The LSAT is just around the corner. Don’t worry, there is still time to make huge improvements. For me, it wasn’t until my last month of LSAT study that logic games really clicked.
I wanted to check in and make sure everyone has there remaining prep scheduled correctly in at least one important regard: Most of the timed preptests you do from here on out should be the most recent preptests.
Work from oldest to newest so you are doing the most recent preptest right before the test. The most recent LSAT preptest currently available is Official LSAT PrepTest 86.
WHY IS DOING RECENT LSAT PREPTESTS IMPORTANT?
Recent LSAT preptests most accurately reflect what you are going to see on the actual test, and using more recent preptests for simulated practice LSATs also gives you the best idea of what you are going to actually score. Old tests are incredibly valuable practice. The LSAT does not change much over time. However, new features do pop up. The comparative reading passage of the RC section has only been around about 5 years. I was one of the first to take it, and I think it through me for a loop (RC was the only section where I got any wrong). You have the benefit of being able to take over 10 recent LSAT preptests that have the comparative reading passage for practice.
While LSAC swears that the comparative reading passage isn’t harder per-se, it is different, so practice it to avoid being thrown off. Aside from that, there are lots of more subtle changes to the LSAT that have occurred over the years. For example, newer tests have fewer and fewer questions that really on straight conditional reasoning (they almost always throw extra elements in now).
Preptest 86 was recently released. Because it’s the most recent, it’s the one you should be doing two days before the LSAT. Work back from there and schedule in when you will be doing the other most recent preptests.
Unfortunately, these recent preptests aren’t available in compilation form yet. LSAC likes to get extra money out of you by only selling them individually. Also unfortunately, you more or less have to just pay up because they are necessary. At least get them on Amazon where the tests and the shipping are cheaper than on LSAC’s site. Don’t bother buying preptest 81 or older individually even if you find them for individual sale somewhere – they are available more cheaply in the ‘Actual, Official’ compilations.
For your convenience we have every published preptest listed below along with links to find it. As a reminder, by the last month of your LSAT prep most of your prep should consist of doing timed individual LSAT sections and full, simulated preptests and then reviewing them properly. Review our prep schedule for full details.
10 Comments
Hi,
I am planning on taking the LSAT in February, so I am getting together materials to begin studying in the next couple of weeks. I saw your link for the best books to help study for the LSAT, but when it comes to practice tests I am confused. I tried reading some of the comments above and got a little overwhelmed, so my questions are: How many pretests do I need to purchase, and which ones would be best for me to buy? I don’t mind purchasing the materials, as long as I know exactly what I am going to need. If nothing else I would like to at least have a good idea that what I am purchasing is the right thing. Help please??
Dear Lawschooli.com,
I managed a 162 on the February LSAT, and I’m retaking it in June. Having already taken every “10 Actual” exam, all three “SuperPreps,” PT 17, and PTs 62-71, 41-46, and 49-51, I’ve nearly exhausted my set of “fresh” prep resources. Unfortunately, although I took many of the non-“10 Actual” tests mentioned above *after* the February administration, I took 62-71 before.
On the SuperPreps and on the PrepTests in the 40s and early 50s, my median LR score quickly—and I literally mean five days after the exam—went from 43/44 to 47/48. (I suppose the frenzied rush to improve in the week leading up should’ve been two weeks.) So now my LSAT range seems to be 166-168-172. Indeed, yesterday, after a month-long hiatus, I took PrepTest 46 on the toilet around 4:30 PM and scored 169 (with a 17/22 LG).
My question is: Does a 169 on the June ’05 administration translate into a 169 today?… Although I’m not one to buy into “difficulty trends” that bloggers on top-law-schools.com and other sites play up, tests in the 40s really are distinctive: It’s the era of easier Logic Games, harder Reading Comprehension, and brutal curves. And I’m barely better than average at LG… So now that Logic Games have “made a comeback,” do you think my 169 is legit? http://blueprintprep.com/lsatblog/lsat-analysis/logic-games-on-the-lsat-dont-call-it-a-comeback/
Sincerely,
Cory
Yes, differences among the tests over time tend to be exaggerated in my opinion though yeah, for a while there they really were making the games too easy and getting too much difficulty “punch” out of the RC. Still, the test is specifically designed so that a 169 on one administration is as difficult to achieve as a 169 on another, and LSAC is very good at what they do. While test 20 years apart exhibit some drift, an ’05 test still gives you a reasonably accurate idea of where you might score. Just remember however, that the confidence interval for the LSAT is always pretty broad. Swings up and down of 3 or more points are common. That better you get, the more tightly clustered your scores tend to be, so keep practicing.
Thank you! My self-esteem needed the boost haha! I took the exam because I flubbed a very easy SAT Math section that morning.
Anyway, yeah, I must admit: my two best scores—172 and 171—were PT 17 and SuperPrep B (both of which were in the 90’s), respectively. But I wager a 13-15/23 LG, 25/27 RC, and 47/51 LR—in combination with a recent curve—will yield roughly the same score. My raw score goal is 85+, then.
I’ll take the few fresh tests that remain, but I’ve mastered 75% of the exam. (I finished the second LR section of PT 46 in 29:10 for a 25/26.) And that’s all I *can* master… The ability to reach the high-end of AR, in contrast to the other two sections, is entirely a function of natural aptitude. I ain’t got enough of that… At this point, all I can do is pray that”the little things” go my way in June—that I’m handed a test form with an unremarkable RC, three unremarkable LG’s, and a curve-loosening LR that I’ll nonetheless slay (like I did on SuperPrep B). Keep your fingers crossed. 😉
Should I use a proctor dvd when doing practice tests? It seems like a good idea but I don’t know if having headphones in my ear while taking practice tests will be detrimental to preparing for the real test but it seems like the same noises I would hear on test day are the noises I would hearing from the dvd so it can be potentially helpful. Let me know what you think.
I think it’s a fine idea. Josh and I are both big fans of trying to do whatever you can to simulate actual testing conditions. It’s important to make the effort because even if the simulation isn’t 100% accurate, it helps you practice getting into the right frame of mind.
A company apparently has all the preptests that are no longer in print published in one book! You should add this book to your list:
10 Actual, Official Out-of-Print LSAT PrepTests: Official LSAT PrepTests 1-6, 8, 17, 39, and 40
It’s on are list already. We always recommend it whenever anyone is running low on practice material. Clicking on the first 10 PTs takes you to that book!
Josh and Evan,
If I were targeting a solid 170+ (or highest possible score, really), how many full, simulated practice tests do you think would be necessary?
As I being to prepare for the December LSAT I wanted to ration out how many tests i can use for initial untimed and timed practice sections. As of now I plan to set aside at least 20 of the most recent practice test just for the final month of simulated prep.
Thanks!
Twenty might be on the high side for full simulated preptests in the last month. Do 2-3 full simulated tests a week (with review) for you last month. The rest of the time you are doing timed sections taken from recent tests but with breaks in between sections. With these, you also do super careful review BEFORE you look at the answers (do the review after each section). We have a post on how to review prep questions so look for that. I’d link it but my internet is going super slow right now (I’m in China and can’t find a decent connection ANYWHERE!!!).
-Evan