Self Study Question

[jreisig]

Hello,

I am self-studying for the December 5 LSAT and have used all the Powerscore Bibles and Workbooks, which I am very happy with. I have a question on my progress because I want to make sure I am on the right path in my studies, specifically with LR.

I've recently become very detailed in my review of completed PT's. I've always scrutinized them but now I feel I am missing questions that I shouldn't at this point in my studies. I am finding that when I break down the argument to questions that I've gotten wrong (P1, P2 & C) I understand where I went wrong every time. Some of the times the LSAT writers were very subtle and I think I can see which questions are the high score questions, but only in review.

I find that my problem is fully understanding the stimulus, especially dense ones, and the answers, especially abstract ones, in the first read. The main question I have and why I decided to write to you is if I continue to dissect these questions and understand them once I've dissected them, even if each question takes considerable time (some more than others) will I naturally get faster? Will my brain start to recognize the LSAT better with more practice and recognition? I wonder if I should be re-reviewing the question types but honestly I feel confident in identifying them and searching for an answer that matches....it's just the time it takes me is long. Maybe, my method in finding the right answer isn't honed in yet.

I think I'm just looking for some professional verification that my study method is appropriate so I can focus my studies. I take about 1 PT a week because I have a very limited schedule. I can sometimes fit in two a week. If you have any suggestions I welcome them. Thank you!

Jen

[Nikki Siclunov]

Hi Jen,

Thanks for your question, and welcome to the Forum!

The sweet and short answer to your question is that YES, this is absolutely the right way to go. It does not matter how long it takes you to review these questions; in fact, the more in-depth your analysis of the stimulus, the better off you are. Similarly, the more intense your focus on the elements of argumentation that comprise the stimulus, the sooner you'll start recognizing the subtleties of language that can be critical to understanding why certain answer choices are incorrect. Do not doubt for a second that what you're doing is a waste of time: on the contrary, it's what we wish more students actually took the time to do! Solid, conceptual understanding of the material, in all of its complexity, is absolutely critical if you are aiming for a score in the 170+.

Of course, it is also imperative to know how to approach each question type; from what you're telling me, it sounds like you have no trouble correctly classifying each question. That said, it is worth reviewing the question-type chapters, not only because the method of approach varies ever so slightly across the gamut of questions, but also because each type entails a unique set of incorrectly worded answers that you must learn to identify and quickly eliminate. Speed is a function of accuracy, which is itself a function of recognition: did you recognize the type of argumentation in the stimulus? Did you identify the conclusion? Did you understand why the conclusion is valid or invalid? Did you classify the question stem correctly, and did you prephrase an answer to that question? Can you quickly and efficiently recognize the correct answer choice, and do you know what answer choices are typically incorrect for questions of that type? If you're struggling with any of these questions, the question-specific LRB chapters may be worth a second look.

Last, there will indeed be questions that take a very long time to deconstruct. I myself can spend anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes deconstructing a particularly complex argument, especially one that contains elements of both formal, deductive logic and informal, probabilistic reasoning. In fact, it can take up to an hour to explain a single question properly in our Deconstructed series, the link to which can be found below:

http://www.powerscore.com/lsat/publications/
https://vimeo.com/93168594

I wouldn't delve into a problem to this extent on the actual test, of course, but once you've spent a great deal of time reviewing and explaining questions, you learn to recognize the patterns that ultimately drive your speed. I wouldn't be doing this unless I truly believed that it makes a difference, and that question explanations are tremendously useful whether you're shooting for a 160 or a 180. In fact, I probably became a 180-test taker when I started explaining questions to other people. So, there is value in that, no doubt

Let me know if this answers your question!

Thanks,