umm kinda freaking out

[Christine_Nicole]

soooo my test is about 2 weeks away. I'm just curious. I know you cant use scratch paper during the games section. Can you at all??? also, anyone know any relaxation techniques?? I'm taking a practice test the 27th through the princeton review, and I really want to do 160. I'm doing now about 150-155. Any suggestions? thanks guys!!

[Autif]

Originally Posted by Christine_Nicole

soooo my test is about 2 weeks away. I'm just curious. I know you cant use scratch paper during the games section. Can you at all??? also, anyone know any relaxation techniques?? I'm taking a practice test the 27th through the princeton review, and I really want to do 160. I'm doing now about 150-155. Any suggestions? thanks guys!!

I'll give you a suggestion and it'll be your call if you decide to act on it or not. This is what I plan to do: I'm going to take the LSAT in October, but I am going to take the LSAT with the purpose of canceling my score. I have to double check, but presumably, if you cancel your score, your score will not be released for Universities to see. You might have to pay the full fee when you apply for the test again, but whether you pay the renewal or the full fee, I think it is worth it for the sake of making the test more familiar to you. I am canceling it because I know that I am not satisfied with my progress so far, however, I want to get a rough idea of what the present day LSAT is like. Presumably, most of us LSAT students have only taken sample tests that were published before the present day LSAT. We don't have any LSAT exposure as recent as the present day LSAT. When I go take the LSAT again, I will be more ready for it given that I continue preparing and that I have a better idea of what the present day LSAT is like. Although I'd prefer starting law school earlier, I'm going to take as long as I need to for this test. No use applying to law school with our pants down, right? (Releasing a low LSAT score) But, if you are satisfied with your LSAT score, then don't listen to me. Go take the LSAT.

Also, in regards to whether or not you can use scratch paper... Technically, yes you can. You are allowed to write in the LSAT examination book. Also, just remain calm. If you are agitated, you aren't going to do as well on the test. For the sake of getting the best score you can, do not be agitated. If anything, you might skip some important steps or break your concentration by distracting yourself with your worries. Just stay cool, stay focused, and stay determined. Anyway, good luck to you and I hope what I said was helpful, laters

Originally Posted by Autif

I'll give you a suggestion and it'll be your call if you decide to act on it or not. This is what I plan to do: I'm going to take the LSAT in October, but I am going to take the LSAT with the purpose of canceling my score. I have to double check, but presumably, if you cancel your score, your score will not be released for Universities to see. You might have to pay the full fee when you apply for the test again, but whether you pay the renewal or the full fee, I think it is worth it for the sake of making the test more familiar to you. I am canceling it because I know that I am not satisfied with my progress so far, however, I want to get a rough idea of what the present day LSAT is like. Presumably, most of us LSAT students have only taken sample tests that were published before the present day LSAT. We don't have any LSAT exposure as recent as the present day LSAT. When I go take the LSAT again, I will be more ready for it given that I continue preparing and that I have a better idea of what the present day LSAT is like. Although I'd prefer starting law school earlier, I'm going to take as long as I need to for this test. No use applying to law school with our pants down, right? (Releasing a low LSAT score) But, if you are satisfied with your LSAT score, then don't listen to me. Go take the LSAT.

Remember that brilliant suggestion I told you about.... Well yea... it's not... I didn't know they let you see the June 2007 LSAT. I'm probably just going to post pone then... The test is only a year old... It shouldn't be that big a diff. Anyway, like I said though. I'm going to take as long as I need to. This is an important test for us. Don't rush it if you don't feel ready.

[LSATinator]

Originally Posted by Christine_Nicole

soooo my test is about 2 weeks away. I'm just curious. I know you cant use scratch paper during the games section. Can you at all??? also, anyone know any relaxation techniques?? I'm taking a practice test the 27th through the princeton review, and I really want to do 160. I'm doing now about 150-155. Any suggestions? thanks guys!!

Scratch paper is not permitted on the LSAT. You can only use any margin space inside of the test booklet to work out problems.

My biggest relaxation technique would be to do as many practice LSATs as possible prior to test day. Also, you want to do these under the most real conditions possible. Though my other post entitled Improving LSAT Time Management doesn't focus on it entirely, it does address how you can take tests under real conditions and plan your strategy so you can minimize panic.

Originally Posted by Autif

I'll give you a suggestion and it'll be your call if you decide to act on it or not. This is what I plan to do: I'm going to take the LSAT in October, but I am going to take the LSAT with the purpose of canceling my score. I have to double check, but presumably, if you cancel your score, your score will not be released for Universities to see. You might have to pay the full fee when you apply for the test again, but whether you pay the renewal or the full fee, I think it is worth it for the sake of making the test more familiar to you. I am canceling it because I know that I am not satisfied with my progress so far, however, I want to get a rough idea of what the present day LSAT is like. Presumably, most of us LSAT students have only taken sample tests that were published before the present day LSAT. We don't have any LSAT exposure as recent as the present day LSAT. When I go take the LSAT again, I will be more ready for it given that I continue preparing and that I have a better idea of what the present day LSAT is like. Although I'd prefer starting law school earlier, I'm going to take as long as I need to for this test. No use applying to law school with our pants down, right? (Releasing a low LSAT score) But, if you are satisfied with your LSAT score, then don't listen to me. Go take the LSAT.

Autif, I respectfully disagree with you on every point that you make.

You should prepare well enough so that you only have to take the LSAT once. You shouldn’t ever say that you will try your best and if you don’t get a good score you will just retake. You shouldn’t even be taking the LSAT unless you are as prepared as possible. Your practice test scores will be the best predictor of how you will score on test day. If your practice scores are not where you want them to be, then you need to postpone and work on increasing your LSAT score.

So how do you best prepare for the LSAT? By taking as many real LSATs as possible. Autif, you mention that recent tests are unavailable. This is entirely untrue. The June 2007 test, which is the first of the modern LSATs is available for free on lsac.org. Furthermore, you can order the following tests from lsac.org (or amazon.com):

• PrepTest 52 (Sep 2007 LSAT)
• PrepTest 53 (Dec 2007 LSAT)
• PrepTest 54 (June 2008 LSAT) (this is available despite the disclaimer)

You should get your LSAT fundamentals down with older practice tests and master them first. Once you feel comfortable, take these modern tests for the most accurate representation of what you will actually score on test day. If you take them under actual LSAT conditions (like with the LSAT Proctor DVD), then there will be no need at all to sign up for the LSAT, take it, and then cancel your score. This is a waste of time and money.