NEED to improve LSAT score 20 POINTS--what to do? Forum

[chicagolaw2013]

OP, try taking a different test for another diagnostic, preferably one from LSAC themselves.

I know KaplanLSATInstructor will try to convince you otherwise (cue the violin, I'm sure he/she is on the way onto this thread), but the Kaplan diagnostics are not indicative of your real starting score. I took a Kaplan diagnostic and scored a 142. I thought that it couldn't possibly be right...I scored a 1370 on my SAT with no prep, I'd been prepping for the GMAT (still contemplating a JD/MBA) and my diagnostic there was a 650. I mean, I know it's not the same test, but I know that standardized tests in general are usually my thing. So I decided to take another diagnostic (no studying in between), the 2007 June LSAT that is free on the LSAC site. 155, dude. 142 to 155 with no studying in between, taken about a week apart from one another? I think something's up with the Kaplan materials...

P.S. My PTs from that point forward were in the 160's, so I'm thinking that 155 was the right diagnostic.

Kaplan diagnostic materials are actual, administered LSATs. Maybe you felt more comfortable taking it the second time? It definitely didn't have anything to do with the Kaplan materials being different than other prep tests.

They have just implemented that "rule" that everything they'll offer are real LSATs. KaplanLSATInstructor actually confirmed that the one they offer with some of their books (not all, I'm not going to say all) is NOT an actual LSAT, they are LSAT-"inspired" (or whatever you want to call them) questions.

I don't know, my score on that Kaplan diagnostic was way off, and I went into taking it confident as hell (read above about my past experience with standardized tests). I threw out all of my Kaplan books, and bought PS books. I dunno, PS seemed way more logical to me, and they have actual test questions (they even list out which test each question was on, so you can check if you really really wanted to). Just letting the OP know that Kaplan just seems off to me...I personally think their diagnostic is supposed to set you up thinking you NEED their classroom course, HUGE marketing ploy...anyone agree with me here, or am I way off?

[badfish]

OP, try taking a different test for another diagnostic, preferably one from LSAC themselves.

I know KaplanLSATInstructor will try to convince you otherwise (cue the violin, I'm sure he/she is on the way onto this thread), but the Kaplan diagnostics are not indicative of your real starting score. I took a Kaplan diagnostic and scored a 142. I thought that it couldn't possibly be right...I scored a 1370 on my SAT with no prep, I'd been prepping for the GMAT (still contemplating a JD/MBA) and my diagnostic there was a 650. I mean, I know it's not the same test, but I know that standardized tests in general are usually my thing. So I decided to take another diagnostic (no studying in between), the 2007 June LSAT that is free on the LSAC site. 155, dude. 142 to 155 with no studying in between, taken about a week apart from one another? I think something's up with the Kaplan materials...

P.S. My PTs from that point forward were in the 160's, so I'm thinking that 155 was the right diagnostic.

Kaplan diagnostic materials are actual, administered LSATs. Maybe you felt more comfortable taking it the second time? It definitely didn't have anything to do with the Kaplan materials being different than other prep tests.

They have just implemented that "rule" that everything they'll offer are real LSATs. KaplanLSATInstructor actually confirmed that the one they offer with some of their books (not all, I'm not going to say all) is NOT an actual LSAT, they are LSAT-"inspired" (or whatever you want to call them) questions.

I don't know, my score on that Kaplan diagnostic was way off, and I went into taking it confident as hell (read above about my past experience with standardized tests). I threw out all of my Kaplan books, and bought PS books. I dunno, PS seemed way more logical to me, and they have actual test questions (they even list out which test each question was on, so you can check if you really really wanted to). Just letting the OP know that Kaplan just seems off to me...I personally think their diagnostic is supposed to set you up thinking you NEED their classroom course, HUGE marketing ploy...anyone agree with me here, or am I way off?

Don't you normally take the diagnostic after you sign up for the course? Seems like an inefficient marketing ploy to use it on a group of people who have already signed up for their service.

[chicagolaw2013]

Maybe I'm not explaining this right...

I took the diagnostic that comes with their Premier book. I got a 142 on it.

This made me almost contemplate taking their class so I'd improve.

This is what I meant...sorry if I was unclear.

And I think it'd be an efficient marketing ploy if you take the diagnostic in their class (already have spent the money), and if your score then improves drastically on the actual exam. You then DON'T ask for your money back/a free course...pretty efficient in my book...you'd be then touting the amazingness of Kaplan. There's the free marketing they would then get.

[chicagolaw2013]

Just so you know, you're talking to someone who works in marketing...success is about the long-term effects of your marketing campaign, as well as what happens right away.

[jdn012]

study hard, go with the bibles and drill, drill, drill.

It's definitely possible. I agree with an above poster that you should take an LSAT released by LSAC. They have a free one online from June 2007. That would be a good one to take as a diagnostic. Go on the LSAC website and click LSAT.

[chicagolaw2013]

Thanks for the agreement, JDN.

[badfish]

Maybe I'm not explaining this right...

I took the diagnostic that comes with their Premier book. I got a 142 on it.

This made me almost contemplate taking their class so I'd improve.

This is what I meant...sorry if I was unclear.

And I think it'd be an efficient marketing ploy if you take the diagnostic in their class (already have spent the money), and if your score then improves drastically on the actual exam. You then DON'T ask for your money back/a free course...pretty efficient in my book...you'd be then touting the amazingness of Kaplan. There's the free marketing they would then get.

oh, i see what you mean.

the diagnostics you take in the classes are real, administered LSAT's, i can't attest to the tests you get from the books that they sell though.

As far as the marketing strategy: Word of mouth goes a long way. Still, you're assuming that the increase from diagnostic to exam has nothing to do with the methods that they teach you in class and everything to do with a more difficult diagnostic exam.

Inevitably, the most effective marketing strategy is a good product.

[jdn012]

Thanks for the agreement, JDN.

You're very welcome. I'm assuming you are applying next cycle chicagolaw? if so, an early good luck from me!

The June 2007 test is known for having a horrible scale, but it is a standardized test, so the scale really shouldn't affect you that much. Older tests tend to have easier reading comps so be wary of those.

[chicagolaw2013]

Yup, 2010 cycle. Thanks!

You already done applying? Good luck on your apps!

[missvik218]

Yes, absolutely take a class. I did Testmasters and it was good, do ALL of the assigned homework ... taking a class and not doing the homework is a waste of your time and money. It helps to give you the structure you need to really prepare for this test.
Pracitce TIMED sections, not necessarily entire exams, although that also can be helpful -- I started doing this when I realized that my 4th and 5th sections on my diagnostics were the worst .. I needed to build endurance. But your pacing is crucial. Do as many logic games as you can get your hands on, and keep doing them until diagraming them and moving through the game becomes second nature.
The test is scary at first, but it is doable! It just requires focus and dedication. Good luck!

[MidwestJosh]

start reading really dense material like academic journals, art criticism pieces, and magazines like Foreign Policy and the New Yorker...heres one more piece of advice i wish i would have realized before, a light bulb went on when i grasped it...identify the conclusion and select the answer that impacts the conclusion, i know that sounds really basic, but I improved my score dramatically when i isolated the conclusion and worked from there....good luck

That's funny. Kaplan teaches that.

I'm starting to think you just didn't pay attention.

[skyscraper86]

Thanks for the candid advice everyone. Hopefully I can have a success story like many of you.

I am leaning towards taking a course. Which is better: Testmasters or Powerscore?

[MidwestJosh]

Thanks for the candid advice everyone. Hopefully I can have a success story like many of you.

I am leaning towards taking a course. Which is better: Testmasters or Powerscore?

From what I hear Testmasters is better. I took a Kaplan course and supplemented it with Powerscore LG Bible. I'd say that's the way to go. I thought the Kaplan classroom course was overpriced (all the test prep companies are actually) but I took the Kaplan Extreme course and thought it was a good deal. I had 28 sessions for $1500. Plus they refunded me $200 when i complained about something that was actually really minor, so I thought they were pretty awesome.