Study Plan

[LawLover]

I have devised my own study plan that works for me, but I have a serious question about this idea I have. So I am planning on taking the LSAT next year or possibly at the end of this year. I want to make sure that I can score at least a 151 or better to get into the school I want into. I have the LSAC prep tests books. I have 50 practice tests and have 38 left. I have gone from a 145 to a 150 down to a 138. I guarantee you all that I have improved tremendously. I just need to know do I need to take an LSAT practice exam EVERY weekend, or can I skip a week or two before I retest myself. What is the best plan? If I finish all 50 practice tests and am not above a 150 score I am not taking the LSAT. Also in addition I am reading the LSAT bibles throughout the week and reviewing. Also I have taken some of the practice LSATS I have 38 practice LSATs left to do. Please let me know any thoughts on a good study plan.

Thanks

[Dave Killoran]

Short answer here: you do NOT need to a take a practice test every week! It all depends on the person, but in some instances, taking two or more a week is fine, and in other cases taking one every few weeks is fine.

The big issue is that if you force yourself to take tests without being ready, you'll see your scores bounce around a lot, and you'll have some very bad tests in there, which can be demoralizing.

Also, keep this in mind: Why Breaks From The LSAT Can Increase Your Score. Build in some time off—you'll find it helps immensely to keep you fresh and focused!

Last, there are over 80 LSATs out there, so you have plenty more available if you somehow run out the exams in your current stock

Good luck!

[LawLover]

Dave,
That was kind of what I was thinking. To be honest with you When I went from that 150 LSAT back down to a 138 I clearly was not ready, and probably should not have taken a test. I when I took that next test I was "cocky" and "arrogant" because I was expecting to get a 150 or better because I had reached getting a 150. So in conclusion I should have skipped a few weeks, then done another test and I probably would have done better than a 138.

Another thing that I just need your or anyone's advice on. I will come out and say this. I am almost through the logic games bible a third time. I have finished the logical reasoning bible a second time. when I took the LSAT the second time and got a 145 I did not even read the Reading comprehension bible. For whatever reason I am scared of reading that book. I have read parts of it before, and I did not do very well. Also I was not taking my LSAT study serious or as serious as I am this time. Please let me know your thoughts. I'm just scared and have this implanted in my head that these texts are going to be long, and I have no hope, but I do not know why.

Thanks
LawLover

[Dave Killoran]

Hey LawLover,

Thanks for the message! First, if you are ever scared of reading something, then delay it. There's no reason to force yourself into something you aren't ready for because doing so will probably not have a good effect.

Second, let's talk about the idea of reading these books multiple times, and I'll address this to anyone reading, not just you. I'm not against it, but it depends on how and why you are doing it. For example, if you know you didn't understand something clearly, that's a good reason for a re-read. Or, if you feel like you read it a while ago and want to re-read it again to see what things you missed, that's a good reason. Or maybe you've been taking many PTs and feel like you've become better and want to see how much clearer everything is and pick up hints you missed, that's a good reason. So, if you are -re-reading those books with some of the prior ideas in mind, great. But what you don't want to do is just read the books again and again without doing serious work in between. Once you read any of the books a single time, the best path thereafter is to go out and apply the ideas by doing real games (or drills related to building LG/LR/RC skills). The analogy I'll make is again driver training: once you read the driver's handbook, you have to go drive the car to get better. If you were failing the driver's test, you wouldn't just read the manual over and over, you would instead practice driving (and occasionally you'd go back to the manual to make sure you had it all straight). Thus, the question to ask yourself is: are you re-reading the books for the right reasons, and are you doing enough PTs to really practice the ideas. And keep in mind, you don't have to take every PT timed, or take it to get a final score. You have over 80+ tests out there, you can break them up in different ways and use them as fits you best.

Last, don't be scared about any of these books They are designed to be helpful, and the worst thing that could happen is that something doesn't make sense. And if so, we're here to help and try to explain what is being said. So, give the RCB a try, and instead of looking at it as a long book, break it into smaller pieces and read a little bit every few days. You can do it!

Thanks!

[LawLover]

Dave,
Thanks for your input/answer. I am reading the books for the right reasons this time YEAY!!!!!!! Also if I need more practice tests I'll worry about that later I have 38 left so not worried.

Thanks
LawLover