This is a classic case of performance-pressure mismatch. I too would freeze under the clock, especially in LRDI. Then I read about “flow state” and how anxiety breaks that flow. Post-mock solving becomes easier because you’re in that relaxed state.

Happened to me all through my prep year. You're probably putting too much pressure on yourself during the mock. When you're reviewing later, you're in “explorer” mode, not “performer” mode. To overcome this, I followed a mock routine, 20 mins of focus breathing before the mock, during the mock, if a set didn’t click in 3 mins, I’d force myself to skip without guilt, Gave at least 1 mock every 3 days to get desensitized to pressure. Eventually, I started seeing results. It’s all about mental conditioning.

SAME! During mocks, I blank out on sets I know I could’ve done. Later when I revisit them, I wonder why I didn’t see the approach earlier. What worked for me. I started journaling after every mock, what I felt, which part made me panic, what could have helped. Also, I started solving the first 1-2 LRDI sets of every mock very slowly to gain confidence, even if it meant attempting fewer questions. That reduced the freeze moment.It's not a skill issue, it's more of a mindset and pressure handling thing.

Yes, this happens to a lot of us. It’s performance anxiety. In a mock environment, the timer, pressure to perform, and fear of failure all kick in subconsciously and mess with your thought process. You enter a kind of “panic fog” where even familiar things feel new. But after the mock, your brain is calm, there's no time pressure, and your logical reasoning flows naturally again. Start building a mock mindset. Take sectionals in a timed way without caring about scores just to simulate the pressure. Also try mindfulness before mocks, deep breathing or short meditations can calm the nerves.