you from a yogi or anything.

  Each day I sit or lay down with my eyes closed and focus on how my breath feels going into my nose as I fill my "belly" (meaning that it's a diaphragmatic breath) and note how it feels when I just release the breath with a little hiss out of my mouth, repeating for anywhere from two to twenty minutes. (this link may help: http://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/mindful_breathing)

  I do a similar thing minus the hiss on test day (obviously lol) at question 15 in every section per a friend's advice. No matter if I'm doing great or the section is messing with me, I put my pencil down at question 15 and take a mindful three-second breath to reset the body and brain. Some will say that's nuts, but it works for me. From what you've said, the mental turmoil of this test seems to be what's really getting to you. But incorporating mindful practices into your daily routine really will change the way your body responds to stress. Also, to second Alex's comment, concurrently work on drilling fundamentals so that the processes behind each question type become reflexive. I think if you can calm your mind during the test, you won't feel the fundamentals slipping so much. Hopefully that helps! Best of luck!
• Pink Dust Alum Member

  October 2017 403 karma

  @"Maddie Distasio" said:
  I'm also going to chime in with the mindfulness/meditation advice! Along with mastering fundamentals, it is essential that you don't lose your cool on test day. Easier said than done, I know. I'm a super Type-A, highly anxious person so for what it's worth, this isn't coming to you from a yogi or anything.

  Each day I sit or lay down with my eyes closed and focus on how my breath feels going into my nose as I fill my "belly" (meaning that it's a diaphragmatic breath) and note how it feels when I just release the breath with a little hiss out of my mouth, repeating for anywhere from two to twenty minutes. (this link may help: http://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/mindful_breathing)

  I do a similar thing minus the hiss on test day (obviously lol) at question 15 in every section per a friend's advice. No matter if I'm doing great or the section is messing with me, I put my pencil down at question 15 and take a mindful three-second breath to reset the body and brain. Some will say that's nuts, but it works for me. From what you've said, the mental turmoil of this test seems to be what's really getting to you. But incorporating mindful practices into your daily routine really will change the way your body responds to stress. Also, to second Alex's comment, concurrently work on drilling fundamentals so that the processes behind each question type become reflexive. I think if you can calm your mind during the test, you won't feel the fundamentals slipping so much. Hopefully that helps! Best of luck!

  Thank you so much for the link. I will definitely start incorporating that everyday. I guess this exam is something else - no undergrad course made me feel so much anxiety.
• Maddie D. Alum Member

  October 2017 325 karma

  @"Pink Dust" said:

  Thank you so much for the link. I will definitely start incorporating that everyday. I guess this exam is something else - no undergrad course made me feel so much anxiety.

  Of course! I hope it helps (I have faith that it will because like I said, I'm a giant stress ball naturally haha). And it really is its own beast. It's tough to keep your mind from wandering while you're taking it when there's so much at stake with it, but once your confidence is up and your stress is down I know you can kill it!
• Pink Dust Alum Member

  October 2017 403 karma

  @"Maddie Distasio" said:

  @"Pink Dust" said:

  Thank you so much for the link. I will definitely start incorporating that everyday. I guess this exam is something else - no undergrad course made me feel so much anxiety.

  Of course! I hope it helps (I have faith that it will because like I said, I'm a giant stress ball naturally haha). And it really is its own beast. It's tough to keep your mind from wandering while you're taking it when there's so much at stake with it, but once your confidence is up and your stress is down I know you can kill it!

  It did! To be honest, I have been losing sleep too. So today, I just sat down in my room on the floor for 20 mins and just focused on my breathing. It was hard to do, but it really calmed me down!!! I'm gonna try doing this everyday now.
  Thank you for the positive kind words Sending you lots of love.
• 2 Likes

  sillllyxo Alum Member

  October 2017 708 karma

  @"Pink Dust" said:

  @"Maddie Distasio" said:

  @"Pink Dust" said:

  Thank you so much for the link. I will definitely start incorporating that everyday. I guess this exam is something else - no undergrad course made me feel so much anxiety.

  Of course! I hope it helps (I have faith that it will because like I said, I'm a giant stress ball naturally haha). And it really is its own beast. It's tough to keep your mind from wandering while you're taking it when there's so much at stake with it, but once your confidence is up and your stress is down I know you can kill it!

  It did! To be honest, I have been losing sleep too. So today, I just sat down in my room on the floor for 20 mins and just focused on my breathing. It was hard to do, but it really calmed me down!!! I'm gonna try doing this everyday now.
  Thank you for the positive kind words Sending you lots of love.

  The advice i was given was to find an 8 week mindfulness/meditation course ( i start on Monday!) & the book "the worry trap" - chad lejeune ~ maybe it can help you too!
• 1 Like

  JESUS LIVES 7 Core Member

  October 2017 26 karma

  Prayer and Trust whatever the score you will be able to overcome with Hard Work and Faith!
• Maddie D. Alum Member

  October 2017 325 karma

  @"Pink Dust" said:

  @"Maddie Distasio" said:

  @"Pink Dust" said:

  Thank you so much for the link. I will definitely start incorporating that everyday. I guess this exam is something else - no undergrad course made me feel so much anxiety.

  Of course! I hope it helps (I have faith that it will because like I said, I'm a giant stress ball naturally haha). And it really is its own beast. It's tough to keep your mind from wandering while you're taking it when there's so much at stake with it, but once your confidence is up and your stress is down I know you can kill it!

  It did! To be honest, I have been losing sleep too. So today, I just sat down in my room on the floor for 20 mins and just focused on my breathing. It was hard to do, but it really calmed me down!!! I'm gonna try doing this everyday now.
  Thank you for the positive kind words Sending you lots of love.

  I'm so glad! And of course. Love and good vibes to you as well!