169 Diagnostic - Prep Course? Forum

[jus8]

Hey all,

I am just getting started in this process and just took a prep test cold for a 169 baseline (-2 on everything except the logic games which def. need some work). With a sub-3.5 GPA, I'm hoping to break at least 170 on test day and would really appreciate any advice or stories.

Current debating:
1. The comprehensive Powerscore course (at $1200, pricey)
2. The Powerscore bibles + and maybe one of weekend powerscore courses/little bit of private tutoring

I'm shooting for t-14 and definitely don't want to skimp since as a splitter the pay-off could be pretty big. Is the full powerscore course really worth it?

[dakatz]

No way should you take a prep course. Logic games are the most learnable part of the test, so just buy yourself the logic games bible, do practice, maybe get yourself a few hours of private tutoring if it isn't clicking. But no way should you be wasting money on a prep class that will be almost entirely useless to you. Those classes are made for people who really need a comprehensive crash course on the whole test. That certainly isn't you. You will be golden come test day if all you really need to work on is LG.

[soj]

1. The comprehensive Powerscore course (at $1200, pricey)
2. The Powerscore bibles + and maybe one of weekend powerscore courses/little bit of private tutoring real PTs

FTFY.

The Manhattan books are good too, but many people here will tell you the Bibles + PTs are sufficient.

[jus8]

Thanks so much guys. That was exactly the experienced advice I was hoping for. The Bibles+PTs, maybe some tutoring and Manhattan books.... summer's gonna be fun

[BillsFan9907]

1. The comprehensive Powerscore course (at $1200, pricey)
2. The Powerscore bibles + and maybe one of weekend powerscore courses/little bit of private tutoring real PTs

FTFY.

The Manhattan books are good too, but many people here will tell you the Bibles + PTs are sufficient.

I second that. The Manhattan books are far better (I took a powerscore prep course).

[dpk711]

A 169 diag is really good. You will probably get a 170 on the real thing. Get all three bibles and as many PTs as possible (especially the recent ones which are #50 and above). Also, I would suggest you not waste your money on a class.

[youknowryan]

A 169 diag is really good. You will probably get a 170 on the real thing. Get all three bibles and as many PTs as possible (especially the recent ones which are #50 and above). Also, I would suggest you not waste your money on a class.

TITCR.

[Cavalier]

I'll agree with what everyone else said. My diagnostic was 10 points lower--159--and I found a prep course to be mostly useless. They seem to be geared to people who are about average or below average and hoping to get around a 160. Once you're north of 160, you probably have a good grasp on the principles of logic, and so you just need to practice a ton to consistently get north of 170.

[j12]

Get the latest PT books
https://os.lsac.org/Release/Shop/PublicationDetail.aspx

I didn't know this was available until I already wasted money buying the PTs individually

[DaisyLafayette]

DO NOT take a prep class! you will be wasting your money and time. You're starting so much higher than the rest of the class and will be bored and annoyed by how much time focuses on what you consider easy questions

[flexityflex86]

You could qualify to teach most prep courses. Anything less than a 175 will be a product of not taking enough practice tests. Maybe some private tutoring for the games. The games are the section easiest to learn if you are somewhat intelligent to start with. Based on your performance on RC and LG, it seems logical to assume you're more than smart enough to get -0 on the games.