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Is it unheard of for one to....?
Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 1:08 am
by CardozoLaw09
Score well above their average on the actual test in comparison to what they've consistently scored on practice tests? For example, if one is consistently scoring in the mid to high 150's, is it conceivable that they score in the high 160s low 170s on the actual test?
Re: Is it unheard of for one to....?
Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 1:08 am
by Tom Joad
That big of a jump isn't happening.
Re: Is it unheard of for one to....?
Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 1:09 am
by RedBirds2011
CardozoLaw09 wrote:Score well above their average in the actual test in comparison to what they've consistently scored in practice tests? For example, if one is consistently scoring in the mid to high 150's, is it conceivable that they score in the high 160s low 170s on the actual test?
Nope. I scored higher on the actual thing. I actually felt more relaxed for the real thing than the PTs oddly enough.
Re: Is it unheard of for one to....?
Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 1:11 am
by tmon
Overperforming and underperforming isn't rare, but you shouldn't make any decision about the LSAT thinking "I'll just kill it on test day" because you're probably more likely to score at or below your average.
Re: Is it unheard of for one to....?
Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 2:01 pm
by bp shinners
It's not unheard of to outperform on test day. However, it's significantly more common to underperform.
I've seen a few +5s on test day from averages, but never a +10+. If you're that far away from your goal, I would postpone (or at least plan to retake).
Re: Is it unheard of for one to....?
Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 2:03 pm
by franklyscarlet
+4 on my first test.... -12 on my second. No way you can depend on scoring higher, obviously.
Re: Is it unheard of for one to....?
Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 2:27 pm
by shredderrrrrr
+2 on my first, +1 on my second. It would take something crazy to jump that much in a positive way. If I knew anything about statistics, I would assume it is like a bell curve centered upon students scoring slightly below their average. I think most score within 2-3 points of their average (either way) with some scoring more extreme numbers (5-6) off their average. I would assume few, however, score much greater off their average. If they, do it is likely in a bad way because of the nature of the test.
Re: Is it unheard of for one to....?
Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 2:35 pm
by Mr.Binks
bp shinners wrote:It's not unheard of to outperform on test day. However, it's significantly more common to underperform.
I've seen a few +5s on test day from averages, but never a +10+. If you're that far away from your goal, I would postpone (or at least plan to retake).
Conversely, I have seen many -10s...
Re: Is it unheard of for one to....?
Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 11:36 am
by bp shinners
Mr.Binks wrote:bp shinners wrote:It's not unheard of to outperform on test day. However, it's significantly more common to underperform.
I've seen a few +5s on test day from averages, but never a +10+. If you're that far away from your goal, I would postpone (or at least plan to retake).
Conversely, I have seen many -10s...
Good point, and one that I should have mentioned. I have seen too many -10s as well.
Re: Is it unheard of for one to....?
Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 12:05 pm
by princeR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yYDzLUH1NE
See what happens to Will Ferrel here, I think this is what happens to people but without the good results. You tend to almost "black out" and forget about your strategies and everything that you have worked on. Just take it question by question like a regular PT and you can definitely do better. Use the test day nerves to keep you motivated and awake.
Re: Is it unheard of for one to....?
Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 12:44 pm
by cinephile
I didn't really take the practice tests seriously because I knew the score didn't matter. But somehow, for the real thing, I focused and put my all into it and scored above my average. My sister had the same experience. Most people have the opposite experience and do worse on test day.