initial practice test score

[kjanisse]

Hello there,

How much of an improvement can one expect on test scores from the first few practice tests to the test day? I know this is a broad question but I would like to know generally. I just took my first 2 practice tests and felt very frustrated by the low scores (wasn't able to finish the entirety of any section, nor did I know how to best approach a lot of the questions, etc). I currently just finished lesson 5 in the Powerscore Online course and I am writing the Feb 2015 LSAT.
I know I haven't covered all of the material yet so I can't use this score as an accurate depiction of how well I will do on test day. I am basically looking to see if you have any reassurance or an approximation of how much people tend to improve between the first couple PTs to after finishing the course?
Also, how many practice tests should I aim to complete before test day? I also find that reviewing which questions I got wrong on the practice tests isn't always useful because I haven't learned all of the strategies yet for attacking each question type.

I welcome any advice or help you are willing to offer!
Thank you for your time!
Kait

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Kait,

Let me offer a few thoughts, and then it may be that other PowerScore instructors add their views in as well.

The question of improvement from Test 1 to the actual test really varies from person to person. In part this is because people put in different amounts of work into the process, and because certain difficulties are easier to overcome than others. For example, LG often wreaks havoc at first, but it is ultimately a very learnable section. On the other hand, someone who reads very slowly is often limited in their ability to post a really high score because reading speed can't be changed in a short amount of time.

It's also influenced by your mindset, and your belief about what is possible (if you don't think you can go up 15 points, then you won't be able to go up 15 points). You see us talk about this is the course frequently (look for the Test Mentality discussions in the Online Student Center and in your course books). For a different kind of take on it, check out an article I wrote last Fall: http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/326 ... d-the-LSAT. And, it might not hurt to check out a free seminar I did on Test Mentality and how to approach the LSAT: http://vimeo.com/94263795.

Double-digit score increases are very normal, and we've had a number of students go up by 20 points or more. I even worked with someone who went up 30 points, but he was also maybe the hardest worker I ever met (and he was LSAT crazy, but it paid off!). You mention low scores, abut keep in mind there is a silver lining to that: if you start with a low score, you have more room to go up. If you start at a 140, increasing 20 points is only half of the points available; if you start at 160, increasing 20 points is incredibly difficult (almost impossible, even) because now you need a perfect score.

The answer to the practice test question also changes from person to person. The short answer is: as many as possible! However, that's not always realistic when you have work or school and other obligations to deal with. right now, focus on learning the concepts, because as you note, just doing questions without knowing all the techniques is not ultra-efficient. But, as you learn more and more of the methods, start doing more tests, and your goal should be to take exams until you start to feel a level of comfort with both the test and what you are doing as you solve each question.

Please let me know if that helps. In the meantime, keep a positive attitude and keep studying hard!

[Nikki Siclunov]

Hi Kait,

As an instructor, I get asked this question at the beginning of virtually every class I teach: "How much can I expect to improve?" Nobody likes my answer - "Well, it depends...", in part because they don't actually want to know the answer. Students who want me to predict the future worry about what it may hold for them: they are insecure in their ability to actually improve, and seek to obtain some sort of reassurance that their hard work will eventually pay off. You ever wonder why people pay psychics to "predict" their future, disregarding any rational common sense? Same reason. Trust me, you don't need a number: numbers, by their very nature, give you not merely a goal but also a limit. If I told you that the "average student" improves by, say, 14 points, does that mean that you will improve by 14 points? Do you seriously think of yourself as an "average student"? Nobody does. And you shouldn't either.

If you need a reassurance that your hard work will pay off, look no further than our track record: we've been doing this since the mid-90's, and we are very, very good at it. "It" being teaching you everything you need to know to reach a 180. We not only give you the techniques you need to know in order to approach virtually every type of question on the test, but we also provide you with a limitless supply of questions and explanations that illustrate the application of those techniques.

Yes, it takes time to master these concepts: sometimes as little as one month, sometimes as long as a year. We can't predict how long you will take to get there. Nobody can. But we do know that hard work invariably pays off, sooner or later. You just need to keep going at it and don't let a few low scores in the beginning undermine your confidence that you can do it. Indeed, I always found it counterproductive to think about any type of score as a concrete objective. Your objective should be to do each and every question as accurately and as efficiently as possible. Worrying about your score can be tremendously distracting, just like worrying about the time (in fact, my own pace actually improved when I stopped looking at my watch every five minutes).

Definitely check out the Test Mentality seminars Dave suggested

Good luck!

[kjanisse]

Thanks for the responses. I have sent a private message to follow up on a couple questions that I have. Looking forward to your response!