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December LSAT Tips: Don’t Be a Turkey

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A version of this article was originally published November 26, 2013.

If, like former Blueprint instructor Matt Shinners, your Thanksgiving tradition includes a movie marathon, you may have to skip out that family ritual to study for the LSAT. Never fear. In its place, here are Matt’s five movie-themed tips to avoid being a turkey on LSAT day.

1. Anger, fear, aggression. The LSAT are they.
You’ll be going through a range of emotions over the next week and a half. In fact, you’ll probably go through the entire range of emotions over the next week and a half.

This is normal.

Accept that you’ll be scared, angry, lethargic, gassy, etc… and it will be a lot easier to cope with. On December LSAT test day, you’ll still be all those things. Hopefully not gassy. Either way, you’ll need to deal with it.

2. Jamaica has a bobsled team.
Yes, my numbered entries are trending towards the inane. And movie references from my childhood.

The Jamaican bobsled team almost pulled it off because of all the test runs they did (in a tub) before the actual race. Similarly, you should do a test run or two to your December LSAT testing center before game day so you don’t show up late.

Also, hop in a bath before going. It will relax you, and you don’t want to be the smelly kid in the room.

3. We don’t need no badges! I don’t have to show you any stinkin’ badges!
Yes, yes you do.

The LSAC is pretty stringent in their test-day requirements. You’ll have to bring proper identification with you. The requirements for your passport photo have an entire page dedicated to them. Check them out, and make sure that you have what you need.

4. Too close for missiles, I’m switching to guns.
You’ve spent months drilling questions, methods, and approaches. And it’s easy to get locked into those processes. In fact, it’s a good thing – always knowing what your next step is going to be will keep you on track.

But sometimes, a MiG gets on your six. Or, in LSAT language, a deduction just isn’t coming on that Logic Game. It’s important to have a second plan of attack – a fallback for when your primary weapon for that question type just isn’t cutting it.

For instance, on a Soft Must Be True, focus on finding a weak answer choice. For a Logic Game, do the conditional questions first and use those answers to attack the absolute ones.

Make Maverick proud.

5. If you’ve got an issue, here’s a tissue.
Yes, I’m relegated to making Austin Power references. Bet you haven’t thought of that in a while.

Someone in your room will have the sniffles. Or a cough. Or be a mouth breather. You’ll have to deal with it. Take a few LSAT Practice Tests in a public setting so you’re used to extraneous noises. Don’t let it throw you off your game on the December LSAT.

And follow this advice so you don’t end up a turkey on LSAT game day! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!