Hi Everyone,
Two weeks ago, I completed a diagnostic practice test. I went in blind, with little to none knowledge about the LSAT. Yet, I gave myself and extra 30 minutes for each section. Instead of 35 minutes, I had an hour and five minutes for each section. I scored a 148 and skipped the BR at the time, not knowing how important it was.
Minor digression here: (I spent my first two weeks of studying on the foundational section, and did about 3-4 drills. I realize now, that I probably wasn't getting enough practice in, and now aim to do more drills and timed and untimed sections as part of my weekly routine. I studied for about 30-35 hours over the course of the last two weeks. Right now, I'm at the grammar section of the foundations, about halfway through.) Okay, back to the test....
Just yesterday, I did another practice test. This time I gave myself the normal 35 minute window. I scored again a 148 and scored a 149 on the BR section. I didn't give myself enough time with the BR section, and learned my lesson.
I wanted to ask, is this a reasonable indication of progress in the last two weeks? I presume that by giving myself an extra 30 minutes to complete the first diagnostic test, that must of inflated my original number. What can I do next time to move forward, and have better and clearer indicators of progress?
This week I aim to continue the grammar section and logic section of the curriculum, on top of drilling, and doing one or two time and untimed sections. I also aim to review the recent exam over the course of the week, going over questions that I got wrong. Once I'm caught up reviewing the exam, I aim to take another test.
Question 9.3 - Spolier Alert
The answer to the problem is that these two statements provide background information - but since there's no conclusion, it isn't an argument.
It says "Before the increase in fuel prices, people with average incomes could afford to drive their cars frequently for leisure activities. However, the rise in fuel prices has now made it costly for them to engage in such activities."
If I were to create a conclusion like this "Therefore, the rise in fuel prices makes average income people less likely to drive their cars for leisure activities," would that turn question 9.3 into an argument, even if the argument isn't that great?