I seem to have hit a PT Plateau. Could use some advice! Forum

[Madman]

So I have done 17 timed practice tests in order (29-48) and have been averaging around 165. My target is between 165-170 in Feb. My highest score to date is 175 and lowest is 158, however the majority are between 162-167. I have to write in Feb, and thus I can't postpone any longer, so is there anything I can do in the next 2 weeks to up my score. I seem to always get -4 on each section of the newer LR mainly because of timing ( I almost always don't finish 2 questions). This seems like a place I can definitely improve.

Here is how PT 48 broke down for me.

LR1 -4
LR2 -4
RC -8
LG-3

Score = 162

I plan to take 9 more tests between now and test day, so any advice on what I can do to amp my score up in the next 2 weeks would be much appreciated.

Thanks all.

[BigJiggaJ87]

Stop worrying so much about finishing every question in the LR sections. If a problem seems facially challenging, move on then come back to it if you can. This way should definitely help you nail 23/24 questions, and trust me, every single point counts once you get up in the mid-160s range.

And take a break. I know this sounds illogical at this point, with only a couple of weeks to go until D-Day. But taking a couple of days of from LSAT really helped me relax & perform up to my potential.

For the record, I retook the LSAT in December and scored in the 99th percentile. PM me if you have any questions!

[scribelaw]

Are you missing any types of LR questions?

[holeinone600]

I'm experiencing the same problem. Any additional advice would be appreciated.

As to the above poster's question, I've been tracking the types of LR questions I've been missing, and no, there doesn't seem to be a noticeable patter.

[taytay]

Don't underestimate the value of taking a break. If you have a high of 175 you are definitely capable of going high and it looks like RC is your worst section right now. When I started studying for the lsat I was near perfect on RC and sucked on LG. Later I spent so much time studying I ended up always near perfect on LG but by the time the test rolled around my RC had tanked. I am convinced it is because I didn't take a sufficient break and was burnt out.

[Madman]

Are you missing any types of LR questions?

I have also been tracking. I don't have a super noticable pattern, but I have noticed a trend that I miss strengthen questions probably the most. Any tips with these?

I also find I miss the parallell reasoning questions, not because I find them hard, but because I always leave them until last due to their length.

Finally, formal logic I don't find super hard, but they do seem to slow me down quite a bit.

I also find I usually make great time on LR up until question 8-10 and then I bog down a bit around this region.

I don't know if any sense can be made out of this or not, but that is where I am at.

[scribelaw]

For timing on LR, here's what I did. I used an analog wristwatch to keep time during all my PTs -- that's all you're allowed to bring in to the testing center. Usually the first 10 or so questions are easier than the rest. For timing, I would try to answer the first 15 questions in 15 minutes. That means you have 10 or 11 questions (usually a fair number of which are really hard) to do over the next 20 minutes. If you can finish those a little early, you have time to check your bubbling and to reread the really tough ones with fresh eyes. I often found on the second pass through, I'd see something I hadn't before.

At least for me, the key to finishing LR with time to spare was getting out of the gates fast. The last thing you want to do is fiddle over No. 6, and feel rushed later on.

If you absolutely can't finish on time, I would suggest skipping the parallel reasoning questions, unless you're really good at those. Most people find those questions difficult and they are time-suckers.

[scribelaw]

Are you missing any types of LR questions?

I have also been tracking. I don't have a super noticable pattern, but I have noticed a trend that I miss strengthen questions probably the most. Any tips with these?

I also find I miss the parallell reasoning questions, not because I find them hard, but because I always leave them until last due to their length.

Finally, formal logic I don't find super hard, but they do seem to slow me down quite a bit.

I also find I usually make great time on LR up until question 8-10 and then I bog down a bit around this region.

I don't know if any sense can be made out of this or not, but that is where I am at.

If you are arriving at No. 8 or 10 and stumbling -- the worst thing you can do is sit there paralyzed for 30 seconds, stumped. Move on, and come back to it later. I often found the second time reading something, I'd pick up a nuance I hadn't seen before. Maybe this will work with you too.