Practice Fundamentals or Do More Tests? Forum

[RamTitan]

Fellow LSAT takers, I need some advice on my study strategies. I've been lightly studying for the past two months, and plan on taking the LSAT whenever I can score in the 170-172 range. As of right now, I'm at a 159. I've taken 6 practice tests so far. Should I focus on working on fundamentals and drilling problems to avoid wasting practice tests, or should I keep doing practice tests (after each test I analyze the problems I got wrong and the ones I was iffy about).

Note - I've gone through the two PowerScore bible books, and am considering buying the Orange LSAT book for drilling fundamentals.

My average score breakdown

RC - 8 wrong answers
LR - 12 wrongs answers (both sections combined)
AR - 6 wrong answers

[PoopNpants]

Fellow LSAT takers, I need some advice on my study strategies. I've been lightly studying for the past two months, and plan on taking the LSAT whenever I can score in the 170-172 range. As of right now, I'm at a 159. I've taken 6 practice tests so far. Should I focus on working on fundamentals and drilling problems to avoid wasting practice tests, or should I keep doing practice tests (after each test I analyze the problems I got wrong and the ones I was iffy about).

Note - I've gone through the two PowerScore bible books, and am considering buying the Orange LSAT book for drilling fundamentals.

My average score breakdown

RC - 8 wrong answers
LR - 12 wrongs answers (both sections combined)
AR - 6 wrong answers

By "light studying" what exactly do you mean? If you want to start scoring in the 170 range your gonna have do a lot more than light studying. There are 78 available practice tests to do from and you can also do old sections/questions for drilling purposes after you use them to PT too

[lymenheimer]

Depends on what you mean by "fundamentals". If you mean drilling section by section rather than doing timed tests, do that. PTs will only reinforce whatever it is that you're doing incorrectly without really allowing you time to think through your process. I would suggest getting to 0 wrong on AR (LG) before you do more PTs. It is the easiest to learn and break down and is essentially a free section (even though it is only 1/4 of the test). If you can't get the games down then the real test is gonna be difficult, especially since RC and LR can be so much more unpredictable. Then work on LR because it is half the test and RC last with the others mixed in for consistency. With the numbers you are missing on LR and RC, it is important that you can perfect at least one section (AR/LG) because even if you get 4 wrong on each LR/RC for mis-reading, that's only a 168 or so. Missing 3/4 also on the AR (LG) will put you down to a 164 or so.

[KMart]

Drill the problems until you are comfortable enough on them, then reinforce your knowledge with PTs.

[RamTitan]

Fellow LSAT takers, I need some advice on my study strategies. I've been lightly studying for the past two months, and plan on taking the LSAT whenever I can score in the 170-172 range. As of right now, I'm at a 159. I've taken 6 practice tests so far. Should I focus on working on fundamentals and drilling problems to avoid wasting practice tests, or should I keep doing practice tests (after each test I analyze the problems I got wrong and the ones I was iffy about).

Note - I've gone through the two PowerScore bible books, and am considering buying the Orange LSAT book for drilling fundamentals.

My average score breakdown

RC - 8 wrong answers
LR - 12 wrongs answers (both sections combined)
AR - 6 wrong answers

By "light studying" what exactly do you mean? If you want to start scoring in the 170 range your gonna have do a lot more than light studying. There are 78 available practice tests to do from and you can also do old sections/questions for drilling purposes after you use them to PT too

In the month of June I was practicing 12-15 hours a week, and in July I cut back to 6 hours a week, which is what I'm still doing. I figured a consistent steady schedule of doing that for a year would be better than trying to cram it all in before a specific date.

Btw, my LR studying has primarily consisted of reading the PowerScore bible (typically practice 1-2 types of questions per study session), and for AR I do an entire section. My initial study habits weren't the best...I was heavily relying on the Barrons book.

[RamTitan]

Depends on what you mean by "fundamentals". If you mean drilling section by section rather than doing timed tests, do that. PTs will only reinforce whatever it is that you're doing incorrectly without really allowing you time to think through your process. I would suggest getting to 0 wrong on AR (LG) before you do more PTs. It is the easiest to learn and break down and is essentially a free section (even though it is only 1/4 of the test). If you can't get the games down then the real test is gonna be difficult, especially since RC and LR can be so much more unpredictable. Then work on LR because it is half the test and RC last with the others mixed in for consistency. With the numbers you are missing on LR and RC, it is important that you can perfect at least one section (AR/LG) because even if you get 4 wrong on each LR/RC for mis-reading, that's only a 168 or so. Missing 3/4 also on the AR (LG) will put you down to a 164 or so.

Typically I get in the 0-2 range when I do an AR section by itself. I've found that on the PTs there is always one section that I bomb, and the other three that I dominate.

Thanks for the numbers breakdown; that's super helpful. I've been alternating studying days for AR and LR. Do you suggest I solely focus on perfecting AR before working on LR?

[lymenheimer]

Typically I get in the 0-2 range when I do an AR section by itself. I've found that on the PTs there is always one section that I bomb, and the other three that I dominate.

Thanks for the numbers breakdown; that's super helpful. I've been alternating studying days for AR and LR. Do you suggest I solely focus on perfecting AR before working on LR?

Ahh I see. That must mean that you need to get used to the variety of games. If you are missing 0-2 then you have the basics down, it might just be the type that is catching you off guard. In that case, just work in a game or two with your LR training to keep you fresh and expose you to new types of games. Same with when you get to RC. But you should be fine doing what you're doing, or not going full throttle on AR and focusing more on LR/RC.