LSAT Prep Time Assistance Forum

[taboo]

Ok so I've finished studying the Logic Games Bible in November and it has helped dramatically. Before, I could only get about 7 or 8 questions correct. Now, after taking 3 practice tests I've managed to get 17, 17, and 18 questions correct respectively. Today I decided to only complete the Logic Games Section of the preptest and I got 18 questions correct within the time constraints and 23 questions correct when exceeding the time limit. Is there anything I can do to improve my time management with the test before the June LSAT? Actually, I would like to start getting 22 plus questions correct consistently by March. Any help would be greatly appreciated and I have all of the actual preptests. Thanks!

[Geetar Man]

Ok so I've finished studying the Logic Games Bible in November and it has helped dramatically. Before, I could only get about 7 or 8 questions correct. Now, after taking 3 practice tests I've managed to get 17, 17, and 18 questions correct respectively. Today I decided to only complete the Logic Games Section of the preptest and I got 18 questions correct within the time constraints and 23 questions correct when exceeding the time limit. Is there anything I can do to improve my time management with the test before the June LSAT? Actually, I would like to start getting 22 plus questions correct consistently by March. Any help would be greatly appreciated and I have all of the actual preptests. Thanks!

Definitely. As anyone else would say, practice is the key. It doesn't sound like you have done very many games or else you would have noticed yourself getting better. One of the main things is that if you miss a question or what not, make sure you understand why its wrong and why the right answer is the right answer. After this, practice makes perfect. Or close to it.
Hope that helps!

[bp shinners]

Plenty of time to get better.

I would recommend that you start timing yourself on the different parts of each game. Don't worry about finishing in time (yet - you're still half a year out); worry more about figuring out where all of that time is going.

If you're spending too much time on the setup (say, 6 minutes), then you should start pushing yourself through the setup. Make a checklist of things to do, do them, and then move on to the questions. I've found a lot of students languish over deductions when they've already made all of the big ones.

If you're spending too much time on the questions, then spend another minute or two on the setup. Doing the work up front can sometimes save you the time spent on that setup several times over on the questions. Doing two scenarios in the setup can save you from having to draw out a new diagram for each questions. This time adds up quickly.

If you're split between the two (each taking you 6 minutes), then practice more, and use the tips above to move through it more quickly. You have plenty of time, so make use of it.

Good luck!

[EarlCat]

Today I decided to only complete the Logic Games Section of the preptest and I got 18 questions correct within the time constraints and 23 questions correct when exceeding the time limit. Is there anything I can do to improve my time management with the test before the June LSAT?

Your problem is not time management, it's speed. It sounds like you can read rules, make some sort of setup with a deduction or two, and answer questions accurately given enough thought. This is kindof the LSAT equivalent of counting on your fingers--effective but slow.

As with learning math facts, speed comes by practicing slowly and repetitively to internalize the skills necessary to answer the questions. So turn off the clock and work slowly and methodically through a good number of games (do each several times, even if you get them all right) and focus on the similarities between games/clues/questions/etc. You're going to notice they do the same things over and over from test to test, and as you recognize those repeating patterns, you're going to get quicker working with them.