Help please! need to break this plateau Forum

[charlesriver]

I have been scoring at 169 in the last ten prep. my break down is typically:
RC: 5-9
LR: 4-8
LG: 1-3
total: 10-20. (172-164)
my BR scores have always been 172,173. I think after BR, I cut down my mistakes to the lower margin of my test error. I really need advice as to how to proceed from here. Im taking December one.

[BP Robert]

In my experience this plateau if very common. What seems to be most effective is an intensive PT regiment.

Another trick: take a practice exam ~untimed. If you don't get pretty damn near a 180 on an untimed test that'd suggest that you still have fundamentals that need attention.

Best luck,

Blueprint LSAT Prep

[Jeffort]

I have been scoring at 169 in the last ten prep. my break down is typically:
RC: 5-9
LR: 4-8
LG: 1-3
total: 10-20. (172-164)
my BR scores have always been 172,173. I think after BR, I cut down my mistakes to the lower margin of my test error. I really need advice as to how to proceed from here. Im taking December one.

You need to do super detailed review of each of your timed PTs to generate a detailed write-up of every single error/mistake/misstep/misinterpretation/type of thing that tripped you up/processes execution issue(s)/etc. so that you have a clear picture after each test of precisely what your current weaknesses were that day that got exploited so you know which skills/habits/whatever you need to sharpen up on.

At your scoring level, it's all about dissecting your timed PT execution in excruciating detail by pretty much doing a complete mental autopsy of your actual stream of thinking and decision making process/what actually went through your mind step by step as you analyzed and ultimately selected your final answer for each question to get a clear detailed picture of exactly what types of mistakes you're making, what types of things typically give you trouble, etc. so you know what to focus more drilling/studying and review about before doing another timed PT.

You must figure out your exact mistakes in detail in order to figure out what to do to fix them to improve more at the very top end of the score scale.

Solid deep review of a timed PT should take a minimum of three times the amount of time it took to take the PT timed, even when/especially when you're only missing 10-20 questions.

You have to do deep review work in order to effectively fine tune all your skills to solidly get into the 170s range on test day. It's tedious and less fun than just taking more PTs per week, but is the most effective way to improve your true skill set ability levels to their maximum potential. I'm talking about review beyond just the logic of the questions, also in depth review of your actual mental behavior/processes and steps you actually did, the reasons for all your various split second decisions in the steps of solving each question, etc. Meaning what you did, what went through your head, how you felt, how you reacted, why you reacted certain ways/did-didn't do certain things, etc. The more detailed the better because you need to refine and sharpen your hands on approach and methods you actually follow and apply when under timed conditions up to the level of consistently achieving nearly perfect execution.

[charlesriver]

I have been scoring at 169 in the last ten prep. my break down is typically:
RC: 5-9
LR: 4-8
LG: 1-3
total: 10-20. (172-164)
my BR scores have always been 172,173. I think after BR, I cut down my mistakes to the lower margin of my test error. I really need advice as to how to proceed from here. Im taking December one.

You need to do super detailed review of each of your timed PTs to generate a detailed write-up of every single error/mistake/misstep/misinterpretation/type of thing that tripped you up/processes execution issue(s)/etc. so that you have a clear picture after each test of precisely what your current weaknesses were that day that got exploited so you know which skills/habits/whatever you need to sharpen up on.

At your scoring level, it's all about dissecting your timed PT execution in excruciating detail by pretty much doing a complete mental autopsy of your actual stream of thinking and decision making process/what actually went through your mind step by step as you analyzed and ultimately selected your final answer for each question to get a clear detailed picture of exactly what types of mistakes you're making, what types of things typically give you trouble, etc. so you know what to focus more drilling/studying and review about before doing another timed PT.

You must figure out your exact mistakes in detail in order to figure out what to do to fix them to improve more at the very top end of the score scale.

Solid deep review of a timed PT should take a minimum of three times the amount of time it took to take the PT timed, even when/especially when you're only missing 10-20 questions.

You have to do deep review work in order to effectively fine tune all your skills to solidly get into the 170s range on test day. It's tedious and less fun than just taking more PTs per week, but is the most effective way to improve your true skill set ability levels to their maximum potential. I'm talking about review beyond just the logic of the questions, also in depth review of your actual mental behavior/processes and steps you actually did, the reasons for all your various split second decisions in the steps of solving each question, etc. Meaning what you did, what went through your head, how you felt, how you reacted, why you reacted certain ways/did-didn't do certain things, etc. The more detailed the better because you need to refine and sharpen your hands on approach and methods you actually follow and apply when under timed conditions up to the level of consistently achieving nearly perfect execution.

In my experience this plateau if very common. What seems to be most effective is an intensive PT regiment.

Another trick: take a practice exam ~untimed. If you don't get pretty damn near a 180 on an untimed test that'd suggest that you still have fundamentals that need attention.

Best luck,

Blueprint LSAT Prep

Thank you both for your advice. I guess my deep review isn't deep enough. Let me try it again.

Jeffort, I really like your posts. quality stuff.