Score Is STUCK. Help? Forum

[ltrutledge]

I'm taking the June LSAT and I'm starting to reach that desperation point where I'll snap if someone in my family even looks at me the wrong way. The first time I took a PT cold, I got a 160. After one month of half ass studying (b/c of finals, work, etc), and the last few weeks of intense 6-9 hours of studying a day, my score has improved ZERO points. This includes taking the power score virtual course. I take PT's and go over them after, I do all the hw from my classes and do great on that, but when I take a timed test, I see no improvement at all. Am I just a freakish person whose score doesn't improve or is there something I should do to step it up? I was shooting for a 170 when I started and now I'd kill for a 165... helppppppp!

[yeff]

How many timed tests have you actually done?

[Bert]

Dont mean to sound like a dick, but it doesn't seem like you are learning from your mistakes. Take a step back and try to fine-tune your thinking. Is there any consistency to your mistakes? Do you commonly chose a similar wrong answer type?

[icydash]

The powerscore homework includes sections for you to take -- are you taking these timed or untimed? In other words, do you do "great" when you're taking sections untimed, and more poorly under timed pressure? You should try and find out if it is the -content- that's the issue, or the -timing- that's the issue.

Also don't study 6-9 hours a day. That's way over doing it. You're probably burned out, too. Take a few days off. Then, when you come back, study at most 3-4 hours per day, 7 days a week. Every few weeks, take a few days off again. When you come back, you'll see things with fresh eyes and your score will likely improve.

[Dr. Strangelove]

The time limit is probably making you less able to concentrate, relax and you might be see some improvement.

[WWAD]

I found that focusing on one type of question and doing a lot of work on it then taking a few tests would always get me to another level. I got over the LG hump by doing about 10 a day, then right when I felt like I was loosing touch with everything else I would take a couple of tests on consecutive days, then take a break, review the bibles and start again focusing on LR or RC. I also write notes when I review my mistakes and then read those over later too.

[ltrutledge]

thanks guys! i think you're right that i'm not reviewing the ones i miss enough. i'm going to go back and write why i got each question wrong next to it from now on- i've heard that's a good approach. and i do great on the things timed individually- like i can finish an RC passage in 8 minutes and usually miss about 1 question per passage, but when I do 4 of them at once my score tanks even when i break it down to 8:45/section. i guess more practice will help me figure this out.

and i decided to chill out on the practice tests- i was getting neurotic from not seeing improvement every day. i'll test midweek and see how it goes. thanks everyone!

[icydash]

thanks guys! i think you're right that i'm not reviewing the ones i miss enough. i'm going to go back and write why i got each question wrong next to it from now on- i've heard that's a good approach. and i do great on the things timed individually- like i can finish an RC passage in 8 minutes and usually miss about 1 question per passage, but when I do 4 of them at once my score tanks even when i break it down to 8:45/section. i guess more practice will help me figure this out.

and i decided to chill out on the practice tests- i was getting neurotic from not seeing improvement every day. i'll test midweek and see how it goes. thanks everyone!

I think your problem may be more of an endurance/timing issue than a content thing. I would do one RC passage un-timed, and try to get them all right. Then do 2 in a row, but completely un-timed, and try and get them all right. Then do 4 in a row, all un-timed, and try and get them all right. When you can consistently do 4 in a row and get most questions right, start doing an entire RC section in 40 minutes instead of the allotted 35. Practice that until you can do it and get everything (or almost everything right)...then work your way down to 37 minutes, then 35 minutes, then (ideally) if possible try and do 4 in a row consistently 5 minutes under time.

I would try this approach with other sections you're having trouble with, too.

And yes, review what you get wrong as well.