Individual Section vs PrepTest Performance

[badarm]

Hi,

So I am registered to take the exam June 12, 2017. I took the exam in December and did awfully (147). Since then, I have improved quite a bit, I'm now scoring high 150's to low 160's, my personal best being 161 which I've gotten twice. However, I know that I can do even better. I keep noticing that I do much better on full, timed, individual sections than I do on entire PrepTests. For example, on RC, I will usually get a raw score of 20, never below, and same with LR. Do you have any idea as to why this is or any advice on how to fix this? My goal is to score in the mid to upper 160's when I take the exam in a little less than a month. Please help!!

Thanks

[AthenaDalton]

Congratulations on your progress so far! You've made fantastic improvements in a short time!

If you're doing well on individual, 35-minute sections, but doing worse when you take a full five-section test, it's probably an issue of stamina. Studying for the LSAT requires not just mastery of the subject matter but also a great deal of endurance.

The good news is, you have time to improve before the June LSAT.

To improve your endurance, practice taking simulated, 5-section tests more often. Don't forget to grab a snack and a 10-minute break in between sections 3 and 4, just like on test day. If working through a full 5 sections in a day isn't realistic, try to take two or three sections back-to-back. This will get you in the habit of maintaining focus for long periods of time.

I've also personally had success in taking multiple practice sections at a time in noisy or distracting environments, like a well-trafficked library or a coffee shop. When the real test day came around, the relative quiet of the testing center was a relief compared to what I'd practiced with.

Of course, don't burn yourself out. Stay in the habit of carefully reviewing the questions you missed each section, taking breaks and rest days, and varying what you study.

Congratulations again, and good luck!

Athena Dalton

[badarm]

I'll try that, thanks!

Also, I've only been doing 4-section PrepTests because that's what's given in the official LSAT PrepTests books. How do I do 5 full sections? Is it doing 4 of the multiple choice sections and then the writing? Or should I try 5 multiple choice sections?

I haven't practiced writing since I took the exam in December. I will closer to the June exam just to brush up, but overall I'm not too worried about it.

[Charlie Melman]

Hi badarm,

I'd recommend practicing with five-section preptests in order to build up your stamina. The extra 35-minute section takes a good deal out of you, especially given the stresses of test day. The more you do tests that are as long as the one that counts, the more used to such a format you'll be when you do take the one that counts.

I'd add an "experimental" multiple choice section as section 2, 3, or 4, using either printed out copies of LSATs or tests you have from preptest books. Take these sections as seriously as you would real ones.

[Dave Killoran]

Hey Badarm,

I agree with Charlie, and I wanted to add a few links that you might find helpful:

• http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/215 ... ctice-test
  
  http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/153 ... al-Proctor
  
  http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/the-ult ... ource-list

Also, congrats on the score increase so far—that's great progress and obviously you still have plenty of time to add more points. Keep working hard!