Score Variations

[laurenlevan]

I took the online class from July-August and for a solid amount of time my score was going increasingly up after practice tests. But over time my score plateaued and now my most recent score has been plummeting back down to pre-course levels or below. More specifically the scores I received in order have been 154 (pre-course diagnostic) 157, 159, 160, 160, 161, 152, 158, 157, and 151 (taken today). I have been taking 1-2 practice tests per week, trying to review the question types that I most frequently get wrong to correct it, and while I still only complete 3/4 games in the LG section, I have been trying to improve my timing on that as well.

Do you have any insight as to what is going on with me? I know this sounds odd. I am just worried that wish such drastic swings in my score my taking the LSAT in 10 days could be terrible, especially since I'm applying this fall and do not intend to take a gpa year. Is this swing in scores normal? If not, is there a way to correct myself to make sure my score is at its former peak or even higher into the mid 160s before the September date?

[Francis O'Rourke]

Hi Lauren,

It is almost certain that you will have score variations. After taking over 50 full-length exams in my life, I still may drop down 5 points from my high score every once in a while and everyone I teach has the odd test that is far below their top score. So don't feel alone when this happens to you

In truth, there will always be some amount of uncertainty with taking the LSAT, because the test makers design an amount of variation into the test. There are two clear factors that impact this. Read more about them in the following blog posts by Dave Killoran:
Welcome to the LSAT Casino
LSAT Logical Reasoning: Overall Section Difficulty

What this means is that you can't let any one score get you down. You absolutely need to have an expectation that you will succeed with every test you take. Even if you go another week without an increase, you have to believe that when you sit down to take the next test that you will get a 162 on it.

All of the scores you listed are rather close to one another, except for the last score. Figure out what happened on that exam and get to work. Was there one logic game that you had never seen before? Did you misinterpret the perspective of a passage author? Did you take the test without any coffee or with other stress on your mind that morning? Were all of these factors present?

As you take more tests and continue to review them well, two things will happen: you will figure out better ways to work through some of the questions and your scores will deviate less from one another. Although there will always be some disappointing scores, keep at it! You have 10 days to go until the September exam, so make them count, and remember that the worst case scenario is taking the December exam and still applying this year.

As a final note, make sure to read the following advice on how to deal with bombing a practice exam: Good News! You Just Bombed Your LSAT Practice Test

[laurenlevan]

Thank you Francis!

I was reviewing this test, and it looks liket he majority of the RC questions were Author's perspective questions. I didn't notice that it was such a weak spot for me until that many of that question type appeared on the section. Do you have any advice on how to best deal with Author's perspective questions?

[James Finch]

Hi Lauren,

I'm not Francis, but if you don't mind, I'll try and help you with my two cents.

Author's Perspective questions are often tricky because they typically rely upon what can be inferred from a small number of adjectives and adverbs scattered throughout the passage. These can be easily missed, so it's important to note them on the initial reading whenever they come up--whenever the author interjects to shift the tone, it should be a red flag. This goes double if the author's tone varies when discussing different subjects, as though favoring one over another.

Hope this helps!