Am I Doing This Right?

[NihalK196]

Hi everyone. My name is Nihal.

I began studying for the LSAT in May 2018, but become serious in August. I began by taking a practice test over the summer. I didn't time myself and it took me several weeks to actually complete the test. Though the score I got was close to a 145, I know it was much lower in actuality with all the above factors combined. I plan to take the LSAT in either June or July of 2019. To be honest, I want to do whatever it takes to score 170+. Hence, I need advice on how to proceed.

Currently, I've completed about 70 pages from the LR book, 115 pages from LG, and 120 pages from RC. Everyday I'm spending between 2-3 hours studying for the LSAT. This week, I plan on taking another practice test (probably the same one I took from before, but do it again) to see how I'm faring. But I'm not sure if I'm doing this right. I definitely feel that I'm getting better, but it feels that I am not doing enough and am not progressing fast enough to reach my goals.

Looking forward to hearing from you all.

[ohthatpatrick]

Hey, Nihal.

It sounds like you're on the right track, more or less. Keep in mind that if you're starting from around a 140 (I'm discounting a few points since you gave yourself infinite time on the first), and trying to get to a 170, it could easily take a year or more of work.

People who study for 3-5 months often see their scores go up about 10 points by the end.

The only type of LSAT improvement that comes in fairly quick form is Games. If started off having no clue / no plan, and as a result we got very few correct answers, then learning about how to set up a game and represent individual scenarios can give us the tools to start collecting more points there.

But getting better at LR and RC involves improving our reading / our thinking / our attention to detail / our pattern recognition and other long term skills.

If you're not a native speaker, improving at LSAT can take a long time. This test is basically a test of "which people are the best at quickly, efficiently, and accurately processing the meaning of nuanced English?" Getting a 170 means you're better at reading and interpreting dense English prose than over 96% of the people who take an LSAT. That's a high bar to clear.

As you're reading through the strategy guides, make sure you have a pack of flashcards handy. Every time you read something that you think is especially worth remembering, try to make a flashcard with which you can quiz yourself on that idea.

Otherwise, don't worry too much about mastering every chapter you read, the first time.

LSAT improvement is often in weird plateau shifts, not in linear growth.

You'll probably need to read some, do some, redo some, re-read some, do more, redo more, etc. Your idea to redo that first test is a good one. In general, I would say mix in 35 minute sections into your practice regimen.

If you're practicing 2-3 hours at a time, save 35 mins of it to attempt a timed section.
At your next 2-3 hr study session, save about 60 mins to review that section.

Use this forum as much as possible to get explanations on the material you attempt, and create a redo calendar so that you can revisit stuff you've attempted 3-5 days later and then a week or two after that.

Good luck.

[MarkS703]

Hi Patrick, what do you suggest people do when they encounter one of those learning plateaus? Just throw time and effort into it until you break it? Or does rest work better?

[jamesc298]

nice to know the valuable response from fellow members

[ohthatpatrick]

It's too hard to generalize about plateaus.

Sometimes it could be because you've actually hit your scoring potential, more or less, on the LSAT.
It's certainly not the case that anyone can get to 170 if they just study long enough.

Sometimes you're just as a plateau and will reach a higher one (this is probably the case if you've studied less than 5 months and done fewer than 6-8 tests)

Sometimes you're at a plateau because you've been studying so intensively that you are melting your brain, and yes then a rest would be great (anywhere from a couple days to a couple months, depending on the person)

Other times, you're at a plateau and you won't break through it unless you actually take the time to learn and internalize a new approach (a lot of people read books or take classes or hire a tutor, but they don't actually practice the skills and approaches being talked about enough to eventually make them 2nd nature ... instead, they keep resorting back to their own original habits and intuition)

[jonesr602]

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[Pateld569]

Hi everyone. My name is Nihal.

I began studying for the LSAT in May 2018, but become serious in August. I began by taking a practice test over the summer. I didn't time myself and it took me several weeks to actually complete the test. Though the score I got was close to a 145, I know it was much lower in actuality with all the above factors combined. I plan to take the LSAT in either June or July of 2019. To be honest, I want to do whatever it takes to score 170+. Hence, I need advice on how to proceed.

Currently, I've completed about 70 pages from the LR book, 115 pages from LG, and 120 pages from RC. Everyday I'm spending between 2-3 hours studying for the LSAT. This week, I plan on taking another practice test (probably the same one I took from before, but do it again) to see how I'm faring. But I'm not sure if I'm doing this right. I definitely feel that I'm getting better, but it feels that I am not doing enough and am not progressing fast enough to reach my goals.

Looking forward to hearing from you all.

Hi Nihal,

It's great to hear about your dedication to preparing for the LSAT. Scoring 170+ is an ambitious goal, but with the right strategy and commitment, it is achievable. Here's a structured plan to help you optimize your study approach:

Assessment and Baseline:

Diagnostic Test: Instead of retaking the same practice test, take a different full-length, timed practice test to get a current baseline score. This will give you a realistic starting point and help identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Structured Study Plan:

Daily Study Routine: Continue dedicating 2-3 hours daily to LSAT prep, but make sure this time is used efficiently. Break your study sessions into focused segments, such as one hour for Logical Reasoning (LR), one hour for Logic Games (LG), and one hour for Reading Comprehension (RC).
Weekly Practice Tests: Incorporate full-length, timed practice tests every week. This will help you build stamina and improve your time management skills.
Focused Practice:

Review Fundamentals: Ensure you thoroughly understand the basics of each section. Books and courses that break down the question types and strategies for each section can be very helpful.
Error Analysis: After each practice test or practice session, review your mistakes thoroughly. Understand why you got a question wrong and how you can avoid similar mistakes in the future.
Targeted Improvement:

Weaknesses First: Prioritize improving your weaker areas. If LG is your weakest section, spend extra time mastering the different game types and practicing them until you see improvement.
Use Micro Work: Break down your practice into small, manageable tasks, focusing on one type of question or game at a time.
Resources:

Quality Study Materials: Utilize high-quality prep books, online resources, and possibly even a prep course or tutor if you feel you need additional guidance.
LSAT Prep Forums: Engage with online communities, such as LSAT forums or study groups, to gain insights, share strategies, and stay motivated.
Mindset and Well-being:

Stay Positive and Persistent: Progress might seem slow at times, but consistent effort will yield results. Celebrate small victories and milestones.
Health and Balance: Maintain a balanced lifestyle. Ensure you get enough sleep, exercise, and take breaks to avoid burnout.
In summary, focus on building a solid foundation, regularly assess your progress with practice tests, and target your weak areas with focused practice. By following a structured and disciplined study plan, you'll be well on your way to achieving your goal of scoring 170+ on the LSAT.

Good luck with your preparation, and feel free to reach out if you need further advice!