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Anyone study for months, do say, more than 20 PTs, countless problem sets, etc., and fail to get 165+?

Nope, never.

I'm assuming you are in this situation. Don't get down on yourself. Even if you didn't get a 165 plus you can probably still get into many strong regional schools in the markets you like. You need to start acting proactively and get those applications out soon for the best chances, or take a couple years off and get work experience, or try the test again if you are set on a national school. There are plenty of people and posts on TLS that can help you with where to apply/chances/etc.

To me this sounds more like self-doubt in the middle of, or before starting to prepare?

I'm sure 165> happens to some people after that much studying, just like 175< happens to some people who only took 5 PTs or so. There's really no guarantee of "this much studying equals this score". But usually if someone has studied for months, with an effective study schedule and putting in enough hours, I would think that at least 160< would be possible...

And as Eruannon says, even if you don't get your desired score it's not the end of the world. (Although it may feel like it)

I've shared this many times on the boards. My first PT was in the low 150's, ended up getting a 169 on test day. This was purely independent studying, controlling variables, and seeing constant improvement up until test day. I never had a PT as high as my actual score. You just gotta find what type of studying works for you. For me it was mainly doing real practice tests, for some people its a class, books, and less on the practice tests. Give yourself a few months to figure it out and have a good time with the test, its kind of fun when you really get into it.

Eruannon wrote:I'm assuming you are in this situation. Don't get down on yourself. Even if you didn't get a 165 plus you can probably still get into many strong regional schools in the markets you like. You need to start acting proactively and get those applications out soon for the best chances, or take a couple years off and get work experience, or try the test again if you are set on a national school. There are plenty of people and posts on TLS that can help you with where to apply/chances/etc.

Nope, luckily, more like:

kazu wrote:To me this sounds more like self-doubt in the middle of, or before starting to prepare?

I'm sure 165> happens to some people after that much studying, just like 175< happens to some people who only took 5 PTs or so. There's really no guarantee of "this much studying equals this score". But usually if someone has studied for months, with an effective study schedule and putting in enough hours, I would think that at least 160< would be possible...

And as Eruannon says, even if you don't get your desired score it's not the end of the world. (Although it may feel like it)

I've been drilling for a month. Shootin for Chicago, gonna need a 171/2 with my 3.7/3.75. Although I'm hopin someone on the adcomm tells Leiter about my personal statement (i wish), but I think he'd enjoy it.

Eruannon wrote:I've shared this many times on the boards. My first PT was in the low 150's, ended up getting a 169 on test day. This was purely independent studying, controlling variables, and seeing constant improvement up until test day. I never had a PT as high as my actual score. You just gotta find what type of studying works for you. For me it was mainly doing real practice tests, for some people its a class, books, and less on the practice tests. Give yourself a few months to figure it out and have a good time with the test, its kind of fun when you really get into it.

I'm going through the bibles and doing problem sets with 19-38, then hitting 39-59 as timed PTs. I figure there isn't much more I could do, other than re-drill the games, and review the LR and RC I got wrong. I do agree that once you get into it, it'd kinda fun. Definitely nice to have something to really focus on for once.

jpSartre wrote:Anyone study for months, do say, more than 20 PTs, countless problem sets, etc., and fail to get 165+?

I'm sure that has happened. But those people can't figure out how to get on the internet to tell us about it.


Seriously though, give it time. You just haven't made your big breakthrough yet. It will happen.

Those are some encouraging words my friend

Also posting an almost unrealistic reach score on pieces of paper all over your room doesn't hurt... yes I did this . Ended up hitting a point higher.

Haha, had to just test out "the secret" huh?

jpSartre wrote:Haha, had to just test out "the secret" huh?

I'd like to say it was my mother's bright idea, but it wasn't. But it does have some effect, if it improves your confidence, which I think is the most important thing on test day besides preparation in advance.

There are over 50-some PT's. You have 30 more. Keep at it.