3.85 / 156 Forum

emalkoun · Post by **emalkoun** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 8:45 pm

Hi everyone!

I graduated from college over a year ago and am currently working in Downtown Los Angeles. I've already taken the LSAT and I scored a 156 the first time around. I am currently registered for the February 2011 exam. I've been taking several practice exams and I was hoping my score would improve with some more practice. Sadly, it hasn't. I am now faced with the dilemma of cancelling the test or not. I was hoping for some feedback. Like it says above, I scored 156 with a 3.85 from the University of California, Berkeley. Any input on which schools/programs I should apply to and where I could get in?

Your feeback and input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

law4vus · Post by **law4vus** » Fri Jan 20, 2012 10:08 pm

Cancel the February test if you aren't going to score higher. Re-evaluate your prep method. Retake the test in June or Sept/Oct and apply for next cycle.

A 3.85 is a great GPA from a tough school. You can do better than a 156. How did you prep the first time/how are you prepping now?

goldenflash19 · Post by **goldenflash19** » Sat Jan 21, 2012 11:41 am

Retake in June. You've got almost 5 months to study. Send out apps very early next fall if you're happy with the score, or retake again in October.

emalkoun · Post by **emalkoun** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:54 pm

I have been seriously dwelling on the topic and it seems like I will cancel the February test. The first time around, I prepped for the test by enrolling in Blueprint. Now however, I basically reviewed all my old Blueprint materials and did all the unfinished HW sets. For the past month or so, I've just been taking practice test after practice test. Any suggestions as to how I can refine my prep strategy?

law4vus · Post by **law4vus** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 4:16 pm

emalkoun wrote:I have been seriously dwelling on the topic and it seems like I will cancel the February test. The first time around, I prepped for the test by enrolling in Blueprint. Now however, I basically reviewed all my old Blueprint materials and did all the unfinished HW sets. For the past month or so, I've just been taking practice test after practice test. Any suggestions as to how I can refine my prep strategy?

Taking practice tests is great, but I think a better way to do it is to drill certain question types all at once until you start seeing a pattern in what they are asking. Not many people are fans of ExamKrackers on here, but I found it to be the most helpful resource in my test prep. The first time, I prepped with Kaplan and got a 162, with PS scores topping out around 167. The second time with EK, my scores averaged 173 and topped out at 176 but test day panic attack landed me a 167.

The thing about EK is that they have a free online study plan that follows their books and helps you drill certain question types for each section. So one day, you may be drilling the hell out of Inference Questions until you see a pattern. It was really helpful more than taking test after test because drilling question types seemed to "unlock" some of the mystery behind how they work. Doing this and taking one practice test a week is better than, say, taking a practice test every day.

hookem12 · Post by **hookem12** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:04 pm

Really great GPA, a 167/8 would make you a contender for UCLA and USC, easily. Higher and you could look at Berkeley (and others). I would definitely cancel February and spend time prepping for the June test. Do some sort of test prep program - as long as it gives you access to all the old lsat exams, then you'll be fine. I actually really liked Powerscore. Once you figure out patterns and the logic games click, then that section should be no problem. And for reading and LR, practice, practice, practice. Good luck!

timbs4339 · Post by **timbs4339** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:11 pm

Is there any one particular section that is giving you trouble?

dkang · Post by **dkang** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:17 am

I had a 3.9 and got a 156 my first time. I retook it 6 months later and got a 163. When I started practicing from the second time, I didn't really see much progress at first but I kept taking practice test and suddenly I jumped to 160, then constantly 163 to 165 within a few days so dont give up. Good luck

Post by **romothesavior** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 2:30 am

goldenflash19 wrote:Retake in June. You've got almost 5 months to study. Send out apps very early next fall if you're happy with the score, or retake again in October.

I agree with this. No need to rush. You go to a great school and have a great GPA, so don't waste it with such a bad LSAT score. Good luck OP.

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