What is the best study method for a 160 to 165 improvement by Sep. 2016? Forum

[WingedSpinyShell]

I read a thread from 2008 regarding my situation, and it seemed like most people agreed that hardcore self-study is the appropriate approach. Is this still the general consensus? If so, are there additional study materials in which I should invest?

My LSAT Background:
Last year I used the the LG Powerscore, Manhattan LR, and various practice exams for four months to prepare for the October 2015 LSAT.

I took about six full-length practice exams (with a fifth random section thrown into each exam) under the appropriate test conditions/constraints the month leading up to the actual exam. I felt fairly confident with my practice exam scores. I also took the June 2015 practice exam to check for major changes in exam difficulty (I scored a 164 on that practice exam).

I ended up scoring a 160 on the actual exam - here is a break down of my score. I was feeling under the weather that day, but I think that my ultimate downfall was that my LR and RC basics were/are not as strong as I thought. I noticed that the LR questions I missed were towards the end of the sections and RC has always been my weakest section.

Thank you in advance for the feedback.

[mackoftexas]

I've been using the LSAT Trainer and it's been pretty great. I believe the 2016 version has already been released. I have heard several recommendations on this board to start reviewing the older exams as they are starting to be more relevant again. So along with the LSAT trainer maybe get and older LSAT PT book and the most recent set of ten if you haven't already.

In my experience, it has been a lot of brutal drilling before I've seen any advancement in my score, especially after passing 160. Maybe the alternative approach of the LSAT Trainer will be as beneficial for you as it has for me.

Anxiety killed me on the October test, so make sure your health/stress is as small a factor as you can make it.

[WingedSpinyShell]

Thank you for the recommendations - I'll look into the LSAT Trainer.

Health/stress is something I can definitely pay more attention to, especially around exam time. Thanks again for the response!

[ponderingmeerkat]

Blind review.

[Blueprint Mithun]

I read a thread from 2008 regarding my situation, and it seemed like most people agreed that hardcore self-study is the appropriate approach. Is this still the general consensus? If so, are there additional study materials in which I should invest?

My LSAT Background:
Last year I used the the LG Powerscore, Manhattan LR, and various practice exams for four months to prepare for the October 2015 LSAT.

I took about six full-length practice exams (with a fifth random section thrown into each exam) under the appropriate test conditions/constraints the month leading up to the actual exam. I felt fairly confident with my practice exam scores. I also took the June 2015 practice exam to check for major changes in exam difficulty (I scored a 164 on that practice exam).

I ended up scoring a 160 on the actual exam - here is a break down of my score. I was feeling under the weather that day, but I think that my ultimate downfall was that my LR and RC basics were/are not as strong as I thought. I noticed that the LR questions I missed were towards the end of the sections and RC has always been my weakest section.

Thank you in advance for the feedback.

Six is not a bad number of preptests to do, but ideally you should do a lot more. That practice will help you build your endurance, confidence, and stress management.

Definitely review your fundamentals, including conditional reasoning, how to approach each q.type, etc., and then do a bunch of sections to get in the flow. When you review sections or preptests, you should be going over each question carefully and methodically, breaking down the argument, and investigating each answer to the point where you can articulate why it is wrong.

Another consideration, if you're willing to spend the money, is to get a private tutor for a handful of sessions. Students who have already learned the material and have achieved a reasonable level of proficiency, who want to push their score into the upper ranges, can get the most out of a tutor. A tutor working with you individually can help you find your particular weaknesses, and help "fill in the holes" of your knowledge.

[Lexaholik]

Agree with above. If you've taken 6 practice tests that means you've done about 600 questions. Sounds like a lot it's not. Most people who see dramatic score improvements have done thousands of questions. Dedicate yourself to doing more practice tests and you'll be surprised by the result. Back when I studied, I still saw improvement even after I did >30 preptests. After seeing so many questions you'll begin to notice patterns which will help you get through sections more quickly and with less loss in focus/concentration.

[WingedSpinyShell]

Thanks everybody for the advice!

[SunDevil14]

Agree with above. If you've taken 6 practice tests that means you've done about 600 questions. Sounds like a lot it's not. Most people who see dramatic score improvements have done thousands of questions. Dedicate yourself to doing more practice tests and you'll be surprised by the result. Back when I studied, I still saw improvement even after I did >30 preptests. After seeing so many questions you'll begin to notice patterns which will help you get through sections more quickly and with less loss in focus/concentration.

This.

Prep Material only gets you so far. From what I gather an abundance of practice test, review, and drilling weakness will gradually increase your score once you established a solid foundation 160+

I do not remember the name of the authority offering the advice, but typically if you want a top score 170+ you should at least 30 practice tests/reviews under your belt. Depending on you aptitude and you desire to get 165, you may get away with 20.

[josh9308]

Question - did you complete your LR sections?

[WingedSpinyShell]

Question - did you complete your LR sections?

On the October 2015 exam? Yes.

[pterodactyls]

I second the Trainer, especially for RC.