How to Get Ready the Week Before the LSAT

Preparing for the LSAT starts months in advance After you learn the basics and put your skills into practice you should fall into a steady rhythm of practice and review as you build skills and gain confidence As exam day approaches your brain may feel overtaxed and overstuffed with tips and tactics That s why it s vital to methodically manage your time and force in the week before the test The following advice can help keep your head clear Go over your notes to consolidate skills Review current practice tests Manage stress to be in the right mindset Plan for prospective surprises Relax Go Over Your Notes to Consolidate Skills The week before the LSAT is an excellent time to consolidate everything you ve learned about the test and make sure you re genuinely putting this knowledge into practice Take out a big sheet of poster board or open a fresh document on your computer and organize all that information into an outline flow chart or mind map Writing down information makes it easier to remember and integrate It can also reveal gaps in your knowledge while you still have specific time to address them Read What Is a Good LSAT Figure Frankly it does no good to learn a technique if you feel unable to use it effectively under test conditions So be honest with yourself Are you applying the lessons in your practice If not now s the time to revisit them Maybe you need to brush up on your source materials or even experiment with different approaches While LSAT prep doesn t require as much memorization as tests like the Health College Admission Test or MCAT there are various things you should know cold like common logical flaws If there are points or concepts you have trouble remembering put them on flash cards and drill with them Review Modern Practice Tests It is risky to take new practice tests in the last scarce days before the LSAT Practice is stressful and draining and if you happen to get more questions wrong than usual you may panic and sabotage your test-day performance Instead go over questions you have already done without the suspense of getting them right or wrong Remind yourself how you arrived at correct answers and what you learned from the questions you got wrong Remember what it feels like to take the test while keeping your cool Manage Stress to Be in the Right Mindset Test anxiety is all in your head It s natural to feel a surge of nervous vitality before the test The trick is to channel that potential productively to stay alert through a long test instead of burning it through anxious and racing thoughts Law Schools That Are Hardest to Get Into Try visualization exercises to remind your brain that you know what is on the test because of all the practice tests you successfully completed Use a mindfulness technique like breathing exercises or meditation Stay sharp by eating healthy foods and exercising regularly If you find yourself flagging remind yourself why law school is a goal worth your full effort Imagine how it will feel to receive an acceptance letter knowing how hard you worked to achieve this dream Plan for Likely Surprises You never know what test day will bring Rather than worry what will happen plan for every contingency Event out how you will react if you have a distracting proctor a headache a technical difficulty or any other issue Don t let such a snag derail your whole test Read the rules and instructions for how the test will be conducted If you re taking the test remotely test your equipment Practice the platform the test uses READ Law School Admissions Process Do what you can to ensure ideal test conditions a quiet and well-lit space stable internet connection a nearby bathroom for test breaks Lay out any refreshments ahead of time If you re taking the test outside your home familiarize yourself with the track you will take to the test center See if you can visit ahead of time to get a sense of the space Pack what you will need to take like identification a sweater and a snack Relax The day before the LSAT don t take practice exams or questions You have done everything you can to prepare Give your brain a chance to recharge Get to bed early so you can rise the next day with plenty of time to gather necessary materials and get situated for the test If you sleep poorly put the annoyance behind you You may be more irritable or inattentive than usual but you can still perform well Eat an energizing breakfast listen to relaxing music and get excited in a matter of hours the test will be behind you Your legal career will be one step closer More from U S News Deciding Factors in Law School Admissions How Law Schools Look at Applicants With Multiple LSAT Scores Things I Wish I Knew When I Applied to Law School How to Get Ready the Week Before the LSAT originally appeared on usnews com Source