Where to Start studying (beginner question) Forum

[Secretjuly]

I've spent the past few weeks lurking. I finally made an account, and I have a few questions I wanted to ask you fine folk.

The general consensus I think I have gotten is for prep books to use the Manhattan one for LR and the power score bible for the games. Is that correct? Also that some people advocate for prep courses while others didn't need them. I do have the resources to take one if need be, so I wanted to ask which prep courses are considered to be the top.

Im a second semester Junior with a GPA of 3.468 who really let college get the best of me but I've buckled down quite a bit and I know I can raise my GPA a bit more. That is why I want to dedicate a lot of time to the LSAT this summer. I only have classes tuesday thursday this semester and can dedicate some days to start studying now.

Another question I have is where to start studying? I know people say to take a diagnostic test, but I do not know where to find those.

Thanks in advance

PS. I bolded my questions to make them easier to find

Edit #1- Just wanted to give some stats I am an ethnic minority, with good extra curricular activities like being an RA on campus and a founding father of a Fraternity at my campus

[nlee10]

http://www.lsac.org/docs/default-source ... ptjune.pdf
Use this free diag test. Come back to us with your score breakdown (-x per section).

[Dr. Nefario]

Do what Nlee said then come back! Good Luck!

Also, Prep-wise, I'd start with the books and see how you do on those. Get the Cambridge packets and you should be fine with those and the Manhattan and Powerscore books. If not, then you can try a course, but many courses just force you to study rather than have truly positive effects IMO. My course was not great so I'm biased.

[RZ5646]

Just want to add TAKE YOUR DIAGNOSTIC WITH PROPER TIMING. Untimed tests mean nothing.

[Smallville]

if you want to go the course route I would say look into both Velocity and 7sage as they are decently priced and very well regarded. Both have some free content you can check out

[Secretjuly]

Just took the diagnostic test and wow I did a lot worse then I thought would have

Part 1- 9/23 (I only got to question 17 when the time ran out)
Part 2-17/25
Part 3-15/25
Part 4- 17-27

I guess its good I'm hitting the books early

[RZ5646]

Just took the diagnostic test and wow I did a lot worse then I thought would have

Part 1- 9/23 (I only got to question 17 when the time ran out)
Part 2-17/25
Part 3-15/25
Part 4- 17-27

I guess its good I'm hitting the books early

What's the scaled score? What are these sections? I'm guessing the first is LG.

[Secretjuly]

The scaled score was a 148. it was the june 2007 exam

The first was Logic Games

Second was Logical Reasoning

Third was Analytical reasoning

4th was RC

[RZ5646]

Analytical reasoning and logic games are two names for the same thing. One of those must have been LR.

Anyway, sure, that's not an amazing score, but almost half of people do that bad when they take the LSAT for real, so you're not in a terrible place. Doing poorly on LG isn't that bad either, since it's the easiest to improve on.

Like you said, just hit the books and you'll probably make massive improvements fairly quickly.

[Secretjuly]

True, I wasn't expecting a really high score because I've never studied anything regarding the LSAT. Its good to set a baseline score for when I do study.

Now I'm more motivated to study harder and do well

[Clyde Frog]

I've spent the past few weeks lurking. I finally made an account, and I have a few questions I wanted to ask you fine folk.

The general consensus I think I have gotten is for prep books to use the Manhattan one for LR and the power score bible for the games. Is that correct? Also that some people advocate for prep courses while others didn't need them. I do have the resources to take one if need be, so I wanted to ask which prep courses are considered to be the top.

Im a second semester Junior with a GPA of 3.468 who really let college get the best of me but I've buckled down quite a bit and I know I can raise my GPA a bit more. That is why I want to dedicate a lot of time to the LSAT this summer. I only have classes tuesday thursday this semester and can dedicate some days to start studying now.

Another question I have is where to start studying? I know people say to take a diagnostic test, but I do not know where to find those.

Thanks in advance

PS. I bolded my questions to make them easier to find

Edit #1- Just wanted to give some stats I am an ethnic minority, with good extra curricular activities like being an RA on campus and a founding father of a Fraternity at my campus

As in ethnic minority are you African-American, American Indian, Mexican-American, or Puerto Rican?

[NutellaDipity]

if you want to go the course route I would say look into both Velocity and 7sage as they are decently priced and very well regarded. Both have some free content you can check out

+1 for 7sage. I started with the bibles and then took the full 7sage course, although time was restrained and i had to skip a lot. don't do that. take all the time you need to go through the lectures and then prep test 2-3 times/week. good luck!

[Secretjuly]

Edit #1- Just wanted to give some stats I am an ethnic minority, with good extra curricular activities like being an RA on campus and a founding father of a Fraternity at my campus

As in ethnic minority are you African-American, American Indian, Mexican-American, or Puerto Rican?

I might have Misread that My parents are Pakistani, I thought that was considered a minority.

[Rigo]

Edit #1- Just wanted to give some stats I am an ethnic minority, with good extra curricular activities like being an RA on campus and a founding father of a Fraternity at my campus

As in ethnic minority are you African-American, American Indian, Mexican-American, or Puerto Rican?

I might have Misread that My parents are Pakistani, I thought that was considered a minority.

What matters in law school admissions is whether you're a URM (under-represented minority) or not. Pakistanis are unfortunately not URM's so you cannot count on an admissions bump.

And I agree with the prep materials suggested. A 148 diagnostic really isn't too shabby. My diagnostic was right around there and I've improved immensely. A ton of improvement is normal in the beginning as you learn basic concepts and how to tackle questions.

[Ataris]

Long time lurker, I also am looking for some advice.

[Rigo]

Long time lurker, I also am looking for some advice.

...okay. Anything more specific?

[Smallville]

Long time lurker, I also am looking for some advice.

bubble the right answers

[Smallville]

-_-

[Rigo]

Long time lurker, I also am looking for some advice.

...okay. Anything more specific?

some background info for ya Rigo

What was your diagnostic score and/or PT scores? blueprint is great for getting you into the 160s but after that it'll take a lot of self studying to improve into the 170s. (took a blueprint class myself and am now self-studying)

My diagnostic was 145. I also have the power score bibles though.

also

Hey Everyone!

I took my first diagnostic practice LSAT yesterday, and I scored a 145. I was pretty bummed about it.

I was wondering if anyone could offer information on how much I can expect to improve before taking the real test in June.
I have been diagnosed with general anxiety, depression, and ADHD (I take medication for these issues), and I know that this can be a hinderance to my progress. However, I am very committed to improving and pursuing law school.

Would anyone who has been in a similar situation be willing to offer insight/advice? I would also like to hear from anyone who made significant improvements with a PT score that was particularly low. Thank you!

Why are you giving background info for an entirely different poster?

[Smallville]

Why are you giving background info for an entirely different poster?

BC RC is my worst section and just noticed the same first letter, no tar and new poster and then moved threads and just merged the 2 in my head
im smert