162 to 170 for October LSAT?

nneiman

I am aiming for a 170 on the October LSAT, but for at least the past month, my score has consistently been 161-163, despite taking the time to go over answers I was unsure about and/or got incorrect and practicing those types of questions.

I have been self-studying for the LSAT since May, I had a tutor work intensively with me on logic games from May-July, and I have been in a TestMasters class since July. I only use the official PrepTests and books with official questions (PowerScore bibles, The LSAT Trainer). I have taken about 10 practice tests in total under timed, realistic conditions.

It seems on every practice exam I either have a major problem with RC (-7) and one of the logic games (while getting 100% on the other 3 games) but only get 4 wrong per LR section or the RC and logic games sections are fine (-2 or -3 each) but then I get about 9 wrong per LR section. Basically, I either have a problem with one half of the exam or the other. Recently, I did one practice exam where I gave myself 10 minute breaks in between sections and got a 172. I know this doesn't mean much, but it does show that I do have the necessary skills and strategies.

This is very frustrating, especially since in my practice I feel confident about the questions I am working on. I study about 3 hours per day, sometimes more, and based on the above, feel my studying is of good quality. I have a 3.95 GPA from a top 15 undergrad and don't see why for the amount and quality of studying I have done I shouldn't be able to get a 170.

Any advice for how to overcome this? Is it even realistic to expect this big of a jump in my score with only 3 weeks left? I know the obvious answer would be to just keep in mind retaking the exam in December, but I really don't want to resort to that if I don't absolutely have to.

guitarnara

Anything is possible... But then again, if I were in your situation (a stellar GPA with nothing but the LSAT holding me back from going to a T14 school), I'd postpone the exam until I can consistently get above 170.

NYC12345

I wouldn't count on improving from low 160s to 170+ in three weeks. It took me months to make that leap. It is the hardest improvement to make.

c.janson35

@nneiman said:
I have a 3.95 GPA from a top 15 undergrad and don't see why for the amount and quality of studying I have done I shouldn't be able to get a 170.

No amount of studying, undergrad school ranking, or undergrad GPA entitles you to a high score. The only thing you can do is to keep plugging along! Keep drilling logic games to build confidence, keep taking PTs (and a lot of them), and keep doing a high quality BR. If you're not consistently scoring at your goal before, then postpone until December--give yourself the best possible chance at getting the highest score you can achieve.

Good luck!

Matt1234567

@c.janson35 said:
No amount of studying, undergrad school ranking, or undergrad GPA entitles you to a high score. The only thing you can do is to keep plugging along!

I actually learned this the hard way haha.