Mission Possible?: From -7 to -0 in Games in 5 weeks Forum

[Miss_Sunshine]

Games has always been my worst section, and I know if I can get to the point where I absolutely destroy games every time, I will be able to raise my score from mid-high 160s to above a 170.

Do you think this is possible, given my short time-frame (I'm re-taking for the December test)? How can I study the most effectively?

Thank you bunches!

[QuincyWagstaff]

Do a lot of games.

[Tim0thy222]

I think you can do it, but you've got your work cut out for you.

Definitely work through the entire Powerscore Logic Games bible, and probably over the next week or two so that you can spend the rest of the time reviewing and mastering the techniques.

Some people on here also suggest Manhattan LSAT and Dave Hall's advice, which I haven't looked at too much myself, but you may want to consider.

Also, do lots of drilling. You can buy all the logic games from pt 1-38 or something, ordered by type and difficulty, on Cambridge LSAT's site, though you have to print them yourself.

I got a 167 on the Oct '10 LSAT, spent a year not even thinking about the test, then in 4 weeks (basically the entire month of September) did nothing but study for the LSAT and brought my score up to a 177 on the Oct '11 LSAT. I quit my job and moved in with my parents just to make sure I could do nothing but study (I was pretty serious about it), and even then it was tough.

Anyway, the short answer is yes you can. Good luck, and if you have any questions or need any tips I'll do what I can, though there is also tons of useful advice already on here.

[Miss_Sunshine]

Thanks to both of you, but especially Tim0thy222.

Everyone's been telling me I can't do it, and so it's so inspiring and encouraging to hear from someone who has. Congratulations, by the way, and best of luck with your cycle!

[gthopeful]

just sending some good thoughts your way Miss_Sunshine,

Im in the same boat as you, Im making the lsat my life for the next five weeks

You can do it!!

[vodkashot]

Another tip: Repeated drilling is good, but don't just finish the games and stash them away somewhere. Keep everything and look for patterns of where you went wrong.

I was truly abysmal at logic games when I started studying for the LSAT, and imperfect preparation contributed to me freezing up halfway through June 2011's easy games section. For October, I used the strategy below and it helped improve my games section enough to score over 170.

After going through both the PS Bible and Manhattan LG, I printed out every game I could find from PT7-49 (ish) at least twice. I categorized them all by type (I used the Manhattan categorization, but it really doesn't matter) and put them all into a giant binder. After working through each type once, I went back and reviewed almost every game I did, to see why I got things wrong/was too slow (for instance, I noticed that my messy writing often contributed to stupid mistakes, and that I often failed to check for numerical distribution in grouping games). I wrote out why I got answers wrong/was too slow on the top of the game sheet in large print and highlighter, as well as on a large sticky note stuck in front of my games binder. I often read through the sticky note/flipped through my binder to remind myself not to commit the same mistakes when I was doing the games the second time around.

Also, every game I couldn't finish in under 8 minutes/got more than 2 wrong, I printed out again and re-did them, trying for greater speed and accuracy the next time.

In retrospect, I realize my method for tackling games was rather fanatical but logic games were the biggest factor in preventing me from breaking 170, so drastic action was necessary.

[FlanAl]

You can do it! just do powerscore and manhattan and practice practice practice.

[Miss_Sunshine]

Thanks FlanAl! Although a healthy dose of reality is much needed, it's so nice to know that making a change more than possible.

Vodkashot, thank you thank you thank you. Though your process was (perhaps) fanatical, it makes sense and definitely inspires some ideas for how I, too, can approach LG review. I admire your dedication, and congratulations on your improvement.

I hope to be sharing some great news in by January!

[ggibelli]

you definitely can do it. if you have the money i would just get the velocity LG course online. dave's strategy worked better for me than the PS Bible. but goodluck!

[Tim0thy222]

you definitely can do it. if you have the money i would just get the velocity LG course online. dave's strategy worked better for me than the PS Bible. but goodluck!

I would agree that the velocity course is probably better. In general Dave's advice seems better, and I had to figure out which parts of powerscore to disregard before I really started killing it.

[Miss_Sunshine]

Thanks, you guys!

How much money will I need to shell over for the Velocity course?

[tedler]

.

[mattviphky]

yes, if any section can be mastered in 5 weeks it is games. Study and good luck!

[ColtsFan88]

With very little studying I went -14 in LG my first test. Dropped that to -7 with my second, using the po werscore LG Bible. The third time I drilled every game from 10-40, 3 times each. I put them in a binder and kept track of my trouble areas so I could get extra practice on them. I went -0 my third test, which was a fairly difficult LG I think.

Just drill, drill, drill and you can absolutely get a -0.

[Miss_Sunshine]

ColtsFan88, mattviphky, and tedler.... *so* much love is coming your way!

I am so pumped for this, and your encouragement means more to me than I can express. Congratulations on your successes, and I hope that your respective cycles will blow your respective minds!