How to go from a 147 to a 169

[chucky]

This post is for those of you, who are depressed right now about your prep test scores,


I know many people on this board are gunners who land in the upper 160's or 170's the first time they take a prep test, but for those of you who are more like me (first diagnostic = 147) here are some pointers that may actually help.


1. Don't allow yourself to get discouraged after a low initial score....all that means is you're going to have to work your ass off...but know that with hard work a high score is very possible.


2. Clear your schedule if you can. I made studying the Lsat my full time job (about 8 hrs a day) for four months. Your goal should be to do every Lsat question in existence....and not just do them, but understand them...why you got them right and why you got them wrong.


3. Memorize the Powerscore Bibles like the back of your hand. You should be at the place where you can glance at a question stem and in less than a second tell which question type it is (eg. weaken, assumption, justify, must be true etc). Then the part of the Bibles that pertains to that particular question type needs to be in your mind instantaneously. If you can't do that, you're not ready in my opinion. (As for any other books...don't bother...I bought a Princeton review and kaplan book just to see if there was anything in them...absolutely worthless in comparison. I saw some Testmasters books too, there is almost nothing in them...seriously they are mostly filled with working space.)

4. Take a full length course (I did Powerscore's and took mine in Dallas...amazing teacher, I think he is one of their senior teachers or something...anyways, very smart (I think he has a 177), but more importantly, very easy to learn from)... I chose Powerscore over Test Masters because their terminology matched the Bibles...also, I saw a Test Masters booklet, and like I said above...doesn't even come close to the Powerscore stuff. Kaplan is terrible...at least that is what everyone who I've talked to has said. Their teachers only need a 163 or 164 to teach. Anyways, So as long as you can afford it you should take a course...actually even if you can't you should do this. Put it on credit or something...and here is why. Many of my friends decided to just buy the tests and study on their own to save money, but the highest among them was a 160. With a 169 I just landed a 100K scholarship at one of my target schools, so the price of the course (I think it was $1200.00 or something???) was a sweet investment for me. Think about it. Even an Lsat jump of 5 points can either be worth money to you, or admission to a better school. Another one of my friends who had a higher GPA than mine from my undergrad school scored in the high 150's and barely got accepted at the law school I received the scholarship from...ie. $0 scholarship money for him. So ya, taking a course....it's a no brainer for me….HAIL POWERSCORE!!! (Haha…:))…Oh, and do all the homework!!! I mean ALL of it. I had to postpone my test date in order to get it all done, but it was worth it.

5. Do many of the prep tests completely untimed (I mean like 2 hrs/section kind of untimed…you should completely forget about the timed element initially). Save about 10-15 of the most recent tests for your final month of study to be done under actual conditions (not just timed, but use five sections with a 15 minute break after the third one…same time of day etc.), but other than that, I would do them all untimed. Some people disagree with this advice (and that is fine with me), but doing this allowed me to really master each type of question and understand it. By the end I was consistently between 175 and 180 on untimed tests...ie. I understood what I was doing. Then for the last month all I had to really work on was speed. Take it or leave it, but it worked for me.

6. IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH GAMES...READ THIS. I went from getting 7 correct on my first diagnostic to getting 100% on this section on my actual test. (This advice was given to my by Liz and Linbergh...thanx guys…also read all of Liz’s stuff when you get the chance…she is a sweety and if you read the material in her posts, your score will improve…period).

A) Ok, go to the back of the Games Bible and you'll see all the games up to about 2002 (I think) broken down by game type. Eg. Basic Linear - defined; Advanced Linear - overloaded, undefined etc.)

B) Take all the games and group them according to game type. (put all the basic linear games together...all the grouping games together etc. I made a list in Word and crossed the games off as I went along)

C) Then do all the games of one type and master it before you move on to the next type. Eg. Do each "basic linear – defined” one after the other. I would also recommend doing each game about 3 or 4 times before moving to the next one (my rule was one hour per game…maybe 45min for the easy ones). If you do this for every game type you will be a master at them. Also, follow the approach in the Bibles…I also bought the ultimate setup guide and sometimes it helped….once in a while I would miss an inference shown in it. Honestly, doing this while taking the course is absolute GOLD. If you ever get bogged down on a particular game type the teacher is there to walk you through it. So ya, this is the best way to attack the games in my opinion…hopefully that helps.

7. Pray a lot before the test…

Well, I know many people on this sight have a higher score than a 169, and for them this information may not be relevant. For those of you who aren't among the guaranteed 170+ group, though, hopefully this shows you that you too can get a descent score if you are willing to work for it...The path above is what worked for me.

Good luck and God bless.

[DerekShiHarvard]

I generally agree with everything except taking the prep course and praying.

[The Stranger]

Great post. I am trying to go from a 155 average up to the 169 range. Thanks, and I'll take all of the prayers that I can get. 

[12345]

Nice post. I did the Powerscore full length too...I agree that you have to do all the work. In my class I think only myself and another girl actually did everything. It was worth it for me too. Good luck to those taking the test soon. (Life is so much better now that it is over... )

[12345]

In my class I think only myself and another girl actually did everything.

As unfortunate as it is, that is typical and sad that sooo many people don't do the homework that sign up for classes and then blame the class for not producing the results they wanted.  A lot of those same people also spend a lot of time IN CLASS DURING lecture side talking and not paying full attention/show up late/leave early/stay out on break long after break is over, etc.

Seen it with HUNDREDS perhaps thousands of people over the years.  And they wonder why their score did not improve much.  Duh!  You didn't do the work!!

Jeffort, you're describing my class. Honestly, I couldn't believe how lazy many people were. There was this one group of girls who did absolutely nothing. Then they would whine and complain to the teacher after every diagnostic. (They were the spoiled rich kid types). In all fairness though, about half the class did try pretty hard. To my knowledge though, only myself and this other girl finished everthing. (all the lessons, both Bibles, and all the prep tests). It was worth it though...I think I have a descent shot at a lower t14 and a t20 for sure. We'll see.

My advice to anyone who hasn't taken the test yet is to put in the time. It's worth it. You'll thank yourself five years from now.

[The Stranger]

What is the value of the Powerscore Ultimate Setup Guide? Should I purchase that as well? I have not heard anything about its quality. Also, how is that LSAT 2004 reconstructed book?

[12345]

What is the value of the Powerscore Ultimate Setup Guide? Should I purchase that as well? I have not heard anything about its quality. Also, how is that LSAT 2004 reconstructed book?

A guy at my course had one so I saw it and flipped through it a bit...it is just the set ups...it is useless unless you have the prep tests, because if I remember correctly it doesn't even have questions in them. All it says is, June 1999 Game #2, and then gives the setup and sometimes some explanation. The book was also incomplete in that it didn't cover all the years. My guess is that it wasn't selling that much so powerscore stopped updating it or something.

In my opinion, it is an extra, and I after seeing it I didn't think I needed it (especially since I was in the course). I would get it only if you are really struggling with the games, and you blow the setup alot. I could see how it would be a good starting point, but it is hardly necessary. I think they could have done a much better job of the book personally.

[upgrade]

6. IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH GAMES...READ THIS. I went from getting 7 correct on my first diagnostic to getting 100% on this section on my actual test. (This advice was given to my by Liz and Linbergh...thanx guys…also read all of Liz’s stuff when you get the chance…she is a sweety and if you read the material in her posts, your score will improve…period).

A) Ok, go to the back of the Games Bible and you'll see all the games up to about 2002 (I think) broken down by game type. Eg. Basic Linear - defined; Advanced Linear - overloaded, undefined etc.)

B) Take all the games and group them according to game type. (put all the basic linear games together...all the grouping games together etc. I made a list in Word and crossed the games off as I went along)

C) Then do all the games of one type and master it before you move on to the next type. Eg. Do each "basic linear – defined” one after the other. I would also recommend doing each game about 3 or 4 times before moving to the next one (my rule was one hour per game…maybe 45min for the easy ones). If you do this for every game type you will be a master at them. Also, follow the approach in the Bibles…I also bought the ultimate setup guide and sometimes it helped….once in a while I would miss an inference shown in it. Honestly, doing this while taking the course is absolute GOLD. If you ever get bogged down on a particular game type the teacher is there to walk you through it. So ya, this is the best way to attack the games in my opinion…hopefully that helps.

I categorized all of the games according to the LGB in a spreadsheet and also separated all of the games into individual games and then sorted those according to type.  I just did the main categories: linear basic, linear advanced, grouping, grouping/linear, and then grouped the others together.  If you are looking at a single game for an hour, what are you doing in that time?  After you have found the missing rule/deduction that you were not applying, what else did you do to maintain productivity?  If I do the same game two or three times in a row, I am to the point where I am just working from memorization as to the steps to take.  Did you experience the same?

[chucky]

6. IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH GAMES...READ THIS. I went from getting 7 correct on my first diagnostic to getting 100% on this section on my actual test. (This advice was given to my by Liz and Linbergh...thanx guys…also read all of Liz’s stuff when you get the chance…she is a sweety and if you read the material in her posts, your score will improve…period).

A) Ok, go to the back of the Games Bible and you'll see all the games up to about 2002 (I think) broken down by game type. Eg. Basic Linear - defined; Advanced Linear - overloaded, undefined etc.)

B) Take all the games and group them according to game type. (put all the basic linear games together...all the grouping games together etc. I made a list in Word and crossed the games off as I went along)

C) Then do all the games of one type and master it before you move on to the next type. Eg. Do each "basic linear – defined” one after the other. I would also recommend doing each game about 3 or 4 times before moving to the next one (my rule was one hour per game…maybe 45min for the easy ones). If you do this for every game type you will be a master at them. Also, follow the approach in the Bibles…I also bought the ultimate setup guide and sometimes it helped….once in a while I would miss an inference shown in it. Honestly, doing this while taking the course is absolute GOLD. If you ever get bogged down on a particular game type the teacher is there to walk you through it. So ya, this is the best way to attack the games in my opinion…hopefully that helps.

I categorized all of the games according to the LGB in a spreadsheet and also separated all of the games into individual games and then sorted those according to type.  I just did the main categories: linear basic, linear advanced, grouping, grouping/linear, and then grouped the others together.  If you are looking at a single game for an hour, what are you doing in that time?  After you have found the missing rule/deduction that you were not applying, what else did you do to maintain productivity?  If I do the same game two or three times in a row, I am to the point where I am just working from memorization as to the steps to take.  Did you experience the same?

Here is what I did for each game (the breakdown of 1hr ish per game)

1. Timed: Do the game timed (6-10min)

2. Untimed: Erase and redo the game untimed, this time not only proving the correct answer, but also proving every incorrect answer wrong (20min+)

3. Explore: Erase and try using different set ups and approaching the game in ways you normally wouldn't. Also, use the Ultimate Setup Guide to ensure you didn't miss anything. Doing this may sound strange, but trust me...you'll begin to feel like you OWN the game, and you'll recognize patterns. Eg. After you draw out the rules, and you have a setup, try finding a few hypotheticals that would have helped with a number of the questions...try identifying the templates...in some cases try using a different set of variables as the base etc. If you do this, you'll absolutely rip through other games that are similar.  (20min+)

4. Perfectly Efficient timed (5-8min). Erase, and now that you know the game, redo it with perfect efficiency.


I understand your criticism that you already know the answers for memory, but the point is not getting the answers. The point is getting to the place where you KNOW THAT YOU KNOW how to perfectly attack each game.

I also really think it is really helpful to do the same type one after the other after the other....you'd be surprised how many similarities you'll see within the micro-categories. Many of the games have characteristics that are unique to that type.
Here are the categories...(source: Powerscore Logic Games Bible)

Basic Linear (Balanced)
Basic Linear (Unbalanced – Overloaded); big inferences in these
Basic Linear (Unbalanced – Underfunded)
Advanced Linear (Balanced)
Advanced Linear (Unbalanced – Overloaded)
Advanced Linear (Unbalanced – Underfunded)* key is to identify temps
Grouping/Linear Combo (Harder Category with less inferences)
Grouping (Defined-Fixed, Balanced) (Average Difficulty)
Grouping (Defined-Fixed, Unbalanced – Overloaded)
Grouping (Defined-Fixed, Unbalanced – Underfunded)
Grouping (Defined – Moving, Balanced)
Grouping (Defined – Moving, Unbalanced – Overloaded)
Grouping (Partially Defined)
Grouping (Undefined)


I think there are 125+ individual games that I did this with...anyways, by the end, I felt almost excited for the games section, (and this is coming from a guy who only got 7 correct in the games on my first diagnosic....

[chucky]

In my class I think only myself and another girl actually did everything.

As unfortunate as it is, that is typical and sad that sooo many people don't do the homework that sign up for classes and then blame the class for not producing the results they wanted.  A lot of those same people also spend a lot of time IN CLASS DURING lecture side talking and not paying full attention/show up late/leave early/stay out on break long after break is over, etc.

Seen it with HUNDREDS perhaps thousands of people over the years.  And they wonder why their score did not improve much.  Duh!  You didn't do the work!!

Jeffort, you're describing my class. Honestly, I couldn't believe how lazy many people were. There was this one group of girls who did absolutely nothing. Then they would whine and complain to the teacher after every diagnostic. (They were the spoiled rich kid types). In all fairness though, about half the class did try pretty hard. To my knowledge though, only myself and this other girl finished everthing. (all the lessons, both Bibles, and all the prep tests). It was worth it though...I think I have a descent shot at a lower t14 and a t20 for sure. We'll see.

My advice to anyone who hasn't taken the test yet is to put in the time. It's worth it. You'll thank yourself five years from now.

lol

Classes are filled with people like that and it's very frustrating for a teacher that is busting ass to go over everything as best as they can.  A lot of the time it feels like running day care.  'Sit down, shut up, eyes to the front, look at the book, listen'   

Hence why I get pretty harsh and impatient with some people sometimes and sometimes feel like I am beating my head against a brick wall. 

I could share tons of stories.  For example, there was a girl that showed up to an early lesson (a really important foundational one) HALF WAY through the class right before I called break.  She ran up to me and stuck a little tape recorder in my face right when I called break and demanded that I quickly tell her and run her through what she missed (lesson 2, and she did not even come to lesson 1). 

That pissed me off big time.  Instead of strangling or female dog slapping her I rolled my eyes, told her she should actually come to class and went outside and had a smoke.  For the second half of class she only stayed for one hour when there was another hour to go.  Then she only showed up here and there for brief portions of only a few of the later lessons.

I think she even called the company later on down the road and demanded a refund and complained that the class did not work after scores came out. 

Then there was another guy that I had in class three times three years in a row.  He never came to the first lesson, always showed up VERY late when he actually did, and then ALWAYS followed me into the bathroom after classes he stayed to the end of and stood next to me at the urinal while I peed and tried to drill me with questions while I was trying to pee until I told him to leave me alone and get the 'F out of the bathroom while I do my personal biz in a very harsh way instead of just turning to the side and peeing on his leg.  (but I was very tempted to do that part! lol)

Out of the three times he enrolled he only showed up and took a total of two of the proctored diagnostic tests. 

But, for the people that payed attention in class and that I could tell were working, would I stay late after class and shoot the breeze and answer questions even though I wasn't getting paid for that time and it was late?  Hell yeah!  I love those people. 

haha...this unbelievable...can you imagine ....very funny to me.