One Month Away and Score is Falling

[co659]

Hello everyone!

This may be redundant of everyone else's posts but will posting to seek advice! I took a full PS course from March - June in preparation for the June LSAT. Needless to say, I did not like where I was scoring so I, eventually, pushed back for this upcoming December LSAT (hoping to score in the 166/167.)

However, I have noticed, over the course of time, that my score has been falling...first I was scoring in the 160/159 range then 158/157 and, now, I am seeing more 154-156 than ever before! Does this usually happen over a 8-month study period ?? I've tried alternating study methods and now do the following:
-use the weekday (in addition to working full-time) to review the concepts in the Bibles and materials provided by the course
-use the weekend to take (2) practice tests and review
--> I typically review by writing out why my answer was wrong and why the correct answer is correct
--> compare my line of reasoning with the online sources (i.e. PS forum) to make sure my line of reasoning is correct

I understand that self-confidence is necessary in order to boost your score but, needless to say, I have become discourage from law school all together over this score decline. I am aiming for a top 10 school and couldn't possibly submit my current scores in hopes of acceptance.

Thus, I am reaching out for guidance as to what is the best step? Is there a flaw with my study methods? Is there a better method to review tests? I've enlisted in a tutor, but can I depend on that to be sufficient to boost my score 10+ points in a month?

Thanks so much!

[nicholaspavic]

Hi CO,

I have so much to share with you on these questions because Dave Killoran has written a ton about these topics.

First, know that failure on practice LSATs is the best possible thing that can happen to you. http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/the-benefits-of-failure

Why? Because each time you miss a question, you learn about what you need to get better at. Don't look at a low score on a practice test as a bad thing. Look at it for the opportunity that it is, and then capitalize on it.

Second, score variation is ALWAYS to be expected. Take a read through these posts as well to better understand what is happening and why it's happening:

http://www.powerscore.com/lsat/help/lsa ... sition.cfm

http://www.powerscore.com/lsat/help/lr_ ... iculty.cfm

http://www.powerscore.com/lsat/help/lr_ ... iculty.cfm

http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/172 ... Difficulty

http://www.powerscore.com/lsat/help/scale.cfm

http://www.powerscore.com/lsat/help/cor ... rgeted.cfm

http://www.powerscore.com/lsat/help/hardest-lsat.cfm

http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/310 ... sat-casino

http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid/329 ... d-the-LSAT

Third, your decision to hire a tutor is absolutely the best thing that you can do for your score at this point. She/he will undoubtedly be able to observe you and make recommendations to boost that score back up to where it should be. As a tutor myself, I know how fast I can get a student back up to their old scores and well beyond it. So your decision to employ one is a really good idea. And certainly, confidence is key here too, which a tutor helps with as well.

Finally, with respect to your review methods, I want to direct you to this exchange that Dave had with a student several years back who was asking the same types of questions you were.

lsat/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4666

He ended up with a 24 point increase after Dave talked him through his review.

Thanks for the great question and please let me know if this helps!