Study Schedule with course

[rniyongere]

Hello Everyone,

I just enrolled in the virtual classroom course that goes on until the end of august. I am wondering what the proper study schedule is outside the hours of the online course. Is doing the homework and supplement enough or am i not properly practicing. I am wondering what the recommended amount of study hours per day/week is. Also wondering what the proper schedule is in terms of doing a mix of homeworks, and watching supplement videos?

Thanks

[Adam Tyson]

Thanks for joining the PowerScore family! I hope the class is going well and continues to do so for you.

First things first - I would suggest you ask your teachers in that class for their input. They will help guide you in your study plans, including making suggestions about when you should be taking practice tests. I typically suggest that my students take a diagnostic test asap if they haven't already done so in the month or so prior to the course starting. Then I tell them not to take another until after lesson 4 or 5, when they have gathered enough info to start applying their new skills in a timed setting. As we move through the course I encourage more and more practice tests, along with homework, untimed and timed test sections, reviewing the recordings and video recaps, and poking around in the Online Student Center and the Free Help Area (including this Forum and our LSAT Blog) for more helpful tips, articles, discussions and ideas.

How much, and which, homework you do is partly a function of your availability. Got kids, a full-time job, summer classes? Folks with some of these other priorities going on in their lives will have a different approach and study plan than someone who is working on the LSAT as their only task all summer. There are some study guide suggestions in our Free Help area - check them out at this link:

http://students.powerscore.com/self-study/index.cfm

If you have the time, without going overboard and burning out, go beyond just the homework for your lessons. Read blog articles, do additional problem sets, incorporate timed and untimed test sections and, soon, start to incorporate a steady schedule of practice tests followed each time by deep analysis of those tests and focused review and study to improve in areas where you have the most room to grow. Did poorly on conditional reasoning? Go back to Lesson 2 and review and practice. Strengthen questions proving to be your biggest challenge? Pay another visit to Lesson 4 and see if the strategies and concepts therein are clicking. Resolve the Paradox killing you? Well, if you haven't covered that type yet then don't worry about it, you'll get there. If you have, you can spend a little time on it, but since there likely won't be more than a few of those on the test maybe you should look elsewhere to get the big gains before concentrating on something with so little payoff.

Circling back to the beginning, it all starts with one of your best resources - the LSAT experts who are leading your course. Ask questions during class, get their input and advice, rely on them to set you on a good path for success.

Enjoy your class! Looking forward to hearing reports of your improvements along the way!

[jackievasquezx3]

Hello!

I just took practice test #2 and wanted to figure out a schedule from now on.. how can I get into direct communication with my instructors when our online lesson is not in session?

Thank you!

JV

[Adam Brinker]

Hi jackievasquezx3,

As part of the course, you have a few different resources available to get questions answered. First, this Forum is a great way to get specific questions answered as well as receive general advice. You also have the ability to speak with an instructor via the Homework Hotline, which is available Mon-Fri from 5pm-8pm EST throughout the duration of your course. The Hotline can be reached at the main office number--800-545-1750. Our administrative staff are not instructors, but can assist with general admin-type questions from 8am-8pm EST.

Regarding a schedule for taking the supplemental practice tests, you will certainly want to take as many as possible. I would suggest that you compare your course schedule with your personal schedule, and determine the days you can set aside a few hours for practice tests. If you take two or three tests per week, then that would be 10-15 tests between now and the Sept. LSAT. Be sure to score your tests in the Online Student Center, and review all of the questions that you get incorrect.

I hope that helps.

Thanks!

Adam