Retake Strategy

[ljack4]

Good Morning Dave!

I took the October LSAT and did not score what I wanted to. I ran out of time for each section and ended up having to guess on numerous questions. I am planning on retaking the test in December but am a little loss as to how I should spend the remaining time studying. Whay wpuld you recommend? I have 25 of the most recent LSATs and the Logic Reasoning and Reading Comp type training books. I find Logic Games is my strongest area with me averaging 0 incorrect however, my time to complete it averages around 45-50 mins. For Logic Reasoning, I struggle with flaw in reasoning, method of reasoning, and parallel reasoning. I recently completed 2 hours of private touring and he shared with me some good techniques to use for each section, however, I still having opportunities with these areas and I know I have the abilities to score in the 170s on this test. I've considered enrolling in the Advanced Logic Reasoning Course but am unsure if that would be the best solution.

Thanks for all your help!

[Dave Killoran]

Hi L,

I pulled this out of your other thread simply so the discussion wouldn't get mixed in with our RC conversation A few quick thoughts here:

The information you've provided points directly at speed as the biggest issue ("my time to complete it averages around 45-50 mins" and "I ran out of time for each section and ended up having to guess on numerous questions"). So, you need to focus on that, one what of the proven techniques for that is repetition. It sounds like when you do a question, you are able to complete it. This is critically important. To do well on the LSAT, you must have both speed and accuracy, but accuracy has to come first (which would you prefer: doing 18 questions and getting them 100% correct, or doing 25 questions and only getting 50% correct?). Having the ability to solve the questions also means that your process is solid. If your process is solid, then what we want to do is retain that and then speed it up. That requires practice and repetition. Some of that is on your own, breaking down questions and then reverse engineering them to see what pieces were most important, and sometimes it requires out-of-the-box techniques like teaching the questions to other people.

Right now, I'd say don't enroll in the Advanced LR course just yet. That course is designed to take your understanding of LR to higher level, and in doing so it looks at ideas that appear less frequently, that are more inherently difficult, and it also covers a bunch of questions that are really challenging. It's designed more as a refining and expansion course, and right now I'd prefer you take what you already have and make that better. True, speed is a component part of that course, but I want you to work on the items in the prior paragraph first, then think about that course.

Please tell me what you think about all of that. Thanks!

[ljack4]

Hi Dave,
Thanks for separating the thread. I do believe speed is a huge opportunity for me. I think what slows me down is the amount of time it takes me to determine what the correct answer is. I find the language sometimes confuses me which slows me down and I really have to think about what it is that I am reading and what the question is asking. I notice this issue mostly with method of reasoning and flaw in reasoning questions. In the Bible, it mentions the importance of Prephrasing, however, I must admit, I tend not to do it because 1. I struggle with Prephrasing and 2. I worry that I'm losing time that I already am limited it on.

Thanks for your help!

[Dave Killoran]

Hi L,

Thanks for the reply! Think about prephrasing as an ounce of prevention type of ting. It may seem like you re losing time, but what you are really doing is saving time on the backend (which is the pound of cure). Maybe work with it a bit because it's one of the most surefire strategies to save time that exists!

Thanks!

[ljack4]

Hi Dave!
Hope all is well! I am reaching out regarding recommendations on my next steps. Currently, I am scoring in the mid 150s on timed LSATs and mid 160s for untimed Prep Tests. I am looking to take the Feb LSAT and am aiming to score in the 170s. While I understand this is a relatively short period of time to boost my score that high, I am fully committed to making it happen!

Previously, I’ve taken the Live Weekend Course, completed a few tutoring hours, have the PowerScore Bibles, 3 workbooks, 3 training type series, and Logic Reasoning Flashcards. Additionally, I have the 30 most recent LSATs. When it comes to each section, my breakdown is as follows…

Logic Games: typically run out of time to complete. However, when completing sections untimed, I can complete with 45-48mins with 0 incorrect. I believe I need to focus more on my inference making and templates to help me move quicker through the questions.

Reading Comprehension: My weakest area by far. I average about 10 incorrect for the section and find myself running out of time. I have focused more on VIEWSTAMP and am seeing improvements. I believe I need to continue to work on these techniques to improve my accuracy.

Logic Reasoning: I typically complete the first 10 questions in less than 10 minutes, with an average of 1 incorrect. I find the last 10 questions I average 4-5 incorrect. My biggest opportunity is the 1st family questions, specifically Method of Reasoning and Flaw in Reasoning. However, the language as well tends to sometimes confuse me and slow me down. Overall section, I completed within the 35 mins with an average of 6-8 incorrect.

I am writing this to inquire as to if I should enroll In the Advanced Logic Reasoning Course or if I should register in the Live Online Full Course.

[Lucas Moreau]

Hello, ljack,

It sounds to me like you should go to the Live Online Full Course. According to your analysis, Logical Reasoning isn't necessarily the area you should focus on the most, but rather, you should spread yourself out across all three sections to unify your LSAT-taking experience.

Also...as far as time, there's a trick I've found that's helpful. You say that you can finish the Games in 48 minutes or so without mistakes. Try setting a timer for, say...43 minutes. Just a smidge under your current best time. Complete Games sections repeatedly until you can reliably finish in under 43 minutes. Then set a new timer for 41 minutes and try again, then 39, 37, and eventually 35. That should help.

Hope that helps,
Lucas Moreau

[Dave Killoran]

Hi L,

I'm terribly sorry—I did not realize that you'd replied to me in this thread, and because it was appended to an old conversation, no one on our staff noticed it until yesterday. So, my apologies!

I'm going to second Lucas' recommendation on the Live Online course. Based on the helpful information you provided, you need a deeper insight into the methods as well as more practice. The advanced courses give you lots of strategic discussion, but they leave you on your own when it comes to correcting errors and practice. The Live Online is really strong there, and is built to increase scores from the position you are in. So, that would be my call there.

Thanks!