What if I'm not making any progress?

[CTabet]

Hi, I couldn't find a similar topic when I searched for it, so hopefully I'm not repeating a questions that's already been asked (even though part of me thinks this is maybe a common question.)

I took an LSAT cold diagnostic back in early April, and got a 152. I started studying with Khan academy for a couple weeks and brought up to a 154 (although I don't know how much of that was just chance) and have started studying with the PowerScore Bibles (3x) for the past two weeks. I only started studying for the LSAT, learning about it, familiarizing myself with it, all around this time in April.

I take the June 2021 LSAT, and I know I'll likely have to retake it again (like in October), so although I'm trying to do the 4 week study plan, I'm not overly concerned if I am unable to finish it all the way. What I am concerned with, however, is the fact that I seem to consistently miss a majority of problem sets at the end of the chapters, even though I'm trying to implement the techniques and strategies that the book offers with each topic. I take notes, I read actively.

It's really discouraging, because I just feel like I'm putting in a lot of hours for little to no return. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I know 4 weeks isn't probably a lot of time realistically to improve with some of this stuff since it takes time and practice to become second nature, but I feel like I would have at least started to notice some change. It almost feels like I'm falling backward.

I dunno...Am I doing something wrong? Do I need to change my approach? Should I just start drilling? Looking for ways to practice the fundamentals instead of specific problem sets? I want to maximize the efficiency and productivity of the time I have left so that I'm going into the June test somewhat prepared...but I just...I feel pretty discouraged at the moment.

[Ryan Twomey]

Hey Ctablet,

You only just started studying essentially so I would not worry about improvement too much. I think 4 months is a reasonable amount of time to prepare for the exam. I like two months of going through all of the lessons and then 2 months of practice tests for my tutoring students. During the 2 months of practice tests, they can go back and review lessons as needed, but for the most part it is just drilling practice tests during those two months.

Another thing I recommend: do not walk into a test if you know you are going to get a score you are unhappy with. Just postpone it instead. So maybe you could consider postponing the exam until August, giving you roughly 4 months to study. You'll still have the October LSAT to fall back on if August does not go well.

That seems like a more reasonable plan than taking it in June knowing you're just going to take it in August anyway. I'd prefer to only take the LSAT once if possible. I think every student's goal should be to take it once, but if it doesn't work out that first time, then take it a second time or a third time. I wouldn't make it your plan to know you are not going to get a score you love on your first LSAT.

I hope this helps. There are so many perspectives on this, and this is only my point of view.

Best,
Ryan