12 weeks out from December LSAT Forum

[Sherlock1122]

Hello,

[splittingheadache]

Excellent first test, I'd loved to have started there.
What are your weak areas?

Hours per day: for me it is ideally 5-6. I get kind of tired after 6. But the key is consistency, I would say at most one day off per week, even then, it is so hard to get back on track.

The most important point is how you are using these hours. You are going have to juggle multiple things (not all at the same time), read the books, drill, and PT, the first two not necessarily in that order. It is sometimes best to read and apply concepts in drilling at the same time. Reading might take you a long time to finish and take notes and understand and you may spend many hours. Drilling should take hours after hours after hours spread out over time for everybody. When you PT, it might seem like you are only using 2.5 hours per test, but your review should well exceed that.

I think for many people the initial bump in points is really relieving and reassuring, but many people increase a lot at first because they didn't grasp concepts, didn't understand the test, didn't have certain methods and techniques, etc. which are fixed through reading the books and drilling. I'm guessing once someone reaches 170, the next 10 points are just by getting into full, timed, PTs and review to build stamina. The higher your practice scores are, the next points for improvement will take a lot more time and finesse.

In the LSAT Prep section of the forum, there are various study groups based on test dates. You can definitely join one of those for general group discussion. You can definitely study with others!

Good luck!

[BP Robert]

Hi Sherlock,

I'd suggest around 2 or mayybe 3 hours per day. I've found, as both an LSAT studier and instructor, that anything much more than that is really just unnecessary. As you get closer to the test (last four weeks or so) you'll probably want to make 3 or 3.5 your average.

I'd also recommend that you get in touch with the prelaw society at your closest college if you're looking for a study buddy. They'll have many people all studying for the test.

Lastly: did you miss many logic game q's on your cold exam? If so that's actually a great sign because it's the most learnable section.

Best of luck,

Robert

[jw316]

Hi Sherlock,

I'd suggest around 2 or mayybe 3 hours per day. I've found, as both an LSAT studier and instructor, that anything much more than that is really just unnecessary. As you get closer to the test (last four weeks or so) you'll probably want to make 3 or 3.5 your average.

Best of luck,

Robert

Can you elaborate on the 2/3 hours a day recommendation and effectiveness/why you recommend it? I'm not refuting at all just asking as I'm genuinely curious about why more is unnecessary because of how frequently you see people on TLS talking about studying 9-5 and the like vs those who suggest doing it in blocks of time similar to how long you'll be taking the test (3.5-4hr chunks), and you seem to be a good source since you're speaking from a studier and instructor role.

[BP Robert]

Of course, no problem.

My advise here is somewhat case-specific. Because Sherlock had a great diagnostic score and is getting started with his studies so early (I mean I'm assuming he's planning to take Dec or later, at this point), 2 or 3 hours is adequate. My advise would be very different for, say, someone scoring 156 who wants a 165 next Saturday.

But even in that case studying 9-5 is just absurd. I don't think I know anyone who could do that consistently and be truly sharp for the full 8 hrs. At a certain point we can set lofty goals but if they're unattainable then they aren't quite useful.

Burnout is a real consideration -- the LSAT is mentally taxing no matter how good you are at it, so you have diminishing marginal returns the longer you study. Best advice is to set a rigorous but reasonable study schedule that you can be sure to achieve every day.

TLDR; studying smarter is almost always better than studying longer.

[Sherlock1122]

Thank you for your responses!

Unfortunately I don't have one stellar section and one to focus on. I missed about 6-8 on each section. Primarily intermediate-difficult questions. Any advice as to how I should go about studying? I am currently in an online course but don't find it too helpful as of yet. I plan to take a few practice tests a week but I am debating as to whether i should set out to master one section (LR or LF first) a month as opposed to bouncing around from concept to concept. Took a practice test today and all the strategies I have learned over the past few weeks flew out the window (160 again). Have to gain about 15 questions somewhere to get into that 173+ range.

Thanks again!

[gutrot3]

Hey Sherlock, I'm actually in a very similar boat as you.

I actually got the same diagnostic score and am hoping for the a similar score range come test day. However, I have been struggling ever since not only to find a happy medium on the hours I put into studying, but also the retention of information/strategies and the best plan of attack for studying.
What I've been doing was making my way through BP's logic book, which I've nearly completed, and just started drilling a bit today. Perhaps when I finished a section on a specific set of games it may have been better to try drilling them then, but I ultimately find going through problems themselves is not only more rewarding, but more fun as well. In terms of raw hours I've been putting in about 4-5 a day as I don't have a regular day job anymore. I feel as though I should be putting in more since I'm lucky enough to have free time right now (and I just officially registered and that has naturally made me very anxious).

I guess it's a bit different for you as your weakpoints are spread out and mine are (luckily?) fairly concentrated - I scored less than 10 correct on the games section. If you don't mind, would you message me the online course you're in? I'm considering investing in BP's course (not online tho), but I'd like to know your experience with whatever you're using.

Anyways, hope this helps at least a bit and good luck!

[Sherlock1122]

Well just to keep everyone updated. I am not where I need to be yet. My PT high was 168. I have typically been ranging between 166-168. Today I bombed a practice test and got a 162. LSAT burnout is real. I would love to take the december lsat with a score worthy of top 10 schools (173+) but it doesn't look like thats happening. Worth it to have to wait a whole year to go to law school and take the lsat in Feb? Will I even see a score increase? Private tutoring? Blehhh. Hope everyone's studies are going better than mine. Any advice?

[Rigo]

Well just to keep everyone updated. I am not where I need to be yet. My PT high was 168. I have typically been ranging between 166-168. Today I bombed a practice test and got a 162. LSAT burnout is real. I would love to take the december lsat with a score worthy of top 10 schools (173+) but it doesn't look like thats happening. Worth it to have to wait a whole year to go to law school and take the lsat in Feb? Will I even see a score increase? Private tutoring? Blehhh. Hope everyone's studies are going better than mine. Any advice?

There's no harm in taking the test February if you don't improve over the next two weeks. Sitting out a cycle isn't a bad thing. I'm guessing your gpa isn't too hot since you think a 173+ is necessary for top 10. Top 10 isn't a meaningful demarcation, by the way.
It definitely seems you've made good progress, albeit still not where you want to be.

Private tutoring would probably be a wasted expensive. Just keep drilling and refining your skills.
What is giving you trouble these days?

[Sherlock1122]

Unfortunately it seems to be changing. I miss a variety of LR questions, usually -10 per test generally falling in the last 10 per section. Pretty consistent with LG -2 OR -3, but the way I approach the games definitely isn't as consistent as it could be. RC is hit or miss. Sometimes I'll miss 2, sometimes I'll miss 8. Today I took another PT and got a 165...just not where I need to be.

In regards to my stats I graduated with a 3.95 from an honors college at a state university. I really would like to go top 5, so yeah shooting for at least 170s but hopefully 173. Thinking about sitting out a cycle and taking the test in feb after 3 more months of studying. I'm seriously discouraged b/c I put in at least 250 hours since August in hopes to attend school in the fall of 15. Working full time, studying, and working out has pretty much consumed my life while I put my social life on the back burner. Shitty feeling to know I'm not where I need to be. Thinking of just going back and reviewing and starting from lesson 1 again to determine weak spots. Thanks for taking the time to reach out with your thoughts!

[Rigo]

Haha you need to stop with top 10 and top 5. I get they're popular distinctions to laymen but you might rile a few feathers among NYU people, for instance.

Do you have timing issues on LR? Are you rushed for time or always finish comfortably?
Have you been drilling with Cambridge Packets for LR?

[Sherlock1122]

Haha you need to stop with top 10 and top 5. I get they're popular distinctions to laymen but you might rile a few feathers among NYU people, for instance.

Do you have timing issues on LR? Are you rushed for time or always finish comfortably?
Have you been drilling with Cambridge Packets for LR?

I finish comfortably mostly with LR. I haven't been drilling will Cambridge packets. Should I? Is there anyway I can get to 170 within the 2 weeks? I am going to take one more test before DEC 6 to determine if I'm ready.

[Rigo]

Haha you need to stop with top 10 and top 5. I get they're popular distinctions to laymen but you might rile a few feathers among NYU people, for instance.
Do you have timing issues on LR? Are you rushed for time or always finish comfortably?
Have you been drilling with Cambridge Packets for LR?

I finish comfortably mostly with LR. I haven't been drilling will Cambridge packets. Should I? Is there anyway I can get to 170 within the 2 weeks? I am going to take one more test before DEC 6 to determine if I'm ready.

Well if timing isn't your issue, then you're having a problem with the fundamentals of the question types. Cambridge can help you really practice just through mere exposure to a large volume of LR questions sorted by type and difficulty.

And yeah, it's possible. It depends on your studying and if it click or not. 165 isn't too far off.

[Sherlock1122]

Any other tips 165 to 170. Should I go back through everything and make flashcards? Review old practice tests? I want to see 170 once before I take it. My reading comp kinda sucks too, my timing is all off and I feel frantic most of the time. Thanks for the help.

[mist4bison]

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[Sherlock1122]

Thanks for response!

I downloaded Cambridge drilling doc and plan to go through all of those questions for the past 10PTS. I also took a PT today that I will review, but I'm not going to take another practice test until this Saturday. I would love to hit that 170 on saturday and am pretty much willing to do whatever it takes to get there.

Jake