LSAT HELP!!!!!!!!!! Forum

[nneamakaeze]

I took the December LSAT and totally bombed it with a disgusting score of 149. I plan to retake in June but i am faced with a dilemma. To take a prep class or not? The main reason why I bombed the previous LSAT was because of my time. I ended up not doing a whopping 25 questions between the logic games and reading comprehension sections. I have always been good with time so for some inane reason, I never practiced with time. I just felt that i would be ok in that aspect on the D day. Needless to say, that was stupid of me. Although I rarely apply myself, I am a pretty smart person. I just hate being stuck in a class and apparently, you dont learn anything the books dont tell you. I just want to know other people's opinions. Did you take a class or not? What was your score? What was your study regimen like? How long did you study for till the actual day? What are the best books to use? Are prep classes worth the $$$? I am shooting for a 170. So far, Logical Reasoning seems to be my strongest point(barely). I accurately answered 40 out of 50 of them on the actual LSAT. Still looking for a significant improvement in all 3 areas though.

[pa.wink]

Trouble applying yourself is the only reason to take a course. If you apply yourself to the material on your own, yes, you will learn everything you would have learned in class, but if you can't make yourself study, sitting in a classroom with no choice but to study LSAT is a good idea.

[Sherpa]

Games are the easiest section to improve. I used the Powerscore LG bible and another called Ace the LSAT Logic Games, both of which helped tremendously. I wouldn't spend the money on a prep course unless you've got money to burn. No matter how good the teacher, you're not going to learn the LSAT in a week. You'll probably need to study for months if you want to increase your score by 21 points. Here's how I studied:

1) Worked my way through the Powerscore and Ace LG books
2) Took a timed full length practice test every Saturday and Sunday morning
3) Worked through 2-4 timed logic games sections every morning
4) Read articles in Foreign Affairs, the Economist, and Real Clear World and Real Clear Politics every morning. I never really had problems with RC, but I like to think that this helped.

I think I bought just about every available LSAT practice test. I probably took 15-20 full length tests and did every LG section twice and ended up with a 174.

[LavAzza2004]

I also took the December LSAT. I decided just this past fall to apply for law school right after registration closed for the September test, so it forced me to have a few months to study. I did 100% self-study, purchased several practice exam books, and methodically went through question after question. I wasn't timing myself at first, and when I first timed myself my scores dropped significantly. I finally built myself back up and was consistently scoring low-mid 170s on timed practice exams. Only problem was, my boyfriend of 5 years said we're done just two days before the LSAT, so I was emotionally and mentally drained come the exam (like he couldn't have waited until Saturday night?!?). Anyway, I ended up with a 167, good enough to get into some pretty good schools, but I can't help but wonder "what if?". Good luck!! Do tons of practice questions and TIME YOURSELF!

[zozin]

Only problem was, my boyfriend of 5 years said we're done just two days before the LSAT,

What a bitch.

[HiLine]

Try posting on the LSAT forum too.

[nneamakaeze]

Try posting on the LSAT forum too.

thanks for the help everyone! How do i post to the LSAT forum? Sorry im kinda new to this

[TCScrutinizer]

171 here, aced the logic games. My two cents:

1. Start studying three months in advance.

2. Do a full practice test at least once a week (2-3 times if you can manage it). Trying to study 40 hours a week won't help you if you're not an obsessively hard worker.

3. TIME yourself.

4. Test yourself with distractions in the background (I PT'd with a lot of football on for the September LSAT).

5. The day of the test, RELAX. Do something that makes you comfortable. Do something to put yourself in a calm, happy, state where it will be easy to focus. For example, I wore a pair of huge costume pants I got from a store here in Austin. I wandered around the campus that I tested at and read bulletin boards. I wrote "Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Test In Here" on the whiteboard in the room we tested in before anyone arrived. For me, not thinking about the test directly before the test helped me avoid the enormous build up of stress that can really burn you out before the 5 hours is up.

6. As for logic games--diagram, diagram, diagram. Learn how to express limiting factors in symbolic language. Check your premises.

[nneamakaeze]

6. As for logic games--diagram, diagram, diagram. Learn how to express limiting factors in symbolic language. Check your premises.[/quote]


Thanks! what books did you use? Prep course?