How do I make the most of these last 3 weeks?

[Peruna]

I started with a 158 on the first practice test. Prior to that test I had not studied at all. Currently, after a month in the full length course, my scores are ranging from 164-166 on practice tests.

I am confused as to why I have gained less than 10 points despite a large amount of studying. I do the homework, all online homework and virtual modules, and I review score reports to see what types of questions to work on specifically. I taken untimed LR and RC sections, in the LR section it took me 52 min (missed 1) and in the RC it took me 58 min (missed 2). I feel that the problem with untimed sections is that I end up thinking too much about getting each question done perfectly that I get overwhelmed and slow done. In these final few weeks I am wondering what the best approach to studying would be for me and how much I can reasonably expect to gain?

My scores vary in LR (On my most recent test I missed 6 on the first LR section and 1 on the second LR section). In LG I can usually get three games done accurately and have some time for a fourth game. (I missed 3 on my last PT). My biggest issues seem to be in Reading Comp (I missed 6 on my last PT). I find that I spend way too much time on a passage and then I don't have enough time to get to others. When I review my score I see that I am missing questions mostly in Global Reference and Must Be True categories.


Now that the September test is so close I would really appreciate any study plan advice, and any suggestions on how to best improve in each test section. Thanks!

[Ron Gore]

Hi Peruna,

Assuming your class is not yet finished, I would recommend engaging your instructor in a more detailed back and forth discussion of your concerns. He/she will be happy to discuss your thoughts with you and will have the benefit of having seen you in class on a regular basis. Also assuming your class is not yet finished, you have not yet covered all the topics, and you will also likely find that you pick up another few points as the concepts gel and you start applying them, rather than thinking about them and then applying them, which slows you down and lets doubt creep in.

For Reading Comp, this blog post I wrote previously may help you in terms of timing and how to think about pacing and preparing for the global questions. This post by Jon Denning may be helpful for you as well.

If my assumption regarding the timing of your class is incorrect, please let me know and I will be happy to dig into your circumstances further.

Thanks,

Ron