The Official June 2016 Study Group Forum

[Hennessy]

do you time yourself when you drill? i've been doing it untimed.

why would you drill untimed

[proteinshake]

do you time yourself when you drill? i've been doing it untimed.

why would you drill untimed

so I can test whether or not I know how to answer the specific question type, not whether or not I can answer it in a certain amount of time (this is for the beginning of my prep, I'll add time later).

[pretzeltime]

To everyone concerned that the June test won't be their only take, fear not. (I was going to make an "arrow to the knee" reference vis. Dec 2015 game 3, but no--I'm better than that.) Basically I was exactly in your shoes six months ago: hoping for a 173+ despite only having hit that mark two or three times, almost entirely on pre-PT40 tests. By late November, I was pretty severely burned out, but I was afraid if I stopped working my score would suffer. To the contrary, I think I hit 170 once in the 4 weeks leading up to Dec 15, during which I worked through 61-76. Mainly I was in the upper 160s, occasionally even tanking to the low 160s. It was all super discouraging, but I persevered, slowly coming to realize that a subsequent take was likely. I ended up with a 170s score, which I wasn't bummed out about--but I figured I could likely hit that 173+ if I studied smarter. So I took a few months off--and I mean off--and when I finally got back on the wagon in March, it was like something had clicked. In the past month, of the 8 PTs I've done, I haven't scored below a 174 once, and several of my scores have been 177+.
So, long story short, a retake isn't the end of the world; do your best now, but know that even if things don't work out this time around, you've got plenty of time to make things even better.

This reminds me of a more general question I want to pose to everyone.

I am also a retaker, so I have been studying the LSAT since late September '15. I am PTing in the mid 170s basically, with some fluctuations above and below (all in the 170s range).

Anyway, I wanted to ask if anyone else is considering easing off prep this month rather than ramping up. I've been taking 2 PTs a week for the past few months and actually think I might benefit from chilling out, taking more time off, maybe taking only 1 PT for the last few weeks.

Like forum_user I made my jump from 160s to 170s after taking time off between the December test and mid-Feb.

I'm wondering if another break will help but I'm obviously a bit scared to try as there are only a few weeks left. My stamina is currently pretty good and way improved form Dec. I can take 6 sections without too much pain/struggle.

Anyone else in a similar position?

[R. Jeeves]

Did any of your OVERALL PT scores end up being substantially lower in a PT that had a fucked up game (like dinosaurs, workpiece etc.) ?? Because for me it was pretty small and in some cases zero difference.

I suspect that LSAT wouldn't throw something like that in there without making the other sections (or other games in that section) a little easier to compensate. I would prob just assume that a weird game will show up, this way you won't panic and will have the composure to kill the other - relatively easier than normal - LRs and RCs (or LGs).

Plus we've all come across such a wide variety of games that I think we'll be pretty well equipped to handle a new format reasonably well - the only thing that would hinder us is panic.

[Hennessy]

Did any of your OVERALL PT scores end up being substantially lower in a PT that had a fucked up game (like dinosaurs, workpiece etc.) ?? Because for me it was pretty small and in some cases zero difference.

I suspect that LSAT wouldn't throw something like that in there without making the other sections (or other games in that section) a little easier to compensate. I would prob just assume that a weird game will show up, this way you won't panic and will have the composure to kill the other - relatively easier than normal - LRs and RCs (or LGs).

Plus we've all come across such a wide variety of games that I think we'll be pretty well equipped to handle a new format reasonably well - the only thing that would hinder us is panic.

Yes. Dinosaurs I went -6 in LG, for a grand PT total of 162.

[ponderingmeerkat]

Did any of your OVERALL PT scores end up being substantially lower in a PT that had a fucked up game (like dinosaurs, workpiece etc.) ?? Because for me it was pretty small and in some cases zero difference.

I suspect that LSAT wouldn't throw something like that in there without making the other sections (or other games in that section) a little easier to compensate. I would prob just assume that a weird game will show up, this way you won't panic and will have the composure to kill the other - relatively easier than normal - LRs and RCs (or LGs).

Plus we've all come across such a wide variety of games that I think we'll be pretty well equipped to handle a new format reasonably well - the only thing that would hinder us is panic.

Yea, I've certainly found a harder LG section (driven by a unique game) is often accompanied by easier LR sections or a cake RC section.

I actually use this as part of my "mental resiliency" self-talk. If I'm getting blown up by a game or an LR section, I remind myself that some part of the test has to be hard, that "this must be it", and "it's all downhill from here". Seems to work. I haven't received a PT score much outside my band in a while.

[ngogirl12]

do you time yourself when you drill? i've been doing it untimed.

why would you drill untimed

so I can test whether or not I know how to answer the specific question type, not whether or not I can answer it in a certain amount of time (this is for the beginning of my prep, I'll add time later).

I'm prepping for September and I'm drilling LR untimed to see if I really understand the question type.

[Mikey]

do you time yourself when you drill? i've been doing it untimed.

why would you drill untimed

so I can test whether or not I know how to answer the specific question type, not whether or not I can answer it in a certain amount of time (this is for the beginning of my prep, I'll add time later).

Ya I drilled untimed when I first started, but not anymore.

[forum_user]

This reminds me of a more general question I want to pose to everyone.

I am also a retaker, so I have been studying the LSAT since late September '15. I am PTing in the mid 170s basically, with some fluctuations above and below (all in the 170s range).

Anyway, I wanted to ask if anyone else is considering easing off prep this month rather than ramping up. I've been taking 2 PTs a week for the past few months and actually think I might benefit from chilling out, taking more time off, maybe taking only 1 PT for the last few weeks.

Like forum_user I made my jump from 160s to 170s after taking time off between the December test and mid-Feb.

I'm wondering if another break will help but I'm obviously a bit scared to try as there are only a few weeks left. My stamina is currently pretty good and way improved form Dec. I can take 6 sections without too much pain/struggle.

Anyone else in a similar position?

I actually am in a similar position here; I'm pretty comfortable in my current PT range with very few surprises (like, the lowest score I've gotten since I started studying again has been a 173). I don't know how much additional PTs will really help me, but at the same time I want to maintain this level (about 2 or fewer PTs + BR per week, maybe a section here and there, which I think is relatively lax). Truth be told I enjoy LSAT prep and I'd get way too anxious if I stopped cold turkey before June. But I don't think ramping up my prep will do any good whatsoever--slow and steady, man.

[pretzeltime]

This reminds me of a more general question I want to pose to everyone.

I am also a retaker, so I have been studying the LSAT since late September '15. I am PTing in the mid 170s basically, with some fluctuations above and below (all in the 170s range).

Anyway, I wanted to ask if anyone else is considering easing off prep this month rather than ramping up. I've been taking 2 PTs a week for the past few months and actually think I might benefit from chilling out, taking more time off, maybe taking only 1 PT for the last few weeks.

Like forum_user I made my jump from 160s to 170s after taking time off between the December test and mid-Feb.

I'm wondering if another break will help but I'm obviously a bit scared to try as there are only a few weeks left. My stamina is currently pretty good and way improved form Dec. I can take 6 sections without too much pain/struggle.

Anyone else in a similar position?

I actually am in a similar position here; I'm pretty comfortable in my current PT range with very few surprises (like, the lowest score I've gotten since I started studying again has been a 173). I don't know how much additional PTs will really help me, but at the same time I want to maintain this level (about 2 or fewer PTs + BR per week, maybe a section here and there, which I think is relatively lax). Truth be told I enjoy LSAT prep and I'd get way too anxious if I stopped cold turkey before June. But I don't think ramping up my prep will do any good whatsoever--slow and steady, man.

I feel ya. I don't hate LSAT prep either. My bigger issue is that I'm essentially all out of fresh tests. But anyway, slow and steady indeed.

[StopLawying]

What do you guys think of leaving 10 fresh practice tests for a potential retake?

[carasrook]

This reminds me of a more general question I want to pose to everyone.

I am also a retaker, so I have been studying the LSAT since late September '15. I am PTing in the mid 170s basically, with some fluctuations above and below (all in the 170s range).

Anyway, I wanted to ask if anyone else is considering easing off prep this month rather than ramping up. I've been taking 2 PTs a week for the past few months and actually think I might benefit from chilling out, taking more time off, maybe taking only 1 PT for the last few weeks.

Like forum_user I made my jump from 160s to 170s after taking time off between the December test and mid-Feb.

I'm wondering if another break will help but I'm obviously a bit scared to try as there are only a few weeks left. My stamina is currently pretty good and way improved form Dec. I can take 6 sections without too much pain/struggle.

Anyone else in a similar position?

I actually am in a similar position here; I'm pretty comfortable in my current PT range with very few surprises (like, the lowest score I've gotten since I started studying again has been a 173). I don't know how much additional PTs will really help me, but at the same time I want to maintain this level (about 2 or fewer PTs + BR per week, maybe a section here and there, which I think is relatively lax). Truth be told I enjoy LSAT prep and I'd get way too anxious if I stopped cold turkey before June. But I don't think ramping up my prep will do any good whatsoever--slow and steady, man.

I feel ya. I don't hate LSAT prep either. My bigger issue is that I'm essentially all out of fresh tests. But anyway, slow and steady indeed.

I just ordered 76 and 77 from Amazon... I'm running low. And I don't know what to do if I have to retake lol, I think I've blown through every test available.

And it's sad to admit, but I think I'm actually going to miss studying. Just a little bit. I wouldn't say I actually enjoy it (except for maybe logic games here and there), but we could be studying for a less enjoyable test for sure

[Hennessy]

What do you guys think of leaving 10 fresh practice tests for a potential retake?

June or bust.

Jk. I'd say unless you score really low, you're probably only looking for a few extra points. I'd just retake some 60-70 PTs, see what questiona you are atill missing, and then drill the shit out of those areas come August-September.

If you understand most of the test, no use wasting your time with full timed tests and potentially introducing fatigue into your misconceptions about certain question types.

[proteinshake]

What do you guys think of leaving 10 fresh practice tests for a potential retake?

June or bust.

Jk. I'd say unless you score really low, you're probably only looking for a few extra points. I'd just retake some 60-70 PTs, see what questiona you are atill missing, and then drill the shit out of those areas come August-September.

If you understand most of the test, no use wasting your time with full timed tests and potentially introducing fatigue into your misconceptions about certain question types.

a few extra points is a huge difference. 167 --> 170 totally changes your options.

[Hennessy]

What do you guys think of leaving 10 fresh practice tests for a potential retake?

June or bust.

Jk. I'd say unless you score really low, you're probably only looking for a few extra points. I'd just retake some 60-70 PTs, see what questiona you are atill missing, and then drill the shit out of those areas come August-September.

If you understand most of the test, no use wasting your time with full timed tests and potentially introducing fatigue into your misconceptions about certain question types.

a few extra points is a huge difference. 167 --> 170 totally changes your options.

Yeah I know. I'm saying that it's more likely you'll only need to clinch those extra few points in a retake, and you'd probably just be better off drilling the areas where you need improvement than taking full tests.

[longpig]

Ugh this is so depressing... I just did PT74 and got a 167!!! I haven't scored lower than 170 in 5 months, with 174 average (and yes, all on recent PT's).

How. Just how? I guess I wasn't feeling very well and didn't study that much this week but geez.

I got -8 on LG so I guess this is what happens when I don't drill lol.

[Mikey]

PT 62

167
RC: -9
LR: -4
LG: -1 (fuck game 3)
LR: -5 (Could've been better but whatever)

[cantis]

I hate this test and can't wait for it to be over.

Took a break from PT's and drilled a ton of RC since it had been wrecking me. Took PT 71 last night and just got done reviewing it. Scored the best I ever have on RC but I went -4 on LG which I have gone -0/-1 on the past 5 PT's and LR wrecked me.

I guess the brightside is that I finally understand RC...I think.

[Mikey]

I hate this test and can't wait for it to be over.

[ponderingmeerkat]

I hate this test and can't wait for it to be over.

Cosign.

[carasrook]

Hey Juners!! Hope your weekend PTing is going well.

PT 71: fittingly, I got a 171! My best yet. I'm psyched.

LR: -1
LG: -3
LR: -2
RC: -7 (YIKES)

Why can't I get RC down? It's killing me.

[pretzeltime]

I'm jumping on board the lame PT train!! Just took #75 and got a 169. Haven't dipped that low lately either. Fucked up reading comp and in general performed poorly. Yaaaaaay

[pretzeltime]

Hey Juners!! Hope your weekend PTing is going well.

PT 71: fittingly, I got a 171! My best yet. I'm psyched.

LR: -1
LG: -3
LR: -2
RC: -7 (YIKES)

Why can't I get RC down? It's killing me.

Good job!! It's great that you are still climbing. Keep going. RC sucks.

[sluggla]

After studying hardcore (6 months with 2-3 hours per day and 2-3 PTs per week) for last December, I was averaging a 168 with a high of 171. My score in December turned out to be right around my average of 168.

So took 5 months off and just recently picked up studying again. This time I'm taking it casually by just perusing the PS bibles and running through the occasional timed section.

I just took my first PT(62) since December and scored a 177.

Moral of the story: Burn out is real. Chillax with the cramming nerds.

[carasrook]

I hate this test and can't wait for it to be over.

Took a break from PT's and drilled a ton of RC since it had been wrecking me. Took PT 71 last night and just got done reviewing it. Scored the best I ever have on RC but I went -4 on LG which I have gone -0/-1 on the past 5 PT's and LR wrecked me.

I guess the brightside is that I finally understand RC...I think.

Congrats on your RC success! Show me your ways... I just took this same PT today and my RC was nottt so good