Dilemma choosing 2nd prep course for Sept '16 LSAT... Forum

[cgra1916]

I am currently enrolled in a Kaplan prep course which starts next week, but I am also wanting to enroll in an additional prep course over the summer, most likely Powerscore or Blueprint. I'd like to enroll in an additional prep course to get more practice, prep, etc. The only prep materials I currently have are the Powerscore Bibles, which I have found to be helpful and understanding. Before I make a decision, I have a couple questions:

1) My original plan was to take the Kaplan course until it ends in June, and self-study until the September LSAT. Is taking an additional prep course a good idea to begin with?

2) Will taking an additional prep course prevent me from doing more review/drilling, or do these courses help with drilling and analyzing each problem deeper?

3) Since I am comfortable with the Powerscore bibles, should I lean more towards to the Powerscore prep course to hone in on their strategies?

4) Considering I am comfortable with the bibles, would it be a bad idea to enroll in another prep course that teaches different strategies/techniques, or is being exposed to different strategies from other prep companies helpful?

5) Are live courses that much better than online courses?

6) If you took a Powerscore or Blueprint course, what was your experience like?

Any advice is surely appreciated! I'm willing to spend and utilize the best resources in order to get a good score. Thanks a bunch in advance!

[zhenders]

Be thinking about TestMasters as well. Pm me if you have questions!

[Mikey]

I am currently enrolled in a Kaplan prep course which starts next week, but I am also wanting to enroll in an additional prep course over the summer, most likely Powerscore or Blueprint. I'd like to enroll in an additional prep course to get more practice, prep, etc. The only prep materials I currently have are the Powerscore Bibles, which I have found to be helpful and understanding. Before I make a decision, I have a couple questions:

1) My original plan was to take the Kaplan course until it ends in June, and self-study until the September LSAT. Is taking an additional prep course a good idea to begin with?

2) Will taking an additional prep course prevent me from doing more review/drilling, or do these courses help with drilling and analyzing each problem deeper?

3) Since I am comfortable with the Powerscore bibles, should I lean more towards to the Powerscore prep course to hone in on their strategies?

4) Considering I am comfortable with the bibles, would it be a bad idea to enroll in another prep course that teaches different strategies/techniques, or is being exposed to different strategies from other prep companies helpful?

5) Are live courses that much better than online courses?

6) If you took a Powerscore or Blueprint course, what was your experience like?

Any advice is surely appreciated! I'm willing to spend and utilize the best resources in order to get a good score. Thanks a bunch in advance!

1. You shouldn't spend your money on another prep course. Kaplan, although not the greatest, will teach you different methods compared to some other prep companies, so that may be confusing or overwhelming to learning a new approach in the 2nd course. Use the extra money for practice tests, etc.

2. No matter what, the course will reteach you things you're already good at doing, and yes I feel like you could be spending your time taking PT, blind reviewing them and going over your weaknesses instead of taking an extra prep course.

3. You should've signed up for Powerscore instead of Kaplan since you feel strongly about their bibles, but like I said, don't waste money on a 2nd prep course.

4. Stick to one company's strategies and if they don't work for you AFTER you've taken PT and drilled, etc., then you would try a different method for a certain section or question type. But instead of the extra course, just get another company's book and/or find help and advice on these forums, people here are EXTREMELY helpful, trust me.

5. You can essentially ask questions and address concerns in both class types, it's personal preference. (online you usually just speak with your mic and ask questions, etc.)

6. Haven't taken a course but I know someone who took Kaplan and then PS and said that Kaplan was useless, but that PS was pretty helpful. But honestly, self studying is the way to go since you work on your own time, but if you'd prefer an instructor to have a set schedule and organize things for you then by all means go for a course (but not a 2nd one ).

[Mint-Berry_Crunch]

Trainer+ self study

[cgra1916]

Update: Kaplan just cancelled their class for the second time, probably because everyone has heard about the negative reviews haha. I'm done with them too and just asked for a refund. So, what prep course would you take- Blueprint or Powerscore???

[Lexaholik]

Update: Kaplan just cancelled their class for the second time, probably because everyone has heard about the negative reviews haha. I'm done with them too and just asked for a refund. So, what prep course would you take- Blueprint or Powerscore???

You really lucked out here cuz now you're not stuck with having to take Kaplan. There's nothing wrong with them per se but I do know they have lower standards for their instructors. (For example I believe Powerscore/Blueprint require instructors to score 170+ on an actual LSAT)

I've only taken Powerscore before (so I can't really compare them to any other test prep company) and I had a good experience with them. I trust their materials (their LR and LG books are legendary) and the instructor I had was really, really good. Having said that I've also heard great things about Blueprint. So I don't think you can really go wrong with either.

Having said that, if you're the self sufficient type I would really look into buying some of the self-study materials (LSAT Trainer, etc.) and working on your own.

[cgra1916]

Update: Kaplan just cancelled their class for the second time, probably because everyone has heard about the negative reviews haha. I'm done with them too and just asked for a refund. So, what prep course would you take- Blueprint or Powerscore???

You really lucked out here cuz now you're not stuck with having to take Kaplan. There's nothing wrong with them per se but I do know they have lower standards for their instructors. (For example I believe Powerscore/Blueprint require instructors to score 170+ on an actual LSAT)

I've only taken Powerscore before (so I can't really compare them to any other test prep company) and I had a good experience with them. I trust their materials (their LR and LG books are legendary) and the instructor I had was really, really good. Having said that I've also heard great things about Blueprint. So I don't think you can really go wrong with either.

Having said that, if you're the self sufficient type I would really look into buying some of the self-study materials (LSAT Trainer, etc.) and working on your own.

Thanks a lot for your input. I agree, I'm also glad I cancelled since most I've heard is negative reviews about that company. I do think I will go with Powerscore mainly because I am familiar with their diagramming and strategies since I already have the books. If you don't mind me asking, did you improve your scores after taking the course?

[Lexaholik]

Thanks a lot for your input. I agree, I'm also glad I cancelled since most I've heard is negative reviews about that company. I do think I will go with Powerscore mainly because I am familiar with their diagramming and strategies since I already have the books. If you don't mind me asking, did you improve your scores after taking the course?

So the way I went about the LSAT study process was:

Diagnostic -> Powerscore -> Self Study -> Exam

My diagnostic was 158, and by the time Powerscore was done, I was in the 165-168 range. So I jumped nearly 10 points in the two months I worked with Powerscore. My goal was a 170, so that wasn't good enough. The self study I did took me far longer (at least 6 months) and I saw very little improvement over that time. But I did end up scoring a 170.

Was Powerscore effective? Absolutely. But in the end to see major score improvements, you have to be self-motivated and do things on your own. I did all the assigned work and engaged with the materials at Powerscore. But not all of my classmates did. Most of them didn't take the process quite as seriously as I did. So in the end it boils down to your commitment and discipline, and not so much what the classroom materials are.

[cgra1916]

Thanks a lot for your input. I agree, I'm also glad I cancelled since most I've heard is negative reviews about that company. I do think I will go with Powerscore mainly because I am familiar with their diagramming and strategies since I already have the books. If you don't mind me asking, did you improve your scores after taking the course?

So the way I went about the LSAT study process was:

Diagnostic -> Powerscore -> Self Study -> Exam

My diagnostic was 158, and by the time Powerscore was done, I was in the 165-168 range. So I jumped nearly 10 points in the two months I worked with Powerscore. My goal was a 170, so that wasn't good enough. The self study I did took me far longer (at least 6 months) and I saw very little improvement over that time. But I did end up scoring a 170.

Was Powerscore effective? Absolutely. But in the end to see major score improvements, you have to be self-motivated and do things on your own. I did all the assigned work and engaged with the materials at Powerscore. But not all of my classmates did. Most of them didn't take the process quite as seriously as I did. So in the end it boils down to your commitment and discipline, and not so much what the classroom materials are.

Wow well that's awesome to hear! I certainly have my work cut out for me since I scored +10 points lower than your diagnosis. Being realistic with myself and my diagnostic, my goal is to get 160. I have a friend who was scoring in the 45th-50th percentile, but after Powerscore she scored in the 85th-89th percentile and got accepted to Georgetown, (granted her GPA was amazing) so from yours and her experience with Powerscore it certainly gives me hope haha.

Thanks again for your advice, as I've previously mentioned I am leaning more towards Powerscore.