Conquer the December LSAT in 6 Days

For many law school hopefuls, the December LSAT is a last chance to prove themselves and attain the score that they know they are capable of achieving.

To maximize your performance this Saturday, follow these daily tips leading up to the exam. (If you are a Sabbath observer taking the LSAT next Monday, start these tips on Wednesday instead of Monday.)

Monday:

--Make all of the calls, E-mails, and Facebook status updates necessary to ensure all of your family and friends know you are taking the LSAT in a few days. Then go off the grid as much as possible.

You do not need any additional distractions or tempting invitations this week when you know you should be studying and resting in preparation for the exam.

[Find out how to best prepare for the LSAT.]

--Do a full practice test today, preferably at 9 a.m., the same time you will be taking the exam on Saturday.

Tuesday:

--Instead of completing a full practice test, select specific question types that have given you trouble throughout your preparation and review the methods you have found most useful to solve them.

--Whether you are taking a full test or just doing practice problems, try to find an environment as similar to your testing location as possible. You want a quiet but not silent location, preferably with a desk and hard chair similar to those at most testing sites, as opposed to a couch or bed.

Wednesday:

--Take another full-length LSAT practice test at 9 a.m. These full-length tests should include an experimental section, so you will do three 35-minute sections, take a 10-minute break, and then complete two more 35-minute sections.

While on the actual LSAT you will not know which section is experimental, for practice tests you can just add in a section from another test. Vary the location of the experimental on your practice tests as it can be in any of the 5 locations on your real exam.

--Review your answers after the test, and work through the questions that you answered incorrectly or on which you guessed to be sure you fully understand how to properly answer each question type going forward.

[Get more expert LSAT tips.]

Thursday:

--Take one more full-length practice test this morning at 9 a.m. and review the exam in detail as you did yesterday.

--Visit your testing center this afternoon, using the same mode of transportation that you will use on Saturday. Make sure you have accurate directions and you know where to park and where to enter the building.

Also map out a backup route in case of traffic or detours on test day.

--On your way home, buy extra (non-mechanical) No. 2 pencils if you need them, and print out your admission ticket after logging into your LSAC account. When printing out your ticket, carefully review the list of items which cannot be brought to the test location.

Also, get passport-type photos taken if you do not already have them. Be sure to review LSAC's photo requirements.

Friday:

--Today is the day for mental preparation, as opposed to the intellectual preparation you have been doing all week. Find a way to relax and enjoy the day by going for a walk, seeing a movie, or watching some television.

--In the evening, log into lsac.org and check your admission ticket online to be sure none of the location information has changed.

--Resist the urge to spend a lot of time reviewing LSAT questions. Remind yourself how well you have prepared and have confidence in your abilities. Cramming for the LSAT will only backfire.

Saturday:

--Set two alarm clocks and wake up with plenty of time to get ready. Though you may be nervous, absolutely do not skip breakfast. You will need energy to endure the whole test, so eat a balanced meal with protein, but skip the extra shot of espresso.

Bring a snack and bottle of water with you to the exam.

--Make sure you have your admissions ticket, government-issued photo ID, and passport-type photo with you. Leave early for the testing center to be sure you arrive with plenty of time to spare.

Good luck on the exam this weekend! Any last minute questions? Let me know in the comments, Tweet at me at @StratusPrep, or E-mail me at shawn.oconnor@stratusprep.com.