Study Plan Advice

[Esda08]

I just wanted to start off by thanking the staff and others who post in this Forum, it's been super helpful! Even though I've gone through different posts, I think my situation might be a little different. I am planning to take the LSAT in September. I'm dedicating my entire summer to prep for the LSAT, so since May I have solely been focusing on learning the material in the Bibles. I didn't begin my prep by taking a diagnostic test because I wanted to know the techniques and procedures before taking any timed exams. I'm almost done reading all 3 bibles and would like to use the next two months to just practice.

My first concern is that maybe I waited to long to begin practicing. I purchased all 3 workbooks and the training books for Logic Games and Logical Reasoning, but didn't use them at all as I went through the bibles. I don't know if I should use those books on the days I'm not taking practice exams or if I should go through all of them before approaching exams? My second concern is that I won't have enough practice exams leading up to the exam because I intend to start from PT 52 (since it begins to include comparative passages in RC and will allow me to take the most recent exams, PT 82 and 83). I want to practice 4 exams a week (2 timed, 2 untimed). So, should I maybe consider starting from PT 42, even though it won't have the comparative passages in RC and due to time won't allow me to take the very recent exams (PT 82 and 83)? Overall, my biggest concern is not having enough time to master the skills I've learned to get the score I want (a 170). Even though there's two months left, I know that if I put in enough time and effort that I can reach that goal. I'm really worried about not setting up a proper study plan that will help me maximize the the time I have left to prep and also overwhelming myself with too much practice.

Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance for your help!

[T.B.Justin]

Each person's study plans will be different.

We all have ways that we work best.

My suggestion is be flexible with your study plan and be willing to put the work in to tweak it when necessary based on what you need.

4 PT a week is a lot.

It is about quality of study time not quantity. I also think the best way to do PT is make sure you 'blind review' them.

[Adam Tyson]

I agree with T.B.Justin here, Esda08, and 4 PTs a week is WAY too much! Don't worry now about what you should have done or what you think it's too late to do, because nothing is too late and there is plenty of opportunity to effectively prepare for the tests in the Fall.

First, take a PT asap. It doesn't matter if you feel ready - you need to start getting familiar with what that experience feels like. Try to take one with five sections, if you can, perhaps by cannibalizing an older test and using one of those sections as section 2 or 3 inserted into a newer test. Building stamina, comfort, and familiarity is at least as important as knowing the techniques and strategies for the questions.

Next, plan on a schedule that allows for plenty of time to rest and also to learn from the experiences of the PTs you do take. I like to suggest a plan based on a three day cycle, like this:

Day 1: PT
Day 2: Blind review
Day 3: untimed practice and study to improve in one or two areas with which you had troubles on that PT. Assumption questions, perhaps, or grouping games

Days 4, 5, 6: repeat that cycle

Days 7,8,9: repeat again

Day 10: take a day off! Completely! Rest, eat, exercise, have some fun, recover, refresh, meditate, do laundry, watch TV, whatever.

Day 11, start that 10-day cycle over again.

In there somewhere you can make time to read articles in our blog, follow us on Twitter for additional advice and news, and use this Forum for help with those questions that are really troubling you.

For more ideas on how to get ready, check out our self-study guides on our website at http://students.powerscore.com/self-study/

Oh, and there is still plenty to be gained from using those workbooks and training types! That's good material for use on the third day of each of those cycles!

Good luck, work hard, and be sure to not burn yourself out by overdoing it!