Practice tests (PTs) should not be used simply as a measure of predicting what you would score on test day. PTs should also be used to gauge the efficiency of our current study methods. The results of a PT can be hugely informative in narrowing the focus of our studies. Knowing what we are bad at allows us to attack these areas in a targeted way. However, for these scores to have value, they need to be accurate.
Unfortunately, there are many ways our PT process can lead to inaccurate practice scores. Giving yourself even one extra minute during a section or break can result in test scores that do not represent our current abilities. Accurately simulating the test-day experience is the best way to ensure your practice test score is realistic. To best simulate the test-day experience, you need to be strict with your timing and all other LSAT requirements.
You can avoid inflating your test scores by making sure you mimic the same test-day strategy every time you sit down to take a PT. Each time you take a PT, try to be in the same environment with the same amount of time, noise level, and overall distraction level as you anticipate having on test day. Requiring yourself to abide by all the setting requirements of LSAC reduces any possible discrepancy between PT performance and test-day score.
Some test takers go one step further beyond simulating the test-day experience and make their practice tests even more difficult than they need to be. Some students find value in shaving five minutes off each section during practice. This can create a more challenging LSAT experience that better simulates test-day anxiety. These and other methods help us practice under the most challenging of circumstances.
Whatever test-day strategy works best for you, make sure it is one you are practicing with. If we do not know what we truly need to work on, we will not be able to do the drills necessary to improve.