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I want to write the August LSAT and currently freaked out because my diagnostic was a143. Was anyone else in the same boat but managed to turn it around? I would love to hear your stories and tips!!!
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I want to write the August LSAT and currently freaked out because my diagnostic was a143. Was anyone else in the same boat but managed to turn it around? I would love to hear your stories and tips!!!
47 comments
Two months of six hour, no-nonsense study sessions, burnt out multiple times, increased score from 140s to 160s.
@rayasteinberg173 said:
I started at 135, now PTing upper 150s looking to break the 160s you can do it!! just with patience
How long have you been studying? What was your method where you saw the most improvement?
My diagnostic test was only 144 (even under untimed conditions), but I was not sad cuz 144 meant there would be lots of room for me to improve:) For LG I only used 7sage. For LR, 7 sage is great but a book called Loophole is a must-have. Loophole helped me from -12/13 to -6. For RC I also used 7sage. Of course, the most important resource is PT. I have studied for the test for a whole year all by myself, and I got 161 in April test. I will keep working on it until I get 170+. I believe I can do it and I believe you can do it!
There are all these stories about people making 170s and freaking out about getting less..Which is ridiculous to me. I had my diagnostic in 140s, about month and a half of prep, and broke it to 157. I feel like it is totally doable to get into 160s, and unless you are aiming for ivy league, then 160s is a very competitive score. My advise - learn how to learn for LSAT. What works for you, what does not, you need to pull from different source for theory because not everything will help you. Sometimes you will need to pick up that theory by pieces - whatever makes most sense to you! But hey, it is a learnable test, 100%
@otarzian459 I did no cold diagnostic test, as I do not really see any value in taking a test without preparation at all...
The LSAT is a learnable test, and I'm sure almost anyone can make it to 170+ if they invest enough effort. I wrote the sufficient condition in bold, as I strongly believe that very few people are willing to make that effort, that's why it is so important.
Those who have a high diagnostic are certainly lucky, as they'll probably have to invest way less time to get a very high score than the vast majority of us. Though: most of us have never been involved in applying strategies for solving Logic Games in less than 8 minutes, most of us have not done anything similar to argument analysis and conditional logic before, and most of us probably spend their time more wisely than reading passages about boring topics. Therefore, it should not be surprising at all that most of us have a low cold diagnostic score!
I have a diagnosed social anxiety disorder... and became a management consultant at a top firm. How? By making clear to myself that I would become a management consultant no matter how much effort it takes, giving a sh#t about my diagnosis, starting working on my weaknesses, and practicing. I hope this gave you at least a bit of inspiration not to give a f#ck on a stupid cold diagnostic score and, if you really want to become a lawyer, to sit down, do what J.Y. and 7sage tells you, and practice, no matter how painful it will be ;)
Good luck, and I'm sure you'll make it!
I had a 138 diagnostic and now my best timed is 160! It can be done! Stick with it!
I improved my score 20 points from my first diagnostic. Mind you, I still fluctuate in a range of about 5 points, but I believe this test is learnable. There was a great encouragement thread a couple days ago with someone who started out in the 140s and broke 170 on test day. It's doable, you just can't fall into despair and give up. This is what I tell myself anyway.
Started at a 144, jumped to 166 with a 161 average. I'm hoping to jump to a 165 average by August, and break into the 170's by October (if not November)! It's just a matter of time, patience, reflection, and consistent effort - it'll come!
I had a 132
@ssali94317 said:
I had a 147 diagnostic and made it to PTing at 170 with a 167 on my actual test. Don't worry on starting low, your diagnostic really isn't that important, it's just a starting point. Focus on learning section by section. What I found best was working hard at something like logic games, then once I got better at that I would focus one by one on the other two sections til I was at a similar skill level at all 3 then restart the process back at logic games.
@ssali94317 how long did it take you? My diagnostic was 145, took the flex November of last year and scored 147 (prior to 7Sage) My goal is to increase my score by at least 20 points, which I never thought possible until I read your comment. I have not made it to the logic games part of the curriculum. Any advice on how to tackle it?
Diagnostic was 146 around a month ago and I just took my first PT and it was a 160! Improvement is possible. It's all about recognizing patterns and, for me, trusting your gut.
Diagnostic was a 143. Been studying for three months and routinely PTing in the low 160s. Highest PT score so far has been a 167. Undecided if I will take the August test yet.
My first diagnostic was a 149. 2 months later I am at a 167. My goal is a 172 so I am pretty close! There is hope!
Yesss Saraaa!!! your amazinggg!! your gonna get that 170!!! best study partner ever @kimmelsara198
My diagnostic was 138 (or was it 142? I can't remember, but nothing to write home about) in June of last year. I had massive technical issues and ended up getting a 149 on my first FLEX in October, then took a month off after writing (burnt out from over studying after bombing October) in November and getting a disappointing 155. In retrospect, I just wasn't ready to take the test last year, and relate very much to what @dianao6512815 said, I just didn't want to wait. Getting your best score ever under the pressure of a timed, proctored test seems totally reasonable, right? lol
I am now scoring consistently in the mid 160s, my highest has been 168, BRing in the low 170s. Shout out to my study buddy @rayasteinberg173 and tutor who really helped focus my understanding of the test material. I HIGHLY recommend working with study partners/groups, anyone who can push your understanding and keep you accountable. If you are lucky you will find someone with different strengths to yours such that you can teach each other, as I feel you can learn more by teaching and collaborating than by just running through material.
Planning to write October, but if I feel ready before registration closes for August, I may sit for that test instead/as well? I think being flexible, knowing when to brute force and when to take your time and give yourself a break are keys to success, in addition to the great advice already given.
My diagnostic a few years ago was 151. Got a 148 in October 2020 LSAT (should not have taken it because i was burnt out but I was determined to not have to take an extra year off....needless to say I decided to take another year off haha). Currently scoring in the mid 160's, highest PT was a 168. Taking it this weekend and again in August. It is definitely possible! I could have achieved this much sooner if I knew the best way to study (finding the right tutor was a major key for me).
@otarzian459 said:
I want to write the August LSAT and currently freaked out because my diagnostic was a143. Was anyone else in the same boat but managed to turn it around? I would love to hear your stories and tips!!!
I got a 136 last may/June. Started reading the Loophole over the summer and began studying 5-6days a week for 2-3 hrs in September. In Nov 2020 I got a 150. Then I took a break until JAN 2021, studied occasionally because covid closures messed with my kids childcare, then began studying nearly daily again in Feb. got a 153 in April and am retaking this Sunday because I was soooooo sick that week before the lsat & def didn’t perform well. My average PT is 158-161.
My suggestion is use 7Sage! If I had started them last summer I’m sure I would be in the low 170s lol
you just need to be relentless about your practice. Could take over a year.
I had a 147 diagnostic and made it to PTing at 170 with a 167 on my actual test. Don't worry on starting low, your diagnostic really isn't that important, it's just a starting point. Focus on learning section by section. What I found best was working hard at something like logic games, then once I got better at that I would focus one by one on the other two sections til I was at a similar skill level at all 3 then restart the process back at logic games.
Hi there!
I had a 144 diagnostic and I recently scored a 172 on a PT! There is hope everyone. Never give up!
YES!
I Started at 141. Just today I had my first 160 PT. I did about a year of very light, on and off again study and about half a year of moderate study, and about 3 months of pretty dedicated study. That's where I'm at now. IMO, going from 140 to a consistent 150 in less than 2 months seems like it would be difficult for most people, and hitting 160+ within that same time frame seems super unlikely. BUT I'm just a single dude on the internet, so who knows.
started at a 133, now in 150s after about 4 months of intense studying.
Hi! I studied on and off 2 years (grinding it out the past 6 months especially). Started with 147 diagnostic and now scoring 170+. Feel free to reach out if you want to discuss. I'm taking the flex this weekend!
I have been studying since April started with a diagnostic of 128 and am now at a PTing at 144, anything is possible with persistence. I compared myself to everyone, that I wasn't smart enough because my diagnostic was too low, but this is all apart of my success story! If I can do it, you can do it!
146 to 165, but I studied 4 days out of the week for a year.