Diagnostic LSAT

[Ob16]

I decided to take the free Kaplan diagnostic test. I did it timed without having any clue what to expect. The questions were not as hard as I expected, but that timer is no joke. Overall, I was probably forced to guess about 22-28 questions all at the end of sections. I wasted lots of time by not staying engaged with the test. I found RC to be the biggest time crunch and the hardest section to stay engaged in. It’s the section that really dragged down my score. I scored a 150 and I’m aware this is not a very good score.

How much of an improvement from diagnostic scores is generally attainable? 
Is a majority of the time spent studying working on speed?

I’m 19 and have time to improve, I want to buy some books after the winter term, any good recommendations?
 

 

Edited December 25, 2021 by Ob16

[ShouldHaveBeenAnEngineer]

In my opinion 150 really isn't as bad as you make it out to be. My initial diagnostic was a 148 and I got a 162 on my actual test (I was averaging even higher, around 165, on PTs but my internet crashed a few times during the actual test which didn't help). Studying, at least for the logic games, is definitely about improving speed but for the other sections its also looking at how to approach specific types of questions and what to look for. I personally only used the LSAT Trainer which I know some people don't like for its logic games section but I thought it was great, especially considering the cost.

[brokenegg]

a 150 for a diagnostic is totally fine. I went from a 143 diagnostic to a 157 official score in three weeks using just Khan Academy and studying for about 1-2 hours a day. I was also PT'ing around a 161-163. 

 

Don't worry too much about your diagnostic score. Use it as a benchmark and that's it. You'll definitely improve if you put in the work. 

[Whist]

150 was my diagnostic too. That had no bearing on my ability to study and get admitted. You will eventually speed up. PowerScore, 7Sage, Khan Academy are all good resources.

19 is too early to need to study, unless you’re speedrunning undergrad.

[easttowest]

I went 159 to 171 with the LSAT Trainer, which I thought was excellent. I haven’t seen it since 2014 though so I don’t know if it has kept up to date, etc.

[aurora borealis]

I went from 153 diagnostic to a 168 official score from July to November using a combination of Khan Academy and the Powerscore books.

When I started studying I improved pretty quickly to getting around 157-159 on practice tests and then plateaued essentially until test day.

[Ob16]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I will do some research about the products mentioned. Appreciate it!

[owl12]

I got a 148 diagnostic, and got a 171 on test day. The LSAT is a test you can do very well if you study long enough and in the proper way. Good luck!