I made a lot of dumb mistakes back when I was studying...and it took a while before I was willing to admit this....but
it actually took me a FULL YEAR to master the LSAT!!!
I probably could've been done with it in less than half that time if I'd gone about things the right way from the beginning.
After I learned the RIGHT way to do things, I made a list of all my mistakes (at least, the ones I could think of).
I'm not going to share the whole thing because it's too embarrassing (and long)...
but today I am going to share with you the three BIGGEST mistakes I can think of:
#3) didn't use right books / PrepTests
I've talked a lot recently about bad LSAT books. (Aside from being way too long, a lot of them contain errors!) So, right now, I'll focus instead on the simple fact that:
I spent too much time on older exams, not enough on newer ones!
At one point early on, I even considered not getting the newest exams at all just because they were 8 bucks each (LSAC hadn't put them in books of 10 yet.)
In hindsight, this was pretty stupid because the most recent exams are the most relevant!
Doesn't make sense to try to save $40 on 5 individual exams if it means getting a lower score (costing thousands in lost scholarship $$$, future income, etc.)
So...get the newest exams.
#2) didn't review
Instead, I just took test after test, hoping my score would magically improve ---they didn't.
I already talked about this a few weeks ago in my article about how to review, but the bottom line is:
Don't JUST analyze the stimulus or passage (for LR/RC)...make sure you ALSO analyze answer choices.
* What was it in the incorrect answer choice you chose that tempted you? Then identify what made it wrong in the end.
Orrrrr...
* If there was something in the correct answer that made it seem unappealing, identify what it was. And identify what made it correct in the end.
#1) didn't have a study plan
I put this one first because I'd say not having a study plan was probably -- no, definitely -- my biggest mistake.
I talked about this a bit above, but, basically, I jumped right into taking practice tests without learning the fundamentals first.
And my scores didn't go up because I wasn't actually learning strategies to attack the questions BEFORE trying to attack them!
Sounds obvious in hindsight....
but with all these books of old tests out there (and thrill of POSSIBLY getting a higher score next time), I kind of got addicted to taking PrepTests, measuring my scores, and looking for trends. I had lists, spreadsheets, graphs, etc...it was all kinda nuts.
Anyway, what I needed was someone to sit me down, kick my ass when I needed it, and show me exactly what I should be doing every. single. day.
I didn't have that, so it took me WAYYYY too long to crack the LSAT "code."
So I made day-by-day LSAT study plans for you guys because I wished I had a real plan of attack when I was studying. It would've been a LOT easier if I knew exactly how to use all the practice tests and other books.
Whether you've got a plan yet or not, I know many of you still have questions about the nitty-gritty logistics of studying, how to use study plans, etc.
So, next time, I'm gonna answer some of the most common questions students ask me about LSAT study plans.
In the meantime, let me know if you have any questions about study plans, and I'll try to get to them.
Sincerely,
Studyin' Steve
Recommended Resources:
1. LSAT Courses
The best of my LSAT material with exclusive access to attend my Live Online LSAT Master Classes + Q&As, and on-demand video lessons you can watch anytime. Plus, LSAT study plans to keep you on track. Save hundreds of dollars with an LSAT course package.
2. LSAT Day-By-Day Study Plans
Preparing for the LSAT is confusing. There are dozens of prep books and practice tests out there, and 1,000+ articles on my website alone. When, and how, should you use them all? These super-specific study plans give you a clear plan of attack.
3. LSAT Cheat Sheets
Based on what I'd typically do in college: read what the professor emphasized and condense it all onto a single piece of paper. It gave me a quick reference, making things a lot less threatening and a lot more manageable.
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