I've been studying for the LSAT for 15 months. My average score hasn't improved in 13 months. I'm in the low to mid 160s. I've tried the AI coach. I wouldn't recommend it. I've tried tutors. They're helpful, yet expensive. And my plateau was still hard as a rock before my April test, which was in the mid 160s. For that, I'm grateful.
For a while, my logical reasoning was awesome. I'd finish timed sections perfect this winter and spring on multiple occasions. Now, I'm lucky if I'm not guessing on around half of the questions. My RC performance has been volatile. On a recent practice test, I went 26/27 on a section. But my average shows that I miss around 10 questions per section on average. On a one-star passage today, I just went four of seven. It was a trainwreck. On some timed recent RC sections, I went 8/27 and 9/27. I'd gladly admit this isn't for me. But I keep hearing that all I need to do is keep working at it and I'll eventually get into the 170s.
My question is: How? I study regularly for hours every day. I do practice tests regularly. I diligently review the answers that I get wrong. I even get them right in subsequent drills for all the right reasons. And yet my performance has nosedived. On a recent test, I scored a 146. And I've spent about 15 grand doing this. This just feels hopeless.
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One of the things that really helped me break out of my plateau in the mid-160s was slowing down. I felt all the pressure to do passages and sections which made the LSAT feel like this scary monster I had to try and tackle each day. When I started going slow and making sure I got the most out of each question, I started finding improvement because I wasn't memorizing gimmicks, but was actually learning how to think more critically and be a better LSAT student. So I would recommend taking your time on RC. If you are getting 9/27 on a section, that means you are better off taking the full 35 minutes to only do two passages and get 100% accuracy. So instead of rushing to complete, try to make sure every question you answer is correct and ignore the clock while studying. Also - listen to some LSAT Demon podcast episodes. It is most helpful advice I have ever received and what I am repeating back to you rn.
Test anxiety?
@Lillia555 That's definitely a factor. It's often overwhelming.
@SLT220 yeah… seems hard to believe your verbal intelligence varies so much day to day and week to week.
I’m not sure if it’s exhaustion, test anxiety, or pushing yourself too long too hard, but something is not working for you that is beyond just building the hard skills
Like that kind of variance just doesn’t happen without fatigue/stress/substances
You’re not alone! My highest official score was last June and my highest PT was last September and I’ve been studying consistently since then without breaking the low 160s. I’ve taken breaks so I know it isn’t burnout. But 17+ months on this and constantly questioning if it’s for me takes its toll. I’ve hired tutors and tried multiple test platforms. I don’t know what the solution is, but I’ve now pivoted towards prioritizing my accuracy (so attempting fewer questions and getting more right) and not taking so many full length practice tests but instead more thoroughly reviewing my mistakes and doing shorter drills under 20 questions. I hope we get out of this.
My bugaboo is RC. What's yours?
@SLT220 conditional and causal logic haha everywhere they appear
This sounds like burn out. I'd suggest you focus on some self-care and activities that you enjoy regularly. Sometimes the pressure is too much, and you might be overthinking when taking timed pts. You've come this far, don't let it be for nothing!
Are you noticing any trends on your mood/mindset or habits when you score poorly? That might give some insight on why you're underperforming.
I've been studying four months and feel this way at times, so I give you props for your perseverance. Good luck!
Might be time to pick a law school with a lower lsat median.
Something worth considering... But this is one of the strangest things I've ever experienced in academia or the professional world. I've shown the ability on several occasions for weeks on end. Then, I just don't have it and it doesn't come back. It's a recurring cycle that's happened to me so many times I can't even count them. I'd trade so much just to get consistent at this. To be frank, it's not even about picking a school with a lower LSAT median anymore. That doesn't make that much of a difference to me. It's more about showing that I can do it consistently.
I know this might have been suggested, but it seems like you are getting some things accurate and all you need is extra time. Have you requested accommodations for the LSAT? (plus please don't give up! you've gone this far, what's one more stab at it? you already know the material, you got this man! )
I've got the 150% accommodation. Frankly, the problem of nosediving timed work applies to any time restriction I try. Very weird stuff.
@SLT220 are the previous questions biasing you or priming you to choose the wrong answer?
I ask because that used to happen to me
@Lillia555 That's part of it. It's definitely a problem with reading comp. Definitely.
@SLT220 how was the process to obtain the accommodations? If you dont mind me asking.
@adzballroom Not bad at all. Just get a doctor's note.
What schools are you aiming for? Is your April mid 160 a good enough score for those schools?
Unfortunately, it isn't. Before my April test, I scored a 171 on PT 159.
@SLT220 I sadly don't have much advice for you because I'm somewhat in the same boat, but the same thing happened to me. Scored well in PTs and then underperformed on the test, and now I've been slumping on my practice performances as well. Just wanted to let you know you're not alone
It feels like no-man's land.
@SLT220 I think the fact that you’ve scored a 171 before and gone 26/27 shows pretty clearly that a 146 isn’t representative of your actual ability. I was in a very similar position before my June LSAT. I’d get a score I wasn’t happy with, do even more practice to make up for it, and somehow end up scoring even worse. What ultimately made the biggest difference wasn’t doing more questions, it was changing my mindset. Now I go into practice tests feeling calm and confident, and my scores have become much more consistent and higher. From what you’ve shared, it seems like the biggest thing holding you back right now may be the psychological side of the test rather than your actual ability.
What I want to ask is, have you taken any breaks? Giving your self time to rest is important. This sounds like burnout. Giving your brain time to subconsciously take things in is important.
I took a month break recently. I took a 10-day break after that. After each break, my untimed accuracy starts very high. As soon as I move to timed sections, my performance gets volatile--sometimes good, sometimes bad--then it plummets as I keep trying. This happens within the course of a month. It's happened twice this summer now.
@SLT220 Have you tried doing a timed section with a ton of extra time - like 300%? It's basically untimed at that point, but if you find your accuracy still takes a hit on those sections, it sounds like it might be stress rather than knowledge that's holding you back. If you find the 300% section easy, then keep reducing gradually until you find the point where it starts to feel difficult. Train at that time until it gets easier, and then reduce further. Hopefully this allows you to practice under timed conditions without the pressure that interferes with learning. Best of luck and don't lose hope!
I've done the eight-hour sections... But anything under that that I've tried causes a collapse in performance within about a month of tightening the restrictions. Funny. I got a 175 on PT 156 timed before my April test. That was after a few days off. Then, on PT 151, I got a 156. The performance falls progressively and dramatically downward after I emerge with near-flawless accuracy from untimed.
@SLT220 I wonder if it could be helpful to take more consistent breaks instead of extended ones? I was studying 6 days/week but recently changed to studying for 3 days, taking a day off, then studying for 3 days again, and have found that my accuracy, focus, and attention to detail have improved. Progress isn't linear, and I know this process can feel so inaccessible, but I hope you give yourself your flowers !! You're doing amazing, and I'm sure you will continue to.
Thanks much, ANP. I've tried that strategy, too: Four days on, two days off, in the winter. I've found that my LR skills dull fairly rapidly when I take the on-again, off-again approach.
@SLT220 may I ask what typically goes? Do you not remember how to approach a question? Do you misunderstand the question stem? Ofc you know yourself best, but maybe 2 days is too much and maybe just 1 would be better? (idk, I'm just throwing things out there)Do you have a ritual or routine before you start studying ? Does it shift during time of day or other external factors ?
@ANP Sure! I sometimes forget about how to approach RC. Panic and irritation set in with the hard passages. It was funny. Years ago, I got a 169 several months ago on the same PT I scored a 146. With LR, I get slow as molasses to start, fatigue sets in, and then I commit all sorts of errors throughout. As for when I study, it's whenever I have time. I work two jobs. So the short answer is that I don't have a ritual. I try to get through as much material until I'm comfortable with it. Then test day comes. And the thing goes haywire very early on.
@SLT220 Have you created tip sheets for each question/rc passage type. I find reviewing those before doing a section to be helpful but i think your'e doing everything you can with what you have going on. I'm rooting for you !!
@ANP I haven't... Do you have any?
@SLT220 yeah, I have developed a process for most question types but a lot of it has come from mistakes I've made. Its kind of like a comprehensive WAJ but with action items for the mistakes I continuously make. So I write out how i approach each question and how I evaluate all the AC's. Like this is an example for MBT questions:
Approach:
Just read the stim. No need to identify the premise / conclusion or even figure out if there is one
Paraphrase –highlight key points
diagram
Tips:
Draw out timelines if necessary
When mapping and you have an an/or statement, make sure you understand what the necessary condition is applied to
Allwayyssss chain when you see the link
YOU CANNOT COMBINE 2 SOME CLAIMS
Pay attention to descriptors changing from stim to ac.. ie) whipped in blender vs just whipped
Answers introducing a new concept generally aren't correct
NOTE: with some arrows, you can read both ways BUT that doesnt mean you flip them….
Banker → Athlete
Banker → / Lawyer
Then some athletes are not lawyers OR some people who are not lawyer are athletes
I hope this helps :)