Diagnostic Test, Improvement Possibilites, Suggestions? Forum

[CrasianGoo]

Hi!

I'm really new to TLS but I've been browsing and perusing for quite a while now - needless to say, I've been extremely inspired by all of the pre-law love out here =) I'm actually just a college freshman and took a diagnostic today (Powerscore - I unfortunately have remarkably Asian parents who want me to start studying this summer so I can take the LSAT as soon as I'm ready). I'm a little worried about the diagnostic since it was quite low - I know that the LSAT has very little correlation with the SAT, but I studied a lot for that my sophomore/junior year in high school and came within 2-3 questions shy of a perfect score. The LSAT, however, seems to be a much bigger monster!

I was just wondering if any of you had any advice - I know it's really early on in my college career to start thinking about this, but my parents are insistent and there's little I can do. My timed diag today - the first day of the Powerscore Full-Length Course - (I didn't even know the format of the test prior to taking it) was a 156 and it did get me a little worried. I missed just 2 or 3 of the RC questions (in addition to being a humanities major and loving to write, that an was always my strong suit on the SAT), but I got more incorrects than corrects on the LGs (that section confused me so much).

I was just wondering if there were any far more experienced LSAT preppers out there that have any stories of inspiration or advice to give to me! If I follow Powerscore closely, review consistently, and do homework attentively, will success on the LGs (and frankly the LRs...those weren't amazing either, but they were somewhat in the range of what I'd expected) be within reach? If a substantial increase (well into the 170s) a far too lofty goal? Is that even remotely possible starting at a 156?

Thanks!

[suspicious android]

Wow, that Tiger Mom stuff is not a joke, is it?

You'll probably be able to get near perfect on games with a month or two of practice, that right there will put you in the mid 160's. From there you'll have a good shot at a 170+. But your primary concern right now should be learning how to stand up to your parents and function as an autonomous individual.

[Ernert]

If you apply yourself (and it sounds like you will), you absolutely can improve from 156-170+. I went from about 157-170, and I definitely did not start studying freshman year. Just make sure to prep smart (check out the threads on TLS about LSAT prep to make sure you get the most bang for your buck).

[glucose101]

But your primary concern right now should be learning how to stand up to your parents and function as an autonomous individual.

+1

[KevinP]

Hi!

I'm really new to TLS but I've been browsing and perusing for quite a while now - needless to say, I've been extremely inspired by all of the pre-law love out here =) I'm actually just a college freshman and took a diagnostic today (Powerscore - I unfortunately have remarkably Asian parents who want me to start studying this summer so I can take the LSAT as soon as I'm ready). I'm a little worried about the diagnostic since it was quite low - I know that the LSAT has very little correlation with the SAT, but I studied a lot for that my sophomore/junior year in high school and came within 2-3 questions shy of a perfect score. The LSAT, however, seems to be a much bigger monster!

I was just wondering if any of you had any advice - I know it's really early on in my college career to start thinking about this, but my parents are insistent and there's little I can do. My timed diag today - the first day of the Powerscore Full-Length Course - (I didn't even know the format of the test prior to taking it) was a 156 and it did get me a little worried. I missed just 2 or 3 of the RC questions (in addition to being a humanities major and loving to write, that an was always my strong suit on the SAT), but I got more incorrects than corrects on the LGs (that section confused me so much).

I was just wondering if there were any far more experienced LSAT preppers out there that have any stories of inspiration or advice to give to me! If I follow Powerscore closely, review consistently, and do homework attentively, will success on the LGs (and frankly the LRs...those weren't amazing either, but they were somewhat in the range of what I'd expected) be within reach? If a substantial increase (well into the 170s) a far too lofty goal? Is that even remotely possible starting at a 156?

Thanks!

Welcome to TLS.

Since you are still a college freshmen, your goal right now should be to get the highest GPA possible. A few months before your LSAT test date should be more than enough time to adequately study for the LSAT. Otherwise you'll run out of materials quickly and will most likely suffer from burn-out.

[caminante]

I would echo what was said above- you should definitely spend some time thinking about your goals for yourself rather than your parents. Do YOU want to be a lawyer? Have you talked to any lawyers or interned at a law firm? I know that my freshman year of college I had about 100 different things I thought I wanted to do with my life. Take time to think to think your other options through.

If you decide that it is something you 100% want to do, then I don't think it's too early to start LSAT prep. It's the summer, you have time on your hands, and you should focus on your schooling during the semesters.

As far as increasing your score- this will be no problem for you at all. A cold diagnostic tells most people absolutely nothing about their actual ability for the test. Do you ever take the final of a class before you've learned the subject? It's pretty much pointless. Whatever you've read elsewhere, this is a test that you have to learn. Take time to teach yourself the Logic Games strategy and the Logical Reasoning concepts before you do any more practice exams, you would just be wasting them. Once you have a solid base of knowledge and know exactly what to expect, you can start practicing. You will be amazed how much easier it seems at that point!

I thought the logic games were almost impossible when I first saw them. I have only been studying for a month and they already seem much, much easier.

In short, don't rush it, don't worry, and stop doing practice tests before you learn the exam concepts!

Good luck!

[Shammis]

IMHO dont start studying yet. Dont do it. I come from a city with a lot of Tiger Moms who push, but this is an area that you can start studying too early for. The problem is, youll run out of fresh material to study from when it counts, plus changes to the test can happen in the next 3 years. Give yourself 1 year of study (even then...) and kill the test 3 years from now. Get A's in all your classes, thats your best bet to LS success right now...though I doubt your parents would accept anything less than a 4.3 GPA lol. Good luck and try to have a good time for the next 3 years...All the fun will end abruptly and murder your soul (half joking) after you graduate.

[caminante]

When I said it wasn't too early to start studying I meant if you plan on taking the actual test within the next 6 months or so. Your score is good for 5 years and if you want to go to LS right after undergrad you'll have to apply the Fall of your Senior year. Please do not start studying now if you don't plan on taking the test within a year!

I say this coming from the point of view of someone who is working full time and has hardly any time to dedicate to studying. I am probably just envious of the thought of having an entire summer to dedicate to studying the LSAT!

[citykitty]

You're fine. I got a 157 on my diagnostic, was PTing consistently in the mid 170s, and ended up with a (low for me) 170, which is still totally fine and I'm not retaking. You can easily hit 170+ with some consistent studying. Take everyone else's advice and just concern yourself with your GPA for now. Keep it up, and you'll do fine on the LSAT when you get around to it. Chill out.

[Tiago Splitter]

Remember that LSAT scores are only good for five years. If you take the test during your freshman or sophomore year of college, you won't have much time to hold off on applying to schools once you graduate.