Different approach for a top target score

[adlindsey]

I've seen many posts on different sites about target score. Usually everyone gives the score they want to achieve by the end of their studies. I have done this as well. Last week, I was going through 30 PTs--29-38, 52-71--and looking at the raw score conversion charts.

My original target score was a 160. I've been studying for sometime, and have delayed taking the LSAT for the 2nd a couple of times now. I'm looking to take it in Feb. if I can pull 165+s on my PTs. The main reason for improving my target score is, because I noticed on the scoring charts, with a window of missing 10 questions on the LSAT, you can score anywhere from a 170-173 consistently; on a very rare occasion, a 174, but this was on the late 90s early 00s exams. I also noticed on some very rare occasions (4), to get a 170 you have a window of missing 14 questions. This has motivated me to increase my target score to a 170. Now, I know it's easier said in theory than being done in practice. So, If I don't take the Feb. test, I will delay another year for law school--I'm determined to get into a top school.

My approach will be to get everything right on the LG section, since it's the section that can be improved on most. That way, I have more questions to miss for the other sections, in particular RC, since it's the hardest to improve on. For the RC, I would like to miss no more than 6 questions on a below average day of testing, with getting all the questions right for the comparative reading passage. Maybe I'm being too optimistic, but I would like to spare the rest of the 4 missed questions for the hardest ones between the 2 LR sections.

I know with a positive attitude, self belief, and time I can achieve this. Any advice, comments, or concerns on this approach would be greatly appreciated.

PS: I have read the article of the 170 level test taker mentality.

[Dave Killoran]

Hi A,

Thanks for the message. First off, I like the aggressive attitude! As you saw from the 170 mentality article, positive aggression is very helpful when you are looking to score in the upper echelons. So, well done there!

Your base plan for allocating your scoring per section is also sound. They key here is one that you've incorporated: have a specific idea of how you want to perform in each section. This way you can gauge practice reality vs your goals, and watch the progress. during this time, just make sure to relentlessly track errors and self-examine. The best test takers seek to identify any possible weakness and eliminate it

One comment about the scoring charts: keep in mind that they reflect inherent difficulty of the test, so those "looser" scales came paired with tests that were overall more difficult logically. This article helps explain how that works: The LSAT Scoring Scale Explained. What you want to look for is not so much the scaling (although some test takers prefer certain types of tests in terms of difficulty) but rather an exam that best matches your strengths and weaknesses. That has a greater element of chance to it, which I discuss here: Welcome to the LSAT Casino. In any event, you can't control either of these things but you can hope for the best. If things work in your favor, the results can be even better than you hoped for.

Overall, you have a good plan and the key is to keep working hard and to stay positive. Good luck!!

[adlindsey]

Great articles. I had a question about the "looser" scales. Does this mean you can miss more questions for the more difficult tests and still get the same score as an average difficulty exam? If this is the case ,then the Dec. '11 LSAT was harder than the Jun. '11? I've always heard the Jun. exams are the hardest.

[Dave Killoran]

Hi A,

Yes, that is the case—the scale offsets the difficulty so that all LSATs should produce identical results. Does it work perfectly? No, but that's the aim they have.

There is no general truism about which tests are most difficult; any test can be "harder." If the June LSAT was consistently the most difficult, it wouldn't be long before people started avoiding it entirely That's one good sign that it isn't regularly the hardest.

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

[adlindsey]

Yes, thank you. This clears up the misconception on the June exams.

[TigerJin]

Hi A,

Thanks for the message. First off, I like the aggressive attitude! As you saw from the 170 mentality article, positive aggression is very helpful when you are looking to score in the upper echelons.

Could you link to this article? I can't find it.

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Tiger,

That's an article inside our some of our course materials and it's not online. I'm terribly sorry!