Last minute LSAT advice Forum

[silentbob]

I posted a similiar post on one other seperate forum, I apoligize for being repeatative, but Im new and dont know which forum I should be on.

I am wondering what to do here, I live in southern Ill, and I want to go to law school either here in IL, on Indiana, or Kentucky, and maybe Missouri. I did well as an undergrad (3.5 GPA), and I am registered to take the June LSAT. Problem is this is my third week of study, and I am consistently getting 148-149 on practice test, mainly because I am not finishing them and I don’t guess I only answer what I have time for. I can only get about 2 of the logic games done in the 35 minutes. I do ok on the analytical sections (usually about 15 to 18 right). And the reading section I usually get only about 13 but I think it’s because it’s been toward the end on most of my practice test and I am losing steam. Anyway, I feel like it would be stupid to back out of the LSAT, so I need any pointers to get me a better score before June 11, and I need to know where I could realistically get into in the states I want to go to given my current cores, (I’m going to assume I can bring it up atleast a point or two in the next 3 weeks). Thanks

[d0rklord]

You should really consider waiting until the October test and studying your ass off.

With a PT score range that low, you could really really benefit from a course like Powerscore, Manhattan, Blueprint, etc...

[Mr. Pancakes]

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 9&t=185362

[CardozoLaw09]

You should really consider waiting until the October test and studying your ass off.

With a PT score range that low, you could really really benefit from a course like Powerscore, Manhattan, Blueprint, etc...

Agreed. One or two points will not improve your chances the slightest if you are currently scoring below the 150's. I would wait until the October test so that you can be better prepared to achieve a decent score.

[nutellabunny]

I would really recommend waiting to take the LSAT until you are more ready. I know that some law schools average your scores, so getting a low score the first time could really hurt you. Also, it's not stupid to back out of the LSAT. In fact, it would be a smarter choice to back out if you are not ready and only take it when you feel confident about doing well. Like the above post, I would also recommend taking an LSAT prep course. Your score still has lots of room for improvement, so it would be a pity to end it there. I'm sure that you can score much higher if you studied some more.

[tmon]

I know that some law schools average your scores, so getting a low score the first time could really hurt you.

Not really a concern unless you're aiming for top 6, and even then it's debatable. See:
http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 2&t=185151

For the most part, retaking is a very low risk proposition. But the common and smart TLS mantra still stands: take it when you're fully ready.

[jgotz1118009]

dude ... listen to me. YOU SHOULD NOT TAKE THE LSAT THIS JUNE . here are my reasons why: 1) while a select few individuals can manage to study for only 3 weeks and get a decent score, you are clearly not one of them ... (148 = not good ). and listen man, i do not mean that in any way as a slight against your capabilities, nor is it my intention to be condescending, but make no mistake it is the truth. 2) if you do take it in june, you'll likely do worse than a 148 ... i don't know you or your study habits well enough, obviously, to say how much you'll deviate on test day, but with that shaky 3-week foundation my money is on a -5 point drop minimal . and lastly, 3) although it's too late now to change date, TAKE THE EXAM FOR PRACTICE, but check the box to cancel your score. this gives you the whole summer to get a good score, and honestly man, almost anyone who studies PROPERLY and CONSISTENTLY can achieve a 168+ score within a few months. it took me 9 months to get to where i'm at now (mid 170's) - that's an unnecessarily long time to take for studying, and frankly is something i am not all too proud of ... that being said, i could've shortened my study time by half had i been more receptive to advice (going over wrong answers THOROUGHLY, etc.). so, that being said, don't sell yourself short by letting your june score count. it will hurt you in the long run, i assure you .... on the flip, study your butt off between now and october and you'll kill it, as long as you study properly ... personally, i recommend all Power Score Bibles, this forum, constant attention paid to your ability to pace yourself, doing questions/games/passages BY TYPE FIRST, going over ALL (not just missed) questions thoroughly and often as possible, and doing as many real exams as possible ... in the meantime, save the recent PTs for the October test ... they are much more difficult than earlier exams, but you really dont wanna waste these rather precious 'commodities,' if you will ... best of luck bud, just stick with it and you'll get there

[silentbob]

Yeah I actually withdrew thanks for the advice though, I heard it alot from people on a seperate but similiar thread. You mentioned the new PT's are MORE difficult than the actual exam? or did you mean to say that the exams are harder than the PT's? Im thinking of buying the book with 10 test from the LSAC site, they sent me a book that had a few in it and thats what I used to assess myself. Anyway, I was just curious why you thought my score would drop atleast 5 points if the test is easier than the PT's.

[shifty_eyed]

Yeah I actually withdrew thanks for the advice though, I heard it alot from people on a seperate but similiar thread. You mentioned the new PT's are MORE difficult than the actual exam? or did you mean to say that the exams are harder than the PT's? Im thinking of buying the book with 10 test from the LSAC site, they sent me a book that had a few in it and thats what I used to assess myself. Anyway, I was just curious why you thought my score would drop atleast 5 points if the test is easier than the PT's.

PTs are actual old exams. Many think the new PTs (i.e. newer exams) are harder than the old PTs (older exams). Many do worse than their PT average on the actual test day due to nerves.

[princeR]

Yeah I actually withdrew thanks for the advice though, I heard it alot from people on a seperate but similiar thread. You mentioned the new PT's are MORE difficult than the actual exam? or did you mean to say that the exams are harder than the PT's? Im thinking of buying the book with 10 test from the LSAC site, they sent me a book that had a few in it and thats what I used to assess myself. Anyway, I was just curious why you thought my score would drop atleast 5 points if the test is easier than the PT's.

PTs are actual old exams. Many think the new PTs (i.e. newer exams) are harder than the old PTs (older exams). Many do worse than their PT average on the actual test day due to nerves.

Many also do better because of test day nerves. Boom goes the dynamite.