Score Drop of 4 points

[Prelaw183]

Hello,

I took the July test and got a 147 which I was not happy with as I'm aiming for above a 150. I retook the September test and was stuck with a very hard LG section when LG is my strength. My score now dropped 4 points. How bad must this look on applications? I've taken a powerscore class and studied the bibles. At this point im feeling like I can't get into law school with this test. I'm lost on the direction and don't know which next steps I need to take to help me. I'm most likely considering taking a year off now to focus on the LSAT and my applications but have no idea where to begin.

Thanks.

[Jeremy Press]

Hi Prelaw183,

First, let me assure you that law schools see this kind of thing all the time, and a drop from your first test to your second test will have very little effect on your admission chances. Schools are evaluating you based on your highest score, whenever you achieve it. So don't let that worry or discourage you.

Second, it does sound like the particular content of the September exam affected your performance. There's been lots of chatter about the logic games section on this last test being unusually difficult, and that's the kind of thing that can lead to outlier results (scores much lower than usual). What that means is that on another test, with content closer to the "median" difficulty of the test, you're likely (just by virtue of the different test content) to see a much better performance. Take another diagnostic test when you have the chance to do it, and see where you stand. If that test is closer to your goal, you may find there's not a massive amount of "retraining" to do.

Finally, I do agree that it could be beneficial to take some of the pressure off your prep process by delaying your application. The LSAT is a tricky test that requires substantial time and effort to master. Consider talking to a tutor (even if just for a couple hours) to review your prep process in detail, and to shape a study process and timing strategy that could solidify what you're learning and get you over that 150 hump. If that's not an option, look at our self-study resources, and try to get on a study plan that will let you review all the fundamental concepts you were exposed to in your course and the Logical Reasoning/Logic Games/Reading Comprehension Bibles. Going through a course is great, but the concepts have to be regularly reinforced and it's easy to forget the things you learned there. Use regular diagnostic tests to ensure you're making progress.

If this triggers additional questions, don't hesitate to let us know. I hope this helps!

Jeremy

[Prelaw183]

Thanks for the awesome feedback. I know you answered this a little above but is it silly for me to think that by the November test I could really raise my 147 to a 151 and above becuase that test may go back to "regular". On LG I normally get 3/4 games all right, LR I'm at about 12-15/25 and RC is low at 12-15 as well, that's why I was counting hardly on the LG sections this time.

I'm just trying to determine how far I am from my goal and how drastically I need to change things. Would you say this test was really unordicnarily challenging and that my July 147 and September 143 could actually mean I'm around the same area of performance?

Thanks!

[Jeremy Press]

Yes, this test was definitely unusually challenging, especially as compared with the last 5 years of tests. The scale ("curve") on this test indicates that LSAC measured it as the hardest test since the June 2014 exam. So there's certainly a chance on a test closer to "median" content you'd be nearer to that 147. You'd need to take another diagnostic test or two to know for sure.

The score increase from 147 to 151 that you're looking for is certainly achievable by the November exam, so long as you can put in the time to have regular and substantial engagement both with the fundamental concepts and with timed practice tests. Take a look at one of our self-study schedules that is on a quicker timeline (for example, the 1.5 month plan), and try to stick closely to that. You can definitely get there by November!

I hope this helps!

Jeremy

[Prelaw183]

Thanks again, I appreciate all the help.

Where could I find that study plan? Also, my account might be shutting off soon, what's the best way to keep it up and running?

Thanks!

[Jeremy Press]

Sure, that self-study plan is here: https://studentcenter.powerscore.com/self-study.

And to discuss options for keeping your account live and accessible, just give us a call at 1-800-545-1750, and we can walk through those options with you!