by timsportschuetz Fri Jan 03, 2014 12:05 pm
Thanks Noah! The biggest hurdle for me was to understand how to best prepare for this test. After months and months of experiencing a love-hate-relationship with this test, I must admit that the LSAT represents the gold-standard of standardized tests! I have taken the SAT, various forms of standardized tests in the United States during high school, and the GMAT. The LSAT is by far the most challenging, intricate, and eloquent test I have experienced (of course, I am not familiar with the MCAT).
As far as my score bump from the consecutive tests, it was entirely due to my drilling complete sections and diligently reviewing answers on the Manhattan forum! There are so many smart posters that present unique and completely novel point of views. I learned so much by reviewing... although each 35-minute LR/RC section would regularly take about 1.5 hours to review using this method, it engrained the underlying principles in my head. I also took notes on any questions that presented a new/unique principle and noted any of those principles if repeated on subsequent tests. A pattern definitely starts to manifest after drilling test after test (for me, it took roughly 35 PT's).
I don't know how many future LSAT test takers will read this post; however, I cannot stress enough the importance of drilling the LG sections of the more recent PT's (58 to 70). In my opinion, the LG section has changed drastically and this exact change in the LSAT hit me like a brick wall on the October 2013 LSAT. I had drilled PT's 10 through 59 and scored quite well on all LG sections; I can say, without a doubt, that the LG sections in the 60's will give the vast majority of test takers a rude awakening. However, after drilling these later PT's, you get used to the higher level of difficulty and the more hybrid nature of most of these games. Again, this is only my personal experience. I can only suggest that preparing with the most recent 20 PT's is an extremely important strategy!
Good Luck Everyone!