LSAT help

[clarissa]

Standardized test taking has never being my strong suit.  It took me 4 years to raise my ACT 8 points to an average score, however I don't remember freezing during that test.  I promise I'm not dumb.  I had a 4.0 in high school, testing just isn't my thing. 

Reading speed is good, I think.  I can usually read the passages in about 3 minutes, maybe 3:30 for the longer ones, which should leave me enough time to answer my questions.  I end up getting stuck on maybe 2 or 3 of the questions and wasting my time trying to decide between the 2 answers I've narrowed it down to.  Or, I get some dumb passage on something like kin recognition, spend a lot of time on it, and think I totally nailed it, and then find out that I miss all but 2 of the questions. 

[Ashley O]

I'm sure you aren't dumb! The LSAT makes everyone feel a little stupid though!! lol

The reading speed on the passages is actually a little slower than top-level. The fastest readers (and often the best scorers in RC), read those passages in about 2 to 2:15 minutes. But that doesn't sound like the real issue in RC. Instead it sounds like you get caught deciding between two answers, and let too much time slip away in those moments. What about question types? Any particular ones you miss, such as main point, etc?

[clarissa]

wow 2 minutes! yeah I'm definitely not that fast.  As far as question types go, I haven't been able to find much of pattern.  Sometimes I get main point and sometimes I don't.   same with author's view or interpreting what a word means in the context of the sentence.  Earlier I mentioned the issue I have with choosing between the 2 answers that are still contenders.  At that point, I usually feel like I have wasted too much time just doing that, so to go back and forth between the passage and the answer only takes more time.  I usually just have to guess at that point and hope for the best.

[Ashley O]

I'm not down to 2 minutes myself, so its not necessary to read that fast and do well! The fact is, though, that you aren't likely to become a faster reader in the next few weeks. So it is what it is. With no discernible pattern in what you are missing, its hard to give advice on what to do better as far as reading or the questions. I know Powerscore preaches identifying passage structure, and I like that approach, so just focus on looking for the main point and getting an idea for how the passage is organized overall. Most question revolve around those points so if you focus on the big picture you should be able to answer most questions quickly. Then just guess fast on the ones you are caught between and don't waste time!

Let's address the admissions question. A score in the low 150s will get you into law school, but the better question is whether its a law school you want to go to. Have you used LSAC's admissions calculator at https://officialguide.lsac.org/release/OfficialGuide_Default.aspx ? Use the GPA/LSAT box in the upper left to get admissions likelihoods with your GPA and various LSAT scores.

[clarissa]

Thamks for the link! I haven't seen that before.  I did put in my gpa with the score of my last PT, 152, amd i'm below the averages for every single school I want to apply to.. I could maybe raise my score a pt or 2 before the test. But I guess the only question is whether law schools I'm out of range of would want me anyway.  I've heard admissions looks at more than just lsat and gpa but I feel like I'd prob get weeded out because of my low score/gpa anyway.  Is my best option really to wait another year?

[LSAT Eliminator]

It may be, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take a shot now.

The low LSAT puts you in a  position where something else has to compensate. So, the question is, is there anything else that can do that?

[clarissa]

I'm guessing you're asking about my overall application?  As far as Letters of rec go, I haven't seen them for myself, but as far as I know, they should be good.  My resume is also impressive I'm told.  I believe I wrote a pretty decent personal statement too.  Having said that, I am not sure where else I could compensate for the score. 

At this point I am leaning toward taking the test, applying and seeing what happens.  If I do not get in anywhere, how terrible will it look for me to retake in June and have 3 LSAT scores racked up in two years, and then go ahead an apply next year?

[Ashley O]

At this point I am leaning toward taking the test, applying and seeing what happens.  If I do not get in anywhere, how terrible will it look for me to retake in June and have 3 LSAT scores racked up in two years, and then go ahead an apply next year?

It's not a problem, especially if that third LSAT adds a few more points to the score. Many schools these days use the highest LSAT (and not the average), and plenty of people take the LSAT multiple times.

[clarissa]

Well that's what I'll do then.  Thanks so much for all your advice!

[LSAT Eliminator]

Good luck Clarissa!