Beginning my study, some general questions. Forum

[vracovino]

Hey all, I've been a long time lurker of this forum for a while, and I'm planning to begin studying now for the October test using PithyPike's guide. I just have a few general questions:

1) I have the original Powerscore book. The very first. Will a newer edition provide me with much deeper insight?

2) I have both Manhattan LR and Powerscore LR. I also have all of the LR questions (PTs 1-38) organized by Powerscore's classification. Should I just stick with POwerscore so its easier? Or should I give Manhattan a chance? Do the Powerscore and Manhattan question types match up?

3) For reading comprehension, are the first wave of tests (1-38) sufficient for practice, or should I only be using newer tests?

[Jack Reagan]

The Powerscore bibles haven't been updated that much over the years. That being said, there have been some new question types that have come out since the first ever published Powerscore bible so you may miss a few small details here or there. I don't have a lot of experience with Manhattan, but the Powerscore LR bible is pretty good. It's not as good as their LG bible, but it's decent. Practicing the old RC passages is a good start, but in June 2007 they introduced the comparative reading passage so you'll need to get familiar with that.

I would start with just one system (powerscore) and see how it goes, get used to it, then supplement with other material once you have your feet under you. A lot of people try mixing different systems too early and nothing sticks. Good Luck!

[malleus discentium]

Powerscore has a huge boner for classifying question types so if you're looking to have very granular drilling I would stick with them. I can't speak to the strength of the PS versus M LR books, but I would start with PS and move to M if you don't like it or want more practice.

What book do you have for LG? If that's the one you mean you have the very first one of, yes, you need an updated book. The general stratagies for LG haven't changed but question types have.

You should be doing pretty much every question on every PT available, so your RC question is moot. You can use 1-38/50 RC sections for drilling and 39/50-71 for PTs. I think RC is generally regarded as having gotten more difficult over time, so yes you need newer tests anyway.

[Jeffort]

If you mean that you're using the first original edition of the LG Bible (the 223 page version floating around in torrent/file sharing/piracy land), you need to get the current version.

The current LG Bible is 4th edition and 630 pages. It covers way more stuff and in much greater depth than first edition by miles and is up to date with modern test trends/game type variations and such.