Don’t Stress Out on Test Day

Taylor, a listener of LSAT Demon Daily, recently emailed with a common concern: the timing of their upcoming LSAT. 

With their LSAT scheduled for 8 p.m., Taylor was worried that having to wait all day might negatively impact their performance. They wanted to know whether taking the test at night instead of earlier in the day could affect their focus and results.

Will Your Performance be Affected by Taking the LSAT Late in the Day?

The short answer is no—as long as you prepare properly. With a confident, relaxed approach, the LSAT doesn’t need to feel hard no matter when you take it. 

If you’ve been consistently performing well on practice tests, there’s no reason why the time of day should make a difference in your actual exam performance. Treat the official LSAT the same way you would treat any other practice test, and you'll likely see similar results.

In fact, taking the LSAT later in the day could work to your advantage.

By the evening, you’ll have had the entire day to prepare mentally, fuel up, and relax, with no midday distractions or work emails to worry about. You can focus solely on the exam. 

How to Prepare for an Evening LSAT

If you're concerned about taking the test with a late start time, consider adjusting your routine in the days leading up to the exam. 

Gradually shifting your sleep schedule can help you align with a later test time. This is similar to how elite athletes prepare for early-morning events by waking up earlier in the weeks before.

If the thought of waiting all day is what’s bothering you, finding distractions might help. Going to a movie, for example, could be a great way to pass the time. Immersing yourself in a different world for a few hours can help take your mind off the test.

But you don’t need to completely shift your life just because you’re taking the LSAT. If you usually take your practice tests after work and you do just fine, then working before the LSAT will still be fine on test day. 

When you crush the LSAT, it will be because you are prepared, not because you had the perfect time slot and pre-test ritual. 

When to Reschedule

So what should you do if you already signed up for an official LSAT, but you’re not prepared yet? You can always reschedule for a later month. Then, you can take your time to get prepared and you won’t have to worry about timing or scheduling. You’ll be confident because you’ll be prepared. 

Takeaway

Remember that the time of day won’t make or break your LSAT score unless you let it. Trust in your preparation, and approach the test just like you’ve approached all your practice runs.