Rate of improvement? Forum

[carasrook]

Hi all -

I'm taking the June LSAT and have been studying since January 1. I'm really ramping up my studies this month and I wanted to check in on everyone's rate of improvement. My first cold diagnostic (June 2007 - which I have found easier than other exams...) was a 159.

When I started, I didn't have much trouble finishing PTs within the allotted time - now that I'm learning more strategy, I find that sections take me even longer. That, paired with trying to complete questions based on the new strategies I'm learning from the Powerscore bibles, has only knocked me down. I took another PT last week and only got a 157 (partly because I only finished 3 LGs and completely guessed on the 4th). Goal is to reach 170, but I'm not sure if that's reasonable.

After the first month of studying, how much did you improve, if at all?
And overall, what was your rate of improvement on PTs?

The Powerscore self-study guide I'm following suggested not taking any PTs until I finish the 3 bibles, but I've wanted to take at least a few to measure my improvement. Should I wait to take PTs?

Advice welcome

[youknowsimone]

Hi there,

I found myself in a similar situation, my diagnostic was a 158 and as I started to take PTs, timed and untimed, my score plateaued at around 162 +/- 1. What is your weakest area? For me, LR is the area I need to improve most. After I completed nine of the ten PTs in my LSAT book (the first 10 published by LSAC), I created a spreadsheet and examined all the questions I got wrong, looking at what types of questions were incorrect the most frequently. I then went back into my PowerScore Bible and looked online to refresh my memory on those question types. I just took the 10th PT in the book and scored a 169. Granted, it was untimed, but it demonstrates that I have a greater understanding of the material.

I personally own all three PowerScore Bibles, but I have only fully read the LR one. I think you should wait to take PTs until you have fully read the bible that corresponds with your weakest section. That way, you can use the other bibles to supplement your scores in the other sections without having to compromise getting used to the test itself. I personally will not start doing more timed PTs until I am more confident in my LR skills and consistently scoring at least 170 untimed.

Good luck!

Simone

[cbbinnyc]

Hi there,

I found myself in a similar situation, my diagnostic was a 158 and as I started to take PTs, timed and untimed, my score plateaued at around 162 +/- 1. What is your weakest area? For me, LR is the area I need to improve most. After I completed nine of the ten PTs in my LSAT book (the first 10 published by LSAC), I created a spreadsheet and examined all the questions I got wrong, looking at what types of questions were incorrect the most frequently. I then went back into my PowerScore Bible and looked online to refresh my memory on those question types. I just took the 10th PT in the book and scored a 169. Granted, it was untimed, but it demonstrates that I have a greater understanding of the material.

I personally own all three PowerScore Bibles, but I have only fully read the LR one. I think you should wait to take PTs until you have fully read the bible that corresponds with your weakest section. That way, you can use the other bibles to supplement your scores in the other sections without having to compromise getting used to the test itself. I personally will not start doing more timed PTs until I am more confident in my LR skills and consistently scoring at least 170 untimed.

Good luck!

Simone

Yeah, I would emphasize the part about not doing more *timed* PTs until your confidence increases. The June test is many months away, so there's no reason to rush to timed PTs. Finish the Bibles and then start doing a few untimed practice tests, taking as much time as you need and aiming for perfection. Once you feel more confident in your technique, some of the speed should come automatically. The rest will come from drilling tests and getting used to the time pressure.