Taking Practice Tests after Studying all the Concepts?! Forum

[AmySam]

Hey guys!
I need some advice...
Im planning to take the Sept. exam. I am working through the Power Score trilogy and want to complete a book every month. I am on book two now--the logic games section and did look at two LR practice exams. I am doing quite well but do need further practice. However, my plan is to take actual full exams once I complete all 3 books. I feel as though taking the exams right off the bat would freak me out if my score is not what I want ( regardless if I knew the basic concepts or not) which is why I plan on completing one book at a time then taking the exams the last week of every month depending on that section?

Any advice? Bad or good idea?

[mwells56]

Hey guys!
I need some advice...
Im planning to take the Sept. exam. I am working through the Power Score trilogy and want to complete a book every month. I am on book two now--the logic games section and did look at two LR practice exams. I am doing quite well but do need further practice. However, my plan is to take actual full exams once I complete all 3 books. I feel as though taking the exams right off the bat would freak me out if my score is not what I want ( regardless if I knew the basic concepts or not) which is why I plan on completing one book at a time then taking the exams the last week of every month depending on that section?

Any advice? Bad or good idea?

No, I wouldn't recommend holding off that long on PTs. PTs are, by far, the most important part of studying for the LSAT. You should, at very least, take a preliminary diagnostic so you know where you're at. People on this site have made ridiculous jumps in score, I've seen people claim to have jumped as many as 20+ points from their diagnostics. I, myself, am seeking to improve by ~15 or so points.

You should be learning the concepts and PTing/drilling at the same time. As you learn each concept, you should see your scores go up. Blind review to reinforce the concept, score keeps going up.

If you are really worried about freaking out because of a low score, I still recommend starting out with a diagnostic, and then maybe taking some time to learn some new things and then take a PT. However, TCR on this site is that you should be PTing 1-3 times a week. Personally, I'm doing the 7sage curriculum, which had me take a diagnostic in week 1, but doesn't want me to take another PT until week 7, and then it's all PTing from there. However, I plan to nix this a little bit and start PTing earlier.

Tl;dr Basically, don't wait until you've finished all 3 books. If you want to take some time and learn some stuff first, that's fine. But PTing + Blind Review is the best way to get better at this test.

[Deardevil]

^ Great advice!

Let me add that completing a book per month a bit laggy, but I understand if you have other things going on for you.
Which is why I think it's better to postpone until December. However, you may feel confident for September, and that's fine, too.

PTs are important, yes. To the LSAT taker. But so is winning an NBA championship for a basketball player.
Does LeBron James go straight onto the court without practicing his shots and teamwork? Heck, maybe...
No, the simple answer is "no."
He needs to "drill" in every aspect of the game: passing, three-point shooting, layup, alley-oop, dunking, etc.
The point is no professional becomes a professional overnight;
only after polishing a bunch of skills would one be ready to tackle playoffs, the analogous equivalent to PTs.
So train yourself until you can accurately "shoot" with great precision before attempting speed by doing questions
over and over again until you not only get them correct, but also understand why they're right. Once the practice is dealt with,
you can move on to timed exams to really test your ability, just as they did for Michael Jordan, who trained to the point of no return;
sure, he might've lost games, but ultimately, he won many championships and became the best.

Happy fourth!

[Barack O'Drama]

Great Advice!

Daredevil, man, that was inspiring..

I agree that 1 book a month is a bit slow. But I guess it depends on your study schedule. Try not to balkanize studying one section of the test at the expense of the others. For instance, if you are reading through the LR Bible, make sure you are reading parts and/or drilling logic games. A few days without reviewing/practicing your skills, and you with develop a bit of atrophy.

Also, definitely don't wait to take a diagnostic. It is very important to understand where you need the most work. It also serves as a standard to see what is working and if you're making progress.

If you're set on taking in September, make it your goal to finish all the books by mid-July is possible, as to leave more time for timed practice test.

Good luck.

Also, come join us in the September LSAT Thread. Tons of great people and advice.

[AmySam]

Hey guys!
I need some advice...
Im planning to take the Sept. exam. I am working through the Power Score trilogy and want to complete a book every month. I am on book two now--the logic games section and did look at two LR practice exams. I am doing quite well but do need further practice. However, my plan is to take actual full exams once I complete all 3 books. I feel as though taking the exams right off the bat would freak me out if my score is not what I want ( regardless if I knew the basic concepts or not) which is why I plan on completing one book at a time then taking the exams the last week of every month depending on that section?

Any advice? Bad or good idea?

No, I wouldn't recommend holding off that long on PTs. PTs are, by far, the most important part of studying for the LSAT. You should, at very least, take a preliminary diagnostic so you know where you're at. People on this site have made ridiculous jumps in score, I've seen people claim to have jumped as many as 20+ points from their diagnostics. I, myself, am seeking to improve by ~15 or so points.

You should be learning the concepts and PTing/drilling at the same time. As you learn each concept, you should see your scores go up. Blind review to reinforce the concept, score keeps going up.

If you are really worried about freaking out because of a low score, I still recommend starting out with a diagnostic, and then maybe taking some time to learn some new things and then take a PT. However, TCR on this site is that you should be PTing 1-3 times a week. Personally, I'm doing the 7sage curriculum, which had me take a diagnostic in week 1, but doesn't want me to take another PT until week 7, and then it's all PTing from there. However, I plan to nix this a little bit and start PTing earlier.

Tl;dr Basically, don't wait until you've finished all 3 books. If you want to take some time and learn some stuff first, that's fine. But PTing + Blind Review is the best way to get better at this test.

Thanks for the advice.
I should note though that I am practicing the concepts after each chapter. It is not purely reading. I'm just trying to figure out what better approach I should take to get the right schedule. I think I would be better off combining the books together that are left (a chapter in Each day) then working on practicing the exams over the weekend since I got my LR taken care of. Thanks for the help.

[mwells56]

Hey guys!
I need some advice...
Im planning to take the Sept. exam. I am working through the Power Score trilogy and want to complete a book every month. I am on book two now--the logic games section and did look at two LR practice exams. I am doing quite well but do need further practice. However, my plan is to take actual full exams once I complete all 3 books. I feel as though taking the exams right off the bat would freak me out if my score is not what I want ( regardless if I knew the basic concepts or not) which is why I plan on completing one book at a time then taking the exams the last week of every month depending on that section?

Any advice? Bad or good idea?

No, I wouldn't recommend holding off that long on PTs. PTs are, by far, the most important part of studying for the LSAT. You should, at very least, take a preliminary diagnostic so you know where you're at. People on this site have made ridiculous jumps in score, I've seen people claim to have jumped as many as 20+ points from their diagnostics. I, myself, am seeking to improve by ~15 or so points.

You should be learning the concepts and PTing/drilling at the same time. As you learn each concept, you should see your scores go up. Blind review to reinforce the concept, score keeps going up.

If you are really worried about freaking out because of a low score, I still recommend starting out with a diagnostic, and then maybe taking some time to learn some new things and then take a PT. However, TCR on this site is that you should be PTing 1-3 times a week. Personally, I'm doing the 7sage curriculum, which had me take a diagnostic in week 1, but doesn't want me to take another PT until week 7, and then it's all PTing from there. However, I plan to nix this a little bit and start PTing earlier.

Tl;dr Basically, don't wait until you've finished all 3 books. If you want to take some time and learn some stuff first, that's fine. But PTing + Blind Review is the best way to get better at this test.

Thanks for the advice.
I should note though that I am practicing the concepts after each chapter. It is not purely reading. I'm just trying to figure out what better approach I should take to get the right schedule. I think I would be better off combining the books together that are left (a chapter in Each day) then working on practicing the exams over the weekend since I got my LR taken care of. Thanks for the help.

Good luck!

[mwells56]

^ Great advice!

Let me add that completing a book per month a bit laggy, but I understand if you have other things going on for you.
Which is why I think it's better to postpone until December. However, you may feel confident for September, and that's fine, too.

PTs are important, yes. To the LSAT taker. But so is winning an NBA championship for a basketball player.
Does LeBron James go straight onto the court without practicing his shots and teamwork? Heck, maybe...
No, the simple answer is "no."
He needs to "drill" in every aspect of the game: passing, three-point shooting, layup, alley-oop, dunking, etc.
The point is no professional becomes a professional overnight;
only after polishing a bunch of skills would one be ready to tackle playoffs, the analogous equivalent to PTs.
So train yourself until you can accurately "shoot" with great precision before attempting speed by doing questions
over and over again until you not only get them correct, but also understand why they're right. Once the practice is dealt with,
you can move on to timed exams to really test your ability, just as they did for Michael Jordan, who trained to the point of no return;
sure, he might've lost games, but ultimately, he won many championships and became the best.

Happy fourth!

The passion I felt in this post is unrivaled. +1, good sir. Plus. One.

[Deardevil]

^ Great advice!

Let me add that completing a book per month a bit laggy, but I understand if you have other things going on for you.
Which is why I think it's better to postpone until December. However, you may feel confident for September, and that's fine, too.

PTs are important, yes. To the LSAT taker. But so is winning an NBA championship for a basketball player.
Does LeBron James go straight onto the court without practicing his shots and teamwork? Heck, maybe...
No, the simple answer is "no."
He needs to "drill" in every aspect of the game: passing, three-point shooting, layup, alley-oop, dunking, etc.
The point is no professional becomes a professional overnight;
only after polishing a bunch of skills would one be ready to tackle playoffs, the analogous equivalent to PTs.
So train yourself until you can accurately "shoot" with great precision before attempting speed by doing questions
over and over again until you not only get them correct, but also understand why they're right. Once the practice is dealt with,
you can move on to timed exams to really test your ability, just as they did for Michael Jordan, who trained to the point of no return;
sure, he might've lost games, but ultimately, he won many championships and became the best.

Happy fourth!

The passion I felt in this post is unrivaled. +1, good sir. Plus. One.

Haha certainly not the greatest of analogies, but I appreciate the kind words from you and Barack.