A month out from my test date, I decided my weekly practice-test schedule just wasn’t enough. Instead, I was going to start taking full-length practice tests after my 9-5 internship on top of testing on the weekends. I was already seeing my score plateau, and as soon as I applied this additional pressure, they took an immediate downward turn. I received my lowest ever practice test score – lower than my diagnostic – right before I left for a 5-day trip to California I had planned months before. I, of course, was freaked out, but my flights were non-refundable, so I settled for paying for airplane wifi in order to drill more logical reasoning. If the connectivity had been better, I might have attempted another full-length practice test in flight. However, once I landed, I disconnected completely from the LSAT ghost that had been haunting me all summer.
Upon returning from my trip, I dove back into another practice test. To my surprise, my score not only rebounded but soared to a new personal best, surpassing my previous highest score by five points. I had finally reached the range I had been hoping for all along. It wasn’t the few hours of airport studying that made such a big difference – it was stepping away and focusing on something else, so all the learning I had been doing could settle in my brain and I could come back refreshed.
Preparing for the LSAT can be a long process, and the urge to rush is understandable, but slow down. Think carefully about your options when picking a test date because you need to factor in time for breaks.
Practice tests are a precious resource
Official LSAT test questions are a finite resource. You might think that 70+ disclosed tests are a lot, but they dwindle fast when you start using them for practice. These questions are the gold standard, so use them wisely. Don’t burn through them by taking practice tests on consecutive days. Instead, take your time to review thoroughly – that’s where the magic happens. You’ll get more out of each test if you give yourself the space and time to reflect and absorb the material.
It is a test. You are a human.
It’s easy to lose perspective while studying for the LSAT, but ultimately it is a standardized test. Sure, it may be more difficult than the ones you saw leading up to college, but it is fundamentally still a test that is very effective at wearing out your brain. That being said, your own frustration and nerves can be your biggest enemy. Staying calm might be even more important on test day than everything you’ve studied, and stepping away can help you keep grounded.
Create a sustainable routine.
Have a steady studying routine is important, but is has to be sustainable. Leave a few days, ideally more, between full-length practice tests, and find moments to step away from studying. Your brain will appreciate the rest, and you’ll come back stronger. If you’ve been working every day and really just feel like you need a break – take it. Burning yourself out will only harm your performance, so focus on creating balance and remember that your sanity is just as important as your study schedule.
Remember life is outside the LSAT.
While studying for the LSAT is a serious task, don’t put your entire life on hold for it, even if it’s just for a few months. Taking a week or two off to be with friends or family or do something you’ve been looking forward to, especially after you’ve been studying for a while, might actually be just the thing you need to propel your progress.
Happy studying!
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