October test: do I need a tutor?

[bella243]

Dear PowerScore experts,

I am taking the LSAT overseas on 10 October and currently have exactly 8 weeks before my test. I'd be grateful for your advice on figuring out the best strategy for maximizing my score by the test date.

I started studying with the Bibles in April and for the 1.5 month focused solely on LR. On 30 May, I began your 4-month plan to combine all sections. My diagnostic test score in early April was 144. Last week, I began to do untimed full tests and have now completed 4 full tests (3 untimed to see where my conceptual weaknesses are, and one timed test to establish my new timed score). The latter, timed score is currently 152, while my untimed scores are about 161-162. My goal is to get 170+ by October; the higher, the better. I've identified my weaknesses, and aside from specific question types, a major issue is learning to seamlessly apply your methods to different question types.

The question is: at this point, what can I do to maximize my chances of scoring 170+ by October? Aside from focusing on seamlessly applying different question strategies, reviewing problems, and targeting my weak areas. I am good at motivating myself but can't help but feel that I may not do enough, or do something not quite right in the next few weeks, which will ultimately make my score goal impossible. Is this where I should hire a tutor? Quit my job? Just kidding about the last one, of course.

I can continue to dedicate at least 25 hours per week on top of my mentally taxing job. I also plan to take the week before the test off, so I can focus just on the test. I also listen to your podcasts -- they're truly great and uplifting.

[Dave Killoran]

Dear PowerScore experts,

I am taking the LSAT overseas on 10 October and currently have exactly 8 weeks before my test. I'd be grateful for your advice on figuring out the best strategy for maximizing my score by the test date.

I started studying with the Bibles in April and for the 1.5 month focused solely on LR. On 30 May, I began your 4-month plan to combine all sections. My diagnostic test score in early April was 144. Last week, I began to do untimed full tests and have now completed 4 full tests (3 untimed to see where my conceptual weaknesses are, and one timed test to establish my new timed score). The latter, timed score is currently 152, while my untimed scores are about 161-162. My goal is to get 170+ by October; the higher, the better. I've identified my weaknesses, and aside from specific question types, a major issue is learning to seamlessly apply your methods to different question types.

The question is: at this point, what can I do to maximize my chances of scoring 170+ by October? Aside from focusing on seamlessly applying different question strategies, reviewing problems, and targeting my weak areas. I am good at motivating myself but can't help but feel that I may not do enough, or do something not quite right in the next few weeks, which will ultimately make my score goal impossible. Is this where I should hire a tutor? Quit my job? Just kidding about the last one, of course.

I can continue to dedicate at least 25 hours per week on top of my mentally taxing job. I also plan to take the week before the test off, so I can focus just on the test. I also listen to your podcasts -- they're truly great and uplifting.

Hi Bella,

Thanks for the message! This is always a difficult question, in part because we can't see the various outcomes from different study paths. And, we know that almost everyone could benefit from a tutor but then the price is a factor so I always hesitate a bit in recommending that course of action.

The above aside, your situation certainly sounds as if it would help to have some directed assistance. A tutor is there to first make sure that what you know and how you are applying it are optimal, and that's one area you already know you are working on. So, it would be helpful there Good tutors will also show you things you didn't know that you didn't know, if that makes sense, and that can be the key to unlocking score gains and breaking plateaus. they can also get to the root of problems, which is often where students struggle the most; you can see your weaknesses, but knowing what causes those weaknesses is a different thing entirely. And, they will help direct your studies in a way that allows the most efficiency and the most progress.

From the progress you've made and what you've done so far, probably the fastest way to move forward is via a tutor, which would probably jump-start your studies a bit (that's actually the toughest thing about self study—you have to do all the analysis yourself, and make the proper diagnosis). So, in your shoes I'd probably keep the job and get the tutor, lol

Thanks also for the kind words about the podcast—so glad to hear it is helping!

[bella243]

Thanks a lot, Dave, I appreciate it. Any chance you might be able to tutor me?

[Dave Killoran]

I wish! I'd love to be able to do some tutoring but my schedule is overbooked with a new course we are working on That said, we have many top-notch tutors who I can vouch for and recommend!