Your Expert Guide to Self-Preparation

For LSAT, GRE, GMAT, MCAT, and PCAT

By Jay Cutts

Lead Author, Barron’s LSAT and MCAT Prep Materials

Happy September!

REMEMBER: The 3 Keys to Self-Prep Success:

1. A well-planned study schedule
2. High quality prep materials
3. Peer support

If you’re still not doing well enough, look for a qualified tutor!

THIS MONTH: Let’s take a quick look at where things stand for you

MCAT: You are probably done with the MCAT or will be soon. If you haven’t taken the test yet, spend the remaining time focusing on timing strategy and problem-solving strategy.

PCAT: Some schools will accept the January PCAT. If you must take the September test, focus on timing and math strategy.

LSAT: Unless you’re getting super high scores, plan to take the LSAT in December. If you’re not getting close to a winning score, consider the STEPS to the LSAT program. For a minimal cost it will boost your self-prep with a better study structure, advanced instruction, and connection with other STEPS students. If STEPS is still not enough, consider an experienced coach.

Some people think they should take the October test either because they think later tests will put them at a disadvantage for admissions or because they want to see how they’re doing, so they can decide whether to retake. In my experience you are not at any disadvantage by taking the test in December. It’s better to take the test later and get a better score than to submit an earlier score that is lower.

Second, you can find out how your scoring by doing your own mock test. It’s not necessary to take the test officially to evaluate your score. One problem with taking the test in October is that during the weeks you’re waiting for your score, it can be really hard to keep yourself studying.

GRE/GMAT: You may need to take your test as early as October, though some deadlines may allow you to take the test as late as next February or March. By mid-month take a mock test. If you are not scoring where you need, look for a qualified tutor. A tutor who understands intuitive math strategies can be extremely helpful even if you only work together a few hours.

PREP HINTS:

This month we’re talking about Analytical Reasoning (AR), a type of section on the LSAT.

AR gives most LSAT takers headaches. (I’m assuming you’ve worked on AR problems already.) The problem with AR is that if you don’t get the answer quickly and intuitively, you probably don’t have good tools for getting to the answer analytically. Most people, when stuck on a question, go around in circles.

The key to AR is to develop an extremely systematic approach for logical problem solving. That’s not easy to do. It took me 25 years to perfect my system and boil it down to an extremely simple and easy to use tool. When you work on a tough problem, try to figure out a fool-proof way to organize the information so that you can’t help but get to the answer. At first your method will probably be too time consuming but keeping working at it.

The other challenge for AR is to organize the setup accurately and to diagram it in a way that best helps you solve the problems.

I have to say that I feel that I’ve captured all of the strategy for the LSAT in the Barron’s book. It doesn’t cost too much and it’s extremely thorough. For a little extra you can upgrade to the STEPS to the LSAT program, which adds in a comprehensive study plan, additional advanced instruction, and peer support.

Next month we’ll talk math, which is on the GRE, GMAT, and PCAT.

Jay Cutts is the director of the Cutts Graduate Reviews and lead author of the Barron’s LSAT Prep Book, Barron’s MCAT Prep Book, and Barron’s MCAT Flash Cards. He has helped thousands of students get into graduate and professional programs since 1990. He is the creator of the STEPS to the LSAT self-study support program.

Mr. Cutts offers free admissions planning help at:

Prelaw

Premed

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