Higher score on 2nd LR

[johnwmatthewsiv]

Hello,

I usually get pressed for time on the first section of an LSAT preptest. I'm not in the right zone when I start or something. If it's an LR section, this usually translates to a few errors at the end of the section, and occasionally stupid, simple ones in the beginning; I do not think I have ever done worse on the second LR section in a test.

Is there any recommended method for preventing that bad headspace? How do I prep immediately before the test?

[chike_eze]

Always warm up first.

Prior to doing a full practice test, do 10 LRs (Q 1-10), 1 RC (1st passage) and 1 LG game (1st or easiest game) from an old PT -- you can buy older PTs e.g., 30 - 40 to use.

You do this to get yourself in rhythm before taking the practice test.

Note: also do this when you take the actual LSAT exam.

[ohthatpatrick]

Ironically, a student in my class last night was lamenting EXACTLY the same thing.

First of all, keep in mind that not every LR section is supposed to be equally hard. There will definitely be some LR sections that are harder than others (just as there are Games/RC sections that are harder than others). Difficulty averages out over the course of an entire test.

So it's possible that from the sample size of tests you've taken, the harder LR section has normally come first.

But, it's very common for people to feel like they don't "hit the ground running" on a practice test; rather, they need a few minutes or questions before their brains get fully warmed up into LSAT mode.

There are a couple possible strategies for addressing this:

1. Warm up
Before you do a practice test, do 5-15 mins of LSAT review. Don't bother doing any new questions; just re-read some LR you've done before, redo a game, or redo an RC passage. It doesn't take much LSAT reading before your brain activates that LSAT brain state you've been cultivating all this time.

2. Quick start drill for LR (1st 10 in 10)
We need to get out to a quick start in LR ... a brisk walk or comfortable jogging pace. We can't afford to be overly methodical and analytical because we have to buy some time with the earlier/easier questions so that we have some extra time for the later/harder ones.

Doing the easier ones faster normally means that we're doing a better job of
- not needing to re-read the stimulus as much (the stims are normally easier to read early on)
- anticipating the correct answer (the gaps in the argument are normally easier to predict early on)
- not needing to carefully read all 5 answer choices (the wrong answers are more obviously wrong early on)

So a good way to practice getting that brisk opening pace is to try doing the 1st 10 questions in 10 mins. (Use older prep tests if you're worried about 'spoiling' newer ones)

If you find you can get through the 1st 10 in 10 mins without changing your accuracy, then you push toward the 1st 12 in 12 or, ultimately, to the 1st 15 in 15 minutes.

If you do this drill enough, you'll get into that swift and efficient mode any time you start an LR section.

Hope this helps.

[ttunden]

u check your answers for the warm up?

Also do you warm up then wait 40 minutes to take exam?

ie simulating all the paperwork and checking in process at the real LSAT?