Quick Tip: Strengthening & Weakening Questions
Here’s your reminder that Strengthening and Weakening questions are exactly the same. They both focus on one thing: the support. The support is what the premise gives to the conclusion. It is the connection between the two. Without it, our argument is wrecked.
It makes sense, then, that in order to strengthen an argument, we must strengthen that support. And on the other hand, in order to weaken an argument, we must take away that same support. Because of this, we can turn any Weakening question into a Strengthening question and any Strengthening question into a Weakening question. Next time you see a Strengthening question, answer the question and then ask yourself, “How can I weaken this argument?”
Discussion: Gearing Up for Test Day
The day many of you have been working up to is almost here. Deep breath. You’re ready for this. You’ve probably been studying for months and have taken plenty of practice tests by now. Regardless of how many hours you’ve given to this test, it can be hard to remain confident as we inch closer to test day.
Luckily, confidence is a state of mind. I’d suggest doing three things over the next couple of days to remain grounded and trusting of your ability to crush the LSAT.
First, resist the urge to grind too much over the next 72 hours. It’s likely that you won’t retain any new information you learn now. Instead, be confident in the skills you have gained over the past few months during your studying. If you’re itching to get some more practice in before test day, you could consider taking a couple of timed sections to help you keep up with your timing and test strategy. Pro tip: Don’t even score these sections. Your goal here is to keep your skills sharp and confidence high.
Second, take care of yourself. Avoid bad foods, alcohol, and anything else that might inhibit your performance on test day. You are much more likely to do well if you are in a positive state of mind. Get a workout in the day before the test. Eat well. Don’t watch too much TV. Hang out with your friends or family. Get a good night’s sleep. Do things that will build you up for success.
Third, visualize the perfect test day. Push out any doubt from your mind and replace any negative thoughts with positive ones. Repeat affirmations like “I will crush the LSAT!” or “I am ready, and I will get my dream score.” Remind yourself of how proud you will be when you have achieved your goal and finally submit your application to law school. Walk into test day with an optimistic attitude and unbreakable confidence.
Best of luck to those who are taking the test this weekend. You’ve got this!