Practice test 2

[Asweis]

Hi,

I'm wondering about my improvement in the course and whether my results are typical. On the diagnostic test I scored a 147. After 4 lessons of instruction, I scored a 149. I'm currently taking a full length course.

I am registered to take the September 24th, 2016 LSAT and I'm wondering if I'll be able to improve at the rate I've seen advertised (10-12 points).

Is my small two point increase typical for the first test? I just want to make sure others see the same thing, I'm retaining what's going on at a typical pace, and that I'll be ready for the upcoming LSAT.

It's a little bit discouraging to be honest.

[Jonathan Evans]

Asweis,

I've encountered similar situations many times (or frequently scores going down on the second diagnostic test). Your results are not aberrant. It is important to recognize that you are now trying to apply principles you have been learning in class to this test. The process of implementing these strategies can make the test seem particularly challenging, especially with respect to pacing.

However, this second diagnostic test provides an invaluable learning tool for you. The first test gives you a baseline but often doesn't provide you much other useful information about where you are having the most difficulty and how you should approach your practice.

The second diagnostic test gives you a tremendous amount of feedback. Now you should review your performance in depth. Which questions did you miss and why? Did you miss questions that test concepts you have covered in class? Were you having difficulty with pacing? Look for patterns in where you are having the most trouble. Also learn to recognize your strengths and what you are doing best.

Once you have reviewed your performance in depth, formulate specific questions to ask your instructor about areas in which you would like to make the most improvement.

Most important, maintain a positive attitude. You can achieve your goals, but marathons are not won by sprinting. Practice and study smart, and make progress incrementally.

[Asweis]

Asweis,


The second diagnostic test gives you a tremendous amount of feedback. Now you should review your performance in depth. Which questions did you miss and why? Did you miss questions that test concepts you have covered in class? Were you having difficulty with pacing? Look for patterns in where you are having the most trouble. Also learn to recognize your strengths and what you are doing best.

I did very very poorly on the logic games section. My other two sections went up a little, but I believe that logic games are by far keeping my score from shooting up. I only got 6 right on the second practice exam. It looks like that's where I should be putting my energy.

[Dave Killoran]

Hi A,

I saw your reply and wanted to add a few thoughts for you, if that's ok!

First, there is no "normal" score improvement path, and your slight increase from T1 to T2 occurs all the time. I've seen many students go on from there to have sizable jumps on T2, T3, or even the real LSAT. There a section in the lesson books that talks about typical score increases. It in Lesson 9 HW, on page 9-31. Please take a look at that when you have a few minutes—I think it might make you feel a bit better!

Second, it looks like LG is a problem area for you, which is actually good news. LG is a section that is the most "foreign" looking at first, but it's also the section that typically allows for the most significant score increases. In the case of what happened to you, it may relate to some of the ideas I talk about in this article: http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/why-did ... d-studying. My discussion there is about the test as a whole, but the ideas therein apply to individual section as well. From the sound of it, this might help explain what you are seeing (and while 6 may be depressing to you, I see it as you have a lot of room to increase). Check it out and let me know your thoughts.

Last, while I know that not performing better is frustrating, there are benefits to performances of this type. I wrote about this in detail in an article entitled The Benefits of Failure, and it too is one I think would help you as move forward. At this point in your preparation, it's never about how you score but what you learn from each performance.

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!