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Hey guys, first post on here.

I actually first came here about a week ago and have been reading about various ways to prep for this test. Based on what I read I ended up buying the PowerScore Logic Games Bible and have been reading that and working through it. I saw that a bunch of people do a diagnostic test and decided to do one from the free one on LSAC's website - the June 2007 test.

I didn't time myself and I received a 21/23 on the logic games (section I) but did not do well on section II and IV.

I am aiming for a 170-175. What do you guys recommend for the Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension? Is a 157 okay for having about a week of just logic game studying down?

Thanks!

Well, it's not a true 157 if you didn't do it within the time limits.

But the LSAT is very learnable. Large improvements (15+ points) are relatively rare, but they are entirely possible with enough time and a good study plan. Check the stickied threads at the top of the LSAT forum for plans and study guide recommendations.

rinkrat19 wrote:Well, it's not a true 157 if you didn't do it within the time limits.

But the LSAT is very learnable. Large improvements (15+ points) are relatively rare, but they are entirely possible with enough time and a good study plan. Check the stickied threads at the top of the LSAT forum for plans and study guide recommendations.

Yeah, sorry I just read that I shouldn't time myself initially and should gradually increase my speed. I did write down how long it took me for each section however.

I'm just looking for some wisdom and tips about how to rock this thing. I obviously need to study for the reading portion of the test because i was sitting there thinking, "wow, I approached the logic games section so much better than this because of the book".

Thanks for the response!

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I personally don't think diagnostics mean much. My reasoning is that most people who take an LSAT cold don't truly understand what the question stems mean. For example, I know when I took my diagnostic I had no idea what the difference between what the argument "depends on" and what makes it "logically follow." A solid understanding of question stems alone is a game changer.

WaltGrace83 wrote:I personally don't think diagnostics mean much.

This. I even didn't take a cold diagnostic. Where you start does not determine where you end.

I tried to take a diagnostic like a year before I started prep just to see how doable the test was. The logic games frustrated me so much I just quit (and I wasn't even strictly timing it). After six months of study and retaking I got a 170+. As long as you have a solid grasp on the english language and your diagnostic isn't <130, you should be able to at least get into the upper 160s.

WaltGrace83 wrote:I personally don't think diagnostics mean much. My reasoning is that most people who take an LSAT cold don't truly understand what the question stems mean. For example, I know when I took my diagnostic I had no idea what the difference between what the argument "depends on" and what makes it "logically follow." A solid understanding of question stems alone is a game changer.

This was my exact thinking while I was going through the LR and RC sections of the practice test.

And to what the other two guys above me said. This test, based on what I've seen from others, seems to be more of how well you study rather than straight cognitive ability. At least to a certain extent.

By the way, I have seen people recommend many different books for LR and RC. I was thinking about buying the PowerScore LR as well. Is this a good call?
As far as RC books to study off of, I have no idea. I do have the LSAT SuperPrep that I'm going to study after I read the other books first.

Thanks everyone.

eastlake7 wrote:

WaltGrace83 wrote:I personally don't think diagnostics mean much. My reasoning is that most people who take an LSAT cold don't truly understand what the question stems mean. For example, I know when I took my diagnostic I had no idea what the difference between what the argument "depends on" and what makes it "logically follow." A solid understanding of question stems alone is a game changer.

This was my exact thinking while I was going through the LR and RC sections of the practice test.

And to what the other two guys above me said. This test, based on what I've seen from others, seems to be more of how well you study rather than straight cognitive ability. At least to a certain extent.

By the way, I have seen people recommend many different books for LR and RC. I was thinking about buying the PowerScore LR as well. Is this a good call?
As far as RC books to study off of, I have no idea. I do have the LSAT SuperPrep that I'm going to study after I read the other books first.

Thanks everyone.

Totally agree with Walt on a big part of understanding the test coming from understanding the difference between stems. Also totally agree that how well you study (as opposed to raw brainpower) is a huge part of doing well on this test.

I’m studying for the LSAT with a friend and while my friend has been studying longer and more intensively, my PT score is 20 points higher, despite the fact that I think our raw intelligence is roughly equivalent. I’m just more familiar with testing and better at studying.

As for books to use, Manhattan’s LR book has been life changing for me. Unequivocally recommend. PowerScore seems more ponderously written and a little more tedious just in terms of getting through the material. Manhattan is very easy, light reading almost. The main goal is to teach you how to think through the problems, which is the really important thing, IMO. Just my preference. Also hear good things about Manhattan RC, but I haven't looked at it personally.

I took my first diagnostic untimed as well and came away with a 163. Same as you- most of my issues were with LR questions and not understanding half of the question stems. Anyways, I HIGHLY recommend the LR PowerScore book. It will break down every type of question and how to attack them. For RC, I recommend the Manhattan guide. It was much more useful than the PowerScore book IMO. I bought both.

Once you work through those, buy the latest 20 official LSAT tests and work through them. Revisit the PowerScore/Manhattan books as you need based on your results. This approach took me to a 175+ in about 6 months. Good luck!