Test Prep Company Study Advice-- True or False!? Forum

[rgsai]

Hey guys,

So I'm taking an extended PR review course for the October LSAT, and as you can imagine, the course started out slow and is starting to pick up the pace. However, I wanted to do additional studying aside from the class material and the homework they assign--e.g. using the Bibles or doing practice tests by myself, or even following the advised study schedules one can find on TLS. However, my PR instructor clearly voiced out to us multiple times that outside prep is not only unnecessary, but could also end up hurting our learning curve through PR. The reasoning for this was that all legitimate sources of prep use the same questions from the same sources-- previously released LSATs. Therefore, previewing these questions and learning strategies by yourself from another book could potentially ruin the strategy the company has set out for that question type.

I wanted to get outside input on this. What do you guys think about this advice? DO you think its better to just stick with the prep company and follow their strategies in order to get their average point increase, or do you think aside from the material test prep companies offer, outside material is necessary and helpful? What have some of your experiences been with test prep companies--have their point increase averages been true?

Thanks!

[Hannibal]

I've heard that multiple times from other sources, that studying ahead of a schedule can result in inflated Preptest scores. That said, if you know what preptests they're going to use you could just study the problems from the bibles that aren't in those tests.

[Audio Technica Guy]

Every student I've ever had that tried to use outside materials just confused themselves with conflicting terminology. If you're taking a TPR class, you have access to every LSAT question ever, and full strategies for everything. You don't really need outside materials. You're much better off re-doing/reviewing what you've done v. trying to pick up a LGB or something similar.

Think of it this way, if it would actually help your score, your teacher would gladly recommend outside sources, since if your score goes up, his pay goes up.

[ArchRoark]

imho the more questions/sections you get exposed to the better you will be prepared for the real thing... i never took everything my instructor said as gospel but he surely didn't discourage additional outside prep... for one my instructor suggested going through the logic games and answering all the local questions (or maybe it was global first) before the other type... at that point logic games were my strong point and I felt confident in my strategy of just attacking the questions as presented. One of my main reasons in following my own method is that actually a few times I had problems with transferring the answers/skipping a question and thus throwing off all the subsequent answers. Some people also suggested that I do the logical reasoning sections backward... I don't remember the logic behind their suggestion but I never took it seriously. In the end do whatever works for you.

one thing he did say, which I am strong believer in, is that practicing/doing prep tests are much more beneficial if you take the time to fully review them (find out what questions you guessed on, why was the answer you selected right/wrong?, what is wrong with the contenders you circled etc etc)

that being said... I took a powerscore class and only used the bibles and preptests as additional study material. I made sure I didn't take the preptests that would be given in the actual class... In my class they gave us a huge supplement book that even in the end I only barely put a dent into. If you are mixing and matching different terminology/strategies from the various prep courses I can see how it could get confusing.

About average point increases... its important to realize that those who report their final score is a self selecting group (at least it was in my powerscore class)... thus those who do well and want the instructor to know are more likely to report their real LSAT score than those who bombed it. I came into my class averaging in the low 170's on preptests... my lowest score on any preptest I took after completing the bibles for the first time was a 167... the first diagnostic given in my class i scored that... a 167... second/third 171... fourth 179... real lsat 177.

tbh although I enjoyed the experience and my instructor... the best thing I gained from my class was the structure of ensuring that I set aside a 4hr block twice a week to study LSAT and the material they provided... the class for me moved way to slow and I often found myself just working ahead to complete the lesson and continuing on to work on the lesson's homework assignment.

[Audio Technica Guy]

Also, to be clear, you should feel free to do the extra full-length practice tests that are on your online student center. Those aren't considered outside materials.

[Audio Technica Guy]

imho the more questions/sections you get exposed to the better you will be prepared for the real thing...

The thing about Princeton Review is, if you take the course, you have access to every LSAT question ever released. I don't think the above poster is therefore asking if he should do more questions than is assigned. He seems to be asking if he should use another company's books/methods in conjunction with TPR's.

[rgsai]

imho the more questions/sections you get exposed to the better you will be prepared for the real thing...

The thing about Princeton Review is, if you take the course, you have access to every LSAT question ever released. I don't think the above poster is therefore asking if he should do more questions than is assigned. He seems to be asking if he should use another company's books/methods in conjunction with TPR's.

Exactly! I'm already going back throughout my book and looking at questions that I've skipped and missed. I'm talking about using books such as the Bibles or outside books to supplement PR.

Thank again guys! Keep the input coming!

[gdane]

If youre taking this course then you felt like your own prep wasnt going to be enough so you took the money and the time to enroll in it. Unless you feel like youre not improving or your PT's dont show improvement, dont do outside work. If youre using a professional gym trainer that has laid out a specific work out plan (class work) for you along with a specific diet (homework), it doesnt make sense to deviate from that plan. Dont go to the gym an extra day, dont take an extra protein shake, etc etc. Same thing applies here. Youve been given specific instructions and you should stick to them. I understand that you feel like more prep will help, but its quality and not quantity. Chances are that you might confuse yourself while doing your own prep and in turn you find that you have problems understanding the prep course material.

Good luck!

[yzero1]

I took the Princeton Review hyperlearning course and read all of the bibles both during and after the course. As you probably know, PR's techniques often contradict the techniques mentioned in the Powerscore Bibles. From my experience, it doesn't HURT to read the bibles while you're taking the PR course, as long as you stick with one strategy where the two companies have contradicting ones.

So I guess what it comes down to is your personal preference. Since you have a lot more time than I did (I took a one-month prep course for June), I would recommend experimenting with both LG techniques and using whichever one you feel works better for you. The LGB didn't take too long to read - you could probably do it in a week or so.

And as for the average point increase, I can tell you a bit about my own experience with the course (mind you, it was a 1-month intensive prep course). My first diagnostic was a 160. After finishing the course, my scores ranged from 168-171.

I didn't end up writing the June LSAT because I realized a month wasn't enough to carry me to my potential. After reading the bibles intensively and refining my techniques, I managed to score a 175 and 180 on my last two PT's. Reading the LGB definitely helped me nail down my games strategy so I think it was a big factor in the increase.

Hope this helps!

[Audio Technica Guy]

I took the Princeton Review hyperlearning course and read all of the bibles both during and after the course. As you probably know, PR's techniques often contradict the techniques mentioned in the Powerscore Bibles. From my experience, it doesn't HURT to read the bibles while you're taking the PR course, as long as you stick with one strategy where the two companies have contradicting ones. This is especially true for the LG section - PR uses a "grid" method while Powerscore insists that diagramming next to the question is a superior method. I tried both and after a bit of practice, I now find Powerscore's technique far more efficient (the grid just isn't as versatile).

On the other hand, there aren't that many discrepancies between the logical reasoning strategies mentioned by both companies. Even if you stick with PR's methods, I would recommend reading the LRB because it's far more comprehensive and can be an excellent complement to your PR course.

So I guess what it comes down to is your personal preference. Since you have a lot more time than I did (I took a one-month prep course for June), I would recommend experimenting with both LG techniques and using whichever one you feel works better for you. The LGB didn't take too long to read - you could probably do it in a week or so.

And as for the average point increase, I can tell you a bit about my own experience with the course (mind you, it was a 1-month intensive prep course). My first diagnostic was a 160. After finishing the course, my scores ranged from 168-171.

I didn't end up writing the June LSAT because I realized a month wasn't enough to carry me to my potential. After reading the bibles intensively and refining my techniques, I managed to score a 175 and 180 on my last two PT's. Reading the LGB definitely helped me nail down my games strategy so I think it was a big factor in the increase.

Hope this helps!

Just to be clear for the OP, the course you took (the 8-class accelerated) doesn't have an advertised average score increase. Though 11 points is pretty good for accelerated.

[yzero1]

I took the Princeton Review hyperlearning course and read all of the bibles both during and after the course. As you probably know, PR's techniques often contradict the techniques mentioned in the Powerscore Bibles. From my experience, it doesn't HURT to read the bibles while you're taking the PR course, as long as you stick with one strategy where the two companies have contradicting ones. This is especially true for the LG section - PR uses a "grid" method while Powerscore insists that diagramming next to the question is a superior method. I tried both and after a bit of practice, I now find Powerscore's technique far more efficient (the grid just isn't as versatile).

On the other hand, there aren't that many discrepancies between the logical reasoning strategies mentioned by both companies. Even if you stick with PR's methods, I would recommend reading the LRB because it's far more comprehensive and can be an excellent complement to your PR course.

So I guess what it comes down to is your personal preference. Since you have a lot more time than I did (I took a one-month prep course for June), I would recommend experimenting with both LG techniques and using whichever one you feel works better for you. The LGB didn't take too long to read - you could probably do it in a week or so.

And as for the average point increase, I can tell you a bit about my own experience with the course (mind you, it was a 1-month intensive prep course). My first diagnostic was a 160. After finishing the course, my scores ranged from 168-171.

I didn't end up writing the June LSAT because I realized a month wasn't enough to carry me to my potential. After reading the bibles intensively and refining my techniques, I managed to score a 175 and 180 on my last two PT's. Reading the LGB definitely helped me nail down my games strategy so I think it was a big factor in the increase.

Hope this helps!

Just to be clear for the OP, the course you took (the 8-class accelerated) doesn't have an advertised average score increase. Though 11 points is pretty good for accelerated.

Actually, the course I took was a hyperlearning course. It lasted for the month of June and it was 5 days a week for 3 and a half hours every day plus a PT on the Saturday. Also, the course took place in Canada. Though due to its compressed nature, I would agree that the results may not be indicative of what you can expect in your average hyperlearning course.

[Audio Technica Guy]

Actually, the course I took was a hyperlearning course. It lasted for the month of June and it was 5 days a week for 3 and a half hours every day plus a PT on the Saturday. Also, the course took place in Canada. Though due to its compressed nature, I would agree that the results may not be indicative of what you can expect in your average hyperlearning course.

Hmm, that's not only weird, its actually against company policy. Technically they can't call it a hyperlearning course if it lasts less than 6 weeks, according to the book of company standards. On the other hand, Canada has some offices that technically aren't owned by the company, and thus aren't as obligated to follow company policy.

Like currently we're running a course for a pre-law program at a local university, since it doesn't start until school starts, it lasts under 6 weeks and we aren't allowed to call it hyperlearning, which isn't a big deal in this case, because it's an institutional deal.

[northwood]

I am in the same boat ( possily the same class as well) as the OP. I took the PR life online course because I needed to have oemthing force me to study during the summer months. I also like the idea of having a real life person to talk through areas taht confuse me ( even over the internet, i leran better by talking, and not just by reading). The problem is that I too am finding the course to be going slow, and have noticed that they dont get through a lot of examples in their problems during class. I am concerned that I will not be getting as much prep in as necessary to get my best possible score. Should I do more work on my own with the LGB or LRB, or use the online materials and go head ( and use the classes as a way to help answer questions that I have, or work on specific areas)???

I dont want to mess up my prep, but I am worried that I am not doing enough!

sorry for the hijack, thanks all and good luck op!

[tomwatts]

Use the extra tests in the OSC. There are a couple dozen in there at this point, and you can do PT 1-6 early on without wasting tests that you'd like to use later in your prep to get a realistic score.

The course deliberately starts pretty slow, so if you're still within the first couple of sessions, don't worry. By the time you get to Class 6 or 7, you will have plenty of homework from class to class.

There is absolutely NO point in working from the Powerscore Bibles if you're signed up for our course.

[CanadianWolf]

@tomwatts: Any thoughts comparing Princeton Review's hyperlearning course to PR's accelerated course? Any concerns with a student taking the accelerated course shortly after completing the hyperlearning course in order to remain in a structured learning environment through the LSAT exam?

[tomwatts]

Oops, I saw your PM before I saw that you had also posted this here. See PMs. Short answer: This is something you could decide to do if you judged that it made sense at the end of the Hyperlearning course, but it's probably not a good idea to plan to do it.

[CanadianWolf]

This is for a few students studying for the LSAT, not for me. Your PM answer convinced me that it is a good option for those students needing a structured LSAT review class up until the actual exam week. Roughly how much of a discount can these students expect for the second course?

[313D313]

i took a testmasters course and the advice they gave us was not to study anything before the beginning of the course. However during the course our instructor repeatedly told us that we do not necessarily have to follow their techniques exactly. He emphasized to do what works best for you but to learn the other techniques because they may come in handy. I developed a good relationship with the instructor and consulted with him many times throughout my studying. I was struggling with logic games and he told me that the powerscore logic games bible was known to be very helpful. He said this advice was personal because as a testmasters instructor he was not allowed to give this advice.

He scored a 180 on his LSAT!

[CanadianWolf]

Concern with taking a PR course & using the PowerScore Bibles is that the different terminology & approaches may confuse the student. Does TestMaster's use siniliar terminology or methods to PowerScore?

[Patriot1208]

I'm using PS books and taking Kaplan advanced. I find it to be helpful to get differing viewpoints and sometimes use a bit of a hybrid technique. I use mostly PS for logic games (with some kaplan mixed in) and mostly Kaplan for LR. And this seems to be working for me. Timing is the main issue which I'll just keep plugging away with a lot of practice.

EDIT: they do use differing terminology, but its pretty easy for me to figure it out.

[tomwatts]

This is for a few students studying for the LSAT, not for me. Your PM answer convinced me that it is a good option for those students needing a structured LSAT review class up until the actual exam week. Roughly how much of a discount can these students expect for the second course?

I believe — and you'd have to check with your local office to be sure, because I can't speak officially about this sort of thing — that you would able to qualify for the Readiness Guarantee, in which case the second course would cost $300. (That would require keeping up fully with the first course.)