Is 1 month long enough to study? Forum

[elegally]

I scored a 152 last time on the LSAT. I am now considering a retake in December but I only have a month. Please tell me, realistically, if this is long enough to prepare.

Also, if you had a 152 and only a month to bring it up, how would you study and what score would you realistically shoot for?

P.S. I didn't prep last time because I wasn't too interested in law school. But, thinigs have changed and now I really would like to go.

[3|ink]

In order to tell someone how long it will take to get somewhere, one typically has to know where that someone is going to gauge the time and pace required. In other words, what kind of score are you looking for?

That aside, most will tell you that 1 month is inadequate.

[4for44]

1 month is inadequate.

[JazzOne]

1 month is inadequate.

[tourdeforcex]

agree w/ 3|ink: what is your goal?

generally, 1 month is sufficient if you are determined enough.

get your hands on as many PTs as possible. take them every other day or every 3 days. on the days you're not taking, review all the wrong questions and questions you got right but spent a lot of time on. learn from them. if your weakness is LG, review PS's LG Bible.

hth

[Cmoss]

bust your ass get the Powerscore bibles and get you 5 more points

[GoGetIt]

no

[jdstl]

Simple:

1 month is long enough to significantly improve your score.

1 month is not long enough to ensure you get the best score possible.

It's all about trade offs.

[bk1]

If 1 month isn't long enough you can always postpone till next cycle.

[northwood]

no. 1 month will leave you with a very similiar score, or even worse a lower one ( many people go down for a bit when they start studying)

take the time and study right. Aim for the feb test, or even better, wait for june. Since you werent interested in law until you took the test, take the time to make sure this is what you want. Use the time between now and january to get your lors andstart your first personal statement draft.

Most people say that you need 3 or 4 months of diligent prep. Get all of teh bibles, and as many pts as possible, and make your study schedule. With 3 months or 4 months of prep you will walk into the test knowing you are as ready as possible. You only want to take this sucker once. ( on the bright side, if you dont like your results in june, you have 4 months to prep for the october exam, or to get all of your application material ready to be the first one to apply next cycle). Best of luck

[SilverE2]

What others said is definitely the correct answer. I would just take in February or June and postpone until next cycle.

[chalhou1]

is 1 month enough if you took a testmasters course got a 158 and just want to raise it to the low to mid 160s?

[2011Law]

No, unless you diag @ 180, then maybe 1 month is enough. This test will determine what law school you go to. The law school you attend will be a very significant factor in your career/life. If you can't find the time or the will to study in order to get the best score you can get, then law school is probably not right for you, at least not yet. Take in Feb / go for next cycle.

[JustE]

.

[3|ink]

In order to tell someone how long it will take to get somewhere, one typically has to know where that someone is going to gauge the time and pace required. In other words, what kind of score are you looking for?

That aside, most will tell you that 1 month is inadequate.

I'm in a similar situation and I'm currently putting in 5-8 hours a day, using 10-20 PrepTests, and making my way through the LG and LR Bibles. I got a 153 in November with zero prep and have been putting in work every spare second of the day since the scores were released (I work full time).

With that prep and 36 days before the test, can I reasonably pull off a 10-12 point increase (20 more questions)?

Thanks for the feedback!

Unless your rate of improvement is above average, I'd say probably not. Gauge your improvement asap with another PT.

[Eliyahu7]

This is a very very bad idea that will only leave you disappointed and frustrated.

[albanach]

Unless your rate of improvement is above average, I'd say probably not. Gauge your improvement asap with another PT.

I have to agree.

Study hard and retake in June.

[dpk711]

I am gonna have to disagree with most here... If you are disciplined (meaning studying 6-8 hours everyday for one month), I think a significant improvement is possible. I started out at a 159 and for four weeks I did a practice test and 3-4 hours of supplementary studying (Bibles, Cambridge, etc.) EVERYDAY. I ended up PTing in the mid 170s by around the third week and got a 172 on the October LSAT. In the end, it's really about the discipline.

[northwood]

there are exceptions to every rule... and congrats on your discipline, but generally its not wise to cram for one month- buit only op will know thier discipline and study methods

[chalhou1]

is 1 month enough if you took a testmasters course got a 158 and just want to raise it to the low to mid 160s?

anyone?

[dpk711]

is 1 month enough if you took a testmasters course got a 158 and just want to raise it to the low to mid 160s?

anyone?

absolutely

[JustE]

.

[northwood]

on the october test a raw score of 72 got you a 158, 73 159 and 74 got you a 160

[ziggie]

It is definitely possible, but i wouldn't recommend it.. I studied for 5 weeks for the June test, thought it would be enough.
The thing is, right when I was starting to improve, I had to take the real thing! But I still went from a 150 diagnostic to a 163 on the test, and my last PT was a 170, so you never know when things are gonna start to click!
But, in hindsight, I wish I would have had more time to study.. if things don't work out this sycle, I'm gonna give myself 3 months to study for June 2011