- Posts: 13
- Joined: Jul 26, 2021
- Fri Aug 06, 2021 2:41 pm
#89430
Hello PowerScore community,
I am scheduled to take the LSAT on August 15 (about 9 days from now) and am struggling mentally at the moment and could use a little advice from someone who understands LSAT prep.
I have been self-studying for 11 of 12 total weeks now, working Monday-Friday for anywhere from 5-8+ hours per day (it's worth noting that I quit my previous job before beginning prep so that I would have time for so much work without burning out). I read through the entirety of the Bibles on all 3 sections and "The LSAT Trainer" by Mike Kim within the first 7 weeks, and would do a daily untimed practice section Monday-Thursday along with my reading/drills from the books, then do only a full, untimed PT on Friday (no reading). After completing any given section or test, I would review it in-depth later that day while it was fresh. After finishing the books and reaching a comfortably firm understanding of the material (my highest untimed score was a 171 from a 149 diagnostic), I began introducing timing to my practice.
For the past 4 weeks now, I have been doing 4 full PTs per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) with accompanying review later in the day, using Wednesday for a light study/review day. For the past 2 weeks I have added another light day during the weekend. One of the biggest goals of this stretch of weeks has been to get my timing to where it needs to be, and while I'm not 100% consistent on every section of every PT, I can reliably get my tests done on time.
My goal is to score at or above 170. I know that, in law school terms, I will be a splitter (high LSAT, low GPA). I was aimless and didn't put much effort into my undergrad studies, so I know that I will need a killer LSAT score to maximize my chances at getting into the kind of program I want. I have had a few years of separation from undergrad that I have spent working full-time, but I don't know how much impact that will truly have on my applications.
So here's where the trouble arises:
When I first started concentrating on timed work, my scores predictably fell off initially. I was prepared for that, and found that as I got more comfortable working more quickly, my scores started catching back up. However, I'm not quite there yet and it is starting to worry me. I have been looking over my PT results of the past month and found that, while the timing has consistently improved, I have been averaging around 165 this whole time. I tend to have a better-than-average test, then a few mediocre ones (along with a complete bomb every once in a while by my standards), then another really good one. My highest PT score that was completely on-time thus far has been a 167 on Monday of this week, which is great, but still not where I want to be. I now have only 1 week to go and I'm not sure what adjustments I need to make at this time for the last push. I am generally exhausted by the end of a typical week, but have been making sure to get plenty of sleep. I eat well, go on regular walks, and have been good about maintaining a positive mindset this whole time. Right now though, I'm finding it harder than usual to maintain that with so little time left to improve. I'm aware of the "LSAT Casino" concept (I read the blog post), but I would really rather not rely on a "lucky day at the tables" to succeed come test day.
What do you think? Have I been working too much and need to relax a little? Do I need to put in even more work during this last week? Do I need to get off of my own back or ride myself harder? Am I insane for having this 170-or-Bust attitude? I just need a little guidance and advice. Thank you so much in advance to whomever has something to say!
I am scheduled to take the LSAT on August 15 (about 9 days from now) and am struggling mentally at the moment and could use a little advice from someone who understands LSAT prep.
I have been self-studying for 11 of 12 total weeks now, working Monday-Friday for anywhere from 5-8+ hours per day (it's worth noting that I quit my previous job before beginning prep so that I would have time for so much work without burning out). I read through the entirety of the Bibles on all 3 sections and "The LSAT Trainer" by Mike Kim within the first 7 weeks, and would do a daily untimed practice section Monday-Thursday along with my reading/drills from the books, then do only a full, untimed PT on Friday (no reading). After completing any given section or test, I would review it in-depth later that day while it was fresh. After finishing the books and reaching a comfortably firm understanding of the material (my highest untimed score was a 171 from a 149 diagnostic), I began introducing timing to my practice.
For the past 4 weeks now, I have been doing 4 full PTs per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) with accompanying review later in the day, using Wednesday for a light study/review day. For the past 2 weeks I have added another light day during the weekend. One of the biggest goals of this stretch of weeks has been to get my timing to where it needs to be, and while I'm not 100% consistent on every section of every PT, I can reliably get my tests done on time.
My goal is to score at or above 170. I know that, in law school terms, I will be a splitter (high LSAT, low GPA). I was aimless and didn't put much effort into my undergrad studies, so I know that I will need a killer LSAT score to maximize my chances at getting into the kind of program I want. I have had a few years of separation from undergrad that I have spent working full-time, but I don't know how much impact that will truly have on my applications.
So here's where the trouble arises:
When I first started concentrating on timed work, my scores predictably fell off initially. I was prepared for that, and found that as I got more comfortable working more quickly, my scores started catching back up. However, I'm not quite there yet and it is starting to worry me. I have been looking over my PT results of the past month and found that, while the timing has consistently improved, I have been averaging around 165 this whole time. I tend to have a better-than-average test, then a few mediocre ones (along with a complete bomb every once in a while by my standards), then another really good one. My highest PT score that was completely on-time thus far has been a 167 on Monday of this week, which is great, but still not where I want to be. I now have only 1 week to go and I'm not sure what adjustments I need to make at this time for the last push. I am generally exhausted by the end of a typical week, but have been making sure to get plenty of sleep. I eat well, go on regular walks, and have been good about maintaining a positive mindset this whole time. Right now though, I'm finding it harder than usual to maintain that with so little time left to improve. I'm aware of the "LSAT Casino" concept (I read the blog post), but I would really rather not rely on a "lucky day at the tables" to succeed come test day.
What do you think? Have I been working too much and need to relax a little? Do I need to put in even more work during this last week? Do I need to get off of my own back or ride myself harder? Am I insane for having this 170-or-Bust attitude? I just need a little guidance and advice. Thank you so much in advance to whomever has something to say!
