Self-study
I started studying 3 weeks ago and scored a 172 on the diagnostic. Since then, I have scored 172 on a practice test and performed better on individual sections. I have been encouraged to take the LSAT in early August, but I have performed worse than I'd like on priority drills and am worried I will not be prepared that quickly to achieve my goal score of 175. Looking for advice on the test date and improving within this score range!
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6 comments
my cold diagnostic was a 169 a few weeks ago. Since then, I have improved using the Loophole by Ellen Cassidy and drilling/taking sections/doing PTs here on 7sage. My goal is also a 175. I think I will reach it, as my LR is rapidly closing the gap.
That's really exciting to score a 172 on your diagnostic! I scored a 172 diagnostic about the same time last year, and then my second PT after a couple weeks of studying was actually a 171. After that though, my average score gradually increased, and I ended up with a 180 on the September test. So your goal is absolutely within reach. I might recommend registering for the exam in both August and September, so you have a backup. That's what I did, and I was very thankful I did because there was heavy construction noise during my August exam.
It took a bit of time to see my score start to increase, because I had to go through the lessons and deliberately practice skills like conditional reasoning, quantifiers, the negation test, and low-res summaries. I'd recommend a few things to keep improving:
Don't neglect the lessons, especially the less intuitive concepts. You don't have to go through everything, but definitely watch the conditional reasoning and intersecting sets videos and develop a strategy for each LR and RC question type.
Do blind review very carefully to get the most out of it
Try a wrong answer journal
Try the split approach on RC comparative passages
Gradually adjust your emphasis from lesson modules to untimed drills to full sections to practice tests. The 7Sage study plan feature is great at doing this for you, and all you have to do is plug in your test date and study preferences.
You've got this!
@RobertCarlson What is the split approach?
@suhyahn The split approach is where you read passage A first, answer all the questions you can just based off of passage A, then go back and read passage B and finish answering all of the questions. The advantage of this approach is that you can avoid getting mixed up between the two passages. You can read more about it here: https://7sage.com/lessons/reading-comprehension/comparative-passages/the-split-approach.
@LowriThomas Thank you! I've never tried this, but I should give it a shot.
A 172 diagnostic after only three weeks of studying is actually pretty great. I wouldn't put too much weight on a few difficult priority drills. Those drills are designed to expose weaknesses and often feel much harder than full practice tests. Taking the LSAT on August could be a great option but of course, there's no harm in giving yourself more time and taking a later test. The encouraging part is that 175 is within reach from where you are now.