Would really appreciate some input. I'm having trouble increasing my LSAT PT scores Forum

[achyjakey]

Hello everyone. As many of you reading this, I have a dream of going to a good law school. In the infancy of my pursuit of this dream, i boldly made the decision that I was to study my ass off, whatever it took, to score a 170 and go to NYU. Since then, I have taken a mediocre test prep course, read the LGB and LRB, and taken 15 timed tests and about 10 untimed tests. My first timed test was BEFORE reading the bibles but AFTER taking the course; it was a 160 right on the nose. To be honest, I was very happy with this score as a starter. I told myself that I was only 10 points away and closing that gap was doable.

Here is where things lose hope. As with many, I got a reality check. I took about 10 practice tests and not a single one of them was above 160. They all hovered just a couple points below, with one exceptionally bad test day going down even to a 154. For each one, i checked my answers and seemingly understood my mistakes. Yet, there was no improvement. I decided it was time to read the bibles. 5 more practice tests and my score was still a 160!!! It is almost as if the bibles and PTs had absolutely no effect. I felt like i was taking an IQ test. I took the June LSAT and got a 158. I was disheartened to say the least. On test day, I got 10 LG questions wrong because of time constraints, and i got 31 wrong total. At this point my only feasible strategy in my opinion would be to take a break from PTs and just hammer away at LG because of the high potential for improvement. Had i gotten those 10 LG questions right, my score would be just under mid 160s at least right??

At this point, I've given up my dream to go to nyu and i am willing to settle for Fordham. Whats so hard to get over is the absolute and complete lack of progress. I have a 3.62 GPA at Baruch College, here in Manhattan. Although my GPA is decent, when paired with a 158 I cannot even comfortably call Fordham my safety school. The last thing I want to do is apply with so much uncertainty about admission. More than anything at this point, i just want to break 160 by just a few points so I can safely expect to be granted admission.

For those reading, what are your experiences? What were your diagnostics and how did you improve? Any and all advice and comments are greatly appreciated! Thank you guys.

[Deardevil]

Don't settle.

You HAVE what it takes to make it.
Where are your problem areas? It can't be just LG if you got 21 others wrong.
I wouldn't have taken the exam if I were nowhere near my target score.
Alas, props for taking the chance anyway, and as a result, you may have overcome test day anxiety.
A huge step. It's step one, but a huge step, nonetheless.
Identify what weaknesses you still have. RC? Drill passages until your eyes bleed (not literally).
LR? Tackle every question type under the sun that you're struggling with, etc.

We have a similar GPA and the same dream school. Don't lose sight of that.
I'm practically in the same boat in terms of progression; it's slow, but I'm aware I can do better.
Trust in yourself that you'll succeed, but, of course, the kicker is that you really need to put in a ton of work.
All in all, please have the confidence to get back at it and pour in the blood, sweat, and tears (again, not literally) to get that 170.

Once again, don't settle.

[Barack O'Drama]

Don't settle.

You HAVE what it takes to make it.
Where are your problem areas? It can't be just LG if you got 21 others wrong.
I wouldn't have taken the exam if I were nowhere near my target score.
Alas, props for taking the chance anyway, and as a result, you may have overcome test day anxiety.
A huge step. It's step one, but a huge step, nonetheless.
Identify what weaknesses you still have. RC? Drill passages until your eyes bleed (not literally).
LR? Tackle every question type under the sun that you're struggling with, etc.

We have a similar GPA and the same dream school. Don't lose sight of that.
I'm practically in the same boat in terms of progression; it's slow, but I'm aware I can do better.
Trust in yourself that you'll succeed, but, of course, the kicker is that you really need to put in a ton of work.
All in all, please have the confidence to get back at it and pour in the blood, sweat, and tears (again, not literally) to get that 170.

Once again, don't settle.

Couldn't have said it better myself. The LSAT is a unique test because you are essentially retraining your brain to read and think a certain way, all under the pressure of time. This can be a long and complicated process. Take as long as you need to get your PTs up to a 170. Don't settle. You have the choice to wait until you are ready to take the test. This is something obvious that took me a while to understand. After that I decided that I am going to study and work towards a 170 as long as it takes. Just make that choice and go for it!

Also perhaps get some new study material. Or re-read the Bibles w/ drilling after every chapter. If you felt like you didn't get much out of Powerscore I highly recommend The LSAT Trainer + Manhattan LSAT trilogy.

What is your score breakdown by section?

[mwells56]

Keep chugging. Not all 170's are created equal. Some people can studying for two weeks and get that score, some people it takes two years to get there. At the end of the day, the schools don't care so long as you're there. Don't give up. NYU is one of my dream schools as well. You can make it happen. You started off strong, you clearly have the ability to do well on this test.

One thing I think is important to note is that as you adopt the methods of certain study materials, sometimes they're going to contrast with your own natural reasoning- they're going to seem counter-intuitive. But they're battled-tested proven methods, and sometimes you're going to get worse before you get better. Especially since you say you've been understanding everything up to this point, that leads to me to believe you're just having trouble implementing the concepts, and that comes with time. A lot of people say that they don't progress a little at a time, that they experience big jumps all of a sudden. Don't be discouraged.

Of course, if you really feel like the Bibles aren't vibing with you, then switch materials. Like Barack said, The LSAT Trainer and Manhattan LSAT Trilogy are both good sources. I also recommend 7sage.