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Just took a PT
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 8:57 pm
by Matikpa
So I just took PT66 and scored a 150. Finished like one LG and had almost 10 LR questions that I didn't have time to attempt. I was able to claw my way up to 150 from a 140 diagnostic. My question is, is there anything I should be doing differently in regards to bumping up my score? I can tell I've gotten faster, but I haven't been able to give an honest shot at every LSAT question on a given test. I've been using an Excel sheet to keep track of my incorrect answers. Any other pointers?
Thanks
Re: Just took a PT
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 9:00 pm
by monadologist
Matikpa wrote:So I just took PT66 and scored a 150. Finished like one LG and had almost 10 LR questions that I didn't have time to attempt. I was able to claw my way up to 150 from a 140 diagnostic. My question is, is there anything I should be doing differently in regards to bumping up my score? I can tell I've gotten faster, but I haven't been able to give an honest shot at every LSAT question on a given test. I've been using an Excel sheet to keep track of my incorrect answers. Any other pointers?
Thanks
What prep books/materials have you used? How many PTs have you done so far? How long have you been studying? What is your target score?
A 150 means a severe problem with fundamentals. Do you know your weak areas? It took you 35 minutes to do one LG - Have you read LGB or anything like it?
Re: Just took a PT
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 9:02 pm
by nlee10
Matikpa wrote:So I just took PT66 and scored a 150. Finished like one LG and had almost 10 LR questions that I didn't have time to attempt. I was able to claw my way up to 150 from a 140 diagnostic. My question is, is there anything I should be doing differently in regards to bumping up my score? I can tell I've gotten faster, but I haven't been able to give an honest shot at every LSAT question on a given test. I've been using an Excel sheet to keep track of my incorrect answers. Any other pointers?
Thanks
My suggestion is to lay off the PT's for at least a month and pick up a prep book. As you complete a LR or LG lesson, use the Cambridge PT 1-38 Packets for LR and Cambridge LG packets to drill said lesson. You need to know the basics as well as have sufficient practice with the relevant LR question time or LG type in order to have a good feel.
Re: Just took a PT
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 9:03 pm
by KanGaHru
Assuming you just started studying-
If you're not using the manhattan website to more thoroughly understand incorrect LR questions and/or you're not using 7sage.com to go over games (even ones you got correct), then you should start doing tso. Otherwise, if you find you are still having troubles, then an online or live class may be useful to you to help you gain a better grasp of the basics.
Re: Just took a PT
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 9:04 pm
by KanGaHru
Also, I concur with the posters above with regards to fundamentals and drilling.
Re: Just took a PT
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 9:11 pm
by Matikpa
monadologist wrote:Matikpa wrote:So I just took PT66 and scored a 150. Finished like one LG and had almost 10 LR questions that I didn't have time to attempt. I was able to claw my way up to 150 from a 140 diagnostic. My question is, is there anything I should be doing differently in regards to bumping up my score? I can tell I've gotten faster, but I haven't been able to give an honest shot at every LSAT question on a given test. I've been using an Excel sheet to keep track of my incorrect answers. Any other pointers?
Thanks
What prep books/materials have you used? How many PTs have you done so far? How long have you been studying? What is your target score?
A 150 means a severe problem with fundamentals. Do you know your weak areas? It took you 35 minutes to do one LG - Have you read LGB or anything like it?
My prep began in early August. I was able to complete a full logic game as well as a few questions from the other games. I took a prep course during the summer and have been doing some self-study lately. Thus far, I've gotten though half of the LG & LR Bibles. I feel like I have a timing problem. I scored a 167 on my untimed PT so I feel like I have a problem finishing the questions on time.
Re: Just took a PT
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 9:17 pm
by Clemenceau
Drill more.
There is no reason to be doing full, recent practice tests in one sitting right now, ESPECIALLY if there are 10 whole questions that you aren't even getting to see. Honestly that's a deplorable waste of fresh material. Drill individual sections from older tests (get all the 10 actual, official lsac books), review each section right after doing it while its fresh in your memory. Time yourself. Keep ratcheting your speed up. Set goals. If you can't finish a LR section in under 35 minutes soon then you may need to throw in the towel. This test is all about timing.
Re: Just took a PT
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 9:29 pm
by KanGaHru
Matikpa wrote:monadologist wrote:Matikpa wrote:So I just took PT66 and scored a 150. Finished like one LG and had almost 10 LR questions that I didn't have time to attempt. I was able to claw my way up to 150 from a 140 diagnostic. My question is, is there anything I should be doing differently in regards to bumping up my score? I can tell I've gotten faster, but I haven't been able to give an honest shot at every LSAT question on a given test. I've been using an Excel sheet to keep track of my incorrect answers. Any other pointers?
Thanks
What prep books/materials have you used? How many PTs have you done so far? How long have you been studying? What is your target score?
A 150 means a severe problem with fundamentals. Do you know your weak areas? It took you 35 minutes to do one LG - Have you read LGB or anything like it?
My prep began in early August. I was able to complete a full logic game as well as a few questions from the other games. I took a prep course during the summer and have been doing some self-study lately. Thus far, I've gotten though half of the LG & LR Bibles. I feel like I have a timing problem. I scored a 167 on my untimed PT so I feel like I have a problem finishing the questions on time.
It is not unreasonable to assume you still have some timing issues, however, a 167 untimed still hints at a fundamentals issue as well in my opinion so I think your focus should still be drilling then reviewing missed answers. In review, try not to think about why the correct answer is correct but rather the overlying logic and how it would apply in a future question with different content.
Re: Just took a PT
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 11:31 am
by dontdoitkid
Going to concur with everyone else here on the fundamentals of drilling and prep books/some sort of prep method to get the core concepts down. Unused PTs are a valued commodity as you get further along in your prep, don't let too many of them to go waste by using them on PTs before you've really given yourself a leg to stand on.
Re: Just took a PT
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 11:47 am
by mist4bison
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Re: Just took a PT
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 2:42 pm
by monadologist
mist4bison wrote:Matikpa wrote:monadologist wrote:Matikpa wrote:So I just took PT66 and scored a 150. Finished like one LG and had almost 10 LR questions that I didn't have time to attempt. I was able to claw my way up to 150 from a 140 diagnostic. My question is, is there anything I should be doing differently in regards to bumping up my score? I can tell I've gotten faster, but I haven't been able to give an honest shot at every LSAT question on a given test. I've been using an Excel sheet to keep track of my incorrect answers. Any other pointers?
Thanks
What prep books/materials have you used? How many PTs have you done so far? How long have you been studying? What is your target score?
A 150 means a severe problem with fundamentals. Do you know your weak areas? It took you 35 minutes to do one LG - Have you read LGB or anything like it?
My prep began in early August. I was able to complete a full logic game as well as a few questions from the other games. I took a prep course during the summer and have been doing some self-study lately. Thus far, I've gotten though half of the LG & LR Bibles.
I feel like I have a timing problem. I scored a 167 on my untimed PT so I feel like I have a problem finishing the questions on time.
You definitely have a timing problem, but you also have a concept probelm. A 167 on an untimed PT shows that you need to work on concepts. Unless you're getting close to a 180 on untimed/BR, you have an issue with concepts. I'd suggest the Trainer based on what you've been saying.
Lay off of PTs, for sure. Go through your prep book and drill that question type after you finish the chapter on it. Questions you get wrong, mark and do again later. If you plan on sticking with the bibles, I'd suggest starting on LG and moving to LR. 1) It's the most learnable 2) LR is easier to forget than LG. Otherwise, I'd go with the Trainer so you can go back and forth between LG/LR/RC
Agreed, 167 on an untimed PT is a serious problem with fundamentals. There is no reason one who has the basic fundamentals should be below 175 (if not 180) untimed. I'd agree with everyone saying to stick to drilling types and rediagnose in a month timed. The tough part about LSAT prep is that there is only a finite amount of prep materials. Everytime you do a PT, you burn that PT (except for maybe LG, but the LR becomes useless).
Re: Just took a PT
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2014 4:04 pm
by RobertGolddust
So I just took PT66 and scored a 150. Finished like one LG and had almost 10 LR questions that I didn't have time to attempt. I was able to claw my way up to 150 from a 140 diagnostic. My question is, is there anything I should be doing differently in regards to bumping up my score? I can tell I've gotten faster, but I haven't been able to give an honest shot at every LSAT question on a given test. I've been using an Excel sheet to keep track of my incorrect answers. Any other pointers?
Thanks
Go back to learning the fundaments, take your time, and don't get discouraged.