Practice Tests - Actual LSAT test vs Practice books Forum

[mugrad06]

So I am trying to figure out why in the past I was practicing around the 155-156 range and then on the real thing I got a score of 146. I took Kaplan's class and have two practice books, one was Kaplan and the other was curvebreakers. I honestly can't remember if I did in any actual test from LSAC. If I did, then I can't find them (but I have also moved 3 times since that test and I know several things have gotten lost in those moves). I did a practice test from one of the books recently and got a 153. I downloaded the test on the LSAC website and took that this afternoon. I got a 145.

I've read on previous threads on here that some practice books really aren't indicative of what the actual test is like, the questions are similar but are a little more difficult. I'm seeing that was probably my biggest problem was using those books as prep material. Taking that June 2007 LSAT test was a huge eye opener for me. It was really discouraging as well because I had to guess on a lot of questions. I hate to say this because I feel like I am somewhat smart, I mean I have a Masters (everyone equates that with me being intelligent, lol) but seriously some of the questions I was like I have no idea what some of the questions were saying/asking, or even what some of the terms meant. It really made me feel stupid.

[Nicholasnickynic]

I honestly can't remember if I did in any actual test from LSAC.

Do them. They are the best measure. They are real.

Also, have you timed yourself/done 5 sections etc during practice test?

Just read the rest of the post...

If you don't understand some of the questions, then you ARE NOT DOING TEST PREPERATION CORRECTLY.

Buy a book (ppl here reccomend powerscore) and read it and do examples until you understand the test front and back.

if you feel you've already read the book and that it didn't help.. I'd hire a private tutor.

I read a book 3 times and took 30 practice tests (over 3,000 questions)...

It sounds like you really didn't do enough prep if you didn't understand the questions.

[mugrad06]

I honestly can't remember if I did in any actual test from LSAC.

Do them. They are the best measure. They are real.

Also, have you timed yourself/done 5 sections etc during practice test?

Just read the rest of the post...

If you don't understand some of the questions, then you ARE NOT DOING TEST PREPERATION CORRECTLY.

Buy a book (ppl here reccomend powerscore) and read it and do examples until you understand the test front and back.

This is the first time in almost 2 yrs that I have even looked at the LSAT. I did 5 sections timed last go around a few times. The past two test have been timed but only 4 sections. I've been trying to determine if it is worth it for me to try to take the LSAT for the 4th time and apply next cycle. Several people have suggested powerscore and I have def looked into it as well as ordering the Actual, LSAT Preptest books.

[vivalalsat]

The good thing about the Kaplan course is that, aside from the Mastery book, their material does contain real questions. I remember seeing a book with at least 10 real tests in it, and another book ("pacing" maybe) with full sections from various tests.