How much can I improve my LSAT score?

Increasing Your LSAT (Law School Admission Test) Score?!?!?!

• Hi, My name is Andre, and I have a problem. I would like to increase my LSAT Score and I need a way to do it. I will pay anyone to come up with a proven way of doing it. I don't have any money to pay and get classes like with Kaplan or even Princeton Review. My current score in a sample test I took is 140, I need to increase it from that to anywhere from 174 to 180. Second problem is I don't have much time to study, I work until seven, and can only put in about 3 hours of studying per night. Now here is the hard part, My test is on July 29, that means I only have about a month to do the imposible of increasing my score anywhere between 34-40 points. Here is the challenge to you: give me details, facts, books, etc, etc, etc... I don't want just a bunch of links, I can do that my self, I need proven ways of increasing my score and I need this done for free. BONUS: Please include your e-mail address with the answer. If your answer actually helps me increase my score by 34-40 points, then I will reward you with an extra $1,000.00. If I actually do increase my score in one month to where I want to be I will contact you for your $1,000 gift. Thanks, and please do a lot of research, I really need your help!!!

• Answer:

  Hi lawguy! As a former SAT tutor, I recognize your situation well. (I was not working with law students, but the desire to find a guaranteed way to improve one's score quickly, easily, and cheaply is universal - at least in the universe of standardized tests.) My experience has taught me that there are techniques you can apply to any standardized test to improve your 'uncoached' score... the only requirement is that you be willing to work!! What follows is a 'budget' version of what a private tutor like me would likely have you do. (Except that I'll leave the content-specific coaching to the LSAT books & sites, and focus on testing tactics.) To significantly increase your score, you'll want to use several strategies. (Please pardon me if I give you some information you already know.) #1 - Get used to what's on the test. This is the most obvious and common way to prepare... by using books. You want material based on and directly from actual past tests. No 'invented', 'representative' questions. I looked through the many (many!) resources available, and narrowed the options down to these: NOVA's Master the LSAT (available in hard copy or electronically) http://novapress.net/lsat/books.html This book got the best reviews by far of all the prep books available on Amazon... Check it out at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1889057118/ref=pd_sbs_b_1/002-5143495-5702412 . If you're interested, by linking to the items in "Customers who bought this book also bought:" section, you'll find lots more prep books to choose from. 30 Days to the Lsat (Arco's 30-Day Guides), by Mark Alan Stewart, Frederick J., Ph.D. O'Toole http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN%3D0028618351/studyworldcom/002-5143495-5702412 I included this because it sounds like it was made for exactly your predicament, but some of the reviews were not very flattering. It's here FYI. 4Tests.com - provides free online practice tests. http://www.4tests.com/exams/examdetail.asp?eid=15 Certainly worth a try, heck - it's free... but you'll benefit most from taking written practice tests under the same conditions as the actual test. So... Official LSAT Preptests: 10 Actual (LSAT Series) by Law School Admission Staff (Editor), Law School Admission Council Inc http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0942639634/ref=pd_bxgy_text_1/002-5143495-5702412 Just what it says - 10 actual practice tests. Also available: 10 More Actuals Official LSAT PrepTests ( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0942639804/qid=1024954452/sr=2-1/002-5143495-5702412 ) #2 - Maximize your score by understanding how the test works and using it to your advantage. You'll be surprised how significant a difference this can make. There is a basic overview (what to bring, how many of what kinds of questions, how much time, etc.) at http://www.lsat-prep.com/page616423.htm . Here are some additional facts, specific to the LSAT, that can help you once you know them: - It's testing your ability to follow directions, not your knowledge of the content. The directions are designed to trip you up. Translation - Everything you need to answer correctly is in the question - not in your head. Don't read into anything, don't overthink it. Read the directions very carefully. The more practice tests you take, the more you'll recognize what kinds of traps they're trying to set. Get in the habit of asking yourself, "how are they trying to trick me on this one?" - It's intentionally timed tightly. Translation - they want you to rush. Don't. Most of the mistakes people make on these tests are careless ones they'd kick themselves for in hindsight. Avoid them, and your score will improve greatly. - Questions are not arranged in order of difficulty. Translation - There's no reason to tackle the questions in order. Instinct will make you think the easy questions are at the beginning of the section, and you'll want to spend time there to avoid the harder ones at the end. But that's not how this test is organized. If you don't feel confident about any one question after a reasonable amount of time, move on. Just make sure to mark the right answer on your answer sheet! - No question is worth more or less than any other. Translation - Don't spend too much time on any one question. The easy ones are worth just as much as the hard ones. If you feel like you're getting stumped, move on. - Your score is based entirely on the number of correctly answered questions; There is no penalty for wrong answers. Translation – Leave nothing blank! If you're almost out of time and have unanswered questions, just start fillin' in circles... It can only help you. #3 Develop & practice your strategy Once you have familiarized yourself with the kinds of questions you'll run into and the techniques to tackle them, it's time to combine that knowledge with the logistics of the test. This is where those full-length practice tests come in. Here's the approach I suggest you start with... - Get a simple stopwatch that does not beep, and that you know how to use. - When taking full practice tests, create an environment as close to the actual test as possible. Turn off your phone(s) & stereo, sit at a desk, have snacks & extra pencils ready. Time yourself just as the test monitors will, including rest periods. Don't look at the first page until time starts, etc. Heck, go to the library & take it. Environment can really affect your score. You may feel silly, but it really will result in a more accurate score and check on your progress. - Read each question only as fast as you can really absorb it. Check in with your stopwatch every 4-5 minutes to see how quickly you're moving through the section. If you're going too slowly, seek out the questions you think are easy, then move to the ones you think you can get right after a little work. If you're going fast, use 'extra' time to check yuor answer by working backwards - plugging it right into the question and seeing if it works. If you don't think you're going to finish a section, use the last 2-3 minutes to make your best guess at the unanswered questions, and make sure you're right on the ones you answered. - On questions where you're not confident about the right answer, try narrowing down your choices with elimination. Look for buzzwords like 'always', 'never', 'all', 'none', or 'every'... 'Absolute' answers like that are often incorrect. Try backtracking - plugging the answers in to the question to see if they work. - On Reading Comprehension sections, look first for questions that refer you to a specific line or word. Those take less time to answer. Then work on the more general questions. Remember that these will most likely ask for some kind of re-statement of the theme or main idea. Look again for those ‘absolute’ buzzwords, you can often rule them out right away. - Get to know thyself. Rather than just looking at your previous scores, look at what kinds of questions you usually get right? Wrong? What kinds of mistakes are you frequently making? Odds are there are patterns, and understanding them will help you look out for the traps you are most prone to, and find the questions you'll feel most confident about. Re-evaluate after each practice test, and assign yourself sections and questions between practice tests that target your problem areas. - Lather rinse repeat. You'll hate taking practice tests. Take them anyway. Remember the goal. The more you feel like you know the test and your testing personality inside-out, the better you'll do. Additional Resources: The University of Richmond has a great page about preparing for & taking the LSAT. ( http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/as/polisci/prelaw/lsat.html#prepare ) Frank X.J. Homer, Professor and Pre-Law Advisor @ University of Scranton has a very informative page as well. ( http://members.iex.net/~jriley/lsat.htm ) LSAT Prep.com is just what it sounds like. It offers basic information, techniques for each section, sample questions and a sample test. ( http://www.lsat-prep.com/ ) The LSAT Center primarily offers a fee-based course & materials, but there is some helpful free information, including a section breakdown, registration information, basic tips, an FAQ, and more. ( http://www.lsat-center.com/lsat-page4.html ) I hope that answers your question without overwhelming you!!! Feel free to request clarification or post comments asking 'what do I do now?' And definitely let me know how your score improves! Google Answers does not allow Researchers to post their email addresses, but if you reach your goal, we'll find a way to get in touch. Thanks for the opportunity to put my skills to work! Best, Rebecca I searched for: LSAT facts ( ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=LSAT+facts ) improve your LSAT score ( ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=improve+your+LSAT+score ) LSAT stats ( ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=LSAT+stats ) LSAT preparation ( ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&c2coff=1&q=LSAT+preparation&spell=1 ) LSAT prep ( ://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=LSAT+prep ) Amazon.com search in Books for: lsat practice tests ( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-5143495-5702412 ) lsat ( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-5143495-5702412 )