how to go from 169 to 173+... Forum

[LSATNeverAgain]

so unfortunately it looks like my username is not true took the recent June test and got 169... i really need a 173+... the second LR section just killed me and RC did not help. i actually thought the RC section was going to be my downfall but relatively it went ok... i have no idea how i missed 6 on LR. i have looked at the ones i missed and sure enough i picked the same wrong answers... so i think there is room to improve.

any thoughts? i guess just more practice... problem is i have done literally EVERY practice test... i guess reviewing/redoing will help really drill the concepts.

LR: -0 (great start...)
LG: -2 (not bad… but wait for it…)
LR: -6 (didn't have time to do 2 of them)
RC: -4 (missed 3 of the last 4 questions... lack of time)

[Tiago Splitter]

Looks like you just need to move a bit faster and you'll be fine. You didn't get to 5 questions and still scored a 169. (If you guessed right on all or most of those five, then forget what I said.) You also need to get down to -0 on the games. Where were your practice scores coming in at in the weeks leading up to the test?

[LSATNeverAgain]

the 2 LR i guessed on i got wrong and the last 3/4 of RC that i got wrong were basically educated guesses. the RC section was a disaster - i forgot to reset my watch which i realized ~3 minutes in so then i reset it but i didnt know exactly how i was doing on time which caused me to go much faster than i should have especially at the end (i cant believe i only missed 4... i thought i was going to miss ~10).

unfortunately my PT scores hovered around 169/170 at the end...

PT
58 169
59 166
60 170
61 170
62 169

[Tiago Splitter]

Yeah the RC section felt horrible but it seems a lot of people did better than expected with it. I know I did.

I am not sure what to do if you did all that practice and were PTing in the range of your actual score. I would think speed could be overcome through practice, but I don't know how much of that you have left. One thing my prep test instructor suggested trying a few times is to rip through RC passages in five minutes or less and see how you do. When I started trying to go even faster than necessary, I was nearly as accurate as I was when I took ten minutes or more. You might just be second guessing yourself too often.

[LSATNeverAgain]

that is what happened on RC on the actual test... i have no idea how i did as well as i did... i read them so fast and went through the questions so fast i was sure i was going to miss 10 or 15 but it worked out ok... i guess i need to get used to pushing myself and performing well in that mode and then maybe i can get to 173+...

the LR was killer though... the second section was so hard compared to the first. -0 then -6... everything was harder on the second one. the questions and answers were just so much longer it took forever to read them...

[Tiago Splitter]

So what happened on those last five practice tests?

[LSATNeverAgain]

i actually performed better on the real test on the first 2 sections than i was on PTs but then the last 2 sections went so poorly it evened out... if only my luck had kept up...

[sarahlawg]

you could try something like 5hr energy to keep your stamina up. worked for me!

[vodkashot]

One thing my prep test instructor suggested trying a few times is to rip through RC passages in five minutes or less and see how you do. When I started trying to go even faster than necessary, I was nearly as accurate as I was when I took ten minutes or more. You might just be second guessing yourself too often.

I agree.

I'm doing something like this, except for every section--practice finishing all your sections in 30 minutes. I would think that it helps simulate test-day conditions, when nervousness, stress, etc., would hamper one's ability to finish sections in 35 minutes despite successful practice sessions indicating otherwise.

[nelaw2010]

Looks to me like you're safely in your range. Looking at your PT's, you could score anywhere from a 168 - 172 on any given day.

I guess the tough part is whether or not it's worth trying to do it again. I averaged 167, with scores in the mid 160's and scores as high as 174. On test day, 167.

If I took it again do I think I could do better, sure. Just depends on what schools you want to get into. Since it doesn't hurt anymore to take it 2 or 3 times, might as well take it again. As far as a NEW study plan, I think you're current study plan is amazing. Don't forget, a 169 is in the top 3% of all test takers (if not higher).

ONLY ON TLS are people upset about being in the top 3%. I love it!!!!

[Tiago Splitter]

Good luck at USD NeLaw!

--Tiago aka Scott Tenorman

[nelaw2010]

Good luck at USD NeLaw!

--Tiago aka Scott Tenorman

Thanks Scott!!!! Great to hear from you.

Where did you decide to go?

PM and I'll tell you the story.