Test anxiety? Forum

[letslsat]

Does anyone freak out when they take a timed PT? Whenever I take a timed PT, I get nervous + I can't think clearly (even with warming up). I don't have this problem when I take separate timed sections tho. How do I work on this?

*Also, I've always had test anxiety but there was always enough time to snap out of it during tests in undergrad... but due to the nature of the LSAT, I don't have time to waste calming myself down

Any tips would be much appreciated.

[Mikey]

I struggled with this for a while. Every timed PT I did, I felt anxious and couldn't think straight. The only advice I have to how I overcame it was by just continuing to do PTs. It eventually got better and would only happen for RC, which is my worst section. Then eventually it kinda just stopped altogether..

[letslsat]

I struggled with this for a while. Every timed PT I did, I felt anxious and couldn't think straight. The only advice I have to how I overcame it was by just continuing to do PTs. It eventually got better and would only happen for RC, which is my worst section. Then eventually it kinda just stopped altogether..

How many PTs in did you see change?

It's so discouraging

[Mikey]

I struggled with this for a while. Every timed PT I did, I felt anxious and couldn't think straight. The only advice I have to how I overcame it was by just continuing to do PTs. It eventually got better and would only happen for RC, which is my worst section. Then eventually it kinda just stopped altogether..

How many PTs in did you see change?

It's so discouraging

I'm not sure but maybe after like 6 or 7.

I felt like I was wasting the PTs due to the anxiety but reviewing them nonetheless was helpful.

Just keep at it, it will get better eventually!

[letslsat]

I struggled with this for a while. Every timed PT I did, I felt anxious and couldn't think straight. The only advice I have to how I overcame it was by just continuing to do PTs. It eventually got better and would only happen for RC, which is my worst section. Then eventually it kinda just stopped altogether..

How many PTs in did you see change?

It's so discouraging

I'm not sure but maybe after like 6 or 7.

I felt like I was wasting the PTs due to the anxiety but reviewing them nonetheless was helpful.

Just keep at it, it will get better eventually!

Thanks! I feel like I'm too far into my prep to keep letting my nerves get to me

[Sprout]

Practice meditation and breathing techniques for test anxiety / anxiety in general. Shit works. There are a lot of good resources online for this if it is new for you. I have gnarly test anxiety myself and I know it is no cake walk. It can be managed though. Good luck, pm me if you can't find any good resources online

[Platopus]

I'll echo others in saying that tons of practices tests really do help, but I'll also add that it might be worth it to seriously take like 5-10 second at the start of a section and just take some deep breaths. When I get anxious I tend to speed up and have to reread stuff, which actually makes me slower. Taking 10 seconds will feel like an entirety and is enough time to go "OK, this is an RC section, I know what I need to do". Those 10 seconds are pretty negligible and are worth it if it helps you compose your self.

[Sprout]

I'll echo others in saying that tons of practices tests really do help, but I'll also add that it might be worth it to seriously take like 5-10 second at the start of a section and just take some deep breaths. When I get anxious I tend to speed up and have to reread stuff, which actually makes me slower. Taking 10 seconds will feel like an entirety and is enough time to go "OK, this is an RC section, I know what I need to do". Those 10 seconds are pretty negligible and are worth it if it helps you compose your self.

This is excellent advice.

[letslsat]

I'll echo others in saying that tons of practices tests really do help, but I'll also add that it might be worth it to seriously take like 5-10 second at the start of a section and just take some deep breaths. When I get anxious I tend to speed up and have to reread stuff, which actually makes me slower. Taking 10 seconds will feel like an entirety and is enough time to go "OK, this is an RC section, I know what I need to do". Those 10 seconds are pretty negligible and are worth it if it helps you compose your self.

Ok! I'll try this again on my next PT. Thank you!

[letslsat]

Practice meditation and breathing techniques for test anxiety / anxiety in general. Shit works. There are a lot of good resources online for this if it is new for you. I have gnarly test anxiety myself and I know it is no cake walk. It can be managed though. Good luck, pm me if you can't find any good resources online

I've been meditating 3-4 times a week because I've heard it helps. Its made me more calm, but I still have jitters when taking PTs

[Sprout]

OP try to make it a daily practice even if it is only for 5-10 minutes morning or night. Also what platopus said is TCR. Before each section, close your eyes if you have to, take a few deep belly breaths through the nose, hold the count/breath for 2-4 seconds, and blow it out through your mouth like through a straw. It recovers your heart rate and tricks your brain into settling down. I would've died in the MPRE (literally fallen out of my chair) if I hadn't done this over and over again (and that test isn't even supposed to be hard) so trust me I get it. Practice. Your breath is your rock. Time doesn't move as quickly as it seems, esp during an exam. Encounter something you don't know? --> Breath, pick something, mark it, move on. Another breath -- next question. You got this.

eta: the LSAT is not the end of the world. You can take it over worst case scenario. That helps me personally when applicable. Even if it went as badly as humanly possible, it is okay. It isn't the end all be all. Remind yourself of that if it is helpful for you.

[letslsat]

OP try to make it a daily practice even if it is only for 5-10 minutes morning or night. Also what platopus said is TCR. Before each section, close your eyes if you have to, take a few deep belly breaths through the nose, hold the count/breath for 2-4 seconds, and blow it out through your mouth like through a straw. It recovers your heart rate and tricks your brain into settling down. I would've died in the MPRE (literally fallen out of my chair) if I hadn't done this over and over again (and that test isn't even supposed to be hard) so trust me I get it. Practice. Your breath is your rock. Time doesn't move as quickly as it seems, esp during an exam. Encounter something you don't know? --> Breath, pick something, mark it, move on. Another breath -- next question. You got this.

eta: the LSAT is not the end of the world. You can take it over worst case scenario. That helps me personally when applicable. Even if it went as badly as humanly possible, it is okay. It isn't the end all be all. Remind yourself of that if it is helpful for you.

Thank you, Sprout! I will work on my breathing and mindset

Appreciate the detailed breakdown!