Advice on taking Prep Tests/Open Invite to Ridicule Forum

[proustitute]

Hello All,

I've been studying for the LSAT on and off since 2016. Wasn't 'seriously' studying until earlier this year-- and by seriously, I mean dedicating 10+ hours per week. I work full time, and take care of my batshit insane family, so while it's no valid excuse-- it's an explanation as to why I haven't been as dedicated as I would like to be.

I've been going through the LSAT Trainer (Last year I went through the Bibles)-- I see pros and cons to the Trainer, but I'm trying to follow the laid out schedule, not necessarily the time frame-- but primarily the drilling along with going through sections. I have definitely improved on LR, and knowing how to approach questions provided the stem, I generally don't have much of a problem with RC-- even if I skim through the passage I get 5/7 questions right.

Yesterday I finally took my FIRST PT since I started studying. To be clear, I timed myself for one section and then checked my answers right away (for some form of validation? I don't know why I do this). The first LR section of Prep test 71-- I completely BOMBED. I'm talking about 9 - 10 wrong. For section 3 LR, I didn't time myself, and I basically got 1-2 wrong in the entire section. This tells me that timing is clearly a huge problem for me, but also maybe not being able to recall the task related to the stems in a quick enough manner?

My questions for you guys:

1. Is it normal to perform so poorly on your first few PTs? How long did it take you guys to start scoring in a 'good' (relative to you) range?
2. I found that when I started the PT, I was in a state of panic. Suddenly my mind went blank in respect to everything I knew about LR. Do you guys typically do a few practice problems from other drills/books before you start a PT? Or do you go right into it? I wonder if doing some LSAT prep before I take a PT is good for me, I hadn't done any LSAT work in 2 days, and then decided to dive into the PT.


3. Do any of you guys have an excellent reference for LR question stems/steps? A reference that is all inclusive? I'm finding myself getting a bit confused with the category breakdown the LSAT Trainer uses, vs. what I run into online.

I also found during the PT, That I *WAS NOT* prephasing and breaking up the conclusion and the support? I have been doing this all through drilling and prep tests, and it obviously works. But I just lost sight of it completely when it came to taking the actual exam. I think the concept of timing myself makes me panic. Some part of me gets nervous and I have no earthly idea why. This is a strange issue I'm aware, but if any of you have any tips/criticisms/ideas-- I would greatly appreciate it.


** one more question** Any special strategies on how to review PTs? Outside of to go over problems that you got wrong? And how do you guys go over those problems? Other than to review why you missed the question and your understanding of it. I always feel like I don't do enough after I do practice problems or PTs.

[zkyggi]

It sounds like you just need a lot more practice. If you are drilling sections/questions untimed, and timing is the issue, then you just need to do more timed practice. In the same vein, if you understand how to attack the question types, then you don't need to learn a set of steps to apply--you already know them. After you learn the steps, it is all about repetition under time to dial it all in.

Also, if you're going to do a full PT, do it strictly timed. The length of the test is a component that can impact your score, and it likely will at first. Either drill sections to learn, or do full PTs to simulate test day, but I don't think what you are doing is optimal for either.

[guyindfw]

Practice practice and more practice.

[tanes25]

Hello All,

I've been studying for the LSAT on and off since 2016. Wasn't 'seriously' studying until earlier this year-- and by seriously, I mean dedicating 10+ hours per week. I work full time, and take care of my batshit insane family, so while it's no valid excuse-- it's an explanation as to why I haven't been as dedicated as I would like to be.

I've been going through the LSAT Trainer (Last year I went through the Bibles)-- I see pros and cons to the Trainer, but I'm trying to follow the laid out schedule, not necessarily the time frame-- but primarily the drilling along with going through sections. I have definitely improved on LR, and knowing how to approach questions provided the stem, I generally don't have much of a problem with RC-- even if I skim through the passage I get 5/7 questions right.

Yesterday I finally took my FIRST PT since I started studying. To be clear, I timed myself for one section and then checked my answers right away (for some form of validation? I don't know why I do this). The first LR section of Prep test 71-- I completely BOMBED. I'm talking about 9 - 10 wrong. For section 3 LR, I didn't time myself, and I basically got 1-2 wrong in the entire section. This tells me that timing is clearly a huge problem for me, but also maybe not being able to recall the task related to the stems in a quick enough manner?

My questions for you guys:

1. Is it normal to perform so poorly on your first few PTs? How long did it take you guys to start scoring in a 'good' (relative to you) range?
2. I found that when I started the PT, I was in a state of panic. Suddenly my mind went blank in respect to everything I knew about LR. Do you guys typically do a few practice problems from other drills/books before you start a PT? Or do you go right into it? I wonder if doing some LSAT prep before I take a PT is good for me, I hadn't done any LSAT work in 2 days, and then decided to dive into the PT.


3. Do any of you guys have an excellent reference for LR question stems/steps? A reference that is all inclusive? I'm finding myself getting a bit confused with the category breakdown the LSAT Trainer uses, vs. what I run into online.

I also found during the PT, That I *WAS NOT* prephasing and breaking up the conclusion and the support? I have been doing this all through drilling and prep tests, and it obviously works. But I just lost sight of it completely when it came to taking the actual exam. I think the concept of timing myself makes me panic. Some part of me gets nervous and I have no earthly idea why. This is a strange issue I'm aware, but if any of you have any tips/criticisms/ideas-- I would greatly appreciate it.


** one more question** Any special strategies on how to review PTs? Outside of to go over problems that you got wrong? And how do you guys go over those problems? Other than to review why you missed the question and your understanding of it. I always feel like I don't do enough after I do practice problems or PTs.

Look up 7Sage's blind review method. Use the BR method after each PT. It'll tell you what you know and what you don't know. You should use your BR to address your weaknesses before taking another PT. Return to the curriculum and drill before heading into another PT so that you're not continuously making the same mistakes and burning PT. Also, I would use the earlier PT (30-40) right now so that you don't burn the more recent PT. The more recent PT have a different feel and I think they should be should be used when you are closer to sitting for the test. For LR, I use 7Sage and The Trainer but Manhattan is also good.