179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice... Forum
- crumpetsandtea
- Posts: 7147
- Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2010 7:57 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
Sorry if this has been asked, but what was your PT average before you retook? When you PT-ed right before the test, did you do anything special (ie, eat the same breakfast that you would for the test, wake up/do the same things at the same times, etc)? Any recommendations for calming test day nerves? What was your prep schedule like for the last 2 weeks?
- Kabuo
- Posts: 1114
- Joined: Tue Aug 31, 2010 8:53 am
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
Where are you now?Stanley Otto Swift wrote:taking questions again if anyone has anything
- boosk
- Posts: 381
- Joined: Thu May 05, 2011 6:31 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
best way to use these last 15 days to improve LR?
to perfect LG?
I've been consistently at 163-164 for two weeks now, trying to get to 168 or better...
to perfect LG?
I've been consistently at 163-164 for two weeks now, trying to get to 168 or better...
- ngogirl
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Mon Oct 04, 2010 5:40 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
for someone who has been prepping for awhile, do you recommend taking several tests a week (2 to 3) or one test per week?
-
- Posts: 223
- Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 11:49 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
Last week i got the highest i ever got on PT
175
Lr1 -2
Lr2 -2
LG -0
RC -3
My LR fluctuates from -3 to -6 total for both sections combined
my games are -0 and sometime an error or 2
the prob is my reading comp ... the above was great my last 2 PTs were -8 and -9 which butchered my scores..
i range from -3 to -9 on RC How should i devote my study time with RC this week - as in how should i approach it?
And how should i devote the next 2 weeks? ( i have 10 days of good studying left)
175
Lr1 -2
Lr2 -2
LG -0
RC -3
My LR fluctuates from -3 to -6 total for both sections combined
my games are -0 and sometime an error or 2
the prob is my reading comp ... the above was great my last 2 PTs were -8 and -9 which butchered my scores..
i range from -3 to -9 on RC How should i devote my study time with RC this week - as in how should i approach it?
And how should i devote the next 2 weeks? ( i have 10 days of good studying left)
Want to continue reading?
Register now to search topics and post comments!
Absolutely FREE!
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:21 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
Can't love this quote enough. Same page. Well, not the 174 part. Had a hardcore anxiety attack that has literally never affected (effected?) me before for anything. Have spent tons of time by now though. And took TM. Now finally have the anti-anxiety cure and am just beasting practice tests. I don't have 180 or 179 in me, but 177 or so. And the scholarship $ alone makes it worth it and then some.Stanley Otto Swift wrote:I studied off and on for about nine months. I retook a 174, which everyone told me was insanity, but I knew I had a 180 or 179 in me. Probably spent 400 or 500 hours on LSAT related studying.solotee wrote:How long did it take you to increase from 154 to 179?
How many times have you sat in for the test?
- Stanley Otto Swift
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:37 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
My PT avg before taking was ~178-180. I didn't do anything special as far as testing conditions and, honestly, think that stuff is overblown. Get on a good sleep schedule, take your vitamins and eat a light breakfast. The best cure for anxiety is confidence, and confidence comes from working your ass off and knowing you've done everything you can to prepare for the test.crumpetsandtea wrote:Sorry if this has been asked, but what was your PT average before you retook? When you PT-ed right before the test, did you do anything special (ie, eat the same breakfast that you would for the test, wake up/do the same things at the same times, etc)? Any recommendations for calming test day nerves? What was your prep schedule like for the last 2 weeks?
- Stanley Otto Swift
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:37 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
rather not get too specific but I'm in grad school/law school at a top university.Kabuo wrote:Where are you now?Stanley Otto Swift wrote:taking questions again if anyone has anything
- Stanley Otto Swift
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:37 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
I'd focus on LG since it's easier to improve. Have you done all the games on LSATs you're not saving for preptests? If not, do so. If so, do them again.boosk wrote:best way to use these last 15 days to improve LR?
to perfect LG?
I've been consistently at 163-164 for two weeks now, trying to get to 168 or better...
- Stanley Otto Swift
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:37 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
I'd say it depends on when you're taking, how many unused tests you have left, and where you are relative to your goal. If taking in June and going balls to the wall, try to take them all even if it means taking 3 per week. If taking October, go slower and do more untimed review.ngogirl wrote:for someone who has been prepping for awhile, do you recommend taking several tests a week (2 to 3) or one test per week?
- Stanley Otto Swift
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:37 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
I don't have any magic bullet advice for reading comp. Everyone says it's the hardest section to learn and the most individual with regard to what is effective (they're right). I'd be slightly concerned that you're still thinking about trying out methods at this point, and if you're legitimately fluctuating from 3 to 9 missed questions, I'd consider postponing.JD=Doctor wrote:Last week i got the highest i ever got on PT
175
Lr1 -2
Lr2 -2
LG -0
RC -3
My LR fluctuates from -3 to -6 total for both sections combined
my games are -0 and sometime an error or 2
the prob is my reading comp ... the above was great my last 2 PTs were -8 and -9 which butchered my scores..
i range from -3 to -9 on RC How should i devote my study time with RC this week - as in how should i approach it?
And how should i devote the next 2 weeks? ( i have 10 days of good studying left)
I practiced my RC by reading absurdly difficult material outside of LSAT prep. Stuff like scientific journal articles from Nature and Archaeology, David Hume's Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, Kuhn's Structure of Scientific Revolutions, etc. Obviously this should not be your focus now, but it does help with overall comprehension and stamina.
- just win baby
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed Jan 26, 2011 12:02 am
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
(I am taking the exam in October)
Besides causality, what other patterns do you see in LR?
I am starting to see the similarities in some questions, but I don't think it's fully clicked yet. You mentioned your score increased tremendously when you found these patterns.
also,
I have never done an untimed PT... should I do this before I start timed practice again?
Thank you very much
Besides causality, what other patterns do you see in LR?
I am starting to see the similarities in some questions, but I don't think it's fully clicked yet. You mentioned your score increased tremendously when you found these patterns.
also,
I have never done an untimed PT... should I do this before I start timed practice again?
Thank you very much
-
- Posts: 559
- Joined: Sat Aug 22, 2009 11:18 am
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
Thanks for the thread.
So I noticed that your greatest improvement came from LG
How much did you improve on RC? I usually find that those who improve dramatically are ususually pretty good at RC. Are you such case?
And you said you spent time reading difficult material outside LSAT material. How much time did you spend on those? 1 hour a day? 2 hours day?
So I noticed that your greatest improvement came from LG
How much did you improve on RC? I usually find that those who improve dramatically are ususually pretty good at RC. Are you such case?
And you said you spent time reading difficult material outside LSAT material. How much time did you spend on those? 1 hour a day? 2 hours day?
Register now!
Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.
It's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 166
- Joined: Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:53 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
did you to a point during your prep where you felt burnt out? if so, how did you overcome the feeling?
-
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 2:39 pm
-
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2010 2:39 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
Is better to start with older tests then progress to new ones?
Last edited by MoneyBags on Tue May 24, 2011 6:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- crumpetsandtea
- Posts: 7147
- Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2010 7:57 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
Advice for someone consistently scoring ~-3 total on LR, -0 on LG, and -4 or 5 on RC?
Also, what's your opinion of taking 3 or 4 '6 section tests' instead of '5 section tests' leading up to the actual thing, assuming you are leaving a couple days before the test with no PT to just review/calm nerves?
Also, what's your opinion of taking 3 or 4 '6 section tests' instead of '5 section tests' leading up to the actual thing, assuming you are leaving a couple days before the test with no PT to just review/calm nerves?
Get unlimited access to all forums and topics
Register now!
I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...
Already a member? Login
- Stanley Otto Swift
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:37 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
it's been a few years since I looked at the LSAT materials, so I can't speak to specific patterns. I just meant that once you see particular logical relationship being tested over and over it becomes very easy to recognize it and solve it. The test-makers only have so many tricks up their sleeve.just win baby wrote:(I am taking the exam in October)
Besides causality, what other patterns do you see in LR?
I am starting to see the similarities in some questions, but I don't think it's fully clicked yet. You mentioned your score increased tremendously when you found these patterns.
also,
I have never done an untimed PT... should I do this before I start timed practice again?
Thank you very much
I'm a big believer in untimed review, especially if you're still struggling with the basics.
- Stanley Otto Swift
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:37 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
I improved my RC probably from around -5 per section to missing 1 or so. I have always been an avid reader and my undergrad majors both involved a ton of reading and writing.roranoa wrote:Thanks for the thread.
So I noticed that your greatest improvement came from LG
How much did you improve on RC? I usually find that those who improve dramatically are ususually pretty good at RC. Are you such case?
And you said you spent time reading difficult material outside LSAT material. How much time did you spend on those? 1 hour a day? 2 hours day?
As fro outside, difficult reading, maybe a few hours or so per week. I went to the library and read Nature or Science or Current Anthropology a couple mornings per week.
- Stanley Otto Swift
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:37 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
I've always thought burnout was overrated. You have to be single-minded if you want massive improvement in your score.psm11 wrote:did you to a point during your prep where you felt burnt out? if so, how did you overcome the feeling?
- Stanley Otto Swift
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:37 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
that's what I did. Ideally leave yourself a minimum of 10 unspoiled tests for the last few weeks.MoneyBags wrote:Is better to start with older tests then progress to new ones?
Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.
Register now, it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- Stanley Otto Swift
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:37 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
You're in the 170s so I doubt I have much to tell you that you haven't already heard. Keep plugging away.crumpetsandtea wrote:Advice for someone consistently scoring ~-3 total on LR, -0 on LG, and -4 or 5 on RC?
Also, what's your opinion of taking 3 or 4 '6 section tests' instead of '5 section tests' leading up to the actual thing, assuming you are leaving a couple days before the test with no PT to just review/calm nerves?
I like the idea of simulating the real thing but I never did it myself. Adrenaline carried the day.
- crumpetsandtea
- Posts: 7147
- Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2010 7:57 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
Thanks for replying and keeping this thread alive <3Stanley Otto Swift wrote:I like the idea of simulating the real thing but I never did it myself. Adrenaline carried the day.
You said above you took your RC from -5 to -1...how? 2 weeks is kinda late I know, but it's my last stubborn section and it's killing me that I can't break the 175+ barrier because of it. Also what do you mean by the bolded? You never took a 5 section PT?
- Stanley Otto Swift
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:37 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
Now that I think about it, I did take a few 5 section tests as part of a Testmasters course, but when I prepped on my own I just took the exams as they were.crumpetsandtea wrote:Thanks for replying and keeping this thread alive <3Stanley Otto Swift wrote:I like the idea of simulating the real thing but I never did it myself. Adrenaline carried the day.
You said above you took your RC from -5 to -1...how? 2 weeks is kinda late I know, but it's my last stubborn section and it's killing me that I can't break the 175+ barrier because of it. Also what do you mean by the bolded? You never took a 5 section PT?
It really is hard to give specific advice about RC. Do you have a consistent markup strategy that you're applying systematically? My improvement came as I did passage after passage after passage; it just kind of happened as I got better at taking the test. My specific strategy was to use minimal markups and to refer back to the passage as necessary. In general I found excessive notation and diagramming to be a waste of time.
- crumpetsandtea
- Posts: 7147
- Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2010 7:57 pm
Re: 179 LSAT, 154 diagnostic, taking questions, giving advice...
Ohhhh ok I wasn't sure if that's what you meant (about the 5 section tests)Stanley Otto Swift wrote:Now that I think about it, I did take a few 5 section tests as part of a Testmasters course, but when I prepped on my own I just took the exams as they were.
It really is hard to give specific advice about RC. Do you have a consistent markup strategy that you're applying systematically? My improvement came as I did passage after passage after passage; it just kind of happened as I got better at taking the test. My specific strategy was to use minimal markups and to refer back to the passage as necessary. In general I found excessive notation and diagramming to be a waste of time.
My markup strategy mainly consists of: boxing the main ideas/args, brackets around each supporting idea (with a S1/S2 on the margin), underlining words that seem important. It's definitely been consistently my worst section (a list of all my scores from 29 till 55 can be found here, to make the awfulness of my RC clear lol). It's frustrating that it's also the hardest to improve on...:\ LG has always been the easiest for me, I feel like I got the short end of the LSAT studying stick XD!!
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login