Underperformed for a 173- taking questions Forum

[Starships]

Not sure if this is a popular thing to do in the prep forum, but I thought I'd offer it up for anyone interested. Bored at work.. PT'ing consistently from 174-180 on all practice tests, got a 173 on test day- any questions on anything (reasonable) welcome.. and go.

[abc12345675]

Where did you start from? How long did it take to PT that high?

[jkpolk]

Not sure if this is a popular thing to do in the prep forum, but I thought I'd offer it up for anyone interested. Bored at work.. PT'ing consistently from 174-180 on all practice tests, got a 173 on test day- any questions on anything (reasonable) welcome.. and go.

How long do you think you'd survive if you were infected with a slow acting nerve agent that would kill you unless you kept up your adrenaline and in order to do this you performed a bunch of stunts, car chases, fucked girls in public, sprinted from the po constantly, and just generally were a badass while you looked for a cure to the poison?

[Starships]

Where did you start from? How long did it take to PT that high?

I never took an initial practice test because I thought it might discourage me/ become a self fulfilling prophecy. But I did the Lsat Blog schedule with the Power score bibles - so I suppose after 3-3.5 months of drilling individual questions and sections I was PT'ing at the lower end of that range, and took 12 or 15 full lengths with my average moving up to around 176 slowly.

The process of learning logic games was fist-poudningly frustrating for me. It took so long for me to get games under 10 minutes, and for the first month or so I wasn't able to do an individual advanced linear game under 15. So there is hope, no matter how grim things look

[Starships]

Not sure if this is a popular thing to do in the prep forum, but I thought I'd offer it up for anyone interested. Bored at work.. PT'ing consistently from 174-180 on all practice tests, got a 173 on test day- any questions on anything (reasonable) welcome.. and go.

How long do you think you'd survive if you were infected with a slow acting nerve agent that would kill you unless you kept up your adrenaline and in order to do this you performed a bunch of stunts, car chases, fucked girls in public, sprinted from the po constantly, and just generally were a badass while you looked for a cure to the poison?

Depends on how slow acting the nerve agent is. Also, do I not have access to synthetic adrenaline? I would first try to get a doctor to help me out- if that doesn't work and I have to resort to bumping little bunny froo froos in public- life could be worse.

[Nova]

Are you going to retake?

[North]

The process of learning logic games was fist-poudningly frustrating for me. It took so long for me to get games under 10 minutes, and for the first month or so I wasn't able to do an individual advanced linear game under 15. So there is hope, no matter how grim things look

This is exactly the process I'm in the middle of right now. Was it ceaseless question-type drilling (like I'm doing right now with slow but noticeable progress) that got you down to a consistent under-time and -0, or did you eventually have some grand realization? I'd love to hear how you did it.

[Tom Joad]

on how slow acting the nerve agent is. Also, do I not have access to synthetic adrenaline? I would first try to get a doctor to help me out- if that doesn't work and I have to resort to bumping little bunny froo froos in public- life could be worse.

Waiting room would kill you, stat.

[jkpolk]

Depends on how slow acting the nerve agent is. Also, do I not have access to synthetic adrenaline? I would first try to get a doctor to help me out- if that doesn't work and I have to resort to bumping little bunny froo froos in public- life could be worse.

You will do well in life- congratulations on your continued success and achievement.

[Starships]

The process of learning logic games was fist-poudningly frustrating for me. It took so long for me to get games under 10 minutes, and for the first month or so I wasn't able to do an individual advanced linear game under 15. So there is hope, no matter how grim things look

This is exactly the process I'm in the middle of right now. Was it ceaseless question-type drilling (like I'm doing right now with slow but noticeable progress) that got you down to a consistent under-time and -0, or did you eventually have some grand realization? I'd love to hear how you did it.

No grand realization- it was just really slow and methodical, grinding away every day. It was miserable to be quite honest.

[Starships]

Are you going to retake?

I don't think so- I took a test that ended up having a pretty generous curve, and I feel like there is too much risk on the downside. This is something I have been asking advice about over in the chances forum concerning YHS admissions, so any insight is appreciated.

[North]

No grand realization- it was just really slow and methodical, grinding away every day. It was miserable to be quite honest.

Would you mind describing how you studied for LG? If you did anything I'm not doing currently, I'd like to incorporate it into my daily grind. I'm currently drilling every Game from PT's 1-40 by type. It is miserable, but my times are slowly coming down...

[Starships]

No grand realization- it was just really slow and methodical, grinding away every day. It was miserable to be quite honest.

Would you mind describing how you studied for LG? If you did anything I'm not doing currently, I'd like to incorporate it into my daily grind. I'm currently drilling every Game from PT's 1-40 by type. It is miserable, but my times are slowly coming down...

That's exactly what I did- I also re-did logic games, after not seeing them for a while (not like re-doing other sections, which was pretty much worthless). Try to do at least 2 or 3 LG sections a day when you are really in the thick of it

[North]

That's exactly what I did- I also re-did logic games, after not seeing them for a while (not like re-doing other sections, which was pretty much worthless). Try to do at least 2 or 3 LG sections a day when you are really in the thick of it

Awesome, that's what I'm doing. I'm on my second re-do of all of those games.

Okay, last question: when did you feel you had mastered LG and conquered your timing problems? Can you do every game in under 8:45? I'm trying to figure out when I should be satisfied enough to move on to LR.

[Starships]

That's exactly what I did- I also re-did logic games, after not seeing them for a while (not like re-doing other sections, which was pretty much worthless). Try to do at least 2 or 3 LG sections a day when you are really in the thick of it

Awesome, that's what I'm doing. I'm on my second re-do of all of those games.

Okay, last question: when did you feel you had mastered LG and conquered your timing problems? Can you do every game in under 8:45? I'm trying to figure out when I should be satisfied enough to move on to LR.

I'm not sure I ever felt I had completely conquered them- I missed 5 in that section on test day (I was averaging -0 to -2). I think with about a month to go (so having studied for about 4 months total for all prep) I began to feel much more confident. Also, my memory is that the LG sections get a little easier in the 45+ range on PT's, whereas the reading comprehension sections get longer and more difficult. The LR's (I believe) tend to get a little shorter but denser and a bit trickier.

Like I said though- it WILL come (different speeds for different people)- if you keep working. Don't be afraid to postpone and take the next administration of the test- don't try to wing it if you are not ready. This test is so important (If I could do it over, I would probably have waited to take December instead of October to take more time to solidify LG's).

[Mr.Binks]

Not sure if this is a popular thing to do in the prep forum, but I thought I'd offer it up for anyone interested. Bored at work.. PT'ing consistently from 174-180 on all practice tests, got a 173 on test day- any questions on anything (reasonable) welcome.. and go.

How long do you think you'd survive if you were infected with a slow acting nerve agent that would kill you unless you kept up your adrenaline and in order to do this you performed a bunch of stunts, car chases, fucked girls in public, sprinted from the po constantly, and just generally were a badass while you looked for a cure to the poison?

I like this question.

[penguinbrah]

how was your proficiency at LR? What are your insights in terms of pattern recognition? Do you analyze every LR question or do you answer them through recognizing what type question/flaw it is?

[CorkBoard]

I'd hardly consider scoring a point below your PT range an underperformance. HTH.

[Mr.Binks]

Yeah, you should probably forgo the option of law school. Dropping one point from PT is unacceptable for true law students.

[HBBJohnStamos]

This thread sucks. Do you know why?

[jkpolk]

This thread sucks. Do you know why?

Tell me why brother Stamos

[Starships]

I'd hardly consider scoring a point below your PT range an underperformance. HTH.

Haha, sorry- I should have clarified this (that sounded terribly douchy and I am sorry)

I meant that I underperformed in that I freaked and missed 3 LG questions because I wasn't paying attention to my watch (mini-panic attack thing).

The score was fair based on my PT results I think, but that's because I got lucky with a -13 curve

Sorry for the confusion- I promise I'm not one of "those" people.

[unitball]

How long do you think you'd survive if you were infected with a slow acting nerve agent that would kill you unless you kept up your adrenaline and in order to do this you performed a bunch of stunts, car chases, fucked girls in public, sprinted from the po constantly, and just generally were a badass while you looked for a cure to the poison?

They should totally turn this into a movie.

[LSAT Hacks (Graeme)]

Hey, congrats on your score. I just wanted to chime in re: a retake.

My impression is that most schools just look at the highest score, and also that a score like 176 is a fair bit more impressive than a 173. For a lot of the top schools, that would push you over their 75th percentile score.

It sounds like you scored on the bottom of your range, and that a higher score is likely. Schools won't judge you badly for writing twice. I'm not sure how they would judge you for writing twice and reporting the first score - you'd have to check.

But it's worth looking into. You already have the skills to get a truly awesome score. Score increases are harder won at the high end. Could mean either a better school or a higher scholarship.

Disclaimer: I'm Canadian, and am far from an authority on US admissions. But as an LSAT tutor, I suspect you would increase your score on a retake. In any case, good work scoring so high. You should consider teaching the test yourself. It's a lot of fun, and the pay is good.

[CorkBoard]

Sorry for the confusion- I promise I'm not one of "those" people.

Are you sure?