Page 1 of 1

Retaking--Should I take a class?

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 7:44 pm
by Mr.Binks
Evening all,

So I have taken the LSAT twice and gone through the Powerscore books to prep. Unfortunately, my scores were less than satisfactory, so I am going to have to retake for a third time in June and hope to apply for ED for the 2013 cycle.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to take a Testmasters' course or if I should just use one of the recommended study plans on this site? Anyone have any experience with Testmasters?

Thanks all.

Good luck to those retaking.

Re: Retaking--Should I take a class?

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 7:55 pm
by pcwcecac
I took the TM course. They are pretty good. I have some discipline issues so TM helped me stay on track. The content of the course is all available on the web, but scattered. If your problem is that of discipline, then it might be effective.

Re: Retaking--Should I take a class?

Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 8:00 pm
by mlipsco
I would recommend it - I was in a similar boat with two less-than-satisfying scores (same both times). I took the Kaplan Advanced course online, paid decent attention to the classes, and increased my score by 5 points.

Best of luck!

Re: Retaking--Should I take a class?

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:45 pm
by Mr.Binks
Well here's the thing: I am already familiar with the question types and how to approach most of them. Would it really be worth it to invest $1000+ in a class or would I be better off honing my prep strategy?

I just feel as if the majority of the class is going to be tailored towards people who have not yet begun studying, so it will be dreadfully annoying as well as a huge waste of money.

Re: Retaking--Should I take a class?

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:53 pm
by hooma
Mr.Binks wrote:Well here's the thing: I am already familiar with the question types and how to approach most of them. Would it really be worth it to invest $1000+ in a class or would I be better off honing my prep strategy?

I just feel as if the majority of the class is going to be tailored towards people who have not yet begun studying, so it will be dreadfully annoying as well as a huge waste of money.
I feared the same thing after taking the test 3 times, I'm taking Velocity (a video-based course, $600) and am definitely learning things I didn't get from PowerScore and that I find extremely helpful. Won't be able to tell you if it's worth it to me until after February. I think I will benefit just from the structure, though.

Re: Retaking--Should I take a class?

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 2:55 pm
by gaud
I'd self study. save the cash; i think you're right in thinking that most classes you could take will be tailored to those without as much LSAT knowledge as you.

check out JMJ's retake guide. as someone who retook the LSAT I can say his plan is something I would strive to work with if I were to go for a third attempt again

Re: Retaking--Should I take a class?

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:00 pm
by pcwcecac
Mr.Binks wrote:Well here's the thing: I am already familiar with the question types and how to approach most of them. Would it really be worth it to invest $1000+ in a class or would I be better off honing my prep strategy?

I just feel as if the majority of the class is going to be tailored towards people who have not yet begun studying, so it will be dreadfully annoying as well as a huge waste of money.
Like I said in the above post, it's the discipline that really helped me. You could get a private tutor and schedule sessions such that you'd be forced to do X amount of practice in between each section and have the tutor help identify your weaknesses via the problems you got wrong.

Re: Retaking--Should I take a class?

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 5:02 pm
by CorkBoard
Mr.Binks wrote:Well here's the thing: I am already familiar with the question types and how to approach most of them. Would it really be worth it to invest $1000+ in a class or would I be better off honing my prep strategy?

I just feel as if the majority of the class is going to be tailored towards people who have not yet begun studying, so it will be dreadfully annoying as well as a huge waste of money.
I think it depends on which class you take. Like another poster said, maybe velocity would be a good idea? What courses are you looking at now?

Re: Retaking--Should I take a class?

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 6:16 pm
by Philosopher King
Mr.Binks wrote:Evening all,

So I have taken the LSAT twice and gone through the Powerscore books to prep. Unfortunately, my scores were less than satisfactory, so I am going to have to retake for a third time in June and hope to apply for ED for the 2013 cycle.

I'm wondering if it would be worth it to take a Testmasters' course or if I should just use one of the recommended study plans on this site? Anyone have any experience with Testmasters?

Thanks all.

Good luck to those retaking.
If you take a class be sure to give it back when you're done...

Re: Retaking--Should I take a class?

Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 6:24 pm
by Mr.Binks
CorkBoard wrote:
Mr.Binks wrote:Well here's the thing: I am already familiar with the question types and how to approach most of them. Would it really be worth it to invest $1000+ in a class or would I be better off honing my prep strategy?

I just feel as if the majority of the class is going to be tailored towards people who have not yet begun studying, so it will be dreadfully annoying as well as a huge waste of money.
I think it depends on which class you take. Like another poster said, maybe velocity would be a good idea? What courses are you looking at now?
I've been looking at a Testmasters class that they offer in-person around my area. I haven't looked at Velocity in depth yet, but I will definitely consider it.

Corkboard - I understand that you're retaking as well. What's your plan?