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I recently took the December 2010 LSAT. I wasn't expecting to score an astronomical number. My highest practice score was a 146, and I was extremely busy in the months leading up to the exam. I studied with Kaplan, but it was hurried and rushed. Any advice for improving my score next time around?

My undergrad. GPA is 3.6

Get the Powerscore LG Bible, the Powerscore LR Bible, the Manhattan RC book, and just practice/drill. If you need more direction, try something like the LSAT Blog which has a great study tool with how to organize everything.

I agree... prep courses tend to give people a lot of false sence of security. I learned that lesson as well. read the bibles... take as many prep tests as possible (under timed conditions) and just remember if you want a good score it can be a long journey but worth the effort. I went from 146 diag > 155 first test > 161 2nd test over the course of a year and a half of prep. and I probably will retake. Just don't give up if you really want this!

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NorthwestStudent wrote:I recently took the December 2010 LSAT. I wasn't expecting to score an astronomical number. My highest practice score was a 146, and I was extremely busy in the months leading up to the exam. I studied with Kaplan, but it was hurried and rushed. Any advice for improving my score next time around?

My undergrad. GPA is 3.6

I have the Powerscore Bibles and I think they are great. Kaplan is crap--they don't explain things well at all. I threw my Kaplan book in the garbage can.

As for the other companies mentioned, I don't know anything about them and they are also not avaliable in my area.

Taffybear2 wrote:I agree... prep courses tend to give people a lot of false sence of security.

+1
I have heard a lot of horror stories from people...they spend a lot of $$$ on the prep courses and end up bombing the test. I would never spend my own $$$ on one.

Yes I took testmasters (2x) and raised my score from a 146diag> 155. in all fairness i probably wasn't ready. Instead I grabbed 3 bibles and took probably 10-15 more pts >161.

Taffybear2 wrote:I agree... prep courses tend to give people a lot of false sence of security.

How so?

Just experience of myself and many friends. I think prep courses may be great for some people but for others they just think that signing up for a prep course 2-3 months before the test will be enough for them. I'm sure it is for some people but not for others. Also a lot of people get overwhelmed by all the homework/ become lazy and think that just having taken the course they will be fine. Usually prep courses have 4 timed diags. but I doubt that's really going to be enough for most people.

You're 3.6 leaves you in decent shape. So, really, the only question is how hard do you want it? Do you want it so bad, you'll do anything (and I mean anything)? If so, you have enough time to score 170+. Your life till June should be TLS and prep and you'll be good to go come test day.

Like others have said, powerscore LRB/LGB are a must. If you're RC is below -2 avg., master the Voyager RC Guide and think about buying Manhattan RC booklet - it seems to be the most effective for TLSers. If you work hard your LG will be -0. Buy every PT. And then do work.

Taffybear2 wrote:Just experience of myself and many friends. I think prep courses may be great for some people but for others they just think that signing up for a prep course 2-3 months before the test will be enough for them. I'm sure it is for some people but not for others. Also a lot of people get overwhelmed by all the homework/ become lazy and think that just having taken the course they will be fine. Usually prep courses have 4 timed diags. but I doubt that's really going to be enough for most people.

Sounds more like a problem with students who don't do their homework than with prep courses.

EarlCat wrote:

Taffybear2 wrote:Just experience of myself and many friends. I think prep courses may be great for some people but for others they just think that signing up for a prep course 2-3 months before the test will be enough for them. I'm sure it is for some people but not for others. Also a lot of people get overwhelmed by all the homework/ become lazy and think that just having taken the course they will be fine. Usually prep courses have 4 timed diags. but I doubt that's really going to be enough for most people.

Sounds more like a problem with students who don't do their homework than with prep courses.

+1 practice makes perfect!