practice tests

[UnfGirl]

Quick question:

If a prep company offers prep tests throughout their course using previously administered LSATs, would it be a hindrance if I took a few practice tests before the class? What if I recognize the questions once I start the course?

Thanks.

[Wooly]

I'm not an expert, but I was told not to take more than one test before learning what I need to do them well. I guess the idea of taking just one is to understand the format how hard it is.

[LSAT Eliminator]

I'm not an expert, but I was told not to take more than one test before learning what I need to do them well. I guess the idea of taking just one is to understand the format how hard it is.

Most prep companies these days give you every question out there, so you will most likely see those questions again. Plus, several companies I know of strongly recommend against taking tests on your own as they feel that you can develop bad habits before starting the class, which you then have to work to undo. The theory being that if you are taking a class, let the class material and instructor train you from the start so you get it right from day one.

Here are some specific downsides:

• If the test(s) you take are used for diagnostic exams in the course, then you lose a whole opportunity to take a test under mock conditions
• If questions from the test(s) you take are used in the class materials, then you will miss out on the "illumination" moment that most questions are selected to provide
• If questions from the test(s) you take are used in the homework materials, then you will simply miss out on doing a few of those questions cold

On the other hand, if the test(s) you take are given as full exams for self-practice, then there isn't much harm.

Is it the end of the world to do it? No, so it's really your call then, but I'd check with whatever course you are taking to see how they will use those tests so you don't run into one of the issues mentioned above.

[Anne]

I'm not an expert, but I was told not to take more than one test before learning what I need to do them well. I guess the idea of taking just one is to understand the format how hard it is.

Most prep companies these days give you every question out there, so you will most likely see those questions again. Plus, several companies I know of strongly recommend against taking tests on your own as they feel that you can develop bad habits before starting the class, which you then have to work to undo. The theory being that if you are taking a class, let the class material and instructor train you from the start so you get it right from day one.

Here are some specific downsides:

• If the test(s) you take are used for diagnostic exams in the course, then you lose a whole opportunity to take a test under mock conditions
• If questions from the test(s) you take are used in the class materials, then you will miss out on the "illumination" moment that most questions are selected to provide
• If questions from the test(s) you take are used in the homework materials, then you will simply miss out on doing a few of those questions cold

On the other hand, if the test(s) you take are given as full exams for self-practice, then there isn't much harm.

Is it the end of the world to do it? No, so it's really your call then, but I'd check with whatever course you are taking to see how they will use those tests so you don't run into one of the issues mentioned above.

 

[LawSchoolGuy]

I would take one practice test, see how I do, and then wait until the class starts. I wouldn't want to use up all my tests on my own when I don't really know what I'm doing. If you've already spent the $$ on a course, just hold off until you take it--from what I've heard, they start you at the very ground level, so you don't have to have any knowledge of the test at all.

[Jeffort]

I would take one practice test, see how I do, and then wait until the class starts. I wouldn't want to use up all my tests on my own when I don't really know what I'm doing. If you've already spent the $$ on a course, just hold off until you take it--from what I've heard, they start you at the very ground level, so you don't have to have any knowledge of the test at all.

 

Let the class guide you about how to approach the questions so that through learning, practice and repetition you get trained how to go about things methodically step by step and in the proper order.  With a lot of that over time the proper steps of approaching, analyzing and solving each section type, question type, logic game type, etc. become burnt in as habit/become second nature so you don't have to consciously think about/remind yourself what to do each step of the way as much come test day but instead comes naturally out of habit.

In addition, DO NOT worry about going fast or doing questions under time pressure early in the process.  That means other than taking a first cold run timed diagnostic test to get your starting baseline score do not rush into doing full timed sections or full tests until after having learned the major foundations/concepts/strategies/techniques and having done a lot of homework problems in SLOW MOTION to drill everything into your head.  In other words, slow down to speed up and don't rush into the 'churn and burn' routine of doing a bunch of timed tests early on.

Through my many years teaching LSAT prep I've noticed that people that rush into doing lots of timed practice tests too soon and before being familiar and comfortable with all the various techniques/strategies tend to have more trouble improving their score and also get very frustrated and burnt out along the way while feeling like 

[NYCLSATTutor]

If it is a halfway decent course, they will give you a diagnostic on the first day of the class, so no need to take a preptest beforehand.  It will probably just stress you out, since you likely won't do very well (the LSAT is a test that almost everyone needs to study for).

What course are you taking?