Top Law Schools

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Retake.

I know you don't want to, I know the test sucks and studying sucks and maybe even skipping a cycle sucks...but 165+ and T14 is definitely in reach. Don't leave that GPA hanging.

You should have studied for more than a month. You're wasting the GPA. Retake or don't go.

Retake. With a 165+ you would get into some good schools, posisbly even UVA with an ED app.

RETAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look at Pithypike's study guide. Also, here is something I put together (hth). Do NOT waste that GPA.


STUDY PLAN:

Books to purchase:
A. ACE the LSAT Logic Games: http://www.amazon.com/Ace-LSAT-Logic-Ga ... 0974853364

B. Powerscore Logic Games Bible: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/098017 ... W6QCZHW64A

C. Powerscore Logical Reasoning Bible: http://www.amazon.com/LSAT-Logical-Reas ... gy_b_img_b

D. Powerscore Logic Games Workbook: http://www.amazon.com/PowerScore-Logic- ... pd_sim_b_4

E. ExamKrackers Logical Reasoning: http://www.amazon.com/ExamKrackers-Logi ... 318&sr=1-2

F. Informal Logic - A Pragmatic Approach, Douglas Walton: http://www.amazon.com/Informal-Logic-Pr ... 431&sr=1-2

G. Powerscore Reading Comprehension Bible: http://www.amazon.com/PowerScore-LSAT-R ... pd_sim_b_3

H. The Next 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests

I. 10 More Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests

J. 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests

K. The Official LSAT SuperPrep

L. How to Read Better and Faster

M. Cambridge LSAT Logical Reasoning questions by TYPE (--LinkRemoved--)

- I have included a few of these to get you started. (I tried, the files are way too big)


1. Start with "The Official LSAT SuperPrep.
A. Read the first 100 pages, and do PrepTest A UNTIMED. Then carefully go through the answers.

2. Logic Games (25% of the test)
A. Go through the LG PowerScore Bible Twice. It is critical that you understand how to do the games.
B. Go through the PowerScore Workbook and focus on the set-ups.
C. Do the TIMED games in the ACE the LSAT Logic Games book. These games are TOUGH.
D. Make 3 copies of each game in the Actual, Official Book 19 - 38. Organize them by the PT they came from (I would buy an accordian binder at Staples)
E. Use this website so that you can do the games by TYPE (Pure Sequencing, Grouping, Linear): http://lsatblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/lo ... types.html
F. Also, do some of the games as an entire section to work on your timing.
G. Great website to help you work through different games: http://lsatblog.blogspot.com/

3. Logical Reasoning (50% of the test)
A. Go through the LR PowerScore Bible twice. Make sure you focus on anything you don't understand.
B. After you finish a section, for example the Must Be True section, then do those questions in Logical Reasoning by TYPE that you downloaded from Cambridge.
C. Use the ExamKrackers for any section you are struggling on.
D. Skim through Informal Logic - A Pragmatic Approach
E. If you get an LR question wrong, and don't understand why, do the following. Write out the premises, conclusion and then write out why each answer choice is right or wrong.

4. Reading Comp (25% of the test)
A. Go through the RC Powerscore Bible once.
B. Do reading comp sections from PT 19 - 38.
C. Practice with "How to Read Better and Faster

5. Additional Links:
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... ?f=6&t=396

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =6&t=41657

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 2&t=120471

Once you have done all this, then start doing PT under timed conditions.

Do them in this order:
SuperPrep: B
SuperPrep: C
June 2007 PT: You can download for free online (just google it) http://www.lsac.org/jd/pdfs/SamplePTJune.pdf
PT 39 - 55

That will be 19 PT's. The most important part of the PT is that you review them afterwards to see what you missed. You MUST review your wrong answers and understand why you got them wrong.


Give yourself at least 4+ months to study. You spent 4 years getting that GPA, what's another 4 months????

please don't take these posts as the standard TLS "retake" kneejerk. I know it sucks, but in your case a higher LSAT is not just the difference between a ranking or two or a few thousand in scholarship money. It could radically change your options here. Your GPA is T14 material-- go get the LSAT to match.

It seems like the best option for me is to retake. Now I'm wondering if that 156 will hurt me at all when applying if i do go up significant points or somewhere closer to my PT's, say 162.

And thanks for all the replies, you've all been very helpful in giving the little extra motivation to commit to the retake.

Here's some excellent info on multiple LSATs:
http://www.top-law-schools.com/archives ... =2&t=94748

jlaw19 wrote:It seems like the best option for me is to retake. Now I'm wondering if that 156 will hurt me at all when applying if i do go up significant points or somewhere closer to my PT's, say 162.

And thanks for all the replies, you've all been very helpful in giving the little extra motivation to commit to the retake.

most schools just take the higher score. that being said, i dont see why you cant practice till you're in a comfortable 165+ PT avg, given the range of your past PTs.

jlaw19 wrote:It seems like the best option for me is to retake. Now I'm wondering if that 156 will hurt me at all when applying if i do go up significant points or somewhere closer to my PT's, say 162.

And thanks for all the replies, you've all been very helpful in giving the little extra motivation to commit to the retake.

Most schools take the higher score, since that's what they report to USNWR. Some schools will want you to write an addendum explaining a large score jump (basically "I didn't study enough the first time, so the second score is more indicative of my abilities"), but that's easy.

Holy shit, retake.

Spend an average of 2 hours a day until the October LSAT (about 90 days) studying= 180 hours of study. You can raise your score, and even with a modest 7 point increase thus let's say you get more than $50,000 extra in scholarship money (not to mention much better job prospects from better schools). That's $278 an hour of studying, pretty solid

Really, retake. Your GPA is way too good to waste. I have a 3.86 and got a 166, and I hate it but I am studying for a retake. ANYTHING is in reach with that GPA!!!

I just need to buckle down and do it. Ill go out and buy the LG and LR Bibles

and side note, was debating on coughing up $600 for the online blue print prep class, any opinions on blue print or other recommendations.

AR and LR were my weakest sections and after perusing the forums it looks at the least somewhat promising.

jlaw19 wrote:I just need to buckle down and do it. Ill go out and buy the LG and LR Bibles

and side note, was debating on coughing up $600 for the online blue print prep class, any opinions on blue print or other recommendations.

AR and LR were my weakest sections and after perusing the forums it looks at the least somewhat promising.

Good choice with the bibles. Get them on Amazon, they're cheaper there. No idea about the prep class- I never took one. I found that self study worked best for me, but I was under time constraints with a full-time job. Someone else can probably chime in on those.

Let us know how it goes. Also, head on over to that October '11 study thread for motivation!