In a bit of a 140\150 Pickle with 3 weeks left..... help!!!! Forum

[archieg]

Hello. I've been studying for the LSAT since July; I remember taking practice tests last year (cold diagnostics) and ending up with mid-130s.

After going through the Bibles, I've been taking a few practice tests and I'm scoring in the high 140s.


While I realize that this is in and of itself a very decent jump, the only catch is that I'm aiming for high 150s for Loyola LA.

I was wondering if anyone has any tips, suggestions, recommendations? On how to make that 10 point jump?

I'm thinking I'll take timed practice tests every day (or other day, depending on school) but I don't know if I should also waste any more time reading books?

I went through the Bibles and I have the Manhattan books gathering dust; I don't know if its worth going through all those, or if I should just re-review the Bibles instead.


All advice is appreciated! Thank you!

[BlaqBella]

To be scoring in the 140s range means you still have work to do on understanding and approaching question types. With three weeks remaining I just don't think you 're giving yourself enough time to nail down the concepts and then tackle with PTs (the most important part being review of your PTs).

Why not push back to December and shoot for 160s?

[Cerebro]

Hello. I've been studying for the LSAT since July; I remember taking practice tests last year (cold diagnostics) and ending up with mid-130s.

After going through the Bibles, I've been taking a few practice tests and I'm scoring in the high 140s.
...
I was wondering if anyone has any tips, suggestions, recommendations? On how to make that 10 point jump?

With a score in the mid- to high- 140s, you're answering a little over half of the questions correctly. Assuming that you are getting about the same number wrong in each section, regardless of the type of section it is (LR, RC, or LG), I would start out with getting the LR section down, since this section represents about 50% of the test. If you are able to make significant improvement in this area, you will probably get yourself to somewhere around 152-156.

After that, I would focus entirely on logic games. If you drill those for about a month, you'll probably be able to hit 160+ in conjunction with the improvements that you make in LR by having focused on them for about a month or so.

If you have some time left over before the December test, you may be able to improve RC, but I would focus on the other two sections first, if it were me.

I'm thinking I'll take timed practice tests every day (or other day, depending on school) but I don't know if I should also waste any more time reading books?

Just don't do it. Taking timed practice tests every day at this point, when you haven't yet mastered the fundamentals of the sections is probably going to be a waste of time and material. Spend time drilling each of the 14 or so different types of LR questions that are enumerated and explained in the LRB, and learn how to deal with each type inside and out. After you do this, then start working on timed sections (not timed tests). At that point, you can start working on improving your LG section while you are working on the LR timing.

To be clear, my opinion is that you should start doing timed tests AFTER you have mastered the sections to an extent that you are happy with.

In case the above wasn't clear, the EARLIEST you should attempt to take the LSAT is December, and depending on how much time you have to put into preparing for it, as well as the amount of improvement you are able to make, even that may not be feasible. However, I think you have a good shot at achieving a 160 by December, if you set your mind to it.

I went through the Bibles and I have the Manhattan books gathering dust; I don't know if its worth going through all those, or if I should just re-review the Bibles instead.

I think the Bibles in combination with your own effort will be sufficient for you to achieve a score in the 160s. You shouldn't need to crack open the Manhattan material until after you are close to that score. Once you get into the 160s, I think the Manhattan material may fill in some gaps or provide different perspective on some of the material, such as Logic Games, that PowerScore is lacking to a certain extent.

Anyway, the above is my opinion and FWIW.

Good luck.

[Bibio]

Hang in there...December might be a better idea. I am currently trying to figure out what to do myself. Hovering between 155-160 and trying to decide if it will be best to wait until December and be in the 160 plus, or be one of the early applicants in October...how much of a difference will 5-10 points make?

[archieg]

Bibio, are you from LA?

Good question...


Thanks for the responses, guys. I think I'm gonna just wait out and hit the Manhattan books and just take it in December instead.

We have until Sunday to change dates, so I'll be getting on that ASAP.


Thanks again for the advice!