162 to 170 before October LSAT? Forum

[rose9729]

I am aiming for a 170 on the October LSAT, but for at least the past month, my score has consistently been 161-163, despite taking the time to go over answers I was unsure about and/or got incorrect and practicing those types of questions.

I have been self-studying for the LSAT since May, I had a tutor work intensively with me on logic games from May-July, and I have been in a TestMasters class since July. I only use the official PrepTests and books with official questions (PowerScore bibles, The LSAT Trainer). I have taken about 10 practice tests in total under timed, realistic conditions.

It seems on every practice exam I either have a major problem with RC (-7) and one of the logic games (while getting 100% on the other 3 games) but only get 4 wrong per LR section or the RC and logic games sections are fine (-2 or -3 each) but then I get about 9 wrong per LR section. Basically, I either have a problem with one half of the exam or the other. Recently, I did one practice exam where I gave myself 10 minute breaks in between sections and got a 172. I know this doesn't mean much, but it does show that I do have the necessary skills and strategies.

This is very frustrating, especially since in my practice I feel confident about the questions I am working on. I study about 3 hours per day, sometimes more, and based on the above, feel my studying is of good quality. I have a 3.95 GPA from a top 15 undergrad and don't see why for the amount and quality of studying I have done I shouldn't be able to get a 170.

Any advice for how to overcome this? Is it even realistic to expect this big of a jump in my score with only 3 weeks left? I know the obvious answer would be to just keep in mind retaking the exam in December, but I really don't want to resort to that if I don't absolutely have to.

[Clemenceau]

Not realistic at all, I'm afraid.

[doublehoohopeful]

Recently, I did one practice exam where I gave myself 10 minute breaks in between sections and got a 172. I know this doesn't mean much, but it does show that I do have the necessary skills and strategies.

You probably do have the basic skills, but the time crunch is part of the difficulty of the test.

This is very frustrating, especially since in my practice I feel confident about the questions I am working on. I study about 3 hours per day, sometimes more, and based on the above, feel my studying is of good quality.

Feeling confident and putting in a certain number of hours does not necessarily mean you are studying effectively.

I have a 3.95 GPA from a top 15 undergrad and don't see why for the amount and quality of studying I have done I shouldn't be able to get a 170.

Some people are able to knock out a 170+ after a bit of study. For most everyone else, it takes a fair amount of time. Personally, I studied on and off over three years in order to go 170+ on the real deal. The few months of study you've put in really isn't that much compared to what other people have done.

Any advice for how to overcome this? Is it even realistic to expect this big of a jump in my score with only 3 weeks left? I know the obvious answer would be to just keep in mind retaking the exam in December, but I really don't want to resort to that if I don't absolutely have to.

It isn't likely that you're going to start consistently PTing 175 under test conditions or be in a place to break 170 with three weeks left. Your only option here is to really look at your study methods and take the time to internalize what works for you and make that second nature. This will probably not happen in time for the October test, and it may not even happen in time for the December test. However, if you're looking to get a top score, you're going to have to put the work and time in.

[benwyatt]

Post removed.

[PoopNpants]

I think if you studied hard, drilled hard, PTed and BRed daily over the next 20 days then you could possibly be at the level to hit 170. I wouldn't bet on it tho, but it seems like it would be your first-take so at worst you could just re-take if you don't get there.

[seashell.economy]

Like others said, you haven't been studying for that long. You're at a good place right now, as well, despite seeking an even higher score. Since you asked, no, I don't think it's likely you can up your score to 170 in a mere 3 weeks. That being said, nothing is impossible. Study as much as you can and don't cancel your score unless something goes really wrong. I'm at a 166-168 right now and my goal is 170+, and I'm not sure I can do that in 3 weeks (accounting for the fact that most people drop 2-3 points when they actually take the test, or so I've heard.) I'm planning on a retake in December. You should get used to the idea of a December retake.

[Widdle_Dumpling]

I went from a high 160s (practice test) to a mid 170s (actual LSAT) in a month, so jumping scores in a small amount of time is possible. I was helped by the fact that I was really only struggling in Logic Games, and just trained for the other sections via practice test, so I could really buckle down on just those types of problems.

It sounds like you want to work on Reading Comprehension, maybe really try to focus in on it and let the other sections get trained just taking practice tests.

Are you nervous when you take practice exams? If you are, I'd focus on trying to get that under control. I was super nervous test day, convinced I'd tanked the first section, but calmed myself down, told myself it was the experimental section (it wasn't, but I didn't actually tank it, as it turns out) and did fine on the other sections.
Try to scope out your testing center before the day of the test, find parking, bathrooms, etc. Best of Luck!

[RZ5646]

I am aiming for a 170 on the October LSAT, but for at least the past month, my score has consistently been 161-163.

This is the important part. If 162 were a recent diagnostic score, then you could probably get to 170 in 3 weeks, but the fact that you've plateaued at 162 after significant studying means you probably won't make such a leap any time soon. Keep studying hard and plan to take December.