When to take test

[Notangryjustintense]

I need some advice.

I have just signed up for the LSAT in person course and it ends June 4.

Last time I took the LSAT was in February 2012 so its been a while and I did not do well; worked with a private tutor who did all the test preps: GMAT, GRE, and LSAT.

We only worked together for a few months on the exam but my head was not in the game because I had just gotten out of a relationship, I was in an MBA program, and working full time.

I have decided I am ready for law school but I need to conquer this damn test. I am planning to get really intense about this exam but cant decide if I should sit for June 6 (thats my preference) or wait till October.

Not sure what the right move is here.

Does anyone know if law schools disregard a score after a certain amount of time?

Thanks

[Clay Cooper]

Hello not angry,

Both of these are good questions. I imagine Dave or someone else might want to weigh in on the second of the two, but I will happily take the first.

Students often ask this question - should I take this test, or wait and take the next one, having prepared more fully?

The answer is, basically, that you should take this one if you are satisfied with your level of preparedness, and wait if you are not. I can help you make that determination by offering some advice on what to think about and which concrete metrics you can use. Here are a few of the biggest:

-How realistic is it that your preparation for the next test will be measurably better than your preparation for this test? This is a tough question to answer accurately, as it requires an accurate self-assessment, which is difficult (for me, anyway). Bear in mind, though, that since you are taking the full-length course right now, if you apply yourself to it fully, you will be very well prepared in June; it will be difficult, I think, to maintain that level of preparedness until October. Many students of mine have tried to do this, and only one, to my knowledge, has ever scored better on the second test than on the first; it's just too hard, too much work, to maintain that preparedness for so long. That is not to say you'll never do better than you do in June - I just want to point out that preparedness has a shelf-life, and you may want to capitalize on the class, which is designed to prepare you for the June test, rather than try to get ready all over again several months down the line.

-How prepared are you in June? Are your scores still consistently improving? If so, then maybe that is a point in favor of waiting and continuing to prepare; if not, if you feel you understand most of what you've been taught in the course and your scores have leveled off, then jump on the June test and don't give it a second thought.

-Can you fully devote yourself to what remains of the course? Perhaps you can channel the energy and (not anger but) intensity you have at the moment into really getting the most you can out of the course between now and when it ends in June. If so, June may be your best bet.

Again, this is a tough question to answer, but I hope that I have provided some insight. Good luck!

[Notangryjustintense]

Thanks that is actually really good feedback.

Last time I thought I was prepared but honestly it was a joke.

I am really going to bust my ass this time, and devout the time that this test deserves, because I really want to nail it.

The only thing that makes me worried is that I read some of these blogs and people say... you have to prepare a minimum of 6 months, 3 months, etc in order to truly be ready.

Never the less, I agree that if I am eat sleeping and breathing LSAT since the class commenced yesterday I should be as ready as I'll ever be regardless, but I dont know if that is a naive assessment.

I want to beat this test, and focusing and being intense is what Im ready to do .


Thanks for the thoughts

[Dave Killoran]

Hey NotAngry,

if you don't mind, I'd like to jump in with a thought or two.

I understand your worries when you read blogs that say there's a certain minimum time needed to prepare properly. There are, fortunately, a few caveats that come with those recommendations, so let me talk about those and perhaps that will make you feel a bit better.

First, let me start by saying that I am an advocate of more study time vs less study time, so when I see recommendations like these, I generally agree with the basic idea. But, one of the reasons everyone who does LSAT preparation tends to say broadly similar things about prep time is that we know that the more time you study, the better your chances of scoring highly. The LSAT is not a test you can cram for, and when we make recs like those, it's sending a signal to readers to take this test seriously. It also helps avoid one of the worst mistakes an LSAT-taker can make: walking in to the test wholly unprepared.

That said, I'm not a person who ever says that there is an absolute minimum amount of time that everyone has to study. Why? Because everyone is different, and while some people do need 6 months, some only need 1 month. I can't tell who needs what until I talk to them, and so you'll often see me say things like, "It's recommended that you spend at least several months" or "It's typically helpful if you spend more time than less, so plan on a few months at least." For you, it means that those recommendations can't be treated as law, and you shouldn't give them further thought. Your preparation will tell you how much time you need, and that's what we'll use as the guide.

The second point about those recommendations is that they are often made to students who haven't started studying at all. You don't fall into that category. Yes, I realize that based on what you've said that you didn't put your all into it and that you were also distracted, but regardless, you've had some exposure to the LSAT. That means a lot, if only because it told you how unprepared you were. That gives you motivation and it tells you where the problems are, both of which are incredibly valuable.

So, don't worry about those recommendations or think about them further. You sound extremely motivated, and we're here to help you make the right decisions, and to try to cut that prep time down to a minimum! Focus on learning the ideas, do as many questions and tests as you can, and let the test come to you. We'll keep monitoring your progress as the test gets closer, and, as always, if you have any questions, just let us know.

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!