LSAT Kung Fu Forum / Advice for possible retake

Advice for possible retake

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Jul 2 2012

bdeebs

Advice for possible retake

:LASKF:KJBWE:KNBJSDF:LN...so frustrating. I didn't do too poorly, but I got at least 3 points from my "I'll be happy" score, so I'm debating a retake. I got a 172, I was hoping for a 175+. I made 2 very stupid errors in LG games that kept me from a -0 in that section. The thing I hate is that I had ~5 minutes left over at the end of the section, and spent all my time debating on how to interpret the question that was thrown out. I never quite got RC dialed in to the point where I felt really comfortable with it (-4 overall in that section).

On the other hand, I've exhausted almost all of the available resources for fresh tests, and the layout of the test this time around was about as perfect as I could ask for (RC, LG, LR, LG, LR).

Stanford is my dream school. I've got a 3.92 GPA from a no name (except football) school in chemistry. I was hoping to score a little higher to offset the potentially negative influence of my UG institution.

Any advice? I'm going to give it a couple days to let my blood cool before signing up for the October administration. I'm thinking by October I'll know whether or not I feel more comfortable with the test than the first time around and I can either withdraw or go for it.

Deebs

Jul 2 2012

Nemo B

i got a 160. Depressed as shit. I was PT'ing 165-174. I'm definitely going to re-take but I'm not quite sure where to start so I'm looking for advice too though I may be in a different boat than you I guess because you are already at my goal score. I've used up most of the new test materials. Usually get -2 on LR and -0 on LG. Don't know how I fucked up so bad.

-11 on rc

-6 LR1

-7 LG

-2 LR2

Jul 3 2012

(Reply to #2) #3

majorgeneraldave

I'm sorry to hear that, Nemo!

I know it's rough right now, but keep in mind that you will not be defined by this defeat, but instead by your reaction to it. Give yourself a minute to recover, then get back to work. (I'd think of this next week as being the rest period you're going to enjoy before putting the nose back to the grindstone).

In a week, I'd start by retaking the test you just took (PT 66). I think you'll find that you outperform your last attempt, and that should help steady the nerves a bit for what's to come. Then, print up fresh copies of your course materials and start re-working.

I guarantee you'll find things you hadn't noticed before, and if you do your work with an eye toward pattern recognition, you'll get more confidence than you had last time around, and that goes a long way.

As always, let me know how I can help,

Jul 5 2012

(Reply to #3) #4

Nemo B

Thanks for the encouraging words Dave. I think I need sheer practice to just become more familiar and mechanical with this test.

Do you have any tips on how to work with an eye towards pattern recognition? Do you think you could make a cheat sheet of what patterns I should look for with each type of LR question? And do you think it's a good idea to drill continuously each type of LR question at a time until I'm answering the questions through pattern recognition?

Jul 13 2012

(Reply to #4) #5

majorgeneraldave

Hey, there,

I've answered your question in this week's mailbag. Today's mailbag will most easily be found by its date, which is listed in the Blackboard index as 2012-07-13.

You'll notice that there are vertical lines running through the playback bar; each line represents a section break, so you can quickly jump to your question if you'd like (although you may have to wait for the entire video to load in order to navigate within playback).

Best,

Jul 13 2012

(Reply to #5) #6

Nemo B

damn this blackboard session was perfect timing just as I'm getting a nice buzz on some fine dogfish IPA right now, but unfortunately the platform is acting up and unable to launch. Any idea what the deal with this thing is? Seems like I haven't been getting along with technology these days eh Dave?

Jul 13 2012

(Reply to #6) #7

majorgeneraldave

Dogfish=Delicious.

Technology=Bitches.

I had a problem getting started today, too. The solution involved resetting my Java cache (which is only maybe 19% as dirty as it sounds).

Send me an email and I'll forward the instructions on how to do that for a Mac (or, to get help for a PC, submit a ticket to Blackboard here).

Jul 13 2012

(Reply to #7) #8

Nemo B

YES this was exactly the issue, a quick google search on blackboard directed me properly - I'm good to go. Thank you my friend

Jul 2 2012

jabushawish4

what is stopping you from retaking in October? Pretty much have nothing to lose right?

Jul 2 2012

(Reply to #9) #10

bdeebs

Time and money. But yeah, that was my general thought as well. I just don't know how feasible it is to improve without new material.

Jul 3 2012

#11

majorgeneraldave

With 172 and 3.92 you're a strong candidate (not a shoo-in, but who is?) at Stanford.

If I were you, here's what I would do: Write an ass-kicking personal statement, and enjoy being done with LSAT forever and on my way to Palo Alto.

If you do decide to retake, let me know, and let me know how I can help.

I know it's a bummer to underperform your abilities, and I totally get the boiling blood, but remember that 172's an awfully good score.

Keep in touch,

Jul 3 2012

(Reply to #11) #12

bdeebs

Thanks, Dave. I found out I have another fee-waiver so I went ahead and signed up for the October administration. I didn't give RC a proper dissection, and because of this I was relying a little too much on luck for this section (which didn't pan out...I hit about average for mistakes). That on top of the fact that I firmly believe I should be able to get a -0 on any LG section they throw at me is making me lean toward a retake. I find that my most productive study time is when I'm not listening to you (no offense), but painstakingly figuring out things for myself. I feel like I leaned a little too much on your video explanations for the RC because I didn't leave myself as much time as I should have to master it. So I'm going to spend a lot of time with RC, then come to you when I'm stuck. If I feel that I'm significantly more comfortable with the RC (along with a couple other weak points), then I'll retake. If not then I'll withdraw.

Jul 3 2012

(Reply to #12) #13

majorgeneraldave

That sounds like an excellent and productive plan. I hope you are so successful in figuring things out that I only hear from you with progress reports!

Jul 3 2012

#14

detherton

Hey deebs,

Congratulations on the score. Have you gone to law school predictor. I put your numbers in their form just for shots and grins and it computes you are .004 from the 75 percentile and a strong consider. The only considers that came on were for HLS and YLS everything else was ADMIT. Take your number and be proud. I would love to get that high of a score.

Good Luck to you and your future.

Don

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