October 2010 Test Prep Forum

[mynjb26]

LOL! I know!!! I also have "STOP CHANGING YOUR FIRST INSTINCT ANSWERS" This is a habit I've struggled with throughout life, second guessing myself.

While I am reviewing wrong answers I am making sure I highlight why I got each wrong and what I can do better next time. I swear, 90% have to do with small modifier words. It's nice to see a pattern but a bit humorous to keep seeing my "next time" column be PAY ATTENTION TO WORDS.

[Patriot1208]

FINALLY BROKE 170, now i'm a little worried because it was superprep A which I know is an old test, but at least I did it. My LSAT practice score are now as follows 159 (cold), 163, 165, 166, 167, 167, 171. What makes this one so good is I actually didn't go -0 on LG which I did on almost all the other recent preptests, but my LR was easily the best i've done so far. Here's the breakdown for todays test.

LR-1
RC-4 (god I dunno why I can't read)
LG-2 (got stuck on an added rule question and then had to guess on the last one due to spending a crazy amount of time on the question before)
LR-1

My question, is the LR a lot easier on the older tests or am I actually finally seeing the improvement i've been looking for?

[3|ink]

FINALLY BROKE 170, now i'm a little worried because it was superprep A which I know is an old test, but at least I did it. My LSAT practice score are now as follows 159 (cold), 163, 165, 166, 167, 167, 171. What makes this one so good is I actually didn't go -0 on LG which I did on almost all the other recent preptests, but my LR was easily the best i've done so far. Here's the breakdown for todays test.

LR-1
RC-4 (god I dunno why I can't read)
LG-2 (got stuck on an added rule question and then had to guess on the last one due to spending a crazy amount of time on the question before)
LR-1

My question, is the LR a lot easier on the older tests or am I actually finally seeing the improvement i've been looking for?

Congrats on breaking 170!

[Jack Smirks]

FINALLY BROKE 170, now i'm a little worried because it was superprep A which I know is an old test, but at least I did it. My LSAT practice score are now as follows 159 (cold), 163, 165, 166, 167, 167, 171. What makes this one so good is I actually didn't go -0 on LG which I did on almost all the other recent preptests, but my LR was easily the best i've done so far. Here's the breakdown for todays test.

LR-1
RC-4 (god I dunno why I can't read)
LG-2 (got stuck on an added rule question and then had to guess on the last one due to spending a crazy amount of time on the question before)
LR-1

My question, is the LR a lot easier on the older tests or am I actually finally seeing the improvement i've been looking for?

Not to get you down dude but I thought all 3 Superpreps were easier than PT's #50+. Still, breaking 170 is a big deal on any of the PT's so congratulations on that, but just don't get complacent and keeping hammering out those tests.

[Hannibal]

Just did my first proctored PT (36), and dropped to 173. I definitely felt more pressure. Also I found the LR to be freakishly difficult.

[Patriot1208]

FINALLY BROKE 170, now i'm a little worried because it was superprep A which I know is an old test, but at least I did it. My LSAT practice score are now as follows 159 (cold), 163, 165, 166, 167, 167, 171. What makes this one so good is I actually didn't go -0 on LG which I did on almost all the other recent preptests, but my LR was easily the best i've done so far. Here's the breakdown for todays test.

LR-1
RC-4 (god I dunno why I can't read)
LG-2 (got stuck on an added rule question and then had to guess on the last one due to spending a crazy amount of time on the question before)
LR-1

My question, is the LR a lot easier on the older tests or am I actually finally seeing the improvement i've been looking for?

Not to get you down dude but I thought all 3 Superpreps were easier than PT's #50+. Still, breaking 170 is a big deal on any of the PT's so congratulations on that, but just don't get complacent and keeping hammering out those tests.

dammit, fuck, shit, bitch.... ok done. But I mean I have at least 15-20 more tests i'm planning on taking before test day, so it's not like i'm getting complacent, I'm just hoping that I will stay above 170 for the rest of the way.

[northwood]

is the consensus that pts 50 and higher more difficult, and a better indication of your score in october??

[Jack Smirks]

is the consensus that pts 50 and higher more difficult, and a better indication of your score in october??

I'm not sure if that is the consensus but I personally found the more recent tests to be more difficult. And as far as the more recent tests being indicative to the difficulty of this October's test, I would say that is a fair assumption. From my own observation the LSAT tends to go through a sort of evolution of question and game types, although for the most part they are all the same tests, you can definitely tell that over time certain game/question types appear more/less often in different time periods of the tests. I'm not an LSAT expert though...

[sgtgrumbles]

Took PT 38 today and was relieved to score 176. I'm aiming for 175+ on test day and my previous five PTs were 175, 165, 172, 174, 171, so I'm glad I'm back in the range I want to be in. Sections went -0 LG (exp.), -0 LR, -0 LG, -5 RC, -1 LR. As usual, I didn't have enough time on RC and rushed through the last passage. On the positive side, I'm glad I didn't do my usual -2 or -3 per LR section. I'd much rather have to learn to speed up my RC than have to keep picking apart LR until I go crazy.

Also, I broke up PT 16 for experimentals for my past four tests, and my score on those combined sections was 178!

[xqhp82]

its making me nervous that many people here have already broken into the 170s range at this point..........i have done almost 7 weeks of hardcore study now and still wandering around lower 160s. now i really wish that my lsat learning curve is exponential.

[Studious]

sgtgrumbles:

I have been stuck on LR (-3 to-5) for far too long.How have you managed to completely eliminate your LR mistakes?

[Patriot1208]

its making me nervous that many people here have already broken into the 170s range at this point..........i have done almost 7 weeks of hardcore study now and still wandering around lower 160s. now i really wish that my lsat learning curve is exponential.

Still LOW 160's? I hate to break it to you but you might have a hard time breaking 170 if your studying hard. Have you gotten the basics down of LG through the bible? I immediately started doing at least the upper half of 160's after finishing it because my LG got so sood. Then I just finished the LR bible 2 weeks ago and in my two tests since then I have gotten 167 and now 171. I'm almost tempted to do the RC bible but everyone says it doesn't help. Just keep chugging away.

[sgtgrumbles]

sgtgrumbles:

I have been stuck on LR (-3 to-5) for far too long.How have you managed to completely eliminate your LR mistakes?

I wouldn't say I've completely eliminated the mistakes, but this PT was certainly encouraging. I recently created a spreadsheet to list all of my incorrect LR problems by question type. (PM me your email address and I'll share it with you.) This past week I read the middle third of the LRB, which covered some of the questions I discovered I struggle with the most (assumption, justify the conclusion, resolve the paradox). The LRB sections on these questions were incredibly helpful, giving me the boost in confidence and techniques I needed to do well on those LR question types. I intend to finish the LRB soon and review it regularly so I can cement the lessons in my mind.

Basically, do the LRB and break down your incorrect questions by type so you can hone in on specific weaknesses.

[lparker]

I agree that LR is different, and in my opinion more difficult, on more recent tests. I took PT43 this past weekend. I'm going to forego completing 29-38 and just purchase 40-60 off Cambridge.

[yzero1]

Took PT 38 today and was relieved to score 176. I'm aiming for 175+ on test day and my previous five PTs were 175, 165, 172, 174, 171, so I'm glad I'm back in the range I want to be in. Sections went -0 LG (exp.), -0 LR, -0 LG, -5 RC, -1 LR. As usual, I didn't have enough time on RC and rushed through the last passage. On the positive side, I'm glad I didn't do my usual -2 or -3 per LR section. I'd much rather have to learn to speed up my RC than have to keep picking apart LR until I go crazy.

Also, I broke up PT 16 for experimentals for my past four tests, and my score on those combined sections was 178!

Sweet, I knew the LRB would help . Congrats on your awesome scores.. hope they signal a new trend.

[lastch2]

i. forgot. my. study materials!!

i have 6 more hours of work with nothing to do except think about all i could be learning. this is an actual nightmare i have sometimes!

[lastch2]

its making me nervous that many people here have already broken into the 170s range at this point..........i have done almost 7 weeks of hardcore study now and still wandering around lower 160s. now i really wish that my lsat learning curve is exponential.

i wouldn't get too discouraged. look at your study habits and question them before questioning your intelligence. the test can be learned. but if you are still in the low 160's and want to break into the 170's i would definitely find people that are in the 170's range and people that tested in the 170's and try to emulate their study routines, which a lot of the time are hellacious.

[lparker]

i. forgot. my. study materials!!

Awe. I hate that! Can you work on your PS? Or buy a practice test off Cambridge?

[shannon111]

I've hit a wall that I may not be able to cross...A 147 on PT 39 is NOT what I had in mind when I put pencil to paper. It seems as though LR and RC is going to ruin me slowly but surely. The three point gain is a result of 6 weeks of studying (my first blind PT was 144 and that was 6wks ago)...There is this insane urge for a shot of Tequila right now...What am I doing wrong? *sigh*

you still have time so stay calm. I am really sur that it is prob the timing that is getting u. jst keep on timing sections and review and work on your weakest sections.
Good Luck

[lastch2]

i. forgot. my. study materials!!

Awe. I hate that! Can you work on your PS? Or buy a practice test off Cambridge?

i suppose, but i hate to do that bc if i take a PT at work it has to be untimed and choppy as i have time...grr..but i guess that's a good idea in the situation. tfthelp

[jaydizzle]

Yikes! 156 after one miss-bubble, so would have been a 157.
LR1: -8
LR2: -7
LG: -5
RC: -10

I had to blindly guess on 5 LR questions for each of the sections due to time, had to blindly guess on 1 game, and had to blindly guess on 1 RC passage. Damn, this is like the worst I have ever done on RC. I got 4 questions wrong on 1 passage because I misinterpreted one thing.

Anyone have any suggestions to improve timing? I seem to have gotten all the concepts, but cannot perform fully under time pressure. If I just got this fixed, I would be in the 160s. I have no idea what happened with RC. This is usually my best section I am going to try some of the methods discussed here for RC. LG, I am semi-satisfied with since this is a big improvement for me. If I can continue to move quicker, I will get through all 4 games.

[Patriot1208]

Yikes! 156 after one miss-bubble, so would have been a 157.
LR1: -8
LR2: -7
LG: -5
RC: -10

I had to blindly guess on 5 LR questions for each of the sections due to time, had to blindly guess on 1 game, and had to blindly guess on 1 RC passage. Damn, this is like the worst I have ever done on RC. I got 4 questions wrong on 1 passage because I misinterpreted one thing.

Anyone have any suggestions to improve timing? I seem to have gotten all the concepts, but cannot perform fully under time pressure. If I just got this fixed, I would be in the 160s. I have no idea what happened with RC. This is usually my best section I am going to try some of the methods discussed here for RC. LG, I am semi-satisfied with since this is a big improvement for me. If I can continue to move quicker, I will get through all 4 games.

For me it's just been doing a lot of sections and getting familiar.

[jaydizzle]

I need to do something quick otherwise that 165 is unreachable.

[mynjb26]

Thanks....I studied a bit last night and it's looking like a time problem. Also, I am good at eliminating three wrong answers and end up picking the wrong one out of the two. I am going to defeat this test if it is the last thing I do.

I will post some progress in a week or so...again, thank you.

I've hit a wall that I may not be able to cross...A 147 on PT 39 is NOT what I had in mind when I put pencil to paper. It seems as though LR and RC is going to ruin me slowly but surely. The three point gain is a result of 6 weeks of studying (my first blind PT was 144 and that was 6wks ago)...There is this insane urge for a shot of Tequila right now...What am I doing wrong? *sigh*

you still have time so stay calm. I am really sur that it is prob the timing that is getting u. jst keep on timing sections and review and work on your weakest sections.
Good Luck

[kineticx]

Man, my RC is sucking. -9 on #32. I hope it's a question of focus, not of real ability... because that would be sad.

Also, my RC score decreased after reading the RC bible. Not sure what to make of that.