The Ultimate Test Mentality Resource List

The LSAT is daunting, and can tax your brain as you get more and more wrapped up in studying. During your final stretch to your test, you should make sure you are as mentally prepared as possible for the pressures of test day. To help you reach a state of pure mental power and balance, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite LSAT confidence resources. Set aside some time before the test to think about how you will approach the LSAT when it begins and especially how you will react if you encounter any difficulties. It’s an essential step, and one that can dramatically impact your score.

The Ultimate LSAT Mentality Resource List

• PowerScore LSAT Test Mentality Seminar. This is a seminar that Jon Denning and I did before a previous LSAT. We discuss test anxiety, how to create a stronger test mentality, and we even toss in a few neat mental tricks, too.

• Tom Brady and the LSAT. Easily my personal favorite blog post of all time. I refer to it frequently, because I think it tells a very relevant story for LSAT takers.

• The PowerScore LSAT Forum thread that spawned the above blog post. This epic thread details the conversation between Thomas—a PowerScore student—and myself. Happily, Thomas ended up increasing his score from a 143 to a 167, and our conversation began before he achieved that 167. At times we end up talking about other topics, such as application essays, but in the early portion you can see Thomas’ mindset isn’t ready to score highly, but through our discussion we were able to change his outlook, and ultimately his result.

• LSAT Anxiety and the Power of Positive Thinking. An excellent blog by Jon Denning on how to broadly view the LSAT in positive terms.

• The LSAT and the Power of Negative Thinking. Considering failure before it occurs has its benefits too, as explained in this post. It isn’t every day you have a blog post that refers to the Stoics.

• The Benefits of Failure. Hey, everyone fails. In baseball, for example, the greatest hitters ever were only able to get a base hit 4 times out of 10, meaning that they failed 6 times out of 10. Failure is something you can learn from, and you should value the experience when it occurs. This article can change your perspective on a poor practice LSAT performance.

• Batman vs Superman is You vs. LSAC. After considering the benefits of failure, maybe it’s time to think like a superhero instead.

• Controlling Test Day Anxiety, NASA Style. How astronauts (who are real-life superheroes) overcome their fears and anxiety can help you as you prepare for the LSAT.

• Andy Murray’s Motivational Notes and the LSAT. The world’s top athletes have already keyed into the fact that their mentality is a critical part of their success. Even the best of the best need mental reinforcement during big matches, and this article explores the unique ways that tennis champion Andy Murray motivates himself.

• LSAT Test Mentality: Upgrade Your Brain. One of our PowerScore instructors discusses studies that show that how we think can create physical changes in the brain. So now you can literally become an LSAT superhero!

• The LSAT Wisdom of Johan Cruyff. LSAT insights from one of the world’s greatest soccer players, including “Speed is often confused with insight. When I start running before everybody else, I appear faster.” That applies very well to the LSAT, too!

• You Can’t Argue With The LSAT. Don’t argue with the test. Really, don’t.

• How to Increase Your LSAT Score Simply By Using Your Nose. The power of your mind is immense, and it works in concert with all of your senses. While smell isn’t a part of the LSAT (yet?), this article shows how your innate senses are extremely powerful. Trust your instincts—they are usually going to be right.

• Bruce Lee: Enter the LSAT. To karate chop the LSAT you need to wisdom of martial arts legend Bruce Lee. Let the words of the master focus your mind and prepare you for victory.

• Mountain Climbing for the LSAT. Climbing a mountain without ropes or safety gear takes practice and concentration, which is also what you need when preparing for the LSAT.

• The Secrets of Mindfulness Meditation (Your Local Monk Never Told You About). If you have test anxiety, experience bouts of mind-wandering while studying for or taking the LSAT, or simply have trouble getting to sleep at night, try some mindfulness meditation.

• How to Walk into the LSAT and Destroy it. What should you be thinking about as you walk into the test center? Some simple but meaningful suggestions to help you get into the right frame of mind.

• Every PowerScore LSAT blog post on Test Mentality can be found here. Want even more? This link includes every article that addresses test mentality and approaching the LSAT in a positive manner.