Help me explain why on PT38 I got a 160, then five days later on PT69, a166

jcho1234

I have been taking older PTs in order to preserve the newer ones for when I am closer to test date, but out of curiosity, I tried a a more recent test. Here's what happened:

PT38, I scored a160 (171BR)
...5 days later...
I took PT69 and scored a 166 (169 BR)

They were both timed. In fact, I took PT69 under the strictest conditions I've exercised yet.

Now, I know a 6 point jump after 6 days isn't due to some random leap of development. I am genuinely curious if there have been any known changes that might make the newer tests a little "easier"? I didn't get a sense for this while I was actually testing (other than maybe LG being a little more clear).

Perhaps does this mean I should focus more on recent PTs, or conversely, I should focus on the older ones in order to potentially make more gains by challenging myself harder?

sakethsaran1998-1

I had a similar experience too. I got a 160(BR 167) on PT 36 and 167 (BR 171) on PT60. I found that the harder LR questions (16-24) were framed better which made them slightly easier than the older ones. Games were way harder back in the day so that is one big reason. RC is slightly harder on the newer ones so the gap is int too big but its big enough to explain a 4-5 point increase. I think you can still use them as PTs. I use them for untimed drills and its helped my LR quite a bit.

jcho1234

@sakethsaran1998 said:
I had a similar experience too. I got a 160(BR 167) on PT 36 and 167 (BR 171) on PT60. I found that the harder LR questions (16-24) were framed better which made them slightly easier than the older ones. Games were way harder back in the day so that is one big reason. RC is slightly harder on the newer ones so the gap is int too big but its big enough to explain a 4-5 point increase. I think you can still use them as PTs. I use them for untimed drills and its helped my LR quite a bit.

Thank you for sharing! I think that's what I'll do regarding using older versions for drills. What number do you think is a good line of demarcation for new vs old? Thanks!! Good luck!

Journeyto99thpercentile

https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid-310634-welcome-to-the-lsat-casino/

I think this article does a great job explaining the answer you're looking for.

jcho1234

@Journeyto99thpercentile said:
https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid-310634-welcome-to-the-lsat-casino/

I think this article does a great job explaining the answer you're looking for.

This has got to be it. Best explanation I've seen yet. THANK YOU!!

Journeyto99thpercentile

You welcome!

lexxx745

Yep - certain tests play to your strengths and weaknesses. I got a 166 on pt 89 after a 172 on pt 82. Then few weeks later a 177 on pt 66. idk man. Your brain just thinks in different ways and some questions you get more than others naturally.

There are some questions for me where on 7sage analytic its like 1 star difficulty. Yet even after watching explanations and thinking about it for 10 minutes, it seems like the hardest question in the section lol

Thats why the key is to just try to know everything. Then the amount of things you dont know become less and less, score becomes more consistent, and improves gradually