Self-study
Other than in keeping on?
I've been studying using 7sage for years (on and off but more recently, very much on) now. Completed the entire course curriculum (before the Website transfer) and have taken around 3 practice tests. The first two I took were at the end of last year and I got a 153 on both, which were taken a few weeks apart, with blind review scores ranging between 170-177. My most recent practice test, now, yielded a freaking 148(!!!!) and a 165 blind review score.
Between all these tests, I've also done tons of drills and always review the videos for the questions I got wrong, had trouble with, spent too much time on, etc. Same method on the practice tests.
At this point, I just feel like I'm crashing out of a sky I never really got up too high in.
It's bad enough to get a 153 after years of studying and even worse to now drop down somehow to a 148. I also can't really wrap my head around being able to get close to a near perfect score during blind review, which I would think demonstrates some level of comprehension, but getting a timed score that isn't uncommon for someone who has never even looked at lsat study materials to get.
I really need help, advice, etc. Kind of at my wits end here...
***I should mention that yes, timing is an issue for me. I can, on a good session, answer at least 14-17/25-26 questions under LR sections. On the other hand, on RC sections, I'm finding I can really only get to and complete 2/4 passages. In those rare instances I make it to the 3rd passage, I can't finish all the questions for said passage.***
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4 comments
Variation in PT score is very normal! I struggled with the same issue, and I could not surpass my diagnostic score for over a year. It wasn't because I wasn't improving or that I was regressing, but because the number of questions I was getting wrong happened to be the same when I was guessing and putting in random answers.
That being said, I had a tutor that told me that if I am struggling with timing, then I do not know the material well enough. If it takes me over 35 minutes to diagram everything, to double check my answers, to reread lines in passages -- then I do not know the material well enough. I have found that this is true for me, although I am sure that it won't be true for everyone. I still struggle with timing, especially on particularly hard sections; however in general, the more I know, the faster I can answer each question accurately.
You have excellent blind review scores, so you do understand the content to a certain extent. You should be very proud of the work you've put in, and it has not gone to waste at all. But now it's about learning to apply the skills you've learned within the parameters of the exam.
I do think that when you are ready, taking more full practice tests will help with endurance and timing. I think that three full PT sections should not define the years of work, nor should the next three or next twenty.
As to your note at the bottom, I would first focus on being able to get through all four passages. Even if it means guessing on the last two questions for each passage set. If you struggle with this, then I would time each passage separately and complete the set within 12 minutes, then 11 minutes, etc until around 7-8 minutes.
I will also say that a 148 and 153 are roughly within score bands of one another, so do not take this recent PT as a sign of regression. It's not as dramatic of a drop as it may feel!
I'm wishing you luck on your journey! I definitely feel your frustration, but there are wins just on the horizon! Just hold on a little longer!