How many practice tests should I take this week?

[Trex555]

I'm thinking of taking one a day. Good idea or bad idea?

[LawSchoolGuy]

My experience with PTs is that one a day is more than enough. Take the test in the morning (as close to the time of the actual test as possible, and simulating conditions as closely as you can), and then go over it in the afternoon. I knew some people that would take two tests a day; to me, that's madness and a really quick way to massive brain burnout. I would say take one a day, and leave it at that. Go over your answers with a fine-tooth comb, and figure out where you went wrong for each incorrect answer. That should take you all day, and then you can go to sleep and prepare to do it all over again the next day.

[Trex555]

I've asked this question around before, and the answer is pretty much the same replies....still, I'm not sure. Here's why.

If I take 2 a day, won't it be like mental bootcamp, and when I get to the real thing--one measly test in the middle of the day--won't I completely kill it??

I know I'm not crazy.



 

[Anne]

I've asked this question around before, and the answer is pretty much the same replies....still, I'm not sure. Here's why.

If I take 2 a day, won't it be like mental bootcamp, and when I get to the real thing--one measly test in the middle of the day--won't I completely kill it??

I know I'm not crazy.
 

Don't know if you're crazy or not, but I can tell you that taking two LSATs a day for the week prior to the exam IS a crazy idea. IMO, what you're going to end up doing is burning your brain out. Sure, taking just ONE test after days of taking two back-to-back will feel easier; but I'm thinking that you won't be operating at peak levels. It would be like saying that running 50 miles every day for the week prior to running a marathon is a good idea, because then running the 26.2 miles on race day will feel like a piece of cake. Sure, it might feel shorter, but you'll be so sore and tired you probably won't finish the race (and, if you do, you won't end up with very good time--and maybe you'll have to crawl some of the way to the finish line).

[Jeffort]

I've asked this question around before, and the answer is pretty much the same replies....still, I'm not sure. Here's why.

If I take 2 a day, won't it be like mental bootcamp, and when I get to the real thing--one measly test in the middle of the day--won't I completely kill it??

I know I'm not crazy.
 

Don't know if you're crazy or not, but I can tell you that taking two LSATs a day for the week prior to the exam IS a crazy idea. IMO, what you're going to end up doing is burning your brain out. Sure, taking just ONE test after days of taking two back-to-back will feel easier; but I'm thinking that you won't be operating at peak levels. It would be like saying that running 50 miles every day for the week prior to running a marathon is a good idea, because then running the 26.2 miles on race day will feel like a piece of cake. Sure, it might feel shorter, but you'll be so sore and tired you probably won't finish the race (and, if you do, you won't end up with very good time--and maybe you'll have to crawl some of the way to the finish line).

 

Avoiding burnout is important.  Taking two timed practice tests in a day is the perfect formula for burnout (AKA it is a sufficient condition).

You also have to be careful with the 'one a day' plan leading right up to test day.  Your brain and body need decompression rest and relaxation time in the final week leading up to the real thing so that you will be functioning at your peak potential when it counts. 

It's good to take the day before the test off from timed practice and intense studying, especially since the LSAT is not a test you can significantly improve performance on by cramming last minute. 
   
 

[BubbleTrouble]

Do one test a day and go through all of your mistakes 30 minutes after you finished the test.

[mispadloly]

You also have to be careful with the 'one a day' plan leading right up to test day.  Your brain and body need decompression rest and relaxation time in the final week leading up to the real thing so that you will be functioning at your peak potential when it counts.