LSAT Scheduling 
(Senior Monkey, 96
Points)
So I am a rising junior who is studying abroad this Fall.
I am planning on doing a Kaplan course in the Spring sometime. I get back from abroad in January and sitting for the June 6th exam.
I plan on sending in my apps in Sept assuming that I do well on the exam, if i need to retake, then I'll take the October and send in ASAP.
Is this a good plan? When should I start prepping for the June 6th? Any advice/is there a better way to schedule LSAT prep/exam then what I have outlined?
You can start prepping
You can start prepping whenever, a huge part of taking the LSAT is practicing it. Look up free practice LSATs online, take a few, and figure out where your problem areas might be
That's not a bad plan at all.
That's not a bad plan at all. In fact, that's a pretty reasonable plan going into things. You can prep whenever, however, the closer you prep with a class in relation to the exam date, the better.
D M wrote: You can start
You can start prepping whenever, a huge part of taking the LSAT is practicing it. Look up free practice LSATs online, take a few, and figure out where your problem areas might be
I think this sounds like a great plan. I do highly suggest taking prep class. They are extremely helpful, if nothing else it will help you mentally prepare to sit for 7 straight hours of testing. The LSAT is like the ACT x100! When I think back on it now I honestly remember the most painful part of it being the time. I completely agree that the more you practice the better. Why not use this summer to start looking up free tests online and buy a test prep book or two (use Amazon for the best prices) and figure out your problem areas before you take the prep course. That way when you take the prep course you know what you need to focus on and ask for help on.
I agree with everyone. I
I agree with everyone. I think Kaplan gives you an initial diagnostic test to help you identify your problem areas.
LB, I think that's the case
LB, I think that's the case with all programs though.
I took a diagnostic with
I took a diagnostic with Kaplan a couple of months ago as a Sophomore. Real test conditions. I got a 151. I know that is shit but it totally cold. Never even looked at an LSAT before. So I figured with the prep course and sitting for the June exam I should be solid no? Thoughts?
With a good prep course and a
With a good prep course and a solid time commitment, you'll be golden man.
Your proposed schedule is
Your proposed schedule is great. We recommend a minimum of 2 & 1/2 months (10 weeks) preparing, and another month or two is great. We also recommend the June exam, because that gives you the summer to polish your applications, and, if necessary, reprep for the October exam. Because the LSAT tests your abilities in a few skill sets, the biggest part of prep is practicing those skills. When you look into which course you sign up for, remember that one that meets once a week allows more practice with a skill before moving on to a new one than a class meeting 2 or 3 times a week. (And a 151 is better than half the people taking the LSAT, so it's a good solid place to be starting! I've seen students come from well below that into the high 160's. You're in great shape!)
Becky Copeland
Kaplan LSAT Instructor
KaplanTeacherBecky wrote:
When you look into which course you sign up for, remember that one that meets once a week allows more practice with a skill before moving on to a new one than a class meeting 2 or 3 times a week. (And a 151 is better than half the people taking the LSAT, so it's a good solid place to be starting! I've seen students come from well below that into the high 160's. You're in great shape!)
So which would you recommend for someone in my position who is looking to crack 170 (god willing)? The once a week or the 2-3 time a week?
And wow thank you for that, when you put it that way - it makes me feel a lot better about my prospects.
Woud you recommend me getting a prep book and working over Summer and throughout the months leading up to the prep course for the June exam? I currently have a job and will obviously be abroad in the Fall - so I don't know much time realistically I can dedicate to it now before the actual prep course but do you think that would be more beneficial for me? Or should I just wait until the course? I have heard of kids prepping so much before the course they get burnt out and seen so many of the same practice problems over and over again. In other words, once you hit your peak, you hit your peak. What's your opinion on that?
I have certainly seen some
I have certainly seen some people overprep. They hit a wall where they keep making the same mistakes over and over again, and their frustration becomes overwhelming. What will your schedule be like when you return in January? Five months should be enough prep time to get ready for the June exam- especially if you will have plenty of time to devote to preparation during that time.
As far as what course I would recommend, that really depends on your study and classroom habits. If you want to message me with information about what kind of a studier you are, I'd be happy to help you find your best fit with Kaplan's course offerings.
Becky Copeland
Kaplan LSAT Instructor
When I return in January I
When I return in January I will be taking about 4-5 classes for the Spring semester. I am leaning towards only taking 4 as to devote more time to LSAT prep. Can I start a prep class in Jan and take it all the way thru for the June exam? And if so, would you recommend just doing that versus starting to prep a bit before January?
And thank you for that offer. I'll certainly shoot you a message.
Checking the schedule, we do
Checking the schedule, we do have "Extreme" classes that start the end of January and run through May, giving you that month to continue practicing with all you have learned. These courses are available online, but you would need to check with your local Kaplan centers to see when they have them running in your area. Another option is to work with a tutor (tutoring packages include the right to attend classes in Kaplan programs), who could help get you on the right track in January, reinforce class material during your course, and help focus your practice in May.
I probably would recommend waiting until you were hooked up with a tutor or in a class in January and then really devoting yourself to the practice over those 4-5 months, rather than trying to figure things out on your own before then. Practice is vitally important, but the last thing anyone wants to do is reinforce bad habits and make them even harder to break once your get a coach. If you really want to start work on your own, do it slowly and methodically. For example, take the test you took that you got a 151 on. Review that test. Every question that you got wrong, or that your guessed between two or more options (even if you guessed right), you need to review and throughly understand. Why did you pick (or almost pick, or fail to eliminate) those wrong answers? Why did you mistakenly eliminate the right answer? How can you avoid both of those mistakes in the future? Proper review of a full length test should take longer than the test did in the first place--but it's worth it for the better understanding you will have of the test structure.
Good luck, and I look forward to hearing from you!
Becky Copeland
Kaplan LSAT Instructor
Great advice thanks! Also how
Great advice thanks! Also how far in advance do you recommend signing up from an in-class extreme course?
Re: classes The Extreme Class
Re: classes
The Extreme Class is 28 Sessions, and the optimal schedule meets twice a week. So you would be looking for a class that starts in February to prepare for the June exam. You can sign up as early as you like, but to have a good idea of what class schedules will be running, you'll probably want to wait until December or January.
Good luck!
Becky Copeland
Kaplan LSAT Instructor
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