I only have 2 months until the test date. So I was wondering which course would be most beneficial to take? Would I have enough time to go through the LSAT Ultimate (the most recommended) in time.
@jordan.marty99 Don’t have nearly enough information. For starters, are you new to the LSAT? Have you taken a timed diagnostic? What is your goal score?
I am relatively new, I began studying in a month ago. My timed diagnostic was around 145 before any studying and results from a Princeton Review practice test I took yesterday are pending. My goal score is 170 and I know I have my work cut out for me whether or not I take the course. But if it's possible to get through all the info presented in a course here, I would be more than willing.
PR makes up their own questions for the most part so they are useless. If you are just getting started and shooting for a 25 point increase you really need a minimum of 2-3 months just learning the curriculum so you need to shoot for June 2016 with Sep/Oct and Dec 2016 as backups. If I were you I would buy the Ultimate or Ultimate+ pack now and then study hard through January and then start PTs with the intent of crushing June.
I’ll be honest. Very few people can go from a 145 diagnostic to 170 in 2 months. Very few can do it in 4 months. You have a lot of fundamental skill that you need to learn. Then you have to learn to apply those skills under an intense timed consideration. I think you have to re-think your overall time-line. There’s a reason JY says you should plan to prep for a year. I’m not saying that’s you, but it’s something you should definitely consider.
Either way, I’d say lose the Princeton Review book; none of their questions are written by LSAC (very important) and they call the LR section the “Arguments” section even though a good many questions have nothing to do with arguments. Get the 7Sage Starter and/or LSAT Trainer by Mike Kim and start learning your fundamentals.
Thank you for your honesty, I appreciate it! I'm not using the Princeton Review book (as prescribed by the forums here), I just took their free practice LSAT. Coincidentally, I've just ordered the LSAT Trainer. Your input has made me think upon investing more than I would have in 7Sage. As I've already signed up for the December 5th date, I figure if my diagnostic doesn't meet my goal close to test day, I can always cancel it and try for later test dates. (I thought I should also mention I have the privilege of dedicating most to all of my time to studying.)
@jordan.marty99 said: I thought I should also mention I have the privilege of dedicating most to all of my time to studying.)
My suggestion: do what I did. Between February and June I did every preptest ever. Brought my score up hugely. It did cause me to burn myself out during that time, and I did not hit my preptest average on test day, but after taking it much easier between June and October, I'm really feeling my October test. I would suggest:
1) Do a real timed diagnostic now (a real test that is) from around the 50's-60's or so. 2) Grade it to see your issues and where your score actually is. 3) Do the basic lessons from 7sage 4) Take another real diagnosis
Now you know what you really need to work on and can continue to learn fundamentals from 7sage. But I really think the most important thing is boatloads of real preptests. Theory is necessary but not sufficient.
Just saw the last two comments but I took a prep test from June 2007 and got a 156. Also anyone thinking of going with Princeton Review, they didn't provide the score report I expected. My plan is to use 7sage to score and to ascertain what I don't understand, but I'll hold off since my score has steadily increased. I've been using the LSAT Trainer for the past two weeks paired with Blind Review and it's been working well. Thank you all again for your input!
Sorry I didn't respond sooner. I didn't blow June out of the water. I had been PT'ing around 176 prior to June, but due to total and complete burnout I got only 170 on that test.
However, here's what I learned: I had already done the work. So when I came back for October, I did not that many PT's between June and October and scored a 11111111111111111777777777777777777777777788888888888888888888888
XD
So, my advice: take a break occasionally. The burnout is real. I should have gotten 176 in June. But the work sticks. For real. So it's a great strategy.
Incidentally, the hardest thing for me when doing every preptest was to keep up my logic game skills. I actually felt them getting rusty because I was doing every test so mechanically. I did some preparation in the week before October just to clear it up and it did go more easily.
My one big mistake on the Oct test was missing a rule on one of the LG because I was moving too quickly. Fortunately because I had done so much, I still got a perfect score on that section.
That's too bad... Especially since you clearly had the potential. I wish I had that sort of problem! Own your 170 despite the burnout, but thank you- I will keep that in mind.
Hey, how do you guys do 5 part PT's if I may ask? Do you just take the standard PT and add an older section. I just want to get the timing right when I am a month out.
Comments
Don’t have nearly enough information. For starters, are you new to the LSAT? Have you taken a timed diagnostic? What is your goal score?
Either way, I’d say lose the Princeton Review book; none of their questions are written by LSAC (very important) and they call the LR section the “Arguments” section even though a good many questions have nothing to do with arguments. Get the 7Sage Starter and/or LSAT Trainer by Mike Kim and start learning your fundamentals.
Welcome!
1) Do a real timed diagnostic now (a real test that is) from around the 50's-60's or so.
2) Grade it to see your issues and where your score actually is.
3) Do the basic lessons from 7sage
4) Take another real diagnosis
Now you know what you really need to work on and can continue to learn fundamentals from 7sage. But I really think the most important thing is boatloads of real preptests. Theory is necessary but not sufficient.
Sorry I didn't respond sooner. I didn't blow June out of the water. I had been PT'ing around 176 prior to June, but due to total and complete burnout I got only 170 on that test.
However, here's what I learned: I had already done the work. So when I came back for October, I did not that many PT's between June and October and scored a
11111111111111111777777777777777777777777788888888888888888888888
XD
So, my advice: take a break occasionally. The burnout is real. I should have gotten 176 in June. But the work sticks. For real. So it's a great strategy.
My one big mistake on the Oct test was missing a rule on one of the LG because I was moving too quickly. Fortunately because I had done so much, I still got a perfect score on that section.
After not scoring so hot, I decided to take your advice. LSAT Ultimate is definitely worth it!