Self-study
I've been taking timed PTs and then doing BR a little bit after. Each time, my score increases on average 10-15 points. I think part of my problem is timing and stress. Any tips on how I can reduce this gap so my actual PT scores are closer to my BR scores?
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This is a super common problem. I wouldn't even call it a problem -- it's more like a fundamental element of everyone's process. It's common enough, anyway, that I made a video laying out the basic basic beginnings of an answer to your question.
More detail than that requires more information about your particular case. Feel free to reply here with any follow-up questions you've got. (That goes for anyone else reading this, as well.)
@MichaelWright Thank you for your response and the video! It was really helpful. I've noticed that I can lose focus quickly and have to re-read things a lot without fully understanding what I'm reading during timed tests. Is there anything you recommend I do to improve reading efficiently, or is this something I just accomplish through drills?
Great question! Here's another video response -- this one's just a video b/c I'm too lazy to type 😝
@MichaelWright Thank you for creating a few videos on this topic. If you have any additional advice on specific exercises or drills for narrowing that gap, I'd definitely be interested in learning. I exceed my goal score by 5, 7 points during BR, but my actual takes are easily 6-8 points below my goal score. That discrepancy feels awful, because I know I have a grasp of the content, but the execution elements feel out of reach.
@AWen There are as many specific exercises as there are specific execution factors. The best general advice I can give is to take execution diagnosis as seriously as content diagnosis and to thoughtfully and creatively craft exercises for yourself designed narrowly to address the problems you've diagnosed.
Maybe you think your score on a particular PT was limited because you were sleep deprived. Cool! This next week, studying for the LSAT means sleeping. Maybe you commonly miss early/easy questions in timed settings because you're in too much of a rush. Cool! Run practice sections where your success criteria are 1) ace all the easy questions, then 2) deal with the timing consequences as best you can.
@MichaelWright Thank you so much for the advise! I will definitely start doing that.
one thing my tutor told me is that the easiest questions are typically beginning and end and the hardest questions are in the teens. when you get to the teens and find yourself stuck, or taking longer to answer, skip ahead and go back. make sure that you have time to get the easiest questions right, and when you have bought more time at the end go back to the harder questions. he said that the LSAT punishes linear thinkers and want you to skip questions and flag them and go back to them.