Lowest Starting Point for a 170+ LSAT Forum

[olympia1000]

Hey All,
I'm 4 years out of undergrad and took my first full timed practice test last night, and was NOT pleased with my score. Considering my scores on previous standardized tests, I was expecting much higher result. With my GPA (very low) I need more than a 170 to get me into a school, but judging from my staring point I have a long way to go.
I'm planning on two tests a week till the October exam, plus a Kaplan course, and two books - logic games and logical reasoning.

So, for everyone who got a 170 and higher ( and actually studied) what were your lowest starting points???

Thanks, and happy Friday!

Did you hit the 155 without ever looking at the material or did you do some studying beforehand?? If you took that totally blank, then the 155 is impressive.

I looked at the material a couple of times to get an idea of the questions, but no, I didn't do any studying.

[VaultBound]

157>172

[olympia1000]

Vaultbound: Since i'm fairly close to your starting point, and I'd love a 171/172 or higher, what did you do to study?

[VaultBound]

TestMasters = golden

[cameltaur]

151---->170.

I think that the real reason I scored that low was that i took it 100% cold and just didn't know what to expect as i went through. My biggest jump came from just having a basic knowledge of the material and structure of the test, which took me up to a 162 on my next practice test and it was just incremental improvements from there. From what you can see on here, everyone who tells you that going up more than 10 points or whatever is impossible is just bitter that they couldn't do it themselves.

[chill06]

Diagnostic: 156
Highest: 176
Actual: 173

Prep: Testmasters. I found the program extremely helpful. Of course a lot of it is on the student. Also, take as many practice tests as possible (and if you can, try to work in a fifth section to help prepare for the actual testing conditions so you can practice the stamina you need). In Testmasters you will be able to tell which problem types you can do easily and which ones give you trouble. I spent the majority of my time studying the problem types I had issues with and didn't pay as much attention to the ones that came naturally.

[olympia1000]

Chill and Vaultbound: Did you do the testmasters program or the books? I've already signed up for the kaplan course (and paid)...

[Bankhead]

Kaplan isn't the best. It's more for people who start at a 145 or so, and are just trying to get up to a 160. My friend scored a 164 on the LSAT and is a Kaplan instructor, no joke. If I were you, I would try to take Powerscore or Testmasters, even if it means eating some of your money. Would they give you a partial refund??

[olympia1000]

Kaplan isn't the best. It's more for people who start at a 145 or so, and are just trying to get up to a 160. My friend scored a 164 on the LSAT and is a Kaplan instructor, no joke. If I were you, I would try to take Powerscore or Testmasters, even if it means eating some of your money. Would they give you a partial refund??

I could probably get a 75% refund at this point - I take my first class tonight. However, I just checked Testmasters, and they are not available in my area, and the class schedule for Powerscore is not conducive to my work schedule. (Classes start at 6, and I could not leave early enough to get there at that time, let alone twice a week.)
However, I think a couple of weekends before the actual LSAT I'm going to take the Powerscore weekend course. That way I have time to shore up anything I'm weak on and pick up a final few points. Hopefully mixing two programs won't confuse me.

[chill06]

I did the Testmasters course. I haven't heard the greatest things about Kaplan - but I feel like as long as you put the work in it should be okay. It may be advantageous to quickly figure out the stronger people in the class and see if they're interested in study groups/etc. I did this in Testmasters and it definitely helped to have people who understood question types I struggled with that could give me explanations of problems I was missing because the instructors don't have time to go over very many of the homework problems.

I'm not sure how many practice tests are in the Kaplan series - but I suggest you take advantage of all of them. In Testmasters I think there were four proctored tests and an additional 4 or 5 that you have access to online. If Kaplan is set up similarly you should definitely do ALL of the practice tests available online. I think those were absolutely critical in helping my score improve. I tried to take the practice tests in similar conditions to the test day. I woke up at the time I would need to to get to the test on the actual test day with plenty of time to spare, went to my testing location, waited around until the real test time, took the tests with the watch I was going to wear on test day, gave myself the allotted breaks, and had the snacks I knew I would bring with me on test day. Testmasters practice tests all had an "experimental" section worked in - so if Kaplan's don't I would suggest compiling practice problems into your own experimental section or something. Or just work on practice problems for 35 minutes and see how you do.

I would be very wary of mixing two courses - especially close to test day. If you're learning how to diagram problems one way and all of the sudden you're learning a new way it could really confuse you.

Good luck! It can be done.

[Bauer24]

http://www.kaptest.com/Law/LSAT/Kaplan- ... d-pdp.html

I'd recommend LSAT Advanced for Kaplan- the only way to qualify to be an instructor for this course is to score in the 99th percentile for LSAT (when it is usually 90th otherwise).

The only thing is that you have to score a 158 on their diagnostic test before you can enroll in this specific course.

However, if you are at that point where you are scoring high 160's/low 170's on practice tests, I would say forget the test prep programs and take some time to study by yourself, the amount of prep you'd actually need isn't worth the $1000+ especially for college students (and their families) who aren't exactly spending nothing on stuff.

[olympia1000]

http://www.kaptest.com/Law/LSAT/Kaplan- ... d-pdp.html

I'd recommend LSAT Advanced for Kaplan- the only way to qualify to be an instructor for this course is to score in the 99th percentile for LSAT (when it is usually 90th otherwise).

The only thing is that you have to score a 158 on their diagnostic test before you can enroll in this specific course.

However, if you are at that point where you are scoring high 160's/low 170's on practice tests, I would say forget the test prep programs and take some time to study by yourself, the amount of prep you'd actually need isn't worth the $1000+ especially for college students (and their families) who aren't exactly spending nothing on stuff.

I'm pretty sure i scored around a 155 on the diagnostic.... Granted I took it cold, but unless a couple of my logic games guesses were correct I got a 155.

[USCtrojan86]

Thirding the Testmasters love - if at all possible, find a way to take it. You can learn the material and the techniques yourself, but the discipline of the course and they that it is logically presented is great. Definitely worked for me, and I would highly recommend it to anyone serious about cracking 170+. Just be sure you go to all the classes consistently and put in the time doing your homework/studying.

[VaultBound]

Sorry it's late but I did the TM course. I split it between NYC and Gainesville and both teachers were great.

I've had friends who took Kaplan and increased just as much. I wouldn't sweat the course but, in your case, I would get the bibles and such to supplement your course. The fact that Kaplan has an "Advanced" course for those who score 158 or above the diagnostic is ridiculous. I hadn't heard of that before. The thing that sold me was ALL Testmasters tutors scored 98th+ percentile while Kaplan only requires 95th.

Side note: I actually should have been one of those testimonials on the banners and website. They lost my quote. Oh, well.

[Bauer24]

How is the online course compared to the classroom course for Testmasters?

[woeisme]

I'm probably the bread winner. I think I got like a 147 or something when I took it the very first time (having never seen the thing, of course). On test day I scored a 168 (which was pretty consistent with my later practice tests).

DEFINITELY a learnable test.

[Albatross]

Diag of 147, and I've been consistently scoring in the 165+ area. Hopefully that will be 170+ by the 7th.

[gaud]

Diag of 147, and I've been consistently scoring in the 165+ area. Hopefully that will be 170+ by the 7th.

+1, diagnostic of 148 and I'm testing about the same right now. Good Luck!!!!

[gbpackerbacker]

~151 to 170. I was PTing ing the high 170s too.

[dooood]

Hey All,
I'm 4 years out of undergrad and took my first full timed practice test last night, and was NOT pleased with my score. Considering my scores on previous standardized tests, I was expecting much higher result. With my GPA (very low) I need more than a 170 to get me into a school, but judging from my staring point I have a long way to go.
I'm planning on two tests a week till the October exam, plus a Kaplan course, and two books - logic games and logical reasoning.

So, for everyone who got a 170 and higher ( and actually studied) what were your lowest starting points???

Thanks, and happy Friday!

171-->169

With lots of practice tests in between. Bet that doesn't make you feel better.

There is no way in hell you got a 171 diag

[Near]

oops

[cavebat2000]

147--->171

for serious.

[gaud]

147--->171

for serious.

You give me hope!!

[cavebat2000]

good! You really need to work hard. It took me a long time and many practice tests but you can do it. Focus on WHY you are getting answers wrong. Things will get much better after you focus on that.

[Bobeo]

152 (cold) -> 166 -> retake this October.

Really wanna hit 170.