PT after PT, the best method? Forum

[ar1656]

I've only been studying for a few months and my highest score was 155. The reading comprehension is the WORST! I started taking test after test, as most high scorer's recommend, and my scores started dropping. I'm aiming for a 160 by December. I don't know what to do. Should I just go back to the basics and do drills of each section instead of taking several full length tests in a row? I'm stressing so hard because with a 155 and a 3.6, I will NOT be getting into SMU. Only respond if you made about a 160 please!

[HuskyHopeful]

You need to analyze the results. What questions do you usually get wrong? Are you misreading? Are you diagrammed correctly? Fix answers. Redo questions you got wrong each day.


"The definition if insanity is repeating the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

[NoodleyOne]

No one suggests taking PT after PT blindly. I will say that PTs get a little overblown as far as their importance around here, but they are still incredibly crucial. Reviewing the PT is probably more important than just taking it, but I wouldn't even waste time taking it if you don't have a solid base (either classes or book work).

Look at it this way: would you play in a hockey game if you didn't know how to ice skate? Of course not. Take the time to learn your methods, then you practice for the game.

[cahwc12]

Both posters above are spot on. Comprehensive review is necessary after each PT, otherwise you shouldn't take another one. You should take as many PTs as you can comprehensively review. But if you're scoring in the 150s, you should probably focus more on drilling question and game types first.

In addition, you need to set the bar higher than just entrance to SMU. If that school is truly your number one choice, mere acceptance should NOT be your goal, but rather acceptance with significant merit aid.

Study hard and crush this test, then reap the benefits of scholarship to your first choice school.

[Tiago Splitter]

No one suggests taking PT after PT blindly...I wouldn't even waste time taking it if you don't have a solid base (either classes or book work).

Look at it this way: would you play in a hockey game if you didn't know how to ice skate? Of course not. Take the time to learn your methods, then you practice for the game.

... if you're scoring in the 150s, you should probably focus more on drilling question and game types first.

In addition, you need to set the bar higher than just entrance to SMU. If that school is truly your number one choice, mere acceptance should NOT be your goal, but rather acceptance with significant merit aid.

Study hard and crush this test, then reap the benefits of scholarship to your first choice school.

These posts should be required reading for everyone entering this forum.

[wert3813]

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[vegso]

best strat is to read through every bp shinners post related to RC. I found slowing down and started to read super critically worked wonders for me, took much longer on the passage but as a result i didnt have to annotate and flew through the questions. Basically for me to read critically I actually thought "why are they bringing in this info" "okay so what is this paragraph as a whole saying" "okay now where are they going with this" "OMG CHANGE IN TONE" and for comparative all i ever bothered with was marking where ever the same info was mentioned in the 2nd passage as was mentioned in the first.

[Kronk]

tbh I just took PT after PT. I analyzed my results after each one to see why I got them wrong, though.

[Grond]

To be fair, a female URM is with 3.6/155 is going to get in and get money from SMU anyway.

[mmbt123]

I think there are several spreadsheets out there that track what you missed on PTs and highlight patterns for you. That might be helpful to target problem areas. I'd also suggest taking the PT then going through the PT slowly again, before checking answers, to see if you would pick the same answer if you had more time.

[LSAT Hacks (Graeme)]

There's a real risk to running through PTs too fast without analysis. I've had more than one student who came to me late in the process. They had exhausted almost all of their tests, but barely learned anything. Bad place to be.

http://lsatqa.com is a good site for tracking your scores. Once you enter enough tests, it will give you reports on areas you're having difficulty.

For LR review, Blind review is a good method. You review questions you weren't sure about BEFORE checking the answers. This prevents you from inventing false reasons once you know which answer is correct. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPhj7pUiVS8

For LG review, repeating logic games is very useful. I got a lot better at games when I first started as a tutor because I did the same games 5+ times with different students. You start seeing patterns.