Hello!
So, I am registered for the November LSAT but am facing a dilemma. I've been reviewing LR and RC for a solid 6-8 months and have been building my skills through Level 1 and 2 LR drilling. I'm almost 2000 questions in, and I know quality over quantity, but my analytics are now skewed toward lower percentages per priority. I've done multiple sections, have almost completed both the LR and RC curriculum, and now I'm self-practicing and incorporating more sections in both LR and RC. My main dilemma is that I haven't taken any prep tests at all, and I thought taking them once I felt adequately prepared would be sufficient. Now that I have two months left, should I take a prep test once a week, or more/less? Also, I struggle during timed conditions, and specifically with the idea of prep tests, and I need tips on how to stay engaged. I know the logic is in the 160s, and I'm aiming for no more than a 165. I also struggle with my big gap between timed/untimed conditions. For example, in the labs section of the stat overview, when it converts drills into a PT equiv, I've averaged a supposed score in the high 160s, up to 171. But timed is close to 150-155 sometimes. I also know that when I drill untimed but try to answer questions at a relatively good pace, I get more questions correct (+10 -> +30) seconds over. Levels 1-2 are easy, 3 is 70/30 accuracy, and levels 4-5 are hit and miss. I'm wondering if it's ok to be over time on some questions. I'm wondering if it's okay to go over time on some questions. If anyone can relate, let me know.
Thanks.
3 comments
Your struggle to perform under timed conditions is a big reason why you should take at least one timed PT per week. I would say execution is as important as logic skills. There is no point in knowing how to do a question but not being able to do them to the full extent of your ability because you are running out of time. Depending on your other commitments, I would take at least one full PT per week and could go up to two or three if you have the capacity. Yes, analyzing the ones you missed and seeing improvements is important but stamina gained through repeatedly taking the test as important IMO. Good luck!!!
Hi! I would not take more than one PT a week, as there wouldn’t be much change between then due to the amount of time you’d need to review and integrate changes. As well, they are fatiguing! I take one timed PT a week, blind review it later in the day, and then review is properly the next day, to keep me fresh.
I'm quite early in my LSAT journey, but I've been around 2 weeks into the practice stage.
Time comes naturally.
For me, I used to take 3 mins for a question because I felt comfortable, but I realized that hunt mode (knowing what to expect in the answer after reading the question stem and stimulus and looking for it in the ACs) plus finding the AC that sits well with you and MOVING ON is the best medicine to combat timing issues.
Don't read everything after you choose an answer choice unless you really don't feel well about the ACs you've seen so far.
Sacrifice comfort, not assurance. Also, do a PT a week and spend the rest of the week going through the questions you got wrong/struggled with. Obviously this might take 2 to 3 days, so for the remainder of the week drill the question types you got wrong most often and tend to start at L3 drilling and then move to L4/L5 in standard timing mode while properly glazing over the ACs in Blind Review.
I was able to get my PT from a diag of 143->155 in 2 months this way. I want around a 170, and that goal will be attainable by drilling the weak question types.
It will not be pretty in the beginning; I used to miss the last 5 questions in a section and guessed. Plus the last questions tend to be the hardest! But it really is just conditioning yourself. Don't get too comfortable and spend so much time looking over ACs. Have expectations as to what the answer is and find it. Move on after. That's my advice.
Best of luck! Your logic is there; now it's time to condition yourself and take everything TIMED.