took practice LSAT (didnt do well)

[melly717]

okay so I have never really sat down and took practice test.  I finally had to for the powersore class and did horrible.  I wasn't prepared I couldnt focus, and I didnt feel like the room was quiet enough.  So i scored a 136 (I totally guessed for the last section so I dont see how i can use that score as something to build on.  Any advice or comments

[TimMitchell]

I've heard of a lot of people with low diagnostics improving them to really great scores, so don't take it to heart too much. Also, guessing a whole section could ruin any test. Can't really help you without more info on what sections you need help up, or specific problems, but your powerscore class will. Good luck!

[melly717]

thanks i appreciate the response.  Well after reviewing my answers, it seems that I need to do better with the logical reasoning.   

[violaboy]

Almost all of us started low.  Don't stress about it.  Just study! 

[hopeful1985]

i think it's important to remember one thing- NEVER try and compare yourself to others (esp. on this site). there are some pretty brilliant people here.. definitely gifted. Just run the race at your own pace and never give up. the LSAT is definitely learnable. i dont have an amazing score like most on this site but i started with a 148 and have improved significantly.

best wishes!

[TimMitchell]

i think it's important to remember one thing- NEVER try and compare yourself to others (esp. on this site). there are some pretty brilliant people here.. definitely gifted. Just run the race at your own pace and never give up. the LSAT is definitely learnable. i dont have an amazing score like most on this site but i started with a 148 and have improved significantly.

best wishes!

[senseless]

okay so I have never really sat down and took practice test.  I finally had to for the powersore class and did horrible.  I wasn't prepared I couldnt focus, and I didnt feel like the room was quiet enough.  So i scored a 136 (I totally guessed for the last section so I dont see how i can use that score as something to build on.  Any advice or comments

Listen to EarlCat. He is wise.

Becoming prepared for the LSAT will not happen overnight; for most people it is a process that develops over a period of 3-36 months. The beauty of it is that as one is experimenting with different techniques, one is learning how to take the test. By the time one has reviewed 2 or more preparation aids, one should be familiar with the different question types on the LSAT and have an idea of which ones seem harder than others. At that point one should be developing a personal strategy, working on improving difficult question types, and learning to manage time during each section.

I think a solid way to prepare for the LSAT is to take previously administered LSATs, one at a time, and then review the results. This review should consist of examining each question, even the ones answered correctly. Instead of relying on a book to explain why the wrong answers were wrong, though, I think it is healthier to examine the answer choices and make one's own determinations. I believe this builds mental strength, as well as confidence, because one learns to explain the answers better than any book can. This also encourages one to think like the producers of the LSAT, not the makers of the 3rd-party preparation materials. This, perhaps, is why some prep materials/courses can actually hurt you; they may help you in one area, but then they teach a method that clashes with your learning style in another area. The trick is to recognize it and discard what doesn't work for you.

When it comes down to it, I say screw the prep materials. Look over them, then put them aside. Just buy all the previously administered LSATs, take them one at a time, and figure out how they work (and how you work with them). That's what a lawyer would do!