What to do before the diagnostics? Forum

[ijomer]

I am getting ready to write October LSAT, and ive finished LRB and LGB (although i should review LGB to refresh my memory).. And I wanted to write a Diagnostics (my first "Timed" 5 section test) to see how i do, and what are my weaknesses and so on.

But before writing it, what must i complete first?
- Should i take one or more "Untimed" preptests first?
- Should I do individual sections to be familiar first?

Or should i jump right in and do the diagnostics? Basically, what are the rules or expectations to be met before trying a timed diagnostics? Thanks

[dowu]

I am getting ready to write October LSAT, and ive finished LRB and LGB (although i should review LGB to refresh my memory).. And I wanted to write a Diagnostics (my first "Timed" 5 section test) to see how i do, and what are my weaknesses and so on.

But before writing it, what must i complete first?
- Should i take one or more "Untimed" preptests first?
- Should I do individual sections to be familiar first?

Or should i jump right in and do the diagnostics? Basically, what are the rules or expectations to be met before trying a timed diagnostics? Thanks

There are no rules, dude. You should take the test under timed conditions to see what you're good/bad at. Then go from there. You should also have a plan for which PT you'll start with and which one you'll end with, that way you're not jumping around with some arbitrary order.

Also, REVIEW YOUR PT THOROUGHLY. Know why you got questions wrong and why you got them right; formulate a complete response to each answer choice in order to accomplish this.

Good luck!

[Nova]

^^True

IMO, you might as well just take the timed diag now.

[dowu]

^^True

IMO, you might as well just take the timed diag now.

You little....

[JamMasterJ]

sharpen your pencil.

Seriously, you don't truly know where you need to improve without taking a test under the proper conditions.

[cc.celina]

Agreed, but one thing to add: When you run out of time on a section, just mark on your answer sheet where you stopped but keep going until you finish the section, as well as any answers you change after time runs out. This way, you get the benefit of working under time pressure and seeing where your weaknesses are when you're going fast, but you also get to do every question. Keep track of both your timed and untimed scores until you can finish every section comfortably in 35 min. This really helped me out at the beginning of my prep. Plus it's a big motivator to know that you can do better if you just practice enough to get faster! Good luck!

[bp shinners]

sharpen your pencil.

I disagree. I find that a dull pencil fills in Scantron bubbles faster.

[dowu]

sharpen your pencil.

I disagree. I find that a dull pencil fills in Scantron bubbles faster.

I hate the way a dull pencil writes though. Like, if I need to diagram a question right quick, I need want that pencil nice and sharp

[Nova]

Maybe having multiple pencils at different points on the sharp/dull continuum is TCR.

[dowu]

Maybe having multiple pencils at different points on the sharp/dull continuum is TCR.

[bp shinners]

Maybe having multiple pencils at different points on the sharp/dull continuum is TCR.

Even better, a two-sided pencil so you don't have to waste time putting one down and picking it up. Not like you can erase on that paper anyway.

[Nova]

Maybe having multiple pencils at different points on the sharp/dull continuum is TCR.

Even better, a two-sided pencil so you don't have to waste time putting one down and picking it up. Not like you can erase on that paper anyway.

Dat efficiency

[Jeffort]

Don't really need to do anything except have a copy of a test you haven't seen before, a bubble sheet, pencils, an eraser, and a watch to keep time with.

It's a good idea to drive somewhere and take it away from home, at library, a coffee shop, wherever you wont be tempted to take breaks to fool around with things where you live. Also, turn off your cell phone, or at least turn off the ringer, and ignore calls and txt messages you receive while you are taking it.

Score it after you have completed all the sections, then review the test thoroughly, questions you answered incorrectly as well as ones you got correct but were uncertain about.

[cc.celina]

Maybe having multiple pencils at different points on the sharp/dull continuum is TCR.

Even better, a two-sided pencil so you don't have to waste time putting one down and picking it up. Not like you can erase on that paper anyway.

This sounds dangerous, I would definitely poke my eye out

[Jeffort]

Maybe having multiple pencils at different points on the sharp/dull continuum is TCR.

Even better, a two-sided pencil so you don't have to waste time putting one down and picking it up. Not like you can erase on that paper anyway.

This sounds dangerous, I would definitely poke my eye out

Yeah, I would too, and probably also end up with graphite all over my face and also on my lips and in my mouth. An eraser end is much safer for scratching your face and tastier to suck on/chew on while you think really hard about a question.

[JamMasterJ]

Maybe having multiple pencils at different points on the sharp/dull continuum is TCR.

I used to use three sharp and one dull

[ijomer]

Thanks for the helpful advices. I shall quickly overview LRB and LGB very quick, and then try my first timed diagnostics... October 6th is getting very close!

[shifty_eyed]

I believe this is the credited response.

[dowu]

I believe this is the credited response.

those are the best pencils, IMO. The lead isnt shitty when you're tryign to sharpen it.

[Nova]

those are the best pencils, IMO. The lead isnt shitty when you're tryign to sharpen it.

I actually bought some because the box said "The World's BEST PENCIL"

[ijomer]

Pencil discussion aside, during diagnostics (since its first time i'll be taking a timed Preptest like everyone else) it is enevitable that i will run out of time, which is natural due to lack of alot of practice. so if on a section 35 minutes are up, and i didnt get to 3 questions.. should i just leave them? or answer them still?
and when marking my test, should i mark them as well? eventhough it was attempted after the 35 minute limit?

[dowu]

those are the best pencils, IMO. The lead isnt shitty when you're tryign to sharpen it.

I actually bought some because the box said "The World's BEST PENCIL"

lol me too.

[dowu]

Pencil discussion aside, during diagnostics (since its first time i'll be taking a timed Preptest like everyone else) it is enevitable that i will run out of time, which is natural due to lack of alot of practice. so if on a section 35 minutes are up, and i didnt get to 3 questions.. should i just leave them? or answer them still?
and when marking my test, should i mark them as well? eventhough it was attempted after the 35 minute limit?

Count them as missed questions, for scoring purposes. Still do them to see if you missed them, giving yourself only a few minutes to do them.

[cc.celina]

Pencil discussion aside, during diagnostics (since its first time i'll be taking a timed Preptest like everyone else) it is enevitable that i will run out of time, which is natural due to lack of alot of practice. so if on a section 35 minutes are up, and i didnt get to 3 questions.. should i just leave them? or answer them still?
and when marking my test, should i mark them as well? eventhough it was attempted after the 35 minute limit?

What am I chop liver

[ijomer]

Pencil discussion aside, during diagnostics (since its first time i'll be taking a timed Preptest like everyone else) it is enevitable that i will run out of time, which is natural due to lack of alot of practice. so if on a section 35 minutes are up, and i didnt get to 3 questions.. should i just leave them? or answer them still?
and when marking my test, should i mark them as well? eventhough it was attempted after the 35 minute limit?

What am I chop liver

oh sorry, you had talked about that.. Thanks.