In the 160s for months - thinking about quitting (help pls) Forum

[nerdylsat]

I started studying for the October 2015 test, ended up postponing for December and got a 160.

I was PTing around 164 before the test, so its not like I under performed too badly.

In the last few days I've started Pting in anticipation for the February Test and my PTs have been around the same 164 +/-1.

I am definitely not going to attend law school this cycle with these kinds of scores and am afraid I might never get to the 170 point where it would be worth it. I am scared of studying for the June and September test this year and still not getting 169+, which would mean that I basically lost a year of my life studying for the LSAT to no avail. My score breakdowns are usually around -8 LR combined, -5 RC and -4 LG.

About 2 years ago I took a GMAT diagnostic and scored a 590 (90th percentile verbal and 40th percentile quant) so I'm thinking maybe I should just study for the GMAT and attend a B-school where I wouldn't have to worry about the stigma of not attending a T-14, although I'm ignorant of employment statistics for foreign students like me in MBAs.

I'm a foreign attorney so a JD is what would make the most sense for me, but I'm just afraid of never getting into a T14.

Also, wouldn't the flexibility of an MBA help me in case I need to work outside the US because of visa issues?

I'm so lost...

[PrayFor170]

Figure out what you really want to be, and stick to it. 590 on GMAT isn't a stellar score, and you might end up scoring 650 or something while these days people with 700+ are overflowing. Reaching the plateau on LSAT isn't an excuse for choosing another career path. At such stage perseverance matters more than which test you're gonna take. Without perseverance you can't score high in any tests.

That being said, attend B-school or MBA only if you really want to enter business, or your dream job requires some financial/accounting knowledge and degree. Otherwise, since you say it makes the most sense to get a JD degree, then stick with LSAT, as I can tell you want to be an attorney more than a businessman.

I assume language might be a barrier for foreign attorneys. Make sure you can get above 110 on TOEFL or above 7.5 on IELTS. Then, search for posts on LSAT prep on this forum. LSAT is a lot easier than you think if you study in the right way.

[fliptrip]

I started studying for the October 2015 test, ended up postponing for December and got a 160.

I was PTing around 164 before the test, so its not like I under performed too badly.

In the last few days I've started Pting in anticipation for the February Test and my PTs have been around the same 164 +/-1.

I am definitely not going to attend law school this cycle with these kinds of scores and am afraid I might never get to the 170 point where it would be worth it. I am scared of studying for the June and September test this year and still not getting 169+, which would mean that I basically lost a year of my life studying for the LSAT to no avail. My score breakdowns are usually around -8 LR combined, -5 RC and -4 LG.

About 2 years ago I took a GMAT diagnostic and scored a 590 (90th percentile verbal and 40th percentile quant) so I'm thinking maybe I should just study for the GMAT and attend a B-school where I wouldn't have to worry about the stigma of not attending a T-14, although I'm ignorant of employment statistics for foreign students like me in MBAs.

I'm a foreign attorney so a JD is what would make the most sense for me, but I'm just afraid of never getting into a T14.

Also, wouldn't the flexibility of an MBA help me in case I need to work outside the US because of visa issues?

I'm so lost...

1. Don't cry.
2. b-schools care far more about your quant ability than anything, so your 40th %ile quant GMAT says to me you're going to have to really bust it if you go that route.
3. Never in a million years think that where you go to b-school doesn't matter. The MBA is the most devalued professional degree imaginable. It's value is almost entirely tied up in where it was earned.
4. I'm a little confused, because the -17 you talked about as being your typical breakdown would translate to a 166 on a -12 curved test which by definition puts you five questions away from 170. Have you analyzed the types of Arguments questions you're missing and drilling on those specifically? You might also need to revisit/refine your strategy for answering those types of questions. There's no way that you have to live with a -8 in arguments if you are analytical and diligent about working on your weaknesses.

I believe that "plateauing" is most often cured by fixing strategy and then drilling relentlessly to learn how to apply that new strategy effectively and nearly automatically. Anyone who can score 166 can score 170.

[Mikey]

For that -4 on LG, try to make that a -0 by seeing what kinds of games you're missing these questions on and practice those games. Do the same for LR, you might be getting a question type wrong, so go back in your PTs and see what question type it is and drill!

[nerdylsat]

First of all, thank you all for your kind and helpful words. I've decided to stick with the LSAT for sure, and am registered for the June test.

I also actually did take the TOEFL already and got a 113, so my english is ok I think.

I was really frustrated when I was thinking about the GMAT, but as you guys have said I'm pretty much only 5-6 questions away from a 169+ which is what I need.

Basically I'm going to be drilling LG to get to -0 and reading about 1 hour+ everyday to focus on reading speed and comprehension, which is what I think is making me lose points on LR and RC.

I took PT63 yesterday and got a 165 with a breakdown of -7 LR, -4 LG and -7 RC so i definitely have a lot of space to improve. I'm thinking if I work hard I can definitely get to around 170 in a couple months at least.

[LitigatingLiar]

Figure out what you want. If law is what you want, don't make excuses. Remember that self study is hard. I know that this place is full of people that studied alone and got a high score but it doesn't work for everyone. Some people need a tutor. It's not a reflection on you, it doesn't make you dumber than anyone. Consider it as an option if you truly want to go told school. If I don't score where I want to, I'm going to do it. Maybe I'm doing something wrong and need someone else to catch my mistakes.

[asdfdfdfadfas]

Figure out what you really want to be, and stick to it. 590 on GMAT isn't a stellar score, and you might end up scoring 650 or something while these days people with 700+ are overflowing. Reaching the plateau on LSAT isn't an excuse for choosing another career path. At such stage perseverance matters more than which test you're gonna take. Without perseverance you can't score high in any tests.

That being said, attend B-school or MBA only if you really want to enter business, or your dream job requires some financial/accounting knowledge and degree. Otherwise, since you say it makes the most sense to get a JD degree, then stick with LSAT, as I can tell you want to be an attorney more than a businessman.

I assume language might be a barrier for foreign attorneys. Make sure you can get above 110 on TOEFL or above 7.5 on IELTS. Then, search for posts on LSAT prep on this forum. LSAT is a lot easier than you think if you study in the right way.

Is that so? There are just 700+ scorers just everywhere? Let's quote GMAC:
"Total GMAT scores range from 200 to 800; two-thirds of test takers score between 400 and 600."


OP I have taken both exams multiple times: if I were you I would decide what you want to do. I will say that if you are interested in transparency of results then at least the LSAT gives you back your test so that you can see exactly what you missed.

I wouldn't take the GMAT again unless you are going to shell out 5k to the test prep companies which I would highly recommend you don't do.