Just got a 144, blind review 151 on my first ever PT (June 2007). I've only been studying for about 2 months, and I'm not very far into the course. Thus, I know my score will naturally improve by December or Feb when I take it for real.
However, that score is absolutely terrible, obviously, and I'm more than a little bit scared. Would love to hear from some other fellas and ladies; where did you guys start out when you just began studying? Is 144/151 a normal PT for my stage of the game? My goal is roughly 160 or higher for the schools that interest me. Fully aware that I'm not T14 material, but I also am not going to go to some scrub school just so I can say I have a law degree. I'm striving for slightly above average, which means improving approx 15-20 points. Is this realistic???
Sweating this....
Comments
It's taken me a year to improve 20+ points over my 152 diagnostic with anything resembling consistency. If you're looking for a 15-20 point increase by December, it depends on where you're at in your prep. Sure, it's possible. But I would not be discouraged if it does not happen in this short period of time.
If I were you, I'd plan to take in February or June and apply next cycle. Of course, you could go ahead and do you very best in the months to come, take in December, and see if you hit your goal. But again, I think the emotional aspect/management of expectations is one of the hardest things about this test. You don't want to put yourself in a position where you end up discouraged, burnt out, and stop studying altogether.
Is it possible? Hard work is required Yeah, it's possible (!) to improve 20-25 points over where you're scoring right now; the question is whether the time between now and December is sufficient for you. My instincts tell me "likely not," but you feel free to prove me wrong.
What makes you think you're not T14 material. I scored a 147 on my diagnostic and I am consistently scoring in the low to mid 170s now. My first advice for you is to end the pity party. You will not improve substantially until you gain confidence and put forth 110% in your studies. Many before you have broke the glass ceiling, and there will be many after you. Trust me, your case is not unique. Many people start in the 140s and 150s. What you have to ask yourself is: how badly do I really want it? Am I willing to dedicate a large portion of my life for several months to do well on this exam? Your answer to these questions will determine your LSAT fate.
Here's my starting progression, way back when:
Diagnostic- 7/17/14: 157
8/16/14: 160
8/23/14: 161
8/28/14: 163
9/1/14: 168
9/4/14: 168
9/6/14: 168
9/8/14: 169
9/10/14: 167
9/12/14: 166 (PT to me: your diaper game is weak bro)
9/13/14: 167 (dangerously close to confidence tailspin at this point; the high 160s plateau is real, and back to back drops from previous scores, now recognized as meaningless and random, really stung)
9/15/14: 171 (woooo I made it, finally! But............)
9/20/14: 167
So I improved 14 points in roughly 2 months, from min to max score. After my 2 month stretch of scores above, I recognized that I wasn't really all that close to where I wanted to be because I wasn't scoring consistently at where I wanted to be, and so I still needed more time. You may find the same. Either way, if you want to give yourself the chance at December and if you want to improve by 15-20 points, then you have to start now, and you have to put A LOT of time in to get there.
Good luck!
The best advice I have read on the LSAT so far is to be aggressive and attack the test. Don't "take the test" but rather view each question like an opponent that you must defeat to achieve your goal. Good luck!
Just did a little more work through the course, and got a 154/BR158.... seeing now how possible it is with time and effort. Thank you all for your insights, opinions, and motivational comments.
Going to post a separate discussion too, but while I'm here, my next concern is app timing. I really dont know much about this process, yet. If I take a Feb test, is that too late to get an app together for a few schools in time for the Fall 2016 year start times?
So no reason to feel discouraged or somehow less intelligent because of a diagnostic score just keep working until you get score you want.
Oh, and, good point.
I would also heed Pacifico's advice about doing a clean copy BR if it's possible, and would also add one more tip about the BR process: don't rush it. I know it's tempting to grade your test and look specifically at the questions you got wrong, but take the BR as a way to perfect your skills. This requires time. The more you follow this approach, the higher your BR scores will start to creep up there.