148 in Dec. and aiming for 170 in Oct.--Score dive? Forum

[jr1886]

On December 2009, I took the LSAT and scored a 148. I was working close to full time (34hours/week) with a full time load (12 credits) in College during my three months study for the Test. I was never comfortable with the timing especially with the logic games section and I failed big time on test day. Here's my breakdown:

Analytical Reasoning: -16
Logical Reasoning: -20
Reading Comprehension: -11

So, out of 101, i only got 54 questions right. Now, I know a lot of people are thinking i'm a lost cause and there is no way i can make it to 170. Hold your horses, before i took the test I was averaging -2 on RC, -8 on LR, and -12 on LG. However,during the test i was so hard pressed for time i barely finished any of the 5 sections. Unfortunately, that only one section i finished was the experimental section.

After being waitlist at UF, the only school I applied to, I decided to embark on a NO Surrender Tour a la John McCain. Hopefully I will be succesfull unlike McCain. So here's what I will do starting today, 5 days a week till the october 7th LSAT test.

Books I have to study: Powerscore LGB, Powerscore LRB, powerscore RCB, Powerscore LGB workbook, Kaplan LSAT Mastery, and all the official test, SuperPrep, Nova's Master the LSAT.
Class: I plan to take Testmasters starting August 2nd
Study: Study everyday for four hours at the library. Then, Read a Supreme Court case before i sleep.

These links have been very helpful http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... ?f=6&t=396 and here http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =6&t=41657. Anyone having to retake the LSAT, take a look at the above links and post about what are you doing to improve your score.

I will continue to post weekly about my progress.

My Practice Tests Tracking using Knockglock example here http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6&t=112107
PT#_____Dates___________________Individual sections_____Raw/Scaled Score______________Experimental Section
09 ----05/31/2010 ---------- -5LR -11RC -2LR -12LG ------ 71/161 ----------------------------- -2RC of SPA.2
10 ----06/03/2010 ---------- -4LR -6RC - -6LR -11LG ------ 74/160 ----------------------------- -13LG of SPA.3
11 ----06/06/2010 ---------- -4LR -3RC - -2LR -05LG ------ 87/167 ----------------------------- None
13 ----07/31/2010 ---------- -5LR -2RC - -3LR -12LG ------ 79/164 ----------------------------- -4LR1 of PT7
15 ----08/13/2010 ---------- -8LR -7RC - -5LR -05LG ------ 76/159 ----------------------------- -4RC of PT7
29 ----08/16/2010 ---------- -7LR -6RC - -6LR -11LG ----- 71/158 ----------------------------- -6LR2 of PT7
30 ----08/17/2010 ---------- -4LR -7RC - -4LR -14LG ----- 72/160 ----------------------------- None(but no break)
31 ----08/18/2010 ---------- -5LR -6RC - -3LR -13LG ----- 74/160 ------------------------------ None(but no break)
32 ----08/19/2010 ---------- -7LR -4RC - -1LR -05LG ----- 84/167 ------------------------------ None(but no break)
33 ----08/23/2010 ---------- -5LR -2RC - -6LR -08LG ----- 82/166 ----------------------------- -5LR2 of PT12
34 ----08/24/2010 ---------- -5LR -3RC - -6LR -15LG ----- 71/159 ----------------------------- -6LR1 of PT16
35 ----08/25/2010 ---------- -5LR -5RC - -4LR -13LG ----- 74/160 ------------------------------ None(But no break)
36 ----08/27/2010 ---------- -3LR -2RC - -2LR -12LG ----- 82/165 ----------------------------- None(But no break)
37 ----08/30/2010 ---------- -6LR -7RC - -2LR -14LG ----- 72/158 ---------------------------- -3RC of PT17
38 ----08/31/2010 ---------- -3LR -6RC - -7LR -09LG ----- 75/161 ---------------------------- None(But no break)
40 ----09/01/2010 ----------- -3LR -5RC - -8LR -09LG ----- 75/160 ---------------------------- None(but no break)
41 ----09/04/2010 ----------- -3LR -3RC - -2LR -08LG ----- 85/166 ---------------------------- -3LR2 of PT 17
45 ----09/06/2010 ----------- -4LR -6RC - -5LR -01LG ----- 84/168 ---------------------------- -6LR1 of PT18
46 ----09/07/2010 ----------- -8LR -2RC - -4LR -07LG ------ 79/161 ---------------------------- (None but no break)
48 ----09/08/2010 ----------- -4LR -7RC - -4LR -03LG ------ 83/163 ---------------------------(None but no break)
49 ----09/09/2010 ----------- -4LR -4RC - -7LR -04LG ------- 82/164 ---------------------------- -5RC of PT18
42 ----09/13/2010 ----------- -6LR -4RC - -4LR -06LG ------- 81/164 ---------------------------(None but no break)
47 ----09/14/2010 ----------- -4LR -3RC - -6LR -05LG ------- 83/164 ---------------------------(None but no break)
50 ----09/16/2010 ----------- -1LR -5RC - -7LR -00LG ------- 87/167 --------------------------- (None but no break)
51 ----09/17/2010 ----------- -5LR -5RC - -6LR -05LG ------- 79/163 --------------------------- -3LR2 of PT18
43 ----09/20/2010 ----------- -4LR -7RC - -4LR -00LG ------- 86/168 ---------------------------(None but no break)
44 ----09/21/2010 ----------- -1LR -3RC - -4LR -02LG ------- 90/170 ---------------------------(None but no break)
52 ----09/23/2010 ----------- -3LR -3RC - -3LR -04LG ------- 86/167 ----------------------------(None but no break)
54 ----09/26/2010 ----------- -2LR -6RC - -3LR -03LG ------- 87/166 ---------------------------(None but no break)
55 ----09/27/2010 ----------- -4LR -7RC - -3LR -05LG ------- 81/162
56 ----09/30/2010 ----------- -4LR -4RC - -4LR -04LG ------- 84/166 ------PT53 -4RC, -4LR1
57 ----10/05/2010 ----------- -2LR-5RC - -5LR -08LG ------- 81/164 ------jumble up LG Exp

[BruceBarr]

Good luck with this man... but be realistic. 160 should be wear you are aiming.

A 170 doesn't take just studying... it takes a good amount of natural ability. Most people can't study themselves to a 170... at least not from a 148 starting point. It's possible... just be realistic and don't be afraid to shoot for the 160 range. I would have a different approach if you were in the 155-158... and even than I would be skeptical.


So study hard, dedicate your life to it, SHOOT for a 170...

but don't be bummed with a 160. Its a HUGE improvement on a 148, no matter what the circumstance.

[Drake014]

You have admirable testicles my good man.

[swimbrad]

You have admirable testicles my good man.

QFP

[AtticusFinch]

You have admirable testicles my good man.

QFP

Unfortunately your testicles aren't that valuable an asset in taking the LSAT. Anyways best of luck to the OP.

[jr1886]

Good luck with this man... but be realistic. 160 should be wear you are aiming.

A 170 doesn't take just studying... it takes a good amount of natural ability. Most people can't study themselves to a 170... at least not from a 148 starting point. It's possible... just be realistic and don't be afraid to shoot for the 160 range. I would have a different approach if you were in the 155-158... and even than I would be skeptical.


So study hard, dedicate your life to it, SHOOT for a 170...

but don't be bummed with a 160. Its a HUGE improvement on a 148, no matter what the circumstance.

A 160 won't get me to the school I would like to attend. I agree with you assessment that is very hard for such a huge jump but i think you would agree that such an increase is not impossible either. To that end, I will do all in my power to get there and there's nothing like a determined mind.

You have admirable testicles my good man.

. wtf

[jr1886]

Today I studied for 4 and 1/2 hrs with the Powerscore LGB from page 1-56 while doing all the drills. Tomorrow I intend to finish Linear games. I will photocopy the practices games for repetitive practices.

Just before I posted this, I read the Supreme Court case Grutter v. Bollinger. very interesting and good practice for reading comprehension.

[lostjake]

Three posts? This has to be a flame. Interesting case choice though. FTW

[jr1886]

Studied for 4 &1/2 hours today again. I continued to work on the Powerscore LGB pages 56-102. Then, i read supreme court case Troxel v. Granville. Interestingly, I learned of that case while sitting at a constitutional law class a week ago. The discussion in the class was lively and one guy could not stop talking. Can't wait to join the fun. One year to go

[colemf]

I went from a 155 in september (with a fair amount of studying) to a 174 in december. It can be done, just make the LSAT your life, eat, sleep, breath the LSAT and you'll own it. Good luck.

[SeiferD]

You're aiming for a 170? The December 09 curve was -14. So you're talking about - 4/5 per each section. Or even less if there is a particular section you can't improve on.

My experience:

Improving your AR - Definitely doable
Improving LR - Maybe
Improving RC - Good luck

[jr1886]

I went from a 155 in september (with a fair amount of studying) to a 174 in december. It can be done, just make the LSAT your life, eat, sleep, breath the LSAT and you'll own it. Good luck.

I'm curious about what you did and what you think work or what not for such a huge increase. how much did u study per day. Thanx for the encouragement...you are my hero,lol.

You're aiming for a 170? The December 09 curve was -14. So you're talking about - 4/5 per each section. Or even less if there is a particular section you can't improve on.

My experience:

Improving your AR - Definitely doable
Improving LR - Maybe
Improving RC - Good luck

My scores from each each section was way worse than my practice score save for the Logic games which many people say can be learned with a fair amount of studying. Im not a hopemonger, I will work hard to earn a high score.

I will continue to post daily about my progress

Today, I studied for 4 & 1/2 hrs again, finishing the basic linear games chapter. I did all the six practice games and read the entire explanations from the LGB. Before writing this, I read Supreme Court case Edwards v. Aguillard...To be continued

[colemf]

I was studying about 4 hours a day and between 5-6 on the weekends, the big change i made was i took it section by section, i spent about a month on LG, AR, and RC each, during each month i worked through each powersocre bible for that section twice and took just that section's section in about 40 old LSATs(Using the real ones as oppsed the generated ones made a big difference). So i never even took a full length LSAT between Sept. and Dec. (I kept getting discourged when i was preparing for the Sept. LSAT because every time i took a full length test i didn't get the score i wanted). Doing all of this i mastered each section on its own and put it all together the week before the test.

[cavebat2000]

I love this attitude. Seriously.

My first LSAT practice test was a 147. My most recent actual LSAT was a 171. GO FOR IT!!!

[Richie Tenenbaum]

Good luck OP. Keep up the pace and keep strong mentally. I went from a 155 diagnostic to a 174.

[Miznitic]

Now, I know a lot of people are thinking i'm a lost cause and there is no way i can make it to 170.

I scored a 141 in Feb 09, and a 179 this past Feb. There is no such thing as a lost cause.

What do now?

• Use All three bibles. Work through everything and don't go on until your comfortable with the subject. This should take about a month or so.
• Buy all the PT's you can. Newer/Older
• Start off with untimed PT sections to feel more comfortable. Review incorrect answers AND correct answers.
• Take a timed section a day, review with the books your answers after your done.
• Around June or July, develop a saturday routine where you take full LSATs under as realistic conditions as possible.
• Devote 7 days a week if you can. I did.

[jr1886]

I was studying about 4 hours a day and between 5-6 on the weekends, the big change i made was i took it section by section, i spent about a month on LG, AR, and RC each, during each month i worked through each powersocre bible for that section twice and took just that section's section in about 40 old LSATs(Using the real ones as oppsed the generated ones made a big difference). So i never even took a full length LSAT between Sept. and Dec. (I kept getting discourged when i was preparing for the Sept. LSAT because every time i took a full length test i didn't get the score i wanted). Doing all of this i mastered each section on its own and put it all together the week before the test.

your successful plan is similar to what I am doing except I didn't plan on studying so much during the weekend. Thanks for sharing and I will keep a laser focus on this LSAT.

I love this attitude. Seriously.

My first LSAT practice test was a 147. My most recent actual LSAT was a 171. GO FOR IT!!!

Thanks...would u mind sharing your study plan and anything you have been doing you think might be helpful in preparing?

Good luck OP. Keep up the pace and keep strong mentally. I went from a 155 diagnostic to a 174.

Nice score...what did you do? share please

Now, I know a lot of people are thinking i'm a lost cause and there is no way i can make it to 170.

I scored a 141 in Feb 09, and a 179 this past Feb. There is no such thing as a lost cause.

What do now?

• Use All three bibles. Work through everything and don't go on until your comfortable with the subject. This should take about a month or so.
• Buy all the PT's you can. Newer/Older
• Start off with untimed PT sections to feel more comfortable. Review incorrect answers AND correct answers.
• Take a timed section a day, review with the books your answers after your done.
• Around June or July, develop a saturday routine where you take full LSATs under as realistic conditions as possible.
• Devote 7 days a week if you can. I did.

I thank you for the words of encouragement and this very detail study suggestions. I will try to follow your advice

I will continue to post daily about my progress.

Today my studying was less extensive since I had a three hours class. I was able to complete two new games-basic linear. And i read a lil bit about reading compresion from powercore. In all, I studied for 4 hours, 3 hrs Games and 1 hr RC.


Keep posting the advices all! Good nite

[jr1886]

I will continue to post daily about my progress

Today I studied for 4 & 1/2 hrs. Most of it was repetition of games i"ve done before. trying to improve my timing. All were basic games comprising of two new games and four I've already worked out.

[BruceBarr]

You don't need to update us. It's annoying to see you at the tops of my news feed every few days.

[Gemini]

LOL some people like to use this board as a personal journal.

On a more kind note, good luck to OP! I'm sure your goals are doable. Just don't give up and remember to review EVERYTHING!

[legalease9]

Good luck with this man... but be realistic. 160 should be wear you are aiming.

A 170 doesn't take just studying... it takes a good amount of natural ability. Most people can't study themselves to a 170... at least not from a 148 starting point. It's possible... just be realistic and don't be afraid to shoot for the 160 range. I would have a different approach if you were in the 155-158... and even than I would be skeptical.


So study hard, dedicate your life to it, SHOOT for a 170...

but don't be bummed with a 160. Its a HUGE improvement on a 148, no matter what the circumstance.

Instead of shooting for a specific number, shoot to study hard and do your absolute best. This may seem a little trite, but it will leave you more satisfied at the end.

[Ragged]

LOL some people like to use this board as a personal journal.

"Captain's Log. Day 6321.1 After a 5 day battle, the Kilngon fleet has been successfully defeated. The course is set for the repair station. And I got 164 on the last PT!"

[Ragged]

Good luck with this man... but be realistic. 160 should be wear you are aiming.

A 170 doesn't take just studying... it takes a good amount of natural ability. Most people can't study themselves to a 170... at least not from a 148 starting point. It's possible... just be realistic and don't be afraid to shoot for the 160 range. I would have a different approach if you were in the 155-158... and even than I would be skeptical.


So study hard, dedicate your life to it, SHOOT for a 170...

but don't be bummed with a 160. Its a HUGE improvement on a 148, no matter what the circumstance.

Instead of shooting for a specific number, shoot to study hard and do your absolute best. This may seem a little trite, but it will leave you more satisfied at the end.

Agreed. I was shooting for 170 when I was studying.... and look what happens. Should have been shooting for a 180.

[BruceBarr]

Now, I know a lot of people are thinking i'm a lost cause and there is no way i can make it to 170.

I scored a 141 in Feb 09, and a 179 this past Feb. There is no such thing as a lost cause.

And I'm calling bluff on this. You don't go from an ACTUAL 141 on the test to a 179. People who get 179's test cold in the 150's. A 141 is literally borderline handicap.

But in all seriousness...

... you're an idiot.

[jr1886]

You don't need to update us. It's annoying to see you at the tops of my news feed every few days.

Changed to weekly updates. That's all the concession you will get.