Moving from 164 to 170 - Statistical Breakdown

[Hutch976]

Hello, everyone! I am registered to take the Jan. 2019 LSAT, and I feel I am hitting a plateau in terms of improvement. I am hoping that analyzing some statistics from my most recent 6 practice tests can be helpful upon analysis. I am eager to hear what anyone has to say about them, in particular, on how I can best steer my efforts in the remaining 2 months to score in the 170's.

Here is the relevant information:

- Since starting PowerScore in August, I have gone from a score of 154 to a high score of 169. (Thanks, PowerScore!)
- I have score a 169 twice, but not under timed conditions.
- My best score under timed conditions is (166).
- My last 6 practice tests (both timed and untimed) range from 163-169.
- These last 6 practice tests are all from the mid 1990s, and are the basis for the statistics below....

Statistics (Number of Incorrect Raw)

Logical Reasoning Reading Comprehension Logic Games
9 4 11
11 2 7
13 1 2
5 6 4
10 1 1
10 4 5
11 4 0

Averages 9.8 3.1 4.2
First Three 11 2.333333333 6.666666667
Last Three 10.33333333 3 2


Analysis:

Logic Games
From what I can tell, my logic games are tightening up their shot group and I have improved markedly. I know about the Casino Effect, and I think my strategy of Logic Game training is working and will continue along that path.

RC
I need to find a way of mentally steeling myself. This is one section where I can really only see missing 1-2 as acceptable. The answers are literally right there in front of you, and I am a fast reader with an average time remaining of 5-8+ minutes during timed conditions.

ADVICE NEEDED

I find myself misreading questions, getting complacent, or something like that. Only rarely do I review a question and not hit myself in the forehead. I never miss THAT many, but why would I not want to improve and save 2 points where I can? Any advice on this? Have you guys had similar experiences?


Logical Reasoning

Well, obviously I consistently miss 9.8, and that is barely an improvement from my initial missed 11. That's 4.9 per section, and still a high average than any section. I took the liberty of breaking down the "type of question" missed after reviewing the Practice Test bank on PowerScore:

Type of Question Number Missed
Weaken 13
Flaw in Reasoning (Flaw) 12
Sufficient and Necessary 12
Must Be True 10
Assumption 10
Numbers and Percentages 10
Cause and Effect 7
Parallel Reasoning 5
Parallel Flaw 5
Formal Logic 4
Justify Conclusion 3
Method of reasoning 3
Evaluate the Argument 2
Except Questions 1
Cannot Be True 1
Resolve Paradox 1
FIB 1
Point at Issue 1


ADVICE NEEDED

Ok, so obviously I could take a crack at the biggest perpetrators category wise, and simply triage my review. But does anyone have any other advice? Any insight is wanted. How did you guys tighten up your LR scores?

Maybe this statistical analysis was a big therapy session for me. But my goal is to get to 170. What do you all think is the best course of action?

[Hutch976]

Apologies if the stats came out looking weird. I guess the important part is the last section of my post.

[GW169]

I'm not an expert by any means but what has really helped me is doing a blind review a few hours or a day after I take a test. Without knowing which ones I got wrong, it has forced me to learn about my mistakes and try to correct them. For example, if I see 2 answer choices that look eerily similar I try to double check quickly with the stimulus. Also, maybe try doing question-type drills on your weakest areas.

I'd also start taking the more recent tests. I think starting at Preptest 60 up until now the logic games vary sometimes (they're also on 2 pages) and reading comp has one comparative passage.

Perhaps the Powerscore staff can give you more advice!

[Hutch976]

Thanks for the advice! I am hoping some staffers hop on here, too.

When you talk about "question type drills", where are you getting the resources for that? Is there a workbook?

[Dave Killoran]

Hello, everyone! I am registered to take the Jan. 2019 LSAT, and I feel I am hitting a plateau in terms of improvement. I am hoping that analyzing some statistics from my most recent 6 practice tests can be helpful upon analysis. I am eager to hear what anyone has to say about them, in particular, on how I can best steer my efforts in the remaining 2 months to score in the 170's.

Here is the relevant information:

- Since starting PowerScore in August, I have gone from a score of 154 to a high score of 169. (Thanks, PowerScore!)
- I have score a 169 twice, but not under timed conditions.
- My best score under timed conditions is (166).
- My last 6 practice tests (both timed and untimed) range from 163-169.
- These last 6 practice tests are all from the mid 1990s, and are the basis for the statistics below....

Statistics (Number of Incorrect Raw)

Logical Reasoning Reading Comprehension Logic Games
9 4 11
11 2 7
13 1 2
5 6 4
10 1 1
10 4 5
11 4 0

Averages 9.8 3.1 4.2
First Three 11 2.333333333 6.666666667
Last Three 10.33333333 3 2


Analysis:

Logic Games
From what I can tell, my logic games are tightening up their shot group and I have improved markedly. I know about the Casino Effect, and I think my strategy of Logic Game training is working and will continue along that path.

RC
I need to find a way of mentally steeling myself. This is one section where I can really only see missing 1-2 as acceptable. The answers are literally right there in front of you, and I am a fast reader with an average time remaining of 5-8+ minutes during timed conditions.

ADVICE NEEDED

I find myself misreading questions, getting complacent, or something like that. Only rarely do I review a question and not hit myself in the forehead. I never miss THAT many, but why would I not want to improve and save 2 points where I can? Any advice on this? Have you guys had similar experiences?


Logical Reasoning

Well, obviously I consistently miss 9.8, and that is barely an improvement from my initial missed 11. That's 4.9 per section, and still a high average than any section. I took the liberty of breaking down the "type of question" missed after reviewing the Practice Test bank on PowerScore:

Type of Question Number Missed
Weaken 13
Flaw in Reasoning (Flaw) 12
Sufficient and Necessary 12
Must Be True 10
Assumption 10
Numbers and Percentages 10
Cause and Effect 7
Parallel Reasoning 5
Parallel Flaw 5
Formal Logic 4
Justify Conclusion 3
Method of reasoning 3
Evaluate the Argument 2
Except Questions 1
Cannot Be True 1
Resolve Paradox 1
FIB 1
Point at Issue 1


ADVICE NEEDED

Ok, so obviously I could take a crack at the biggest perpetrators category wise, and simply triage my review. But does anyone have any other advice? Any insight is wanted. How did you guys tighten up your LR scores?

Maybe this statistical analysis was a big therapy session for me. But my goal is to get to 170. What do you all think is the best course of action?

Hey Hutch,

Thanks for the message! First, congrats on the improvement thus far! You are coming along well, and plateaus like the one you talk about are not only normal, they are expected. At this point in the process, I'd suggest taking a break fomr studying for a bit. It will help refresh you, position you well to make a run to January, and likely have a positive impact on your score. More on how that works here: Why Breaks From The LSAT Can Increase Your Score.

Second, I've shred a lot of thoughts on score improvement in my article Retaking the LSAT? What To Do Differently To Raise Your Score. It's about retakers, but the lessons apply equally well to those stuck at a certain score or looking to improve even further. There are tips in there that will directly help you in your quest to get those LR scores higher

Last, you mentioned that, "I find myself misreading questions, getting complacent, or something like that." to some extent this happens to everyone, but this is also the result of you losing focus during the test. This is deadly, especially because you mention you almost always know the right answer upon review. you've got to mentally focus on practicing with fatigue so you get used to this. I analogize it to running a marathon and reaching mile 20. If you've never done it before, the first time is terrible, but it gets better and better with successive races. You need to get used to not losing focus and dealing with fatigue/distraction, and now that you've identified this as an issue, the onus is on you to fix it.

Good luck and stay positive—you are doing great so far and have plenty of time to keep rising!

[Hutch976]

Dave,

Thanks for the response and thanks for authoring all those books! They are helpful and thorough.


I'll be sure to let you all know when the good news comes that I have joined the 170+ club!

[T.B.Justin]

Hutch,

Looking at your LR data it seems similar to my weaknesses. I am doing the same triage each category.

Personally, breaks have helped me tremendously. Something happens to the mind after stepping away and coming back. For me its about getting that momentum and driving it home on test day in January; similar to Dave's marathon analogy its like once you get going you can't be stopped.

Keep it moving you got this