What is typical LSAT improvement from benchmark score? Forum

[MAPP]

So I just took the June 2007 LSAT timed and got a 158 (my first PT). The only previous lsat study I've done is a read-through of the powerscore LG bible (games was my worst section, however, at -8) and part of the LR bible over the summer.

What was your benchmark lsat score and how much did you improve by? I've heard that +10 is about what you can expect for an increase in your benchmark score after significant study. Also, where does the June 2007 lsat rank in terms of difficulty?

[lennybriscoe]

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[Clemenceau]

The range is too wide to provide any value to you. There are people who score 158 on a diagnostic and end up with 173+. There are people that never break the low 160s after a 158 diagnostic.

[MAPP]

The range is too wide to provide any value to you. There are people who score 158 on a diagnostic and end up with 173+. There are people that never break the low 160s after a 158 diagnostic.

I suppose it depends on how intense one studies. I guess it's nose to the grindstone for me.

[GoogleWasMyIdea]

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[gnomgnomuch]

I diagnosed at a 146 (iirc) and spent about 2 months studying 2 or so hours a day (5/6 times a week) and then another month studying 3x a week. Highest score was a 168, never actually took the LSAT, though planning on it in the future.

Just a random data point for you - some people diagnose in the low 150's and within months break 170, others start out at low 160's and never break 170's. Still others will need months of dedicated studying to just get into the 160's. Everyone is different... however, the LSAT is a very learnable test plenty of people make jumps in the 20's.

[newcareernewtown]

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[sims1]

I went up 23 points over ~5 months of studying after work and school. Obviously not a common outcome, but the test is pretty learnable, especially if you struggle with games and LR.

[flawedargument]

I've had about 40 LSAT students and took the test twice myself. This is what I've seen.

The 'average' improvement from diagnostic to real LSAT is 10-13 points (students who put in a low to moderate level of effort, did not receive instruction, received poor instruction (often Kaplan, PR, etc.), or had a really bad experience on test day -- or some combination of these).

The 'high end' improvement from diagnostic to real LSAT is 18-22 points (students who put in a high level of effort, received very good instruction, and/or had a terrible diagnostic -- or some combination of these).

In general, students who score a 155 or above on a diagnostic should be capable of scoring a 170 given enough effort, practice, and proper instruction. The amount of effort and practice required obviously varies a great deal.

My personal improvement from diagnostic to first LSAT was 10 points and from diagnostic to second LSAT was 19 points. My effort generally tracked with the characteristics I described above for those ranges.

[MAPP]

I went up 23 points over ~5 months of studying after work and school. Obviously not a common outcome, but the test is pretty learnable, especially if you struggle with games and LR.

What did you use for studying LR? For games, it seems like 7sage is the way to go.

[k5220]

The LSAT is definitely a learnable test, and if you started at 158 you probably have enough of the basic reading comprehension and analysis skills as a foundation to get where you want.

I went from 160 to 175 with TestMasters, a lot of time thinking about sufficient/necessary and causal relationships, and practice on reading comp timing. Should have probably done more PTs and other things suggested in the threads here, but just attending class and doing some outside work I thought was necessary was enough for me.

Good luck!

[Good Guy Gaud]

I went 148 to 170. My math tells me you can get 180.

[The Abyss]

I went 148 to 170. My math tells me you can get 180.

From diagnostic to final take I made the same 22 point jump.

[Phoenix97]

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