Where Do I Start?

Where do I start?

Diagnostic Test

I think everyone should start with a diagnostic test. A diagnostic test can be any official PT published by LSAC, which you take without studying in order to gauge your baseline. A diagnostic test is a crucial first step because it lets you know exactly what you need to work on. You can find a diagnostic test on Lawhub or pretty much any service that lets you set up a free account.

 I wrote my diagnostic test, what now?

Understanding your diagnostic

Congrats! You did your first diagnostic test and are on the road to the LSAT score of your dreams. Before we can discuss study materials lets talk about what a diagnostic test actually means. Your diagnostic test can serve as a measure of where your skills are at right now but it can also serve to help establish a reasonable goal for your timeline. From your diagnostic you can takeaway your strengths and weaknesses. Knowing this will help you build out your study plan and select the correct resources for you. It is also important to note that a low diagnostic is not the end of the world. I started with a low diagnostic and ended with a 175 and I have taught numerous students who have gotten high scores from low diagnostics. A diagnostic test is also only 1 data point which means it is entirely possible you got unlucky (or very lucky) Remember, it's not where you start it's where you finish!

Below are the diagnostic score ranges and what I'd recommend for you in your self studying.

120-130: You got from 0-20. What this means is you are likely struggling either in your English proficiency or your understanding of logic. Try to evaluate which of these skills is the bigger issue for you and begin rectifying that. If the issue is English proficiency, you're in for an uphill battle, but try to read more and look up words if you don't know what they mean. If the issue is the application of logic, then focus on learning the absolute basics and go from there. At this level focus on getting only the easiest questions correct before moving on. You should not be considering speed at all until you are able to consistently get the easiest questions correct untimed. Try a PT every 2 weeks max.

131-140: You got from 20-29 correct. At this level you are getting at least some of it. Although you might be scoring a few by luck, to hit 20 correct it is extremely likely you are getting some of them through skill. At this level focus on getting the very easy ones correct every time and incorporate a few medium questions. Focus on going slowly and being sure to solve the questions. If you do a timed section don't worry about speed or finishing the section instead focus the entirety of your efforts on the first half of the section. If RC do 2 passages, if LG do 2 games and if LR do half of the available questions. The priority is building understanding through solving the easy questions. Try a PT every 2 weeks max.

141-150: You got from 30-40 correct. You're getting most of the very easy ones correct and even a few of the medium to hard ones as well. Similarly to the last two levels, don't try to finish the section while doing timed sections. You can do more than the first half, but if doing this causes you to rush and miss easier questions then it's not worth it. In your drilling start tackling the medium ones and keeping track of what you consistently get incorrect. Be sure to review any easy ones you get wrong to make sure you aren't repeating any mistakes. Try a PT every 2 weeks max.

151-160: you got from 42-55 correct. If you have one specific weak section, take extra time in your weekly studying to do focus on that. Remember, for your weak sections focus on understanding and getting the easy ones right before trying to build speed! That being said, in your timed sections try to finish the first 20 LR and 3/4 passages/games. You have a strong grasp of English and logic so don't let yourself make silly mistakes like misreading something. You can do up to 1 PT a week, but be sure to review it carefully.

161-169: you from 56-66 correct. You're doing great. Your English and logic are both very strong and you're getting the majority of questions correct. Focus on getting the easy to medium ones correct quickly and the hard ones correct consistently. You're allowed to consider your speed here but never at the expense of your accuracy. Dedicate more time to your weakest area, with timed sections and review. At this level you can do more PTs than other levels because you will have less to review. If you want, you can do multiple PTs per week.

170-180: Go write the test. Although this is not a guarantee of test day success, this is a good indicator. It is possible you got lucky, but no one gets a 170+ or higher by pure luck. You can do multiple PTs per week in addition to whatever studying you're doing.