October 2010 Test Prep Forum

[Rik Smits]

Going to work extensively on LR and LG this weekend, then starting a regimen of 3-4 PTs a week until the exam. I scored a 157 on my cold diagnostic and feel confident that I can reach the high 160s/low 170s after this work.

[Hedwig]

Anyone doing 6 section PTs? I'm thinking about trying this on Saturdays and Sundays for the next 5 weeks since I have the untaken PTs to do it.

I think I'll do two 6 section PTs. Maybe like, do half of an earlier PT I haven't done (in the 30's), plus a full newer test. Then the day after the next day (as LG would phrase it haha), I'll take the other half of the 30's test, and another full newer test. That way, since I'm doing half of a full test, I can score the two halves and see what I would have gotten, so I don't slack on my experimentals . Not that I ever do, -0ing a section is almost as satisfying as a high score overall for me.

So here's my upcoming PT schedule:
Friday: 1/2 PT #33, PT #49 (6 Section)
Sunday: 1/2 PT #33, PT #51 (6 Section)
Tuesday: PT #47, PT #37 (8 Section)

But whyyyy?
I can see the advantage of taking 5 sections with no break but 6 and 8 section PTs? I personally think that's overdoing it a bit but to each his/her own.

the real section 6 on the test is writing and take it from someone who has taken the LSAT already: section 6 feels wonderful. You love it because it's over and all that's left is what isn't graded. It's a huge relief.

Well, I think it's just training your mind to concentrate for longer periods of time. I'm not planning on taking 6 or 8 section tests on a regular basis - this is just a little experiment for me to see how my score drops on the second one and to help me with focusing for longer periods of time. I'll be sticking with 5 section tests for the rest of September .

I'm only doing two PTs a week during September. Even that much is going to be a stress on my schedule, eeek.

[Eugenie Danglars]

Stuck at 163.
Any Advice? missing anywhere from (0-2 on games) ( 4 or 5 on RC - which gets better over time) and lots of LR. I have already read the bibles, I don't know why I cant get LR down.
I have gotten 166 on a practice test last week but seem to be hovering around 163. Im trying to break through.

I appreciate any help, thanks!

I was having the same problem. I went through the LR Bible and took good notes on the first chapters (the ones before they go into each question type), then took notes on each question type . Then I picked a question type and assembled a bunch of questions of that type (LSAT blog has a spreadsheet that's very helpful). I went through them untimed, following the process exactly (all 9 steps!) and referencing my notes. By the time I'd done 10 or 15, I had the process down pat, and I got faster and stopped using the notes. It really helped!

[Classygal87]

Thank you

Stuck at 163.
Any Advice? missing anywhere from (0-2 on games) ( 4 or 5 on RC - which gets better over time) and lots of LR. I have already read the bibles, I don't know why I cant get LR down.
I have gotten 166 on a practice test last week but seem to be hovering around 163. Im trying to break through.

I appreciate any help, thanks!

I was having the same problem. I went through the LR Bible and took good notes on the first chapters (the ones before they go into each question type), then took notes on each question type . Then I picked a question type and assembled a bunch of questions of that type (LSAT blog has a spreadsheet that's very helpful). I went through them untimed, following the process exactly (all 9 steps!) and referencing my notes. By the time I'd done 10 or 15, I had the process down pat, and I got faster and stopped using the notes. It really helped!

Okay I am going to try that today and see if it help! I appreciate the input!
I just need to get LR down and I will be good to go for test day.

[lparker]

PT 46 = 169
RC -3; LB -3, -5; LG -0

I had seen some of the LRs before, so I'm kind of disappointed it wasn't better. =(

[xqhp82]

Stuck at 163.
Any Advice? missing anywhere from (0-2 on games) ( 4 or 5 on RC - which gets better over time) and lots of LR. I have already read the bibles, I don't know why I cant get LR down.
I have gotten 166 on a practice test last week but seem to be hovering around 163. Im trying to break through.

I appreciate any help, thanks!

I was having the same problem. I went through the LR Bible and took good notes on the first chapters (the ones before they go into each question type), then took notes on each question type . Then I picked a question type and assembled a bunch of questions of that type (LSAT blog has a spreadsheet that's very helpful). I went through them untimed, following the process exactly (all 9 steps!) and referencing my notes. By the time I'd done 10 or 15, I had the process down pat, and I got faster and stopped using the notes. It really helped!

Same situation....although I think I have understood the bible pretty well so re-reading it may be a waste of time (I know the different question types pretty well, except the chapters on formal logic and numbers may be useful). Most of my mistakes are due to missing/misinterpreting important points in the stimulus or skipping correct answers without reading in detail. I'm thinking of buying the 410 difficult LR questions from Cambridge LSAT, has anyone here used it and is it helpful?? Although it's from PT1-38 and I have all those questions in hand I think it'd save me a lot of time trying to pick out those questions by myself.

[brickman]

Did anyone who took pt 50 find the 2nd lr section super hard?

[Hedwig]

Did anyone who took pt 50 find the 2nd lr section super hard?

There were a couple WTF questions in there, definitely.

[northwood]

took super rc prep test today ( 5 sections of Rc, section 1 from pt 11, section 2 from pt 23, section 3 from pt 31, section 4 from pt 42, section 5 from pt 45)
Section 1 - 8 ( + 19/ 27)
Section 2 - 9 ( went against my gut on 2 choices) ( + 17/ 27)
Section 3 - 10 ( + 18/ 28)
Section 4 - 12 ( + 15/27)
Section 5 - 14 (+ 13/ 27)
Total
+ 82/109
Accuracy of .7522%
Avearage score when taken + 82 divided by 5 sections= 16.4, rounded down to average of 16
to make a scale took average of 16 and multiplied it by 4= 64 raw, then give myself a -7 curve
to make my scaled score of 153 on " RC LSAT"
Will continue to refine my rc approach over the next 2 weeks, and do more timed sections to improve accuracy and speed. Will cease marking a lot of info on the passages, and just focus on the main point, args and language shifts, and new theories
For each section I slightly changed up my approach. I found that marking only indicator words and people helped tremendously, and spending less time reading the passage gave me more time to complete the questions. ( I used to spend more time up front, but then would spend more time looking back through the passage and ended up going against my gut)

NOt totally happy wiht RC but now i feel confident that if I get 2 RC sections on the big day, I will be able to manage the endurance.

[Gemini]

took super rc prep test today ( 5 sections of Rc, section 1 from pt 11, section 2 from pt 23, section 3 from pt 31, section 4 from pt 42, section 5 from pt 45)
Section 1 - 8 ( + 19/ 27)
Section 2 - 9 ( went against my gut on 2 choices) ( + 17/ 27)
Section 3 - 10 ( + 18/ 28)
Section 4 - 12 ( + 15/27)
Section 5 - 14 (+ 13/ 27)
Total
+ 82/109
Accuracy of .7522%
Avearage score when taken + 82 divided by 5 sections= 16.4, rounded down to average of 16
to make a scale took average of 16 and multiplied it by 4= 64 raw, then give myself a -7 curve
to make my scaled score of 153 on " RC LSAT"
Will continue to refine my rc approach over the next 2 weeks, and do more timed sections to improve accuracy and speed. Will cease marking a lot of info on the passages, and just focus on the main point, args and language shifts, and new theories
For each section I slightly changed up my approach. I found that marking only indicator words and people helped tremendously, and spending less time reading the passage gave me more time to complete the questions. ( I used to spend more time up front, but then would spend more time looking back through the passage and ended up going against my gut)

NOt totally happy wiht RC but now i feel confident that if I get 2 RC sections on the big day, I will be able to manage the endurance.

What an interesting method... to do a 5 section PT made up of only one section type.

[Patriot1208]

Preptest 44 - 87 raw, 167 scaled. 100 question test with -10 curve.

RC - 6 (still cannot seem to figure out how to read.)
LR - 5
LG - 0
LR - 2

167-168 is turning out to be my preptest average and that irks me. I really want to be 170 or better for the test in October but I keep consistently doing 166-168 with a few 170-174 scores and a few 163-165 scores. I keep also continuing to get the same types of breakdown in raw scores. Can anyone offer any advice on how to make the jump to get to 170+? I'm going over my wrong answers and tough questions I circled thoroughly and still not seeing any real improvement. Not sure what to do as if I can't get 170+ I'll probably forego law school.

[northwood]

i have been trying to figure out the best way for me to tackle the RC section. I wanted to compare how each method works, while at the same time practice reading, and my endurance, in the likely event I get a reading section 5th. ( Knowing my luck, i will be sure to get it, aarrghh)

I may not do this again, but it was good practice.

[gdane]

Preptest 44 - 87 raw, 167 scaled. 100 question test with -10 curve.

RC - 6 (still cannot seem to figure out how to read.)
LR - 5
LG - 0
LR - 2

167-168 is turning out to be my preptest average and that irks me. I really want to be 170 or better for the test in October but I keep consistently doing 166-168 with a few 170-174 scores and a few 163-165 scores. I keep also continuing to get the same types of breakdown in raw scores. Can anyone offer any advice on how to make the jump to get to 170+? I'm going over my wrong answers and tough questions I circled thoroughly and still not seeing any real improvement. Not sure what to do as if I can't get 170+ I'll probably forego law school.

Dont be retarded. I hope you were joking because thats really stupid to say. Dont fall for the "Top 14 or else dont bother going to law school" mentality. Now im not advocating going to Devry School of Law, but with a 168 you'll have a lot of really good options.

[Patriot1208]

Preptest 44 - 87 raw, 167 scaled. 100 question test with -10 curve.

RC - 6 (still cannot seem to figure out how to read.)
LR - 5
LG - 0
LR - 2

167-168 is turning out to be my preptest average and that irks me. I really want to be 170 or better for the test in October but I keep consistently doing 166-168 with a few 170-174 scores and a few 163-165 scores. I keep also continuing to get the same types of breakdown in raw scores. Can anyone offer any advice on how to make the jump to get to 170+? I'm going over my wrong answers and tough questions I circled thoroughly and still not seeing any real improvement. Not sure what to do as if I can't get 170+ I'll probably forego law school.

Dont be retarded. I hope you were joking because thats really stupid to say. Dont fall for the "Top 14 or else dont bother going to law school" mentality. Now im not advocating going to Devry School of Law, but with a 168 you'll have a lot of really good options.

I'm not, why would I forego a career in finance if I don't have at least a good chance of a getting into an equally, if not better, law job.

[lparker]

I'm not, why would I forego a career in finance if I don't have at least a good chance of a getting into an equally, if not better, law job.

Don't get discouraged and let it turn into a self-fulfililng prophecy. If law's what you want to do, you can get a 170+. You've already broken that 170 barrier. You can do it again--and on test day. Plus, we still have tons of time...

[Adjudicator]

I just finished PT52. I missed 4 (2 in LG, 1 in the second LR, and 1 in RC), for a score of 177.

On the bright side, I continue to score very consistently around 177, and my speed on LG was good, as I finished with 4 minutes left over, even though I really took my time on the final game.

On the other hand, I can never seem to make it through an entire LG section without making a couple of mistakes.

Conclusion: Good, but I need to stop making mistakes in LG if I want to take my score to the next level.

[Hedwig]

I think I'd be fine if RC were last. At this point, I am happy when I see my RC section. It's like a little break. I think LR LG LR RC would be my favorite order, with an RC experimental thrown in somewhere. Now if only they let you pick...

[gdane]

Preptest 44 - 87 raw, 167 scaled. 100 question test with -10 curve.

RC - 6 (still cannot seem to figure out how to read.)
LR - 5
LG - 0
LR - 2

167-168 is turning out to be my preptest average and that irks me. I really want to be 170 or better for the test in October but I keep consistently doing 166-168 with a few 170-174 scores and a few 163-165 scores. I keep also continuing to get the same types of breakdown in raw scores. Can anyone offer any advice on how to make the jump to get to 170+? I'm going over my wrong answers and tough questions I circled thoroughly and still not seeing any real improvement. Not sure what to do as if I can't get 170+ I'll probably forego law school.

Dont be retarded. I hope you were joking because thats really stupid to say. Dont fall for the "Top 14 or else dont bother going to law school" mentality. Now im not advocating going to Devry School of Law, but with a 168 you'll have a lot of really good options.

I'm not, why would I forego a career in finance if I don't have at least a good chance of a getting into an equally, if not better, law job.

I didnt know your current employment background. In that case it would be smarter to stick with what youre currently doing.

[Sandro]

Going to work extensively on LR and LG this weekend, then starting a regimen of 3-4 PTs a week until the exam. I scored a 157 on my cold diagnostic and feel confident that I can reach the high 160s/low 170s after this work.

I got a 157 in Sep09 with minimal study and am in the mid 160's now. How are you planning to do LG? So far my plan that Im starting tonight is just doing all of the older games from the Cambridge set, doing and redoing until I get a -0 in under 8-9 mins.

[Patriot1208]

I just finished PT52. I missed 4 (2 in LG, 1 in the second LR, and 1 in RC), for a score of 177.

On the bright side, I continue to score very consistently around 177, and my speed on LG was good, as I finished with 4 minutes left over, even though I really took my time on the final game.

On the other hand, I can never seem to make it through an entire LG section without making a couple of mistakes.

Conclusion: Good, but I need to stop making mistakes in LG if I want to take my score to the next level.

You do realize there is no next level for you. The statistical signifcance between a 177 and a 180 is 0. 176-180 is basically the same thing. And btw, a 180 isn't going to help you in admissions over a 177.

[Adjudicator]

I just finished PT52. I missed 4 (2 in LG, 1 in the second LR, and 1 in RC), for a score of 177.

On the bright side, I continue to score very consistently around 177, and my speed on LG was good, as I finished with 4 minutes left over, even though I really took my time on the final game.

On the other hand, I can never seem to make it through an entire LG section without making a couple of mistakes.

Conclusion: Good, but I need to stop making mistakes in LG if I want to take my score to the next level.

You do realize there is no next level for you. The statistical signifcance between a 177 and a 180 is 0. 176-180 is basically the same thing. And btw, a 180 isn't going to help you in admissions over a 177.

Way to ruin my fun. Maybe 179-180 is my personal dream, in and of itself!

Or perhaps I would just like to eliminate those errors from LG to give me more breathing room in the other areas.

Aim high, miss high. If I do end losing a few points on test day, I'd rather be at 180 now instead of 177.

[Paulocaster]

Hi, all,

I am a little late in joining in.

Diagnostic: 163
Super Prep A: 164
PT 22: 168
PT 28: 170

For studying, I've been using the following: LG Bible, Get Prepped Ace the LSAT Logic Games, Cambridge LSAT Logic Games Solutions Manuel, LR Bible, and Exam Crackers Reading Comprehension.

Good luck, everyone! We've still got plenty of time.

[Adjudicator]

Looking good, Paulo. Keep it up. Also, make sure you get to some more recent PTs at some point, just because they're likely to be more similar to the next test.

[Paulocaster]

Looking good, Paulo. Keep it up. Also, make sure you get to some more recent PTs at some point, just because they're likely to be more similar to the next test.

Thanks. I'll take your advice and start working on the PT 40's this weekend.

[northwood]

is it me, or is the LR from prep test 46 more difficult than usual. I just took it and got a -14 in one section, which is about 9 more incorrect than my average.

Guess its back to hitting hte LRB for a bit. FML