Self-Studying books! Please HELP! Forum

[reedmg]

I apologize if this is a frequently asked question, but I'm curious about what books to get next.

I've used the 2014 Kaplan book + 6 tests, and 10 of the Actual LSAT Prep Tests. The Kaplan book has been extremely mediocre, and I would estimate it's only improved my score by a point or two. Most of my improvement has been from taking practice tests, and figuring out what I'm doing wrong.

My biggest weakness is my reading speed. I've consistently scored in the 160-163 range for the past 7 tests, but I frequently don't have enough time to answer the last question or two. I complete them, but I never count them in my score.

I currently live in China, so I'll get to take the test later than most (June 29th); however, getting study materials here is really hard (expensive) since I live in small city. A coworker is coming from the US in early June, and has room for a couple books. I'm planning on getting another 10 actual tests, but I'm not too sure what else I should get.

I've considered the LSAT Trainer, and possibly the LR/LG PowerScore bibles. Any input on these books, or anything else would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

[Winston1984]

Definitely get the Trainer. I was never impressed with Powerscore, but a lot of people swear by them. I thought Manhattan was better than PS. But one month isn't really enough time to effectively utilize the trainer, or any of the other books. You should postpone and take the September (October) test.

[rebexness]

Does the trainer come in an ebook? Not ideal, for sure, but it can certainly be read in a month. I'm pretty sure Manhattans books come ebook took. And you can buy PTs online. This would give you an extra 2 weeks plus on prep- if you get them now.

[wealtheow]

Definitely Manhattan - all three books. In fact, I recommend Manhattan before Trainer - as in, read it first, it's a comprehensive intro. You will get more out of the Trainer if you've already developed a more intuitive grasp of the test.

You also need more PrepTests. Definitely get the PDFs, NOT the physical books. Huge pain in the rear if you want to re-take any (which I recommend).

I'm not sure if a month is enough time to digest all this material AND get your timing under control. If you are content with where you are scoring, it's probably fine, but if you're aiming higher, you may want to consider postponing until the Sept/Oct sitting.

For LR, are you reading the question stem first, or the prompt? When I switched from prompt to question, my timing problem disappeared (for that section, at least).

[BillPackets]

Manhattan LR, PS LG, trainer, 7sage app for games + Cambridge packets + manhattan forums

[reedmg]

Thank you for the advice! I'm going to have her bring the Trainer, and 10 PT's.

I'd like to think I'm pretty good at finding sources online, but I've spent the better part of the last hour looking for additional places to download (pay for) pdf's of actual LSAT practice tests. I've found a couple of places like cambridgelsat, but they seem to be selling them for three times the prices as the paperbacks because of their "in-depth analysis of each problem".

Do you think you might be able to elaborate on where I can get these pdf's wealtheow, or anyone.

Thank you for everyone's help!

[rebexness]

LSAT blog sells them, and cambridge.

They are more expensive to buy individually than in the 10pack (7.99 each iirc, vs however much the books sell for).

[wealtheow]

I got mine on lsatblog!
http://lsatblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/ls ... nload.html

That reminds me! If you are struggling with a certain question type, you may want to get the cambridge packet for the culprit and drill, drill, drill:
http://www.cambridgelsat.com/problem-sets/

eta: rebexness brings up a good point. there wasn't yet a volume v compilation when i took the test, so i had to buy 62 or so through 70 individually - i didn't realize that one was out, so you could buy that instead i suppose. i had all the other volumes, but also had access to a copy machine at work, so i was able to make multiple copies of tests before marking up. i can't emphasize enough how much retaking things helped me. my strong preference for the pdfs i think is because i kind've ruined a couple of my originals before i could copy them, and had to re-buy, which made me grumpy.

[reedmg]

How long would you wait to retake a test? I feel like I would remember too much of the content, and just start answering what I got correct.

[wealtheow]

Unfortunately you'll never entirely forget a test (I took over a year off between study attempts, and still recalled questions I'd especially hated), but you might be surprised how quickly you forget the particulars. IMO, the novelty doesn't matter so much as the time spent thinking about questions, especially those that give you difficulty. I'm not sure how your memory is, I'd say wait at least a week after blind review? Even when I retook a section only a couple weeks later, I found it helpful, although frankly, most of it seemed "new" enough to still give me trouble! If you get stuff wrong even when vaguely remembering it, it's a great way to pinpoint what isn't clicking.