Self-study
Hello - this is a miserable cry for help after scoring very low in the recent PTs. I am planning to take the Nov LSAT in 2 weeks, and I am nowhere near my score, after studying for 5 months.
I am a student with average timed PT score of 156-159 (I have only one time reached 160, which was my highest). I have started studying for LSAT from this June (though was quite light on it throughout July), then started really working in August. On average, I studied about 3-4 hours a day, 6 days a week.
For 3 months, I've been doing either an LR section or an RC section per day, with one PT a week. For PTs, I always did blind review (which gave me around 167). For every question that I get wrong, I would thoroughly describe it in my wrong answer journal (so far have 700 questions written in WAJ).
The problem is, I've been focusing on PT 120 - 140s, and have just moved onto doing PT 150s, and I've been consistently scoring 156, from my usual score of 159 in the previous older PTs. I am aiming for a score of 166, and I am 10 points away, which is quite huge.
I am so frustrated to not see any improvements, and I am lacking self-esteem at this point. I usually do much better at LR than RC. I have trouble understanding the overall context in RC, as English is my second language, and this has also been destroying my confidence.
Are there any tips on how I should study for the next 2 weeks? I tend to be failing in various types of questions so I don't even know where to start drilling from, or how I should drill (and would drilling help in the 2-week timeframe?) If I fail the Nov exam, I am planning to take the January exam, but I honestly don't know if I could increase my score by then as well... I just feel so stupid.
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10 comments
I hate giving this advice, but if you are adamant about getting in the 160's, I would just wait for the January test. If you can tell yourself that you've worked really hard and high 150's is a good score- go for the November test. But calculate your average PT score, then subtract by like 3 or 5 points. Once you are happy with that score, you're ready. My biggest mistake that I made was expecting a miracle. I was expecting a 165 when I was averaging 155. I got a 155. If I could go back I would just take the extra time to study rather than having a score you dislike on your record. But good luck and you got this!
@kellPetro That definitely makes sense!! I've heard the advice that you should schedule the exam once you're ready, but I honestly thought I would be ready by Nov + miracle would happen haha but I know realistically it doesn't go that way. I will probably re-shift my goals to January exam. Thank you for the advice!!! I'm not sure if you're currently studying for LSAT as well, but I wish you all the best in everything you do.
Hi, I would really recommend taking a 150's PT, then sorting your wrong answers by 'incorrect first' and see if you can find any patterns. Start drilling like that like your life depends on it!!!
@vivi Never thought of looking at it from incorrect order! Looks like drilling does really matter - I'll definitely put my life in it!
@Onneee yes also I noticed that drilling 1 question type on 3 star difficulty (5 qs at a time) reviewing and repeating helped me so so much!!!
@vivi I'm glad it did for you!!! I'll really drill in like you said starting today. This actually provides me with a path, so thank you so much!!!
@Onneee happy to help!! I will drop my study plan as well for you to feel free to reference.
MY STUDY PLAN
____________________________________________________________________________
Monday
LR DAY Rules
1. Drill 1 question type on 3 star difficulty [5 questions]
2. Review any wrong answers
3. Keep drilling repeatedly and reviewing until you feel you mastered it
4. Drill an LR section and review
____________________________________________________________________________
Tuesday
RC DAY Rules
1. Drill one passage on 3 star difficulty
2. Review any wrong answers/go in depth
3. Repeat!! And review!!
4. Drill an RC section and review
____________________________________________________________________________
Wednesday
LR DAY Rules
1. Drill 1 question type on 3 star difficulty [5 questions]
2. Review any wrong answers
3. Keep drilling repeatedly and reviewing until you feel you mastered it
4. Drill an LR section and review
____________________________________________________________________________
Thursday
RC DAY Rules
1. Drill one passage on 3 star difficulty
2. Review any wrong answers/go in depth
3. Repeat!! And review!!
4. Drill an RC section and review
____________________________________________________________________________
Friday
1. REST DAY
______________________________________________________________________________
Saturday
PT DAY Rules
1. Take a Practice Exam
2. Read my book!!!
3. Extras of my choice
____________________________________________________________________________
Sunday
BLIND REVIEW & REVIEW DAY Rules
1. Blind Review exam
2. Review one section of LR and RC
____________________________________________________________________________
@vivi omg this is actually so so helpful and was definitely what I was looking for 😭😭 this is so gold!! Thank you so much for sharing this!!! I think I will reference this plan for the next few weeks. I actually got so much confidence thanks to you. I don't know if you're studying for LSAT, but I truly wish everything goes well for you~!!! Thank you so much!!
Hi, I think maybe try taking drills instead of the whole section. Focus on the types of questions you are not confident about, and gradually move from 2-3 stars questions to 4-5 stars in the next two weeks. This was what helped me improved a lot from 159 in June to 166 in August. I wouldn't worry too much about the reading section if you're not worrying about the timing, since LR takes up two sections of the scores. You can still do the whole PT, but I would recommend only once or twice before the November exam. On a side note, I'm trying to aim for a higher score too but failed in October, so don't worry, we're all in the process. You got this!
@Zzz Thank you so much for your detailed and heart-warming answers. I was honestly so stressed out but your words do really give me hope. I really wish you the best in your Nov exam as well!! I hope we both achieve our goals, thank you so much!!