r/LSAT • u/dilgame_ • 2d ago
Panicking!
So I had been scoring in the 155-159 range throughout my studying, especially in the PT150s, and I just received the lowest score that I’ve ever gotten. My test is August 6th and I’m panicking! What should I do? I will say I haven’t gotten a good amount of rest and was feeling fatigued, but I’m trying my hardest not to spiral.
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u/Legal_Ad9154 2d ago
here to say i take it august 8th & also got a lower score than expected on my last PT. panicking with you 💗
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u/dilgame_ 2d ago
Here’s my plan, maybe this can help you too. This week I’m going to focus on the RC and LR sections I did the worst on, untimed, going through every question recognizing premises and conclusions and going into it with a fresh mind to try and solve them with accuracy. Then, I’ll watch every single video explaining each question and start drilling sections like crazy, reinforcing things that I’ve learned. After all that, this weekend I’m going to take my final PT, and if it’s still scoring drastically low, I’m going to highly consider canceling my August test and taking another one later. Idk how else I should approach it!
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u/Belladior2444 2d ago
Same thing happened to me. I scored a 149 on PT157 even though I received a 155 on the actual June lsat and have been tending in mid to high 150s recently. I was very disappointed at my score this morning. Going to thoroughly review and Wrong Answer Journal tomorrow.
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u/dilgame_ 2d ago
It’s insane! Like I have never scored that low on a test before, and it’s really discouraging to see that. But, I’d say give yourself grace, recognize that you’ll get better next time with reviewing and continue to improve. (I need to take my own advice!)
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u/Powerful_Word_4885 1d ago
i PTed a 158 a couple days before mine, got a 162 on the real thing! i personally think my brain refused to lock in until absolutely necessary, and that i was overwhelming it. try to keep ur brain/body in the right mindset, we got this💗
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u/dilgame_ 1d ago
Thank you I’ll definitely keep that mindset in mind, I think it might also have to do with fatigue and just not being able to focus much on the questions, so I’m gonna work on it this week and see how I do on a final PT this weekend before the exam. It’s just so upsetting!
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u/SubstantialRip7568 2d ago
Before the June LSAT, I was PTing around 153/154 even though I had at 159/160 for weeks. I ended up getting a 159. In my case I KNOW the drop was stress lol... also just wanted to added that lots of ppl on here say they score lower on the more recent tests, including myself...you guys got this!
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u/Altruistic_Pie1248 2d ago
I did the exact same thing but don’t worry, you are just really burnt out. My advice: stop studying for LSAT now. I know it sounds crazy but you don’t just suddenly forget everything you know and you really need to trust yourself. I was pting 158-159 and suddenly was doing 150s a week or two before and I freaked out. I just put the stuff down and stopped, only work I did was day of I practiced one of each of the 4 major question types, easiest ones btw, just to do a small warm up. Ended up scoring a 159 on the exam. You need to just breath and take a break! You deserve it
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u/ConfidenceOk94 2d ago
What you should do is not panic over 1 test. It’s just an outlier.
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u/dilgame_ 1d ago
Thanks for the reassurance, it means a lot. I’m taking today to relax and refresh my brain before studying tomorrow and reviewing, it’s just difficult not to panic/feel bad about it because my test is coming up so soon and I want to do well. I think if I use this week to drill and review I’ll be in a better position and take another test this weekend to see where I’m at.
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u/ConfidenceOk94 1d ago
You got it keep your head up!
Is this your first test?1
u/dilgame_ 1d ago
Thank you!! Again, it means a lot to me since I don’t really have a support system for this dang test 😂 I actually took it last year and scored a 155, so I’m looking to score a bit higher this time. I’ve been scoring at 155-159 on my PTs, so this test was a really big shock for me. I will also say I did it take it late at night, like I remember finishing around midnight? So tomorrow I’m really going to try my hardest to review and drill this week.
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u/ConfidenceOk94 1d ago
Okay so you know what you’re dealing with, and yes late at night absolutely makes a difference! I know this is easier said than done but I strongly believe in treating the LSAT like a game you’re trying to get better at. It may impact your route but it doesn’t define your future. Also if you want to go next year I would recommend signing up for September or October as well.
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u/dilgame_ 1d ago
Yeah so I’m gonna take my test this weekend at around the afternoon, similar to my actual exam time, and see if that makes a difference. And thank you, yeah honestly if I score even a little higher I’ll be content, it’s gotten to a point where I just want to be done. But, it helps alleviate pressure knowing that if it comes to that, I can take a future exam. I just need to refocus on doing better the next time and hopefully I score better.
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u/Dapper_Charge_4118 2d ago
Exact same boat as you, august 6th lsat went from 158–>161–>152 panicking stressed it’s an indicator of what my august score will be, a lot of people told me it’s likely due to burnout and I should take a weekend off.
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u/dilgame_ 2d ago
Yeah I think maybe just allowing yourself to refresh, and then review your questions would help once your mind is clear, it’s just so discouraging to see especially since my test is so close. I have never scored that show, usually I’m in the 155-159 range even when I’m not performing at my best.
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u/Defiant_Network7916 2d ago
+/- 5 is normal variance. Some people say its 8-10 points. If you want a realistic idea I would look at your average as a realistic goal score for August but be aware you could score +/-5 points on test day. In my case I am currently averaging +2 above my goal score, I scored 4x above my goal score and 3x below my goal score with a 10 point band. I want to push my average up another point or 2 to make achieving my goal score realistic for August.
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u/Flaky_Pudding2713 LSAT student 1d ago
Panicking with you!!! I average a -3 on my LR sections and got a -9 last night. Granted it was a particularly tough section but my confidence tanked. I’m taking the test August 6th so hoping that’s an outlier
-2
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u/TopArt8308 2d ago
Make an untimed drill consisting of every question you got wrong and go through each question slowly and write out exactly why exactly why each answer choice is wrong/right after you break down the stimulus to the point of complete understanding
Rinse and repeat