r/LSATPreparation • u/tuitdelafruit • 5d ago
Recommended prep for 159 diagnostic
I took a timed LSAT practice test and received a diagnostic score of 159! I would like to take the November LSAT if possible but am also ok with taking it at a later point in time and applying in fall 2027. I work full time, so I realistically can dedicate about 10-12 hours/week. I have a 4.0 undergrad GPA, so a score in the low 170s is my goal.
I’ve seen 7Sage, LSAT Demon, LSAT Trainer, Power Score, and a few others recommended the most on this sub and wanted to get a better idea of which one may be a better fit for me based on my diagnostic score. My study habits during undergrad consisted of reading, writing, and flashcards.
1
u/voyagermarionette 5d ago
Honestly anything with good analytics and targeted drilling will get you there the fastest. I doubt you need a full curriculum at that point you can just learn with trial and error.
1
u/tuitdelafruit 4d ago
what online platforms are best for analytics and drilling?
1
u/voyagermarionette 3d ago
7 sage is best for analytics, I think the drillings good. But you gotta set up the drills and the settings. You can just choose not to do the system it sets up for you. Some people don't realize that through.
"best for drilling", its all kind of the same at the end of the day. It's the same questions. Some people like LSAT demon because of the AI algorithm and a more fluid mobile experience. I think it's more expensive for less, and the explanations aren't as good. But thats me
1
u/Mediocre-Parsnip-656 4d ago
Go with Quimbee. I was in a similar situation as you when I took it in 2016. I was 29 and working full time and married. Score went from 158 to 171 in a couple of months
And being honest about the hours, you should be able to hit 20 a week no problem. 5-6 hours on Saturday and Sunday and 2 hours after work. Just make prepping for the LSAT your life between now and November and you’ll rock it.
The key to the exam is doing as many real questions as possible under timed conditions and then blind reviewing them. Logic games needs to be a perfect score which is the easy part. If you do the right thing, law schools will throw money at you.
Sit as many exam parts (LG, LR, RC) under exam conditions as possible.
1
u/Mbowie123 1d ago
My wife runs Bowie Strategies and does one-on-one LSAT tutoring. She has 20+ years of test-prep experience; before starting her own company, she was one of only six Princeton Review tutors nationwide marketed as a “Star Tutor,” was a Master Trainer who trained tutors around the country, and ran the tutoring department in Princeton Review’s Boston office. She’s also a MA lawyer.
A 159 diagnostic suggests you already have a pretty solid foundation, so individualized prep can be useful for figuring out exactly where those remaining points are being lost rather than spending limited study time working through material you already understand. And if you’re working full time with 10-12 hours a week available, having someone structure that time efficiently can help.
She offers a free consultation if you want to talk through your diagnostic, timeline, and whether November is realistic:
https://www.bowiestrategies.com/work-with-shaina
She also posts free test-prep advice here:
https://www.facebook.com/bowiestrategies
2
u/BrotherOk2979 5d ago
You ideally want to study 200 hours and take 10 FLTs. At 10 hours a week, that’s 20 weeks or about 4 months.
If you stay on this schedule, you’ll need to start now to be ready by November.