4 Months to 173 VOL. 2 Forum

[MasterSplitter]

Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away existed a poster who believed that a 173 was imminent, better yet guaranteed. This poster was drunk off of dreams of breaking into an elite group of LSAT test takers. This poster was intoxicated with idealism and naivety. However, the poster disappeared come test day without returning report of their results. On one hand the LSAT is fertile ground for the ambitious individual looking to make up for a dismal GPA or secure a spot in an elite level law school. On the other hand, the LSAT is all about performance. That you believe a 173 is guaranteed is wholly irrelevant if you don't show up on test day. From the looks of my colleague's forum, 'JustShowingUp' might not have 'showed up' with their A game on test-day.

Here, I plan to document my journey. I plan to share the progress I make in achieving my goal. However, I begin this journey from a 165 on a past LSAT. In February, I will retake the LSAT. In February, I will score at 173 or higher. Following February, I pledge to post my results no matter how dismal or how successful my results.

My journey begins, tomorrow.

[WMcGregs]

February is less than 4 months away....

[Clemenceau]

Spare us, please

[mynameismyname]

You have my support. I like a good story.

[ihenry]

Anyone want popcorns?

[newcareernewtown]

.

[Dexter97]

Anyone want popcorns?

[sjp200]

Survey says!

X

[seashell.economy]

I support this.

[ltowns1]

You guys are so funny. As I said to JSU, I think if he/she could pull it off, it would be great for others to see. I say the same to you. It may not be like someone starting from the bottom, but it can be encouraging to someone. Goodluck!

[kcdc1]

The other thread was weirdly detailed. Please make sure this one is weirdly detailed too.

[seashell.economy]

The other thread was weirdly detailed. Please make sure this one is weirdly detailed too.

+1

[smilesmilesmile]

Well, best luck to yo
and even if you don't accomplish your goal, please update and let us know how it turns out
And from 165 to 173 it looks totally doable, though Feb is prob less than 3 months away.

[ihenry]

Bump. It's been two days and it's not a good start, OP.

[MasterSplitter]

I encourage anyone to chime in whenever they feel motivated to. First, this forum will allow myself and others to track an experiment. While other threads are full of users simultaneously discussing study methods, I will record mine here alone. Then, we can see if the results suggest that anything I did during my studies worked. It is my hope that my work inspires at least one future user to retake and break into the 170's. Second, this thread will keep me accountable. I will post what is going on in my studies anywhere from once a week to once a day depending on where I am at. Third, this thread is open to all. Come one, come all, come trolls, come noble men and 99th percentile scorers, come median scorers and fourth time retakers.

Welcome to the LSAT
I started from what most in the LSAT world would call humble beginnings. The first test I ever took was about 2 years ago on a whim one day in the school library. The sky was filled with thick clouds and I had just completed midterms. I had thought about going to law school wanted to take a stab at the LSAT to test the waters. I grabbed a dark-roast coffee and a 4-section practice test that the librarian kept in the back. Three hours later, I scored the PT and hit a 153. Hmmmph. I didn't exactly know what that meant. I knew it was far from outstanding, however. I understood this was better than 50% of L.S. students. Except I knew that this score meant that my work was cut out for me. I knew that the journey would be long and tiresome.


Half-way Up the Mountain
Months later, I began self-studying for the LSAT. I bought Manhattan's LSAT Interact and quickly dug my heels in. I found like most that my weakness was logic games. Still, I faced significant challenge with RC and LR. I began to understand how LR is the bread and butter of the test and I focused on it. I didn't do much in terms of R.C. in my first month and a half studying. I took my next diagnostic and scored a 160.

I took a few weeks off and came back to the LSAT with a renewed spirit. Suddenly, LR was cake for the most part. During my time off I spent an enormous amount of time reading difficult material for a pair of classes and my job. Then, I had a huge jump in LR, from -11 to -14 (total test) down to -5 to -8. Before, I was averaging -12/-13 and now I was averaging -7. RC was getting marginally better but my scores were unpredictable. L.G. was also less predictable, but my score was typically around -6. Often, it could be higher. Sometimes it could be lower. Clearly, L.G. was my weak spot. It is the one part of the test where I still never felt confident.

Test-day
Test day went well. I brought one-dozen freshly sharpened Black Mirado Warrior pencils much like a golf pro cracks open a new dozen of Titleist Pro V1's before a big round. I had scored at my average for LR, I hit a -3 on R.C. (which was one of my better RC scores) and I hit my average on LG. Clearly, if I am to gain points on this test, I must perfect L.G. and minimize my errors on LR down to three to five per tes.

What is Left
I am currently preparing by reviewing games. I am reviewing my methods for all games using LSAT Interact (Manhattan) and the accompanying Manhattan curriculum. So far, I give Manhattan an 9.7/10. Their materials are top notch. My goal is to spend as much time on games as possible for the next two weeks and then reassess. I plan to scatter in full games sections as well as full LR sections to stay fresh

Test-Day Goals
I believe in setting a goal and working backward. On test-day, I want a 173 or higher. This means that I need to be PT'ing at 173-175 consistently. To do so, I will first master games before attacking LR and RC. I have to make easy games automatic so I can spend the majority of my time checking answers and carefully working through tough games.

Intangibles
My colleague indulged his/her (we never discovered JSU's preferred gender pronoun, did we?) readers with a pecuilar amount of information about their diet, workouts, schedules, etc. I likely will not do this to the extent that JSU did. However, I will when necessary. For example, I find that caffeine is an excellent tool for the LSAT. I typically drink coffee when I wake up and briefly before a PT. Depending on my mood, I consume coffee during the break. I also find that nutrition and exercise are key to a sound mind. More will follow on all fronts.

Back to the laboratory.

[kcdc1]

My colleague indulged his/her (we never discovered JSU's preferred gender pronoun, did we?) readers with a pecuilar amount of information about their diet, workouts, schedules, etc. I likely will not do this to the extent that JSU did.

Wait, what? How do I get my $$ back?

[ihenry]

What is your preferred gender pronoun, MasterSplitter? I figured this time we'd better get it figured out upfront.

[kylemolodets]

ooooooooo subscribed. Submitting to MTV based on results.

[ihenry]

It's been a week, OP. You are behind time.

[kcdc1]

It's been a week, OP. You are behind time.

I know, right. What's his/her shower schedule been like? Given the current state of this thread, it could be ANYTHING. We have NO IDEA, and that's what's truly scary.

[kylemolodets]

the pencils TELL US ABOUT THE PENCILS

[WMcGregs]

the pencils TELL US ABOUT THE PENCILS

How will we know if the op is staying with the same pencils or going to Ticonderoga. Or Ticonderoga black?!?!

What is your workout plan like? And shoes on test day? We need answers OP.

[kylemolodets]

the pencils TELL US ABOUT THE PENCILS

How will we know if the op is staying with the same pencils or going to Ticonderoga. Or Ticonderoga black?!?!

What is your workout plan like? And shoes on test day? We need answers OP.

How many times do we have to spin the pencil in the sharpener for the perfect graphite angle????

[ugg]

good thread

[Dcc617]

Dammit, another likely suicide. I'm starting to think this specific topic is cursed.

God speed into the light, Mastersplitter.