Hey Bruce,
Thanks for the question and welcome to the Forum! 3+ months is definitely enough time to get prepared for many people, although obviously the time needed varies a bit from person to person: natural abilities, starting point, desired outcome, schedule and time available to commit to study...all of these factors play an important role in determining exactly how much time it takes to reach your goals.
But you've certainly equipped yourself with a great set of materials to work with, and with that in mind let me give you a 3 month (12 week) study plan to help you out. The plan below is divided by week and shows assigned tasks for each, and even incorporates some additional materials like our Workbooks and Type Training Guides for further practice. We'll also be posting an expanded (slightly more detailed) version to a Self Study Area site we're currently building, so I'll update this thread with a link to that information once it goes live!
General thoughts:
Studying for the LSAT is about consistency and diligence. This is not a test you can cram for, so don’t put in one hour a week and then try to study forty hours a week in the last two weeks. Instead, get into a regular schedule where you study a minimum of ten hours a week (and hopefully much more!).
Three months seems like a long time, but once you get rolling with your studies, it won’t seem long at all. But, it is enough time that we will assume you can read all three LSAT Bibles. If you already are extremely strong in one of the areas—say, Reading Comprehension—you can omit portions of the plan devoted to that section and devote that time to further study in another section.
Similarly, if you find that you still have room for improvement upon completion of the required material for a given section, our Advanced Courses—Logic Games and Logical Reasoning—and private tutoring are both worthwhile considerations.
Each of the twelve weeks in this study schedule provides a list of recommended tasks—from reading specific chapters, to completing workbook and training type sections, to taking timed practice tests—and should generally be completed in the order given. However, elements can be adjusted as needed to accommodate variations in your day-to-day commitments, and your unique skill set as you get closer to test day. Similarly, other practice tests can be substituted in for the suggested tests depending on the materials you happen to already own.
Finally, we strongly encourage you to keep detailed information/notes about exactly what was completed and when, any elements left uncompleted that should be a priority the following week, and your performance and general thoughts on each. These notes will allow you to more accurately measure your progress as well as track any uncompleted assignments.
Suggested Materials
Real LSATs from LSAC:
- June 2007 LSAT, a free exam online
- The LSAT Superprep
- PrepTests 47-53, and 56-70
- Note: PTs 52-61 can be found in the 10 New, Actual Official LSAT PrepTests; PTs 62-71 can be found in 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests Volume V
PowerScore Publications:
- LSAT Bibles: Logic Games Bible, Logical Reasoning Bible, Reading Comp Bible
- LSAT Training Type Collections: Game Type Training, Logical Reasoning Question Type Training, Reading Comprehension Passage Type Training
- LSAT Workbooks: Logic Games Bible Workbook, Logical Reasoning Bible Workbook
Optional Materials
- Reading Comprehension Workbook
- Content-specific publications/collections:
http://downloads.powerscore.com/question-collections/
- PowerScore’s LSAT Deconstructed series, particularly the Decons containing explanations for a recommended test below (or other test you plan to take).
- PowerScore Flashcards
- Advanced Courses: Logic Games and Logical Reasoning
Week 1: Twelve weeks to the LSAT
• Start by taking the June 2007 LSAT (available free from Law Services at
http://www.lsac.org/docs/default-source ... ptjune.pdf) under timed conditions. Do this in order to establish a baseline score. Read this information to better understand how to self-administer a practice test:
http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/331 ... ctice-Test
Note: you do not need to add an experimental section to this exam! Just take all four 35-minute sections in a row, without a break. We will advise you when to add experimental sections as you get closer to your test date.
To take the exam, use the free test proctor in our Free LSAT Help Area to time yourself, and then score and review the test using the Free LSAT Score Analyzer. The Analyzer will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, and help you shape your studies.
• After scoring and reviewing your practice test, watch the free Lesson One—Logical Reasoning video in our Free LSAT Help Area: Free Lessons section at
http://www.powerscore.com/lsat/help/, and then read Chapters One through Six of the LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible. This reading selection gets you through Conditional Reasoning, which will figure heavily in both the Logical Reasoning and Logic Games sections of the LSAT.
• As you read Chapters Four, Five, and Six in the LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible, also complete Chapters Two and Three in LSAT Logical Reasoning: Question Type Training. These two chapters present Must Be True and Main Point questions, which figure prominently in both the Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension sections.
Week 2: Eleven weeks to the LSAT
• Over the span of a few days, read Chapters Two, Three, and Four of the new LSAT Logic Games Bible. Complete Chapters Two and Three of LSAT Game Type Training, which contains the same game types that are covered in the Logic Games Bible chapters.
• Read Chapters Seven and Eight of the Logical Reasoning Bible. Complete Chapter Four of LSAT Logical Reasoning: Question Type Training.
Week 3: Ten weeks to the LSAT
• Read Chapters Two and Three of the LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible. Skip the section in Chapter Two that covers argumentation (pages 32-40). Note that you can also skip Chapter One, as that is an overview of the test that you have already encountered elsewhere.
• Read Chapters Nine and Ten of the Logical Reasoning Bible. Complete Chapters Five, Six, and Seven of LSAT Logical Reasoning: Question Type Training.
• Read Chapter Five of the LSAT Logic Games Bible. Complete Chapter Four of LSAT Game Type Training.
Week 4: Nine weeks to the LSAT
This is a bit of a lighter week, in order to let some of the ideas settle in. But DO NOT get complacent! This is also an opportunity for you to get back on schedule if you have fallen behind in previous weeks, so use your time effectively.
• Read Chapters Four, Five, and Six of the LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible. Complete the first half of Chapter Nine in LSAT Reading Comprehension: Passage Type Training.
• Read Chapter Eleven of the Logical Reasoning Bible. Complete Chapter Nineteen of LSAT Logical Reasoning: Question Type Training. However, if you are falling behind in your studies, you may skip this item entirely.
• Read Chapter Six of the LSAT Logic Games Bible. Complete Chapter Five of LSAT Game Type Training.
Week 5: Eight weeks to the LSAT
At this point you should have completed all of the assigned tasks for the first four weeks. If you are still behind, prioritize any missed work and attempt to get caught up.
This week will also require you to do a full, timed practice test, so plan accordingly: you will need a block of at least 2.5-3 hours of free time to work through the exam. If possible make the practice test the final task this week, and be sure to consider our recommendations on How To Take LSAT Practice Tests if you are unclear on the proper way to self-administer an exam:
http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/331 ... ctice-Test
• Read Chapters Seven and Eight of the LSAT Logic Games Bible. Complete Chapter Six and Seven of LSAT Game Type Training.
• Read Chapters Twelve and Thirteen of the Logical Reasoning Bible. Complete Chapters Nine and Ten of LSAT Logical Reasoning: Question Type Training.
• Read Chapter Seven of the LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible. Complete the second half of Chapter Nine in LSAT Reading Comprehension: Passage Type Training.
• Take PrepTest A from the SuperPrep as a timed exercise. Thereafter, review your performance and read the question explanations in the SuperPrep. They are by no means the best possible explanations (the test makers don’t want to give away too much in terms of strategy explanations), but they give you a sense of the things that the test makers identify as important when they analyze questions.
Consider these explanations and your specific performance in terms of the skills you have been learning, and attempt to go beyond the test maker’s discussions as you analyze your results.
Week 6: Seven weeks to the LSAT
This week, and all of the weeks to come, will continue requiring you to take timed practice tests, however you will now beginning adding experimental sections into the original four-section exams. So again, plan accordingly: you will need at least 3-3.5 hours of uninterrupted time to complete the tests.
• Read Chapters Nine and Ten of the LSAT Logic Games Bible. Complete Chapter Eight of LSAT Game Type Training. Complete Chapter Two of the LSAT Logic Games Bible Workbook.
• Read Chapter Fourteen and Fifteen of the Logical Reasoning Bible. Complete Chapters Eleven and Eighteen of LSAT Logical Reasoning: Question Type Training.
• Read Chapter Eight of the LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible. Complete Chapter Nine in LSAT Reading Comprehension: Passage Type Training if you have not already done so. If you have finished Chapter Nine in the Type Training guide, there are no additional Reading Comprehension assignments for this week.
• Take PrepTest 56 as a timed exercise. Use section 1 from PrepTest 47 as an experimental section. You may refer back to our guide on How To Take LSAT Practice Tests if you need clarification:
http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/331 ... ctice-Test
Week 7: Six weeks to the LSAT
At this point you have reviewed a number of the major concepts, so timing starts to take a greater role in your preparation.
• Read Chapter Sixteen through Twenty of the Logical Reasoning Bible. Complete Chapter Two of the LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible Workbook. Complete Chapters Twelve through Fifteen ofLSAT Logical Reasoning: Question Type Training.
• Read Chapter Nine of the LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible. Complete Chapter One in LSAT Reading Comprehension: Passage Type Training.
• Take PrepTest 57 as a timed exercise. Use section 2 from PrepTest 47 as an experimental section.
Week 8: Five weeks to the LSAT
• Complete Chapters Sixteen and Seventeen of LSAT Logical Reasoning: Question Type Training. Complete the first half of Chapter Three of the LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible Workbook.
• Complete Chapters Two, Three, and Four in LSAT Reading Comprehension: Passage Type Training.
• Take PrepTest B from the SuperPrep as a timed exercise. You do not need to add an experimental section to this exam.
Thereafter, review your performance and read the question explanations in the SuperPrep. As before, consider these explanations and your specific performance in terms of the skills you have been learning, and attempt to go beyond the test maker’s discussions as you analyze your results.
• Take PrepTest 58 as a timed exercise. Use section 3 from PrepTest 47 as an experimental section.
Week 9: Four weeks to the LSAT
• Complete Chapters Five and Six in LSAT Reading Comprehension: Passage Type Training.
• The focus now moves to working through as many tests as possible under timed conditions, in order to acclimate you to the rigors of the LSAT.
• Complete the entire Passage ReChallenge section of the LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible doing each ReChallenge Set as a timed exercise. Thoroughly review the explanations.
• Take PrepTest 59 as a timed exercise. Use section 1 and 2 from PrepTest 48 as two experimental sections, in order to “overdrive” your testing. After taking six-section tests, the real five-section LSAT won’t seem quite as exhausting: you are essentially preparing yourself for test day by doing more than what is required, so that when you take the actual five-section exam you are physically and mentally conditioned in excess of what is need.
• Take PrepTest 60 as a timed exercise. Use section 3 and 4 from PrepTest 48 as two experimental sections.
• Take PrepTest 61 as a timed exercise . Use section 1 and 2 from PrepTest 49 as two experimental sections.
Week 10: Three weeks to the LSAT
• Complete Chapters Seven and Eight in LSAT Reading Comprehension: Passage Type Training.
• Review specific chapters from the Bibles that cover concepts that are still causing issues for you. These issues will be determined by your practice tests and test reviews.
• If Games continue to trouble you, Complete Chapter Three of the LSAT Logic Games Bible Workbook. Do each game as a timed exercise, but know that you will have encountered some of the games previously. This is not a problem—reviewing games multiple times is quite beneficial.
• Take PrepTest 62 as a timed exercise. Use section 3 and 4 from PrepTest 49 as two experimental sections (Consider using the copy of the test in December 2010 LSAT Deconstructed because that book also contains a complete explanation for the test).
• Take PrepTest 63 as a timed exercise. Use section 1 and 2 from PrepTest 50 as two experimental sections (Consider using the copy of the test in June 2011 LSAT Deconstructed because that book also contains a complete explanation for the test).
• Take PrepTest 64 as a timed exercise. Use section 3 and 4 from PrepTest 50 as two experimental sections.
Week 11: Two weeks to the LSAT
• Take PrepTest C from the SuperPrep as a timed exercise. Thereafter, review your performance and read the question explanations in the SuperPrep.
As with PrepTests A and B, you do not need to add an experimental section to this exam. You should instead attempt all four sections consecutively (no breaks), and upon completion you should consider the accompanying explanations and your specific performance in terms of the skills you have been learning, and attempt to go beyond the test maker’s discussions as you analyze your results.
• Take PrepTest 65 as a timed exercise. Use sections 1 and 2 from PrepTest 51 as two experimental sections.
• Take PrepTest 66 as a timed exercise. Use sections 3 and 4 from PrepTest 51 as two experimental sections (Consider using the copy of the test in June 2012 LSAT Deconstructedbecause that book also contains a complete explanation for the test).
• Take PrepTest 67 as a timed exercise. Use sections 1 and 2 from PrepTest 52 as two experimental sections.
Week 12: One week to the LSAT
This week is about both conceptual
and mental preparation. You should plan to take 2-3 practice tests as outlined below, allowing ample time for review, however be sure that you do not attempt a test the day before the exam. Focus in particular on building your confidence and visualizing a strong performance on test day—how you expect to perform will likely become reality.
• If Games continue to trouble you, complete Chapter Four of the LSAT Logic Games Bible Workbook. Do each section as a timed exercise, but know that you will have encountered some of the games previously. This is not a problem—reviewing games multiple times is quite beneficial.
• Take PrepTest 68 as a timed exercise. Use sections 3 and 4 from PrepTest 52 as two experimental sections (Consider using the copy of the test in December 2012 LSAT Deconstructed because that book also contains a complete explanation for the test).
• Take PrepTest 69 as a timed exercise. Use sections 1 and 2 from PrepTest 53 as two experimental sections (Consider using the copy of the test in June 2013 LSAT Deconstructed because that book also contains a complete explanation for the test).
• Take PrepTest 70 as a timed exercise. Use sections 3 and 4 from PrepTest 53 as two experimental sections.
• Watch the Virtual Module on Test Mentality at our Free Help Area—Free Lessons page. Focus on establishing a confident mindset in the days prior to the LSAT, and be sure to follow the specific recommendations in that discussion!
• The day before the test, relax! Do something that makes you happy and don’t worry about the LSAT.
The day of the test:
• Eat a wholesome breakfast.
• Review a few Logic Games or Logical Reasoning questions to get your brain revved up.
• Get to the testing center early.
• Destroy the LSAT!
So there you have it! A guide to the next twelve weeks. As mentioned, you can modify and adjust this plan as needed to fit your specific strengths/weaknesses, as well as your personal library of materials. But it should be a solid outline from which to work.
I hope this helps and best of luck with your continued prep!
Jon
