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161 cold score - prep course or not? (for october LSAT)

Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 11:54 am
by osgiliath
Hi All,

I average 161-163 on LSAT practice tests with no studying. My usual # of errors on each section is as follows:

LG:9-12 incorrect (never even reach last game and make ~1 careless error on each attempted game)
LR: 3-6 incorrect per section
RC: 0-2 incorrect

I'm currently signed up for the October LSAT. Now working through Blueprint Logic Games book and drilling games by type.

Would it be worth it to take a 1-month prep course with Powerscore if my goal is 170? Or will I be wasting my time such as during the RC lessons? Would it be more cost effective to schedule 10 hours of tutoring rather than a 1 month course? Should I just self study and focus on logic games and shaving a few errors off LR?


Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Re: 161 cold score - prep course or not? (for october LSAT)

Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 12:17 pm
by lymenheimer
osgiliath wrote:Hi All,

I average 161-163 on LSAT practice tests with no studying. My usual # of errors on each section is as follows:

LG:9-12 incorrect (never even reach last game and make ~1 careless error on each attempted game)
LR: 3-6 incorrect per section
RC: 0-2 incorrect

I'm currently signed up for the October LSAT. Now working through Blueprint Logic Games book and drilling games by type.

Would it be worth it to take a 1-month prep course with Powerscore if my goal is 170? Or will I be wasting my time such as during the RC lessons? Would it be more cost effective to schedule 10 hours of tutoring rather than a 1 month course? Should I just self study and focus on logic games and shaving a few errors off LR?


Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Since you are struggling most with LG, I would not suggest a prep course. It would be a waste since LG is repeatedly expressed as the easiest to learn. As long as you can maintain your LR/RC scores, I would advise going hard on LG studying. Work on understanding the games and how to incorporate the nuances in each before you work on timing. If you get the games 100% with no time limit, then you need to slowly build up your speed rather than going strictly for 35 minutes timing. Work on condensing your diagrams so that you can easily read, edit, and apply to each question necessary. Work on your speed through the rules, while maintaining accuracy. Depending upon what it is you are struggling with, it can likely be easily remedied.

Re: 161 cold score - prep course or not? (for october LSAT)

Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 12:20 pm
by pterodactyls
If most of your errors are in LG then you should actually be in a decent place.

I would read Powerscore LGB and then drill.

I went through the LGB (reading slow to digest, doing all drills) and then made copies of all the LGs from 40 preptests - so a stack of 160 games. Went through the stack once, and now I'm testing -0/-1 consistently.

Games just take practice - it's the LR and RC that are hard to improve on.

Re: 161 cold score - prep course or not? (for october LSAT)

Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 12:26 pm
by osgiliath
Thanks guys. Your advice regarding logic games makes sense.

I would also need to tighten up my logical reasoning approach if i want to consistently score above 170. For LR, I have no issue going through under the time limit and am never really confused by any question - it's just that for some questions, I will be dead set on my incorrect interpretation even when shown the correct answer and I really need someone to drill through my skull why I am wrong so I can erase my incorrect intuition. Is this something I would benefit from by taking a class or tutoring? Or is there a good resource where I can do it on my own?

Re: 161 cold score - prep course or not? (for october LSAT)

Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 12:51 pm
by ltowns1
osgiliath wrote:Thanks guys. Your advice regarding logic games makes sense.

I would also need to tighten up my logical reasoning approach if i want to consistently score above 170. For LR, I have no issue going through under the time limit and am never really confused by any question - it's just that for some questions, I will be dead set on my incorrect interpretation even when shown the correct answer and I really need someone to drill through my skull why I am wrong so I can erase my incorrect intuition. Is this something I would benefit from by taking a class or tutoring? Or is there a good resource where I can do it on my own?

I think if ur scoring in the 160's, it's prob. just a waste to take a prep course. From what I understand, prep courses are designed to get you to a point where you can at least get an average score. You've already exceeded that point. I would say just keep analyzing/reviewing your mistakes, and drill those question types that give you trouble. You should do exactly what you just mentioned, articulate reasons why the reasoning is wrong in question you cannot understand. You're in pretty good shape.

Re: 161 cold score - prep course or not? (for october LSAT)

Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 1:58 pm
by KMart
Don't take a prep course. You can knock out LG on your own and save the money. Best of luck for October.

Re: 161 cold score - prep course or not? (for october LSAT)

Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 2:05 pm
by PoopNpants
RC is the hardest section so being 0-2 on that is fantastic. Drill games for the next week or two, then progress to sections. the 7sage foolproof method for mastering games is great. Improve a bit on LR and you should be in solid shape fuck a prep course

Re: 161 cold score - prep course or not? (for october LSAT)

Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 2:06 pm
by KMart
PoopNpants wrote:RC is the hardest section so being 0-2 on that is fantastic. Drill games for the next week or two, then progress to sections. the 7sage foolproof method for mastering games is great. Improve a bit on LR and you should be in solid shape fuck a prep course
Seriously. LG, with enough practice, is a given -1/-0 on a consistent basis. You'll do great, OP. A course won't get you there any differently than available materials for cheap.

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Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 7:19 pm
by PatriotP74
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Re: 161 cold score - prep course or not? (for october LSAT)

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 7:22 pm
by lpadr009
WTF kind of wizard are you that you do so well on RC?!

Re: 161 cold score - prep course or not? (for october LSAT)

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 7:26 pm
by gnomgnomuch
osgiliath wrote:Hi All,

I average 161-163 on LSAT practice tests with no studying. My usual # of errors on each section is as follows:

LG:9-12 incorrect (never even reach last game and make ~1 careless error on each attempted game)
LR: 3-6 incorrect per section
RC: 0-2 incorrect

I'm currently signed up for the October LSAT. Now working through Blueprint Logic Games book and drilling games by type.

Would it be worth it to take a 1-month prep course with Powerscore if my goal is 170? Or will I be wasting my time such as during the RC lessons? Would it be more cost effective to schedule 10 hours of tutoring rather than a 1 month course? Should I just self study and focus on logic games and shaving a few errors off LR?


Any advice is greatly appreciated.
I wouldn't do it. Most courses are designed to get you scoring in the high 150's low 160's. You're ALREADY there.

Re: 161 cold score - prep course or not? (for october LSAT)

Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2015 8:11 pm
by FloridaCoastalorbust
No prep course just follow pithy pike and do your thang

Re: 161 cold score - prep course or not? (for october LSAT)

Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2015 1:43 am
by Broncos15
I'd strongly urge you to take the December LSAT instead ( especially if you don't have LG mastered to a -0 by that point)

You could potentially be looking at 170+ in December