Advice needed for unique study schedule

[anthonychernandez]

I'm seeking some input as I prepare for the July test.

Context: this is my third take (prior scores of 158 and 160). I've almost completed the Live Online Course (still have Lessons 9 and 12 to finish). Pre-course diagnostic was 159 and last two practice tests were 165 and 168. I'm feeling very confident that things are starting to click and that I haven't reached my ceiling at all. I also feel confident that if I put in the right amount of work I can break 170 by July 15.

I'm also a teacher and am fortunate to have summer break leading up to the test, meaning that for the next 5.5 weeks I'm completely free to focus 100% on studying.

I'm looking for advice on how to craft the best study schedule, both around logistics and content.

Logistics: Is it best to study for a set number of hours 7 days a week? Or a little bit longer 5 days a week? I'm planning to switch up study locations, do practice tests around the actual testing time, and build in time for exercise/cooking/Netflix etc. Any practical advice around a study plan (or resources) would be hugely appreciated.

Content: Given that I've completed the Live Online course, I'm planning that most of my time will be spent on practice tests, super thorough blind reviews, practicing and re-practicing logic games, and supplement questions from the Online Student Center based on weak areas. I'm creating detailed notes and reflections after PTs, and looking at trends. Any resources or tips for how to spend the time would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

[Dave Killoran]

Logistics: Is it best to study for a set number of hours 7 days a week? Or a little bit longer 5 days a week? I'm planning to switch up study locations, do practice tests around the actual testing time, and build in time for exercise/cooking/Netflix etc. Any practical advice around a study plan (or resources) would be hugely appreciated.

Hey Anthony!

Thanks for the message! Some quick thoughts here. With schedule, I always say that you should study until you feel like you aren't absorbing the ideas anymore. Now that might mean that every day you end up doing about the same number of hours or it might mean some days you study far more than others, but that depends on the person. I'm also a believer that you have to have some normalcy in your life while studying otherwise it just becomes so dull that you will begin to hate it. So I would definitely recommend building in time for exercise/cooking/Netflix!

Content: Given that I've completed the Live Online course, I'm planning that most of my time will be spent on practice tests, super thorough blind reviews, practicing and re-practicing logic games, and supplement questions from the Online Student Center based on weak areas. I'm creating detailed notes and reflections after PTs, and looking at trends. Any resources or tips for how to spend the time would be appreciated.

This is the general direction I would have pointed you in, so I'd say you are already heading into the right area. Given your scoring, focus on the section that concerns you the most (and if that's not LR, make sure to keep LR near the top as well since it's 50% of the test) and then secondarily focus on the hardest questions from each type/section. Breaking into the 170s requires not just a fast and clear application/understanding of the ideas, but also the ability to see the different and unexpected ways they go in the most difficult questions. focus on mastering both areas!

[anthonychernandez]

Thanks Dave for the reply (my bad for the delay in getting back). Studying continues to go well, and I'm really appreciating all the support from the Forum and Blog.

The question type breakdown on the Online Student Center for the practice test points to some clear areas of improvement, so I'm excited to dig into that. I'll keep you posted!