How much harder are the newer practice tests? Forum

[StopLawying]

9 weeks out from the Feb test and I'm worried because I haven't taken any post 60s tests.
It seems like the general consensus is that these tests are much more difficult. How much harder though? And how long does it take to adjust to these newer tests? Would appreciate any type of response, TIA.

[december1205]

Many of us wouldn't say that newer tests are harder. What distinguishes 70s from other tests are that there are subtle diffs in how the AC is presented.

For older tests, the anticipated answer is usually blatently written in the ACs. For newer tests, it's more nuanced. I guess LSAC is getting tired of writing in answer choice "takes for granted that a condition that is required is indeed sufficient" so they find another way to put that. Same goes for weaken, assumptions, strengthen, etc

[TheodoreKGB]

I never took any 70s PTs before taking 73 live. I hit in the same range as the late 60s PTs. Some say they've thrown in a random oddball game here and there (like from PT 1-20ish), which I would advise practicing anyways. But really, if you've prepped extensively, you should have no issues. By prepping extensively, you're learning skills and reasoning, not how to be a robot that has trouble inputting different data.

[Shakawkaw]

By the last week of your prep, you should have taken every practice test and done every practice question under the sun, inclusive of ripping each question apart and knowing why TCR is indeed credited.

Just fold in the "newer" generation of post-60s (mostly 70s have changed slightly) into your schedule and see how you do.

[RamTitan]

I never took any 70s PTs before taking 73 live. I hit in the same range as the late 60s PTs. Some say they've thrown in a random oddball game here and there (like from PT 1-20ish), which I would advise practicing anyways. But really, if you've prepped extensively, you should have no issues. By prepping extensively, you're learning skills and reasoning, not how to be a robot that has trouble inputting different data.

There have been recent tests with oddball games? How the hell do I prep for those?

[lymenheimer]

There have been recent tests with oddball games? How the hell do I prep for those?

By prepping extensively, you're learning skills and reasoning, not how to be a robot that has trouble inputting different data.

BTW KGB, this is exactly my thoughts regarding LSAT prep, especially LG, I just have a horrible way at putting it into decent words. So thank you for relieving my headache.

[TheodoreKGB]

You can prep for those by practicing the old LG sections from early PTs (1-20ish).

[TheodoreKGB]

BTW KGB, this is exactly my thoughts regarding LSAT prep, especially LG, I just have a horrible way at putting it into decent words. So thank you for relieving my headache.

Hey, no problem!

[coolestkidever]

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[RamTitan]

You can prep for those by practicing the old LG sections from early PTs (1-20ish).

Do you think it's worth spending the time doing (I'm going to guess your answer is yes lol)? I probably shouldn't even ask that since I still have two whole months to study. I'll get my hands on them.

Anyways, this has been my trend:

41-51; 166-168
52-61; 169-171

And I took the more recent ones before the older ones. I haven't really noticed much of a difference, other than getting 88-90 questions right in 52-61 tends to give you a higher score.

[TheodoreKGB]

@RamTitan

Yeah, definitely practice those early logic games. Being consistently in the upper 160s with two months left to study is a good place to be. Keep up the good work!

[RamTitan]

@RamTitan

Yeah, definitely practice those early logic games. Being consistently in the upper 160s with two months left to study is a good place to be. Keep up the good work!

Way off topic but...
I read another thread where someone said don't sign up for the test until you're scoring at least 3 points higher than your goal score......how valid do you think that is? I know a lot of people experience a test drop, but I've also heard people bumping their scores up. I've been studying about 10 hours a week since late May, most of which has been drilling (only have taken 13 practice tests). I was planning on spending the next two months to take at least 20 practice tests. Do you think that's a good strategy, or should I think about pushing the test back to June? I've been feeling pretty good lately. I figured taking it in Feb. would be good, and if I did screw it up somehow, I could take it in June and spend the summer completing applications.

[EnderWiggin]

Way off topic but...
I read another thread where someone said don't sign up for the test until you're scoring at least 3 points higher than your goal score......how valid do you think that is?

You're going to get varied responses about this, but I'd say that you should aim to be scoring several points higher than your goal score when you take the real thing. Not sure if you necessarily need to be scoring 3+ points higher when you *sign up* for the test, but test day drop is definitely a real thing.

Plus, you could score at or above where you've been PTing. Better to experience a drop that puts you at or around your target score than to experience a drop that puts you below it.

[lymenheimer]

@RamTitan

Yeah, definitely practice those early logic games. Being consistently in the upper 160s with two months left to study is a good place to be. Keep up the good work!

Way off topic but...
I read another thread where someone said don't sign up for the test until you're scoring at least 3 points higher than your goal score......how valid do you think that is? I know a lot of people experience a test drop, but I've also heard people bumping their scores up. I've been studying about 10 hours a week since late May, most of which has been drilling (only have taken 13 practice tests). I was planning on spending the next two months to take at least 20 practice tests. Do you think that's a good strategy, or should I think about pushing the test back to June? I've been feeling pretty good lately. I figured taking it in Feb. would be good, and if I did screw it up somehow, I could take it in June and spend the summer completing applications.

anecdotal, but each time I took it, my test day score was the same as my highest PT.

[RamTitan]

Thanks for the responses; I think I'll start a new thread so I don't hijack this one

[TheodoreKGB]

Just as a quick add on:

I think it also really comes down to how realistic/harsh your PT conditions are. The more realistic/harsh they are, the more valid the resultant scores are. That's not to say that a test day drop can't happen, because it definitely can. But you should take each PT as close to actual conditions as possible.

The whole 3 points higher than your goal stems from a statistical analysis (done by LSAC I believe) that found that people score within +/- 3 points of the average of their last 3 PTs. By consistently scoring 3 points above your goal, you're accounting for being on the losing end of that +/- 3 points.

Edit: yeah, I think taking it in Feb is not a bad idea for you, RamTitan. You've been prepping a long time. Plus, you'll have June and Oct if need be.

[RamTitan]

Just as a quick add on:

I think it also really comes down to how realistic/harsh your PT conditions are. The more realistic/harsh they are, the more valid the resultant scores are. That's not to say that a test day drop can't happen, because it definitely can. But you should take each PT as close to actual conditions as possible.

The whole 3 points higher than your goal stems from a statistical analysis (done by LSAC I believe) that found that people score within +/- 3 points of the average of their last 3 PTs. By consistently scoring 3 points above your goal, you're accounting for being on the losing end of that +/- 3 points.

Edit: yeah, I think taking it in Feb is not a bad idea for you, RamTitan. You've been prepping a long time. Plus, you'll have June and Oct if need be.

Other than the time of day I've been taking the test, I've been strict with test conditions. Starting this weekend I'll be taking tests at 8:30 (maybe 9, as I assume that proctors will be slow in administering the test).

[seashell.economy]

I feel the 70s are harder. I've taken PTs from 39-76 (not all of them, but a range) and I do feel that the 70's answer choices are harder, the reading passages are more dense, and there seems to sometimes be 1/4 LG that is unique and especially hard. Just my opinion.