I need help

RonSwanson-1

I am taking the exam in September. I have been studying non-stop for the last three months. Consistently been getting between 169-173 for the last two months.

Everything was going well, until I took a practice exam last Saturday and did so poorly it devastated me. I thought it was a one-off, but I took another today and same exact result. I am spiraling psychologically––this exam, for me, is a huge psychological challenge; I don't understand what about it is so personal but I am spiraling.

Psychologically, I feel I have hit a wall. Three weeks out, I'm sure mentally I am going to keep making mistakes, and I'm looking at the questions I got wrong and I genuinely do not understand what is happening––the answers I chose seem, objectively, correct. My wrong answer journal is blank because the questions seem like they are the problem.

I don't know what to do, or how to proceed. This is not just a one-off, this is psychologically leading me into study free fall. I will not get a chance to study or take the LSAT again like now. If I don't do well now, knowing myself and my work and study schedule, I have no chance again. I don't know what to do and need assistance.

natemanwell1

are there any patterns to the question you are getting wrong? are there common question types for the argument and or reading questions? are there common wrong answer types you are picking for either question? what do you mean by "objectively correct"? need some examples in order to be helpful

RonSwanson-1

@natemanwell1 said:
are there any patterns to the question you are getting wrong? are there common question types for the argument and or reading questions? are there common wrong answer types you are picking for either question? what do you mean by "objectively correct"? need some examples in order to be helpful

No, they all vary. As I said, I read the questions, objectively, my mind is incapable of understanding what is wrong. I got a 173 two weeks ago, and two 170s since then. I seriously do not understand why I feel off twice so quickly.

daiven81

This happened to me 8 days before my exam. Went from getting -2 to -4 a section to a -13 on a reading section when I was super tired. The only thing you can do is take a few days off and refocus. You are burn out. If you are getting between 169-173, you aren't going to improve your knowledge in 2 weeks. What you will do is keep pushing harder as your scores go down and ruin your confidence. I took the break thought I did awful, scored just fine when scores released. You got this ! I promise you, you don't accidentally break into the 70s multiple times if you don't know what you are doing. Plus you already have a 165. That is your floor at this point. You will be just fine.

L up North

I had a 7Sage instructor who got a 180 on their official LSAT tell me the last PT they took before getting their 180 score was in the 160s. Some PTs just hit at your weak points more than others, even for people who end up doing basically perfect on their actual exam. It's ok. There is no reason to assume your last two PTs are a more accurate representation of your abilities than ALL of the other GREAT PTs you've had over the last TWO MONTHS!!! All of the skills you have earned through a ton of hard work are still in there- maybe take some time building your confidence back up with some easier sections or question types you're good at, then take a PT once you feel more confident. And, the good thing is, at this point and at the score band you're consistently in, the work is not lost. Even if you don't have the same amount of time to study in the future, you still have all of those skills because you've already done the heavy lifting, so it's just more bits of fine-tuning you need now, not hours and hours of work! I took 8 months off studying and the first PT back after I started studying again for a week was right back at my old PT average- it was all still there, and it took WAY less to dust if off again than it did to get all of that knowledge there in the first place. Not saying any of that to assume you won't do amazing in September- I think you will! I'm saying this to take some of the mental pressure off, because for me, I perform way worse if I think this test is going to make or break me- there are multiple ways things can work out as good, or even better, than what you could imagine!!!

kiazcmuleta

I've heard this happen for many people because of burn out. I would take a few days off to reset and then come back to this. I know that's the last thing anyone wants to do with the test date approaching, but sometimes pushing ourselves is actually more counterproductive than taking a step back. And sometimes taking a break is more productive than pushing ourselves. Wishing you all the best!!

Relentless

@L up North, your comment is worth framing. High five pal!

bree1600

This happened to me just a few days ago. I am also taking the Sept lsat and scored a 159 on Friday. The last two PT's have been in the low 170's. For me, what was very different was my mindset. Last week, I was studying north of 6 hours a day and burning myself out. Perhaps, I thought that I could study away my anxiety (lol this is far from true). I truly believe that 50% of this test is mindset and the ability to stay calm during the test. I spent the weekend taking time off and then went through my wrong answers with a fine tooth comb. I'm planning on just doing two hours of high quality studying a day and reviewing. Idk if it will work for you but I'm gaslighting myself into being more confidence (affirmations really do help lol)

natemanwell1

you should post a list of every question type you got wrong with a count in the chat. also clarify what you mean by your answers being "objectively right"

abigail.1001

Take a break, sleep, walk outside. 2-3 days off of the LSAT grind will not be the make or break for your score. Your brain knows what to do, and from your post the only thing that has changed is the pressure you're putting on yourself. I'm not in charge, but all the guidance I've received would suggest DON'T apply early decision to Georgetown with a 165 unless you have boatloads of money burning a hole in your pocket. You've got this.

RonSwanson-1

For everyone who commented, first, thank you. Your suggestions really helped me. I did exactly what you all suggested and it really helped.

That said, I took the LSAT today and my thing crashed multiple times, until I was utterly unable to finish the exam. I'm pretty sure that the section where my exam crashed was not experimental.

I'm not looking for anything right now, just venting a bit. LSAC was incredibly disrespectful, and the proctor's were in many ways responsible for the system crashing near the end.

I genuinely feel like I never want anything to do with the LSAT or to take the LSAT again. I really dislike LSAC for its incompetence in its system. I am feeling very defeated and mentally distraught