Self-study
I have been studying and have only been able to reach a score of 142. I would like to achieve a score of 165 by April, as this is my last opportunity for this cycle before I would have to wait a year. I have tried different tutors, but my score has not changed. I also attempted the live classes here, but I found them to be a bit too slow for my pace. While I know some people might suggest that I wait until next year, I consider myself a non-traditional student. I would like to know what steps I can take to make this goal a reality.
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9 comments
Have you checked out the loophole book?
How are you reviewing what you missed? I realized that I wasn't improving when I would just speed through the ones I got wrong without deep diving into the explanation. I've found keeping a physical notebook for my wrong answer journal keeps me accountable. I write down explanations in my own words for each answer choice for why it's right/wrong.
If you're scoring a 142 it's highly likely that you don't have a good understanding of the foundations yet. What is your study routine like?
@JoshNoa I try to do one hour a day working on each problem until I understand why I missed it and sometimes it could that that long. Plus if I do understand what the explanation is here I check in the net for other positions of view.
I am by no means an expert, I have only been studying for this test for a little over a month now myself, so please take my advice with the biggest grain of salt ever, but considering where you describe yourself to be I wonder if "slowing down" is exactly what might be most helpful. Attending the live classes, re-watching the core lessons, focusing on grammar and the basics is probably going to be where you need to focus some attention.
@HenryLehmann Thank you for taking the time to reply. I respect that you did that. I will look into re-watching the core lessons and the other items that you mention. If I go really SLOW then I get a lot more right then wrong, but as I mention time is working against me. How much time are you currently studying each day?
@Chaz999777 How are you studying the video lessons? Is your first language something other than English?
I do this to process the video lessons:
Turn on the closed captions
If the instructor is working on an example problem, copy down the entire stimulus and question stem, by hand, in a notebook. Copy any notes the instructor makes as he talks through the question.
Go back and highlight key phrases from the stimulus and question stem that helped you to understand the correct answer
Refer to this example question to warm your brain up before you drill on questions in this same type
I keep a written notebook that I use that explains the basics of each question type. I use this notebook as a reference when I answer drill questions - but NOT when taking a practice test.
After you get through the core curriculum, go back and either re-write the key information from ALL of your notes by hand, or type them into a doc. The more times that you write something out and go back to it, the better it will solidify in your mind.
I also created a foldable graphic organizers for myself that cover these main topics:
Formal arguments - each type, how to diagram
Conditional logic key words that show you how to diagram (Type 1 Sufficient, Type 2 Necessary, Type 3 Negate, Sufficient, Type 4 Negate, Necessary) and an example of each
I use foldables in this kind of style:
I was a classroom teacher for 10 years, so I figure if it would work to get middle schoolers to pass a state test, the same methods could work to get me to score well on the LSAT.
I've been studying 2.5 months using these methods. I've gone from 154 to 165. Still studying about 1-2 hours every night.
Best of luck!
@sarahngarza That is some GREAT information!!! I plan on using it today taking one question at a time. English is my only language. I can talk much better than I can type lol.
@Chaz999777 I hope it helps! Happy studying!