Nothing amazingly interesting happened during my LSAT on October 4, 2008, save for the fact that I nearly left my body for a good portion of the test. At some points I could see myself writing but not feel it…it was awesome! I was so locked into the zone that the easy questions answered themselves while the hard ones looked like scrambled eggs. It’s as if my entire sense of understanding was amplified both positively and negatively; it was nothing like the practice tests. I don’t even want to speculate on a score, but I feel I did well. Not spectacular, but not bad. I’m sure I could score at least a few points higher if I was to take it again, but I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that!
My test took place at San Diego State University. I found a parking lot and walked to the testing site with a girl who arrived at the same time. As we were walking she noted how strange it was that there were ZERO signs pointing to the location of the LSAT. I told her it was part of the test, and we shared a little chuckle. We got to our target building and discovered the CBEST was being administered there; one of the CBEST people informed us the LSAT was in the next building. Once we got there, the group (about 120 people) was split into 2 groups and my group was led to yet another building. It seemed a little cloak-n-dagger. Once there we waited in line to check in, then went into THE ROOM.
The test itself was surreal and the room was very quiet, but we got stuck with those little desks attached to the chairs. My buddy had the luxury of long tables at his site...lucky!!! Our chairs were relatively squeaky, but once the test started I didn't hear much save for me whispering to myself during a couple long questions. The biggest distraction came from the clock tower, which rang every 15 minutes. 11 AM was a bit annoying, if you know what I mean! The temperature felt fine, but when we got back from break the room felt at least 10 degrees colder. Fortunately I was wearing my jacket, but I saw a couple guys wearing T-shirts and shivering.
I was very interested by the items people brought to the test. I'd say 90% of the test-takers brought a Ziploc bag, and there were a wide variety of objects in those bags. The great majority of those items were what most would consider to be normal. One girl, though, had 2 apples, 1 orange, 2 granola bars, a 20 oz. water, 2 tampons, 2 packages of pencils, at least 2 sharpeners, several erasers, at least 2 watches, and 3 highlighters; each highlighter was a different color. Wow! I imagined her packing her bag..."If I select any apples, I must also select exactly 1 orange and at least 2 but no more than 3 granola bars..." Then there were the 3 or 4 dudes who showed up with nothing but the necessary administrative documents plus a pencil or 2. Nice! My bag consisted of a 20 oz. water, exactly 1 power bar, a watch, 8 pencils, 1 sharpener and a highlighter (which I didn't use).
All in all it was a very smooth administration. The proctors were swell and the lead one read the rules at a nice pace.
Congratulations to everyone who took the test; good luck for those taking one in December!
P.S. My one piece of advice: gradually reduce your allotted time on practice tests so that you can accurately complete them with only 30 minutes per section instead of 35…
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