LR and RC scores changing - HELP!

[akalsi]

Hi,

I've encountered an issue over the past few preptests I've been doing. I have taking the full-length course in preparation for the upcoming December LSAT. However, I've noticed some weird trends with my scores. I'm glad to say that my LG section is almost always perfect. But, the trouble I'm experiencing is the changing scores between my LR sections and the RC section. It seems that whenever I do fairly well in the RC section (20 or more correct), my scores suffer in LR (15-18 correct). Oddly enough, whenever i do fairly well in the LR section (20-23 correct) I do poorly on the RC section (12-15 correct).

When I finish a preptest I always go through the questions, both answers I got wrong and those that I got right but was unsure of, and see where I went wrong. I then go back and review the concepts and strategies for how to attack certain question types that I had particular difficulty with.

What could possibly be the reason for my scores being this way. Could it be that when I'm reviewing, I forget about how to do the other section?

I'm scoring around a low 160s right now. My goal is to hopefully get a 168 or higher on the actual test. I feel if I can fix this issue and be able to get both my RC and LG to be good, I can hit that mark. This is really making me nervous about my score. Any and all tips are appreciated!!

Thanks so much in advance!

[Adam Tyson]

In the words of the Hitchhiker's Guide, akalsi, Don't Panic!

There can be a lot of reasons for fluctuations within and between tests, not the least of which would be changing levels of difficulty that are built right in to each test. The authors can't make every test identical in difficulty, but they strive to do so, and that sometimes means balancing out harder sections with easier ones. Also, that level of difficulty can vary from person to person, based on the mix of questions you are facing. You might love Resolve the Paradox questions, while the person sitting next to you really struggles with them. Still, the authors try to make each test as close in overall difficulty to every other test, so that only minor tweaks in the scoring scale are needed to ensure that a 168 on one test indicates the same level of ability as a 168 on another test.

While your performance in certain sections might be fluctuating, it sounds like your overall score is staying roughly the same, and that indicates that you are doing fine and nothing to worry about in my book. Focus on your overall patterns, identify which question types typically give you the most trouble, or which game types, or which passage types, and use the time you have left this week to brush up on those and shore up those weak spots. Don't let the odd pattern you are seeing freak you out - stay focused on the big number, and work on minor improvements to bring that number up. LR is most important, because a small improvement there has impact in two sections instead of just one, but don't neglect any area where you have major room for improvement.

You're almost there, so remain calm and focused and stay on task. You can do it! Don't panic!