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so I've taken my first timed LSAT and scored 151....i'm still confused about whether I've got the conversion right because it's horrifying how many questions I got wrong (i got a raw score of 56/101 if someone can recalculate for me) it just looks like I was on the edge of failing. i really hope i can get around 170 by october is it at all possible?

I had the same diagnostic and ended up with a 170+ score.

A 170 in October is definitely attainable. A raw score of 56 seems about accurate for a score of 151 but don't worry. Just study hard and get that score

xqhp82 wrote:so I've taken my first timed LSAT and scored 151....i'm still confused about whether I've got the conversion right because it's horrifying how many questions I got wrong (i got a raw score of 56/101 if someone can recalculate for me) it just looks like I was on the edge of failing. i really hope i can get around 170 by october is it at all possible?

yes of course! I started out with a 156 having never looked at the test before, and after 3 months of studying hardcore, got a 170 on the LSAT - this was with a bathroom break in the middle of section two and tons of test-day jitters. You can certainly set yourself up to succeed regardless the circumstances. Just set the time aside to study and put in the effort...you'll do great.

Thanks very much for the encouragement, feeling much better!
I actually had a rough idea about the test before I took it, so I would assume my score could be even worse if I knew absolutely nothing beforehand...but I guess it doens't really matter now, just need to focus on the practice.
One thing I found a bit challenging is actually the language, english is my second language, the comprehension section is a bit complicated for me, as well as some wordings of the questions (e.g. i did not understand what it meant by "which of the following...must be a prop?")

You should worry. You should worry just enough that you're motivated to study a LOT, because while a 19-point improvement is possible, it's definitely a lot, and it takes a lot of work. So you should worry just enough that it motivates you to do that lot of work.

You write well enough that you should come to be okay with LSAC's very precise wording after some practice, even if English is your second language.

Youre screeeeeewed!

just kidding. But make sure you put in the effort to figure out the test. Whoever scores 151 on their first diagnostic should have no problem doing that. (151 is decent believe it or not).

Nightrunner wrote:In before the trolls.

OP, the LSAT is eminently learnable; a 151 diagnostic just means you have to work harder to learn it. Start with Pithypike's LSAT Study Guide, bust ass, and work collaboratively with other TLSers when you're stuck on a certain question (or a certain kind of question).

QFIT

(quoted for Indian truth)

I scored 146 on my diagnostic. My highest practice was a 167, and I scored 163 on the actual LSAT. So it's very possible to jump way up in your score! Don't worry

IMHO I'd be a little worried .

I mean... of course it would be awesome to start out with something like a 165 naturally, but not that many of us are blessed with that ability. SO, coming from that angle, this was my exact same diagnostic score, and I was able to raise it a 164 after 8 months of brutally hard work and mind-numbing practice. So, to answer your question, you should not worry, but you do have your work cut out for you, so get to it! GOOD LUCK!

Yes you should if you want to score 170+. You should not if you want to get ino historically black Law school and colleges where you might get scholarship as well with score of 151. 3:60 Moolah, 4:90 Benjamin

I don't think you have to worry, the LSAT is a bunch of new and confusing language. Set aside the time and learn it. I know I scored a 140 something on my diagnostic and scored a 170+ on the actual test. The LSAT is super learnable and I think (although TLSrs will never admit it) the does not test aptitude at all.

yes i realise i do need a lot more practice on this....but i only have about 4 months(full time) to prepare for the october test, i wonder how i can spend my time most wisely to score best. what do you guys think of self-study for 2 months followed by a prep course, or the other way round? Or purely self study? for those who scored 170+ with a low diagnostic, i need your advice!

my daig 149...highest pt score 171

Diag: 157; Highest PT: 178; PT Avg: 174.5; Real thing: 170+

1. Learn a method -- the consensus is that Powerscore's is solid.
2. Make it your own through tons of untimed practice.
3. Take 30+ practice tests timed under realistic conditions; review your mistakes and learn from them.

Don't worry. Study.

You should this:

haha, yes, a bottle of barcadi might help...

just wondering, how many PTs in total are out there for sale? I know there are 3 books so thats 30 of them, and some that are sold independently....if i do 30+ timed tests, will i run out of new tests for untimed practice?

edit: autarkh, you seem to have quite a solid score of over 170s throughout, would you mind sharing your study schedule?

I've been team teaching a LSAT course this semester at my undergrad, I've seen students over the course of the semester go from <149 to >165 and on average they have shown about 6 points improvement. It's not only possible to do better, it seems to be common.

It is my personal opinion, as well as many others that I have spoken with, that improvement is highly possible on the LSAT because it follows a set of learnable trends and patterns. I know I diagnosed at 151 also. I was disappointed; however, after a month of studying I am PTing in my in class sessions in the low 160s. My goal is not as high as yours. I would happy with around a 165-167 but that's not the point. I have seen a pretty large bump in the past month and, as you have seen, many other TLSers have seen greater jumps on the actual LSAT. I look at this test the way I look at anything else, you get out what you put in. If we work really hard, we may not get the ideal score we wanted; however, we will do well and will certainly be in the best position to get what we want. Good luck!

xqhp82, check your PM.

xqhp82 wrote:just wondering, how many PTs in total are out there for sale? I know there are 3 books so thats 30 of them, and some that are sold independently....if i do 30+ timed tests, will i run out of new tests for untimed practice?

There are over 60 tests available. 33 are in books (the 3 books of the 10 Actual series and 3 tests in SuperPrep), and the other ~30 are mostly available as individual tests from LSAC or various other sources.

It's unlikely (but possible) that you'll run out.