Noob attempts study plan. Would like help from those wiser. Forum

[Eichörnchen]

Hey everybody...I've lurked here for a while trying to figure out how to even study for this crazy test. I've read Pithypike's guide and the how to score 160+ thread (yup, the whole thing. Twice.) So, after some confusion and the crushing sensation of being overwhelmed, I've come up with the following. I just wanted some advice and to double-check that I'm not missing anything or doing anything stupid What do you guys think? What would you do differently? I'd appreciate any feedback.

JULY

Week 1: Powerscore LGB chapters 1-3 (Linear Games and Advanced Linear Games). Do one of each of these game types from PTs 29-38.
Week 2: LGB chapters 4-6 (Grouping, Grouping/Linear Combos, Pure Sequencing). Do one of each of these game types from PTs 29-38.
Week 3: LGB chapters 7-9 (Forgotten Few, Advanced Techniques, Section Strategy). Do one of each of these game types from PTs 29-38.
Week 4: Do LG sections from PTs 29-38, recording time and score. Review what I got wrong and why. Read “A Rule Book for Arguments” or “Informal Logic: A Handbook for Critical Argumentation”

AUGUST

Week 1: Powerscore LRB chapters 1-6. Do 2 questions from PTs 29-38 that correspond to each question type.
Week 2: Powerscore LRB chapters 7-12. Do 2 questions from PTs 29-38 that correspond to each question type.
Week 3: Powerscore LRB chapters 13-16. Do 2 questions from PTs 29-38 that correspond to each question type.
Week 4: Powerscore LRB chapters 17-19. Do LR sections from PTs 29-38 again reviewing and recording what I got wrong and why.

SEPTEMBER

Week 1: Do the reading comp sections of PTs 29-38. Do PT 17 with a section from 16 spliced in.
Week 2: Review LGB chapters 2-5. Redo the games I did for these chapters. Do PT 19 with a section from 16 spliced in.
Week 3: Review LGB chapters 6-9. Redo the games I did for these chapters. Do PT 20 with a section from 16 spliced in.
Week 4: Review LRB chapters 1-10. Redo the problems I did for these types. Do PT 21 with a section from 16 spliced in.

OCTOBER

Week 1: Review the LRB chapters 11-19. Redo the problems I did for these types.
Week 2: Do Superprep.
Week 3: Do PTs 9, 10 and 11 with sections from PT 7 spliced in (Reserve the unused section for later). Review them and record what I got wrong and why.
Week 4: Do PTs 13, 14 and 15 with sections from PT 12 spliced in (Reserve the unused section for later). Review them and record what I got wrong and why.

NOVEMBER

Week 1: Do PTs 18, 43, 44 and 45 with sections from PT 29 spliced in.
Week 2: Do PTs 46, 47, 48 and 49, with sections from PT 30 spliced in.
Week 3: Do PTs 50, 51, 52 and 53,with sections from PT 31 spliced in.
Week 4: Do PTs 54, 55, 56 and 57, with sections from PT 32 spliced in.

DECEMBER

Week 1: Do PTs 58, 59, 60 and 61, with sections from PT 33 spliced in.
Week 2: Do the two sections that were left over from PTs 7 and 12. Do PT 22?
December 11: Don't panic.

[Anaconda]

I think there's way too much time in between the LG's and your preptests, you'll have to practice during LR and RC or I'm sure you're skills might decline a little bit, just my unprofessional opinion though. With 5-6 months you have tons of flexibility too.

[DaveBear07]

Be wary of burn-out and be ready to be more flexible. It's good to have a plan of attack but in the weeks leading up to the test my LG skills dulled and I had to re-focus my prep to account for that. HTH.

[afa_brandon]

I did a similar plan, and I agree that LG needs to be briefly before PTs. I would suggest, however, doing LGs first, then continually doing LGs during the other prep. So during the months of LR and RC, still find time to do 30 or so min worth of LG a day. this will help cover the massive amount of games there are in the endeavor of completing all logic games ever, as well as keep your skills sharp.

[missvik218]

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... tudy+guide

[pkpop]

AUGUST

Week 1: Powerscore LRB chapters 1-6. Do 2 questions from PTs 29-38 that correspond to each question type.
Week 2: Powerscore LRB chapters 7-12. Do 2 questions from PTs 29-38 that correspond to each question type.
Week 3: Powerscore LRB chapters 13-16. Do 2 questions from PTs 29-38 that correspond to each question type.
Week 4: Powerscore LRB chapters 17-19. Do LR sections from PTs 29-38 again reviewing and recording what I got wrong and why.

If you could get your hands on a copy of the Kaplan Mastery exercises that break down the LR types. I'd recommend working through those as well. Otherwise, just stay sharp on the LG and RC and it looks like a solid plan. Just keep in mind the accuracy -> speed -> endurance mantra. Good luck.

[missvik218]

AUGUST

Week 1: Powerscore LRB chapters 1-6. Do 2 questions from PTs 29-38 that correspond to each question type.
Week 2: Powerscore LRB chapters 7-12. Do 2 questions from PTs 29-38 that correspond to each question type.
Week 3: Powerscore LRB chapters 13-16. Do 2 questions from PTs 29-38 that correspond to each question type.
Week 4: Powerscore LRB chapters 17-19. Do LR sections from PTs 29-38 again reviewing and recording what I got wrong and why.

If you could get your hands on a copy of the Kaplan Mastery exercises that break down the LR types. I'd recommend working through those as well. Otherwise, just stay sharp on the LG and RC and it looks like a solid plan. Just keep in mind the accuracy -> speed -> endurance mantra. Good luck.

I have this (and all other Kaplan materials brand new) and would be happy to sell it to you at a reasonable price. PM me if you're interested.

[hax123]

Take an untimed practice test, analyze your strengths and weakness, and then make a study plan.

[Eichörnchen]

Thanks everyone-

I actually have all of the materials from the Kaplan course thanks to a friend. I think the mastery is a part of the package (?) I just wasn't sure where to cram that bit in. Also, very good points about the LG...I did take a diagnostic before making the plan and got a 160 (the June 07 PT). LG is by far my worst section (-10 ) and RC was my best (-2). From what I have gleaned off TLS, this is a good spot to be though, considering LG is apparently the most 'learnable' and RC the least (for most people. Hopefully including me.)...So, basically I think so far, so good...but now I just need a good plan/execution. And it's a tad confusing and everyone on here is very knowledgeable so I appreciate the advice! I have PTs 22-26 that are left over after my plan, so maybe I'll put a few after my month of LG focus and also add more LG to be continuously working that skill throughout.

[Anaconda]

Did you do a lot of repeat LG's? They'll run out pretty quickly after a while. I've already used up all my linear games that aren't part of a preptest I plan on taking (about 32 tests).

I did a similar plan, and I agree that LG needs to be briefly before PTs. I would suggest, however, doing LGs first, then continually doing LGs during the other prep. So during the months of LR and RC, still find time to do 30 or so min worth of LG a day. this will help cover the massive amount of games there are in the endeavor of completing all logic games ever, as well as keep your skills sharp.

[Eichörnchen]

Hey everyone- I'm just trying to figure out where to put the Kaplan Mastery in my schedule. It seems like it uses tons of PTs, so I would think I shouldn't go through it before I do all my tests. Should it be used after I do a PT? Like, do the PT and then afterward use the Mastery for its explanation sections?

[LSAT Blog]

Mastery Practice is primarily useful due to the fact that it divides LR questions by question type (not due to its explanations).

It primarily draws from older exams, ones that you're less likely to take as full-length timed exams anyway. (You can avoid questions from certain exams - at the bottom of each page, it tells which PTs the questions are from.)

If you're going to use it, I recommend using it earlier in your prep, after you learn strategies for a particular question-type. You can also use it to drill a question-type that you're weak on.

You'd have a tough time using it as a source of explanations for a particular exam since the questions are organized by type, not by PT. The explanations for a particular PT are spread throughout the book.