Running out of time on LSAT Forum

[mbunda0225]

I got a low score on my cold diagnostic - pretty bad. I averaged answering around 12/13 questions per section - and ended up guessing the rest which I ended getting 90% wrong.

When I computed how many of the ones I actually answered I got right, I did well. I know it's a cumulative score and time management definitely contributes to a high score, but I was wondering if folks have delved into this topic before? I.e. how to get faster and more efficient at the test, when the weakness is not actually grasping the concepts, but rather the speed in which one can answer questions? I definitely took my sweet time answering the questions and at times when I was about to choose an answer, I'd doubt myself and re-assess the question all together.

I am taking Blueprint and am willing to put in the work.

Quality over quantity? Or both? Practice in volume?

Thanks!

[Mikey]

The only way to get faster at things on the LSAT, is to do them more. Make sure you attack the way of doing question types, games and RC passage structures for accuracy first, before you dive into working on timing. Someone might be fast at doing a section, but it doesn't mean they got everything right. Focus on accuracy first and as you get better with it and keep practicing, your timing will improve as you go. It might not improve to 35 mins per section, but it definitely will improve. Once you have all the concepts down and have been practicing for a while, work on timing if needed.

In short: accuracy will improve timing due to recognition, work on extra timing issues after accuracy is dealt with.

[maybeman]

I wouldn't worry about timing issues yet. Although I will say those are some pretty extreme timing issues and may not resolve themselves. You will get a lot faster as you keep prepping. I think that's almost universal.

Unless you jumped around during the test, I'm guessing you only answered the first 12/13 questions. In LR, those are generally the easier ones. For games, taking as long as you did indicates you brute forced through them. Anybody can really do games given enough time. Mastering them is really a time game (at least in my experience/opinion). This is not to say you don't "grasp the concepts", but understand that you don't know where your weaknesses are given your timing issues.

I've heard Blueprint is solid. You're going to have to focus on the curriculum first, so I guess quality first. Quantity comes through drilling and then PTs in the later stages of your prep. I'm sure Blueprint will tell you all about it. Good luck & HTH!

[MyNameIsntJames]

I got a low score on my cold diagnostic - pretty bad. I averaged answering around 12/13 questions per section - and ended up guessing the rest which I ended getting 90% wrong.

When I computed how many of the ones I actually answered I got right, I did well. I know it's a cumulative score and time management definitely contributes to a high score, but I was wondering if folks have delved into this topic before? I.e. how to get faster and more efficient at the test, when the weakness is not actually grasping the concepts, but rather the speed in which one can answer questions? I definitely took my sweet time answering the questions and at times when I was about to choose an answer, I'd doubt myself and re-assess the question all together.

I am taking Blueprint and am willing to put in the work.

Quality over quantity? Or both? Practice in volume?

Thanks!

This is probably the essential factor that makes the LSAT a difficult exam. If there was unlimited time or the time limits extended by 10 minutes, scores would probably jump by 10+ points for most students.

Speed comes with time and practice. I'm sure others have told you but you should grasp the test on a strong fundamental level before attempting to cut down time. A small percentage of the time, people have timing issues because they are not generally strong readers. If that's your issue, I'd recommend really working at your reading skill in general by finding a lot of dense, technical material and practice assimilating the information. If this isn't your problem, then practice will help. Eventually as you study the exam more and learn its nuances, you'll become substantially better at prephrasing questions, anticipating what the correct answer should sort of look like before even seeing the answer choices and naturally identifying flaws and gaps in logic in the stems as you go because the question will undoubtedly touch upon it in some way if there is a flaw in logic somewhere.

Trust me your time will come. I wouldn't worry about this too much unless you get to a point where you've been studying for months and you still struggle to come within 2-3 questions of finishing a section on time.

And when it comes to LSAT prep its absolutely quality over quantity. You don't get any points deducted for wrong answers. So in theory if you could only complete 20/25 sections in a given section, then you should focus on getting those 20 questions right, rather than trying to zoom through all 25 and only getting 16 right.

[FayRays]

I got a low score on my cold diagnostic - pretty bad. I averaged answering around 12/13 questions per section - and ended up guessing the rest which I ended getting 90% wrong.

When I computed how many of the ones I actually answered I got right, I did well. I know it's a cumulative score and time management definitely contributes to a high score, but I was wondering if folks have delved into this topic before? I.e. how to get faster and more efficient at the test, when the weakness is not actually grasping the concepts, but rather the speed in which one can answer questions? I definitely took my sweet time answering the questions and at times when I was about to choose an answer, I'd doubt myself and re-assess the question all together.

I am taking Blueprint and am willing to put in the work.

Quality over quantity? Or both? Practice in volume?

Thanks!

The more you are familiar with the questions types and how to solve them, the faster you get.