I’m a high school senior,and I received a 151 on a diagnostic LSAT. I pretty much bombed the logical reasoning section. I found this strange because I have a 3.8 GPA, am enrolled in almost all AP and honors level coursework, and received a 33 on my ACT. I’m kind of panicking because I’m afraid that I might not get into a prestigious law school(T-14 level). Is there anyway I could improve my scores for the LSAT. If so, how much could I improve by and what can I do to improve my scores.
The logic section is testing analytical skills that people usually either have or don’t have. It is not a reflection of intelligence, past learning, knowledge or anything else. Analyzing information logically is an inherent skill (I had a perfect score on that section without preparation, but I know other very successful, intelligent people like yourself who couldn’t answer those questions).
To improve your score, I recommend you simply practice these types of questions over and over, and look at samples with explanations of the correct answers. There are books available that review nothing but the logical reasoning section of the LSAT. You can go to amazon or elsewhere and search “LSAT Logic” and it will pull up lots of options.
Since you have a few years before the actual exam, you should notice improvement over time. There are certain types of logical reasoning questions that come up over and over, and once you learn the secret to solving them, you should start getting a better score in this section. While you don’t have those analytical skills naturally, you can work at developing them. This will pay off in many ways in your life, whether you wind up in law school or later change your mind and pursue other goals.
The bad news is that you should not be taking an LSAT test as a high schooler, and you wasted your time. Too much vocab on grad-level tests that you will acquire over the next four years.
The good news is that the LR section is the easiest on which to improve. With a 33, and practice, practice, practice, you should be able to ace the LR section.
How many points can I improve on the logical reasoning questions. I hope to receive a score in the high 160’s to the lower 170’s.
@qijianzhou, chill! You’re in high school. The LSAT is something to worry about, at the earliest, when you’re a junior or senior in college. I don’t think that I’d even heard of the LSAT when I was in high school.
Spend your time now doing a variety of neat things (to learn what your passions are) and study, study and study (to get good grades). Deal with the LSAT when the time comes. A few months of a Kaplan test-prep class–when you’re a junior or senior in college–will take care of it for you.
Agree with the chill idea above!
Personally I think the LR section is the easiest to increase. Wait until you’re closer to needing the test (junior year of college if you want to go straight) and then buy some test prep books. Kaplan classes are ridiculously expensive and if you’re dedicated to studying then books can do a lot. Once you learn the tricks for LR it’s pretty easy to get a decent score in it compared to other sections that are less formulaic. Advice for increasing your LSAT would be to focus on the LR section (the section you did the worst in) and make it your best. Your score is in relation to total points on the test so large gains in one section are worth more than smaller ones in sections you’re already okay in.
Large jumps are possible without a doubt. You can read lots of success stories on here and test prep sites about jumps of 10+ points. Just requires time and effort.
My general LSAT prep advice-
- read 1 general LSAT prep book as a primer
- read all 3 of the LSAT bible brand name books at least twice
- make sure you know these and the question types cold - but and do every recent LSAT prep tests (combo books and individuals)
- review every missed question and redo tests
Since you are starting out so early, though, you should take it easy and just do a few prep tests or get an early read on the bibles. It’s too early to do intensive studying. You’re already being very proactive so keep that up though
Why in the world are you worrying about the lsat in high school? Get through college first. You may not even be interested in law school in a few more years. I took the lsat a year after graduating from college with with my bachelor’s, and it is common not to go to law school until some time has gone by after undergrad. I would put it out of your mind for now.
Enjoy HS OP. You may find once you get to college, there may be another career path that interests your more or you may realize that LAW is really what you like. Take it step by step. You’ll be fine.
Taking the LSAT in high school is like having a medical exam that 50 year olds must have, but doing it when you’re 18. Chill, enjoy life, and deal with the LSAT when the time comes.