Best prep class for 160s Forum

[Brian5262]

Hello, it's me, I was wondering if after all these posts anyone had feedback on the best online prep course for a score in the 160s.

Due to my natural skill set and more dauntingly my lack of time due to my current career, I was wondering what the best prep course would be for my realistic expectations of something in the 160s.

I have not taken a "cover to cover" practice LSAT...but I have taken timed sections (usually after coming home from a 10 hour work day, somewhat simulating test fatigue) and I have found that I am bombing LG (~12/25) and doing average in LR&RC (~18/25). I guess this would place me around a 150.

So far, I have read through the Powerscore Bibles but I am really interested in a structured class with home work/drills/etc.

I DO NOT WANT ADVANCED TACTICS FOR SCORE IN THE 99%. I feel that will bog me down conceptually with the limited time I have. I am looking to tweak my raw ability to avoid the pitfalls of various LR and RC questions and get my LG to a respectable level.

Help is greatly appreciated!!!!

EDIT: I have heard Powerscore is best for 170s and Kaplan is better for 160s. Any truth to this? Is Kaplan a more simplistic approach that will help you hit the triple but never get the ball over the fences? Or is this just a fallacy?

[forum_user]

I can't tell you anything about a prep class (never took one), and if you don't want to shoot for the highest score possible that's up to you, but here's a word of advice that'll get you into the 160s and maybe save you a bit of money based on the information you've given.

You're lucky in that your worst section is the easiest one to improve. If you were to get your LG up to perfect (~25/~25), and assuming your other scores stay where they are, that'll be enough to get you a score in the 160s. I'd say this is where you should start. Do the 7sage method--make copies of games, watch the explanation, repeat until you've got it down then move on to the next. Supplement your practice with techniques and tips in the powerscore LG bible. Although it may seem really technical and more than what you're trying to do, it'll honestly get your score where you want it to be faster than anything. Even if you spend a couple hours each day practicing, in about 2 weeks I'm sure you'd see significant improvement.

[gamerish]

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[Brian5262]

The same tactics that are going to get you in the 170s will get you in the 160s. There is nothing about scoring in the 170s that will "conceptually bog" you down as compared to scoring in the 160s. If anything, getting bogged down in details is often what keeps a 160 scorer from hitting the 170s. There aren't two separate routes for people who score in those respective ranges - they use pretty much exactly the same skill sets. People who score in the 170s are just able to apply them more quickly and with more accuracy.

Do not use Kaplan under any circumstances. If you insist on a class, Powerscore and TestMasters are both fine but inferior to dedicated self study.

The matter of you knowingly and purposefully shooting yourself in the foot by not trying to get the highest score you actually can and reap the benefits that come with it is a separate issue that you should seriously reflect on.

Interesting and good to know. My impression was that there was certain "advanced techniques" aimed at answering uncommon/rare question types which, if answered correctly, will get your score into that upper echelon.

With my schedule limitations (Office from 7am to 7pm, plus an hour at the gym) time is a major commodity and I have to be practical in my study approach. I am looking for the most straightforward and practical approach.

[lymenheimer]

Interesting and good to know. My impression was that there was certain "advanced techniques" aimed at answering uncommon/rare question types which, if answered correctly, will get your score into that upper echelon.

If you learn the basics of how to solve the LGs and LRs, you will be able to solve any and all of them, including the rare games. You don't need a special technique, just be able to comprehend what is being asked.

With my schedule limitations (Office from 7am to 7pm, plus an hour at the gym) time is a major commodity and I have to be practical in my study approach. I am looking for the most straightforward and practical approach.

I don't want to say "don't go to the gym", but you may need to adjust your priorities for your goals.

[87mm]

Interesting and good to know. My impression was that there was certain "advanced techniques" aimed at answering uncommon/rare question types which, if answered correctly, will get your score into that upper echelon.

If you learn the basics of how to solve the LGs and LRs, you will be able to solve any and all of them, including the rare games. You don't need a special technique, just be able to comprehend what is being asked.

With my schedule limitations (Office from 7am to 7pm, plus an hour at the gym) time is a major commodity and I have to be practical in my study approach. I am looking for the most straightforward and practical approach.

I don't want to say "don't go to the gym", but you may need to adjust your priorities for your goals.

I agree with the last part. I used to workout 5-6 days/week and it was too much to do with work and studying. You will burn out mentally and physically. I would only go 3x/week and eat slightly less and better to mitigate some of the damage.

As for the best prep class... I did manhattan and it was great.

[newcareernewtown]

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