Whether your first practice test was before studying at all or not, I'm just curious to know. I'm about to run through my first practice test and if I don't get a number that's with in a couple points of my goal I don't know how significant it will be.

What was your first score? Then, how did you study and how large of an improvement have you been able to make? I just want to know what kind of improvements are possible so that I can better understand where my first score puts me and what kind of work I'll have to do to get my score where I want it to be (and if it seems possible).

Obviously, I'm new to all of this, so if this thread has been made several times in before I'm sorryyyyyy.

shalitique wrote:

QUOTE:
Whether your first practice test was before studying at all or not, I'm just curious to know. I'm about to run through my first practice test and if I don't get a number that's with in a couple points of my goal I don't know how significant it will be.

What was your first score? Then, how did you study and how large of an improvement have you been able to make? I just want to know what kind of improvements are possible so that I can better understand where my first score puts me and what kind of work I'll have to do to get my score where I want it to be (and if it seems possible).

Obviously, I'm new to all of this, so if this thread has been made several times in before I'm sorryyyyyy.

I think this'd be an easier conversation to have once you've got that practice test score in hand. The conversation turns one way if you get a 132, for example, and another way, if you crank out a 163.

my first lsat practice test was the first time i ever even SAW the lsat. it was proctored (not self-proctored) and i got a 158. since then, i studied casually for 2 months, then somewhat more intensely in the last 2 weeks before the oct lsat. near the end, my scores were usually 163 - 164, id say +5 to 8 on your first test is a good estimate.

I scores a 146 on my first practice test (this week). I know it sucks, but i took it cold without any review. I undestand the structure of the LSAT and how important it is for admission. I really need some assistance. I need a custom plan for my study. I'm glad to hear that it takes 1yr to get in. It lets me now that I am applying on time as i'm still in UG. Not sure how I will raise my score. bought all the old LSAT, a powerscore bible, etc. The problem is that i suck at standardized exam. So, i'd hate to waste my time and use all the original untaken questions on me now when I dont understand the physology of how to take the LSAT. I know that Variant is with Princeton Review. My question is: should I start with tutoring or a course? What is the best course of action when I scored so low?

abr41 wrote:

QUOTE:
my first lsat practice test was the first time i ever even SAW the lsat. it was proctored (not self-proctored) and i got a 158. since then, i studied casually for 2 months, then somewhat more intensely in the last 2 weeks before the oct lsat. near the end, my scores were usually 163 - 164, id say +5 to 8 on your first test is a good estimate.

Score improvement really depends on a lot of factors (not all of which might even be known). At the very least, those factors include work ethic, time spent studying, and prior exposure to the sort of analytical reasoning the LSAT requires.

This is almost certainly an unrepresentative sample (and dependent on my oft-lacking math skills ), but it may help:

My students, on average, improve somewhere between 8 and 12 points from their first test. This past term, for the October test, the average was 9.83 points. The lowest was 5 points of improvement, and the highest was 17 (multiple students, in fact).

The most I've had students improve is 25 - 30 points.

Obviously, these numbers don't tell the whole story. There have to be 25 points of improvement available for you to improve that much - my students who start in the 160s are already pretty limited, for example, in how much they improve. I don't think they mind too much if they only improve 15 points, though .

wwalla wrote:

QUOTE:
I scores a 146 on my first practice test (this week). I know it sucks, but i took it cold without any review. I undestand the structure of the LSAT and how important it is for admission. I really need some assistance. I need a custom plan for my study. I'm glad to hear that it takes 1yr to get in. It lets me now that I am applying on time as i'm still in UG. Not sure how I will raise my score. bought all the old LSAT, a powerscore bible, etc. The problem is that i suck at standardized exam. So, i'd hate to waste my time and use all the original untaken questions on me now when I dont understand the physology of how to take the LSAT. I know that Variant is with Princeton Review. My question is: should I start with tutoring or a course? What is the best course of action when I scored so low?

Defining value as the amount of prep for dollar, you'll almost certainly get better value with the course, unless you've got special needs.

Figure out when you're taking the test.
Find out what companies offer courses in your area; I've listed the five big national ones below:
At each company teaching in your area, find out who'd be teaching the course you'd be in.
Ask what that teacher scored on an LSAC-administered LSAT. If they haven't taken one, or they've scored below 170, run.
Insist on meeting the teacher, speaking to them on the phone, or emailing them. If the answer is "no," run.
Figure out if this is a person you could see yourself spending two or three months with, learning. If the answer is "no," run.

The big ones:
The Princeton Review (I teach here!): www.princetonreview.com
Testmasters: www.testmasters180.com
Powerscore: www.powerscore.com
Blueprint: www.blueprintprep.com
Kaplan: www.kaptest.com (I considered not including them, such is my contempt for their LSAT program, but I figure you can make the decision on your own.)