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LR HELP!!!

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 7:01 pm
by flat-fifth
I've waited until I was able to consistently achieve -2 to -3 on LR to add the timing element. Today I introduced the timer and the official answer sheet and had problems with both. BIG PROBLEMS. Is there a proven method to work through this or should I just keep doing timed sections from now on?

Untimed drilling definitely helped my accuracy, but this timer is a b*tch. ANY advice would GREATLY appreciated.

Re: LR HELP!!!

Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2013 7:11 pm
by CardozoLaw09
Keep doing timed sections but also figure out why you're not going -0 on LR when untimed. Figure out why you're missing those 2/3 points on LR during an untimed section. Ideally, you want to get to the point where your untimed sections are -0 or close to it every time otherwise the timing element can easily cause you to lose a few more points. Also, how long is it taking you to do an untimed section? Ultimately, keep working on your accuracy but also try and mix in a few timed sections here and there.

Re: LR HELP!!!

Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 6:16 am
by Squintz805
I was in a similar situation as you in April for the June LSAT. Kept on trying to work out kinks, tally up the question types I got wrong and drill, work on finishing the first 15 in 15 min, etc. etc.

I ended up pushing back to October, and now am missing 5-6 total (for both sections) and timed. Interestingly enough - the biggest improvement I got in LR was by practicing and drilling RC. If you haven't touched that section too much I would give it a shot. Mainly helped with endurance and focus, which has helped me tremendously towards LR.

Reviewing is also your best friend. Time how long it takes you to do a section as fast as you can. See why you got your questions wrong. Was it because you were on time constraint? Did you not fully understand what the stimulus was talking about? Did you not properly prephrase? Whatever it is you did wrong, figure out how your gonna fix it for the next test.

^^When I'm talking about review, Im talking about taking at least an hour going through why you got each question right, and why you got each question wrong in the section. Review, Review, and after a week goes by -- might as well go back and review it again for 5-10 minutes (it can only help)

If I'm lost and can't figure out why a certain answer choice is right, and how to mentally diagram myself to it -- I always goto the Manhattan Logical Reasoning Forum.

Best o' luck

Re: LR HELP!!!

Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 9:49 am
by flat-fifth
Thanks for the insight! I definitely experience increased anxiety due to thinking about the timer, which causes me to make stupid mistakes. It's not that I don't know the test, but I certainly think too slow.
Last night, I got -7 on a timed section. I didn't miss any questions. I ran out of time. My experiment was to slow down my pace to a point where I could focus.
I will definitely try the RC angle.

Re: LR HELP!!!

Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 10:09 am
by Dr. Dre
When are you taking the LSAT, OP

Re: LR HELP!!!

Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 3:13 pm
by flat-fifth
Dr. Dre wrote:When are you taking the LSAT, OP
If I can work out these kinks, I'll take it in October. But I'm also registered for December. I'm thinking seriously about taking the mlsat online course that starts next week...

Re: LR HELP!!!

Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 9:36 pm
by Squintz805
This is what I've been doing and its been working well for me. Ill put down some of my numbers as well to give you an idea of how I've progressed using this method.

Everytime you do a section time yourself. Dont stop at the buzzer, but instead - when you have completed the section, write down how long it took you to complete. The goal being: finish the section as quickly as possible without sacrificing accuracy. Also, as soon as you finish question 15 write down how long it took you to get there. You want to be finishing question 15 around 15 minutes, giving you ample time for the more time consuming questions later on.
- In June: It roughly took me 40-42 minutes to complete a section, usually missing 6-7 per section (not both)
- In July: Was starting to see some progress - usually takes me 39-40 minutes, usually missing 5-6.

I've seen a huge jump since the beginning of august. I'm now missing 3-4 per section and it usually takes me 35-38 minutes to complete. Come October, my goal is to complete the section around the 32:00. (a) Giving me time to relax before the next section, (b) Adjust my analog watch, and (c) review any I felt hesitant on. I know I'm no where near perfect for LR, but my numbers aren't lying to me and I can mentally feel myself starting to grasp the in's and out's of LR. Its slowly coming together.

The idea here is that its okay right now if it takes you longer than 35 minutes to complete a section (especially if your going to take it in December). The practice, repetition, and review will make it natural to decrease your overall time. A lot of the questions I'm now getting right, that I didn't before is because I've learned what to expect from certain stimuli. I know what flaws to expect, I know how to fill that gap in Necessary Assumption questions.

Re: LR HELP!!!

Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 10:32 pm
by flat-fifth
^^^ Your help is truly appreciated!! I'll give it a try. I was just hoping to be done with this test in Oct. and these results are frustrating. I should also note that I just started using material from the 50's.