What can I do differently for October? Forum

[collegebum1989]

My goal is score between 170 and 175 and have not achieved this in a single practice test. I was considering to push the test back, but this week I was able to get to scoring around 168. Then today I got a 164 in a 5-section practice test.

My problem is, part of me wants to get this test over with since I've been studying since January. My other concern is if I've been studying since January, and still have not scored a 170+, is it possible for me to do so? I've probably done every preptest from 1-61 and reviewed, drilled by type, and tried doing both timed and untimed tests. After all of this, I'm scoring consistently in the 165 range.

I'm determined to break 170 for October. Most people say it takes about 2-3 months of full-time studying. I've been studying from January to April (3-4 hours a day) and on/off in May. If I wasn't able to achieve 170+ consistently within this time frame, what can I do differently to do better in October.

Or should I just take it on Monday? Lol

[crumpetsandtea]

Before I answer this question, please outline your exact study schedule for the past few months, what your cold diagnostic was, what your general average PT score is, and how you review your PTs after you're done with them.

[noggo10]

What is your weakest section? Was in the same position as you last year and wanted a 170+ but cancelled June test a few days before because I was only averaging 163-165. Went through the whole Logic Games Bible in two weeks and on my next PT after that got a 170. Averaged 171 on my PTs for the next two months and also did LR Bible. Got a 173 on the real test. Very doable unless your weakest section is RC. Feel free to PM me! Good luck!

[collegebum1989]

I've made improvements, just need to improve more. Here are my stats:

Cold diag: 157
First timed-practice: 154 (Kaplan proctored)
LR: -13 --> -4/5
LG: -4 --> -1/0
RC: -11 --> -6/7

Study Schedule
January
-Section drills to acquaint myself to test
-Finished LG Bible

February
-Question by Type drills 3 hours per day - Cambridge LSAT By Type (1-37)
-Untimed Preptests once a week
-Finished LR Bible

March
-Question by Type drills 4 hours per day
-Timed preptests once a week
-Finished Manhattan LSAT RC and LR Guides

April
-Timed Section Drills
-Timed preptests once a week

May
-Timed Section Drills

Biggest problem is RC and LR both equally. I've retaken multiple tests over to see if I have problems with the same questions and what I've noticed is that I will get the same amount wrong both times, but they will be different questions. Which leads me to believe that I lose focus or misread things very easily. I'm flawless or -1 on the LG most of the time. Also, sometimes I'll do amazing on both LR but flunk the RC. Or I'll do great on the RC, but flunk one of the LR. Regardless, I still get the same amount wrong, which leads me to believe its a lack of focus/fatigue rather than understanding the concepts.

[noggo10]

I've made improvements, just need to improve more. Here are my stats:

Cold diag: 157
First timed-practice: 154 (Kaplan proctored)
LR: -13 --> -4/5
LG: -4 --> -1/0
RC: -11 --> -6/7

Study Schedule
January
-Section drills to acquaint myself to test
-Finished LG Bible

February
-Question by Type drills 3 hours per day - Cambridge LSAT By Type (1-37)
-Untimed Preptests once a week
-Finished LR Bible

March
-Question by Type drills 4 hours per day
-Timed preptests once a week
-Finished Manhattan LSAT RC and LR Guides

April
-Timed Section Drills
-Timed preptests once a week

May
-Timed Section Drills

Biggest problem is RC and LR both equally. I've retaken multiple tests over to see if I have problems with the same questions and what I've noticed is that I will get the same amount wrong both times, but they will be different questions. Which leads me to believe that I lose focus or misread things very easily. I'm flawless or -1 on the LG most of the time. Also, sometimes I'll do amazing on both LR but flunk the RC. Or I'll do great on the RC, but flunk one of the LR. Regardless, I still get the same amount wrong, which leads me to believe its a lack of focus/fatigue rather than understanding the concepts.

Gotcha. How many PTs have you taken under timed conditions? I would continue drilling RC/LR and doing prep tests. I never struggled with RC but what helped immensely with LR was, though it was time-consuming, after every test I would review every LR question I got wrong, wrote the "type" of question it was on a pad of paper, and wrote a paragraph explaining why I got that one wrong. I'd recommend doing at least 30 full timed prep tests.

[collegebum1989]

Taken about maybe 10-11 timed practice tests but honestly I cheated on a lot of them (extra breaks, etc) and only did 4-section tests.

Guess now that I've broken in the practice test habit, I can take 5-section tests and take them at least twice a week to improve my score til October.

When you say drill RC, do you mean doing passages at a time or entire sections, or consecutive sections?

[noggo10]

Take 2-3 full timed 5 section LSATs every week til October. By drilling, at this point I'd recommend on the days you don't do PTs, do at least a full section of RC or LR. Since I wanted PT material to be fresh I'd use old PTs I had not done in a few months for this drilling. I found this was very important.