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Last year, I took the October LSAT and canceled my score, then took the December one and got a 159, which was lower than I'd been averaging right before the test (around 162-165) and much lower than my highest score (168), though this only happened one or two times the week before the test. So here I am on the road to retaking this September.

I took a practice test this week for the first time since my December LSAT, and actually got a 161. The test questions did end up feeling familiar even after all these months of not studying, so that might have helped, but after reviewing I did also find that there were test-taking tactics and strategies I had forgotten. I'm aiming for at least a 165 but my idealistic goal is a 170.

I've got a few questions and I would especially love if experienced retakers could give their input, but really I'm open to hearing all opinions.

1. (most important Q for now): I'm thinking of getting a job starting in two weeks lasting until August 15ish that would only allow me to study 2-3 hours per day and have one day off per week where I can study the whole day if I want. When the job ends, I'll be completely free from August 15 until test day and can spend all my time studying as I wish. Do you think that 2-3 hours per day 6 days a week, with as many hours as I want one day a week, until August 15 would be enough? I really want this job, but am nervous about whether it'll impact my LSAT, especially as it is my second go, but also think that doing no job/a job where I can study 3-6 hours a day everyday until test day will probably be too much and burn me out, especially since I'm starting out at around a 160 score.

2. Since I am going at this for a second time, how should I study? When I first started studying last year, my diagnostic was a 148. My strength is LG and I was averaging ~2-3 per section though the weird game in the December test messed me up. I vary for LR from ~2 to ~7, and I also need to stay more focused throughout the test to avoid errors. RC is usually the worst, averaging ~5 to ~8. I was usually able to finish my LG and LR sections though had to leave a few questions blank for RC.
My question is: how exactly should I study now? What materials should I use? I studied the first time using Kaplan materials (alas, I did not know starting out that Kaplan is not the preferred way to go for the LSAT), though it did improve my score from when I started. But, now, how do I pick and choose what to use from all the other LSAT material out there? I've been reading old posts but don't know what would work best for me since I'm not starting from the beginning. The Trainer + the 16 week plan? The Powerscore books? Something else? Once I refresh what I learned last year, I don't really know how to proceed to get that 165-170 score.

Any and all opinions for either question is much appreciated. Thank you!

bump

I'm about to retake after getting a 161 last October, well below my 164-167 range I was scoring on PTs.

The answer to your first question is not going to be the one you want to hear. Basically it depends. I've been studying while working full time, doing the same 2-3 hours after work you stated and it can be rough but eventually it becomes part of your routine. Do I feel prepared now after having studied that way? Yes, I think I can say that. At least I have no anxiety over the test anymore. Before my October LSAT I had three and a half months off to study, but I can confidently say my studying this time around has been more efficient and it sounds like it will be for you as well.

I've sung the praises of the LSAT Trainer in my own thread and in other retaker threads as it is a fundamentally different approach to the test than programs like PowerScore.

Between reading the Trainer, I also did drills. At the time this article seemed like it was written for me because it clarified everything that I needed to do: http://www.lexaholik.com/5-ways-i-overc ... red-a-170/

I managed to get my LG down to -3 or less, which will hopefully translate to test day. However it was all brutal drilling to get to that point and then after that it was like the ceiling on my score had come off and I was scoring much better on that section. After I had done that I really split my time between LR and RC with the emphasis being on LR.

Avoid Princeton Review like the plague. I remember opening one of their books up and reading "Not everyone can get a 170." in the foreword and then immediately closing it. I got Kaplan's huge book of questions and that was helpful for drills.

As for actual learning material, I took a PowerScore course when I was scoring around a 162. Since I got a 161 the argument can be made that it didn't help but in retrospect I believe it helped build fundamentals. Consider taking a course, whether it be online or in-person. I cannot vouch for anything other than PowerScore but I have seen other posters suggest 7sage's online course. Incidentally, they also offer free video explanations of all LG games.

If you can stick to any of those pre-written plans then great, I never could do them. Having a direction, however, is far more emboldening for tackling the LSAT.

Here is my thread if you want to read it: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6&t=260497

mackoftexas wrote:I'm about to retake after getting a 161 last October, well below my 164-167 range I was scoring on PTs.

The answer to your first question is not going to be the one you want to hear. Basically it depends. I've been studying while working full time, doing the same 2-3 hours after work you stated and it can be rough but eventually it becomes part of your routine. Do I feel prepared now after having studied that way? Yes, I think I can say that. At least I have no anxiety over the test anymore. Before my October LSAT I had three and a half months off to study, but I can confidently say my studying this time around has been more efficient and it sounds like it will be for you as well.

I've sung the praises of the LSAT Trainer in my own thread and in other retaker threads as it is a fundamentally different approach to the test than programs like PowerScore.

Between reading the Trainer, I also did drills. At the time this article seemed like it was written for me because it clarified everything that I needed to do: http://www.lexaholik.com/5-ways-i-overc ... red-a-170/

I managed to get my LG down to -3 or less, which will hopefully translate to test day. However it was all brutal drilling to get to that point and then after that it was like the ceiling on my score had come off and I was scoring much better on that section. After I had done that I really split my time between LR and RC with the emphasis being on LR.

Avoid Princeton Review like the plague. I remember opening one of their books up and reading "Not everyone can get a 170." in the foreword and then immediately closing it. I got Kaplan's huge book of questions and that was helpful for drills.

As for actual learning material, I took a PowerScore course when I was scoring around a 162. Since I got a 161 the argument can be made that it didn't help but in retrospect I believe it helped build fundamentals. Consider taking a course, whether it be online or in-person. I cannot vouch for anything other than PowerScore but I have seen other posters suggest 7sage's online course. Incidentally, they also offer free video explanations of all LG games.

If you can stick to any of those pre-written plans then great, I never could do them. Having a direction, however, is far more emboldening for tackling the LSAT.

Here is my thread if you want to read it: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6&t=260497

Thanks so much! This was really helpful and reassuring, actually. I'm seriously considering the Trainer!

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