Selecting the best study approach

[1awschoo1]

Hello!
I'm looking for advice on selecting the best study approach based on my context. I currently work in MBB, but law school has always been my dream. I would like to apply for matriculation in Fall 2026. I took six weeks off in September of 2024 to study full-time for the LSAT. I used a different curriculum than the PowerScore curriculum, I studied for 8-12 hours a day, and I worked with a 1:1 tutor once a week. I was mostly doing timed sections, challenge drills, and elimination drills. I was able to increase my score from a 158 to a 164-168. I score better on older PTs (e.g., PT 130-140) and worse on newer PTs (e.g., 140-158). Although, my BR score is 170-172. Based on my analytics, there are no patterns in terms of question type that I am getting wrong. My performance is slightly better on RC.
I am currently on a project that is a bit less intense and with no travel, affording me the opportunity to dedicate more time to the LSAT. On average, I work 8-10 hours a day (and every once in a while, I have to work 12 hours a day). I bought the PowerScore LR and RC bibles as well as the workbooks. My goal is to take the LSAT for the first time in April, and for a second time, if needed, in June. I am aiming for a score in the 170s, and want to challenge myself to score a 180
For the past two weeks, I've been trying to follow the PowerScore 8-week self-study schedule with most of my studying falling on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I really struggle with test anxiety, stamina, and time management so I was thinking of saving the last 4-weeks before my LSAT to take and review as many practice tests as possible.
Do you have any suggestions on if I'm following the best study approach for my situation? How many hours a day would you aim for? Any other general thoughts / words of wisdom? I want to ensure I don't burn out, given how intense MBB is. Naturally, I perform the best on PTs when I'm well-rested / present in the moment.
Thank you, in advance, for all of the guidance!

[Luke Haqq]

Hi 1awschoo1!

To your overall question, in general it sounds like you are taking the right approach. It's good that you have PowerScore's materials. Understanding those materials means you understand different question types, different passage types, and the best strategies, tools, and techniques for approaching questions. Given your score range, it sounds like you had a good handle on the LSAT to begin with--hopefully you will find that applying PowerScore's techniques and strategies will further increase your score (though don't be surprised if your score dips a bit if you are applying new techniques).

If you understand those materials, then perhaps the most important thing is to take as many practice tests as you can. You mention dealing with test anxiety, stamina, and time management. Taking lots of practice tests can help with all of those things. It can make the test feel less intimidating, it can build up your stamina, and it can help you improve time management. So it sounds again like you're on the right path given your intent to take as many tests as possible. I'd work backwards from the test date and create a schedule of something like two months where you're taking as many tests as you can each week.

Finally, equally important to taking practice tests is reviewing them. It sounds like you may already be doing this. Reviewing tests helps you identify if there are recurring issues or reasons why you select incorrect answers. With that in hand, you can then go back to PowerScore materials to do drills as necessary. If there are no specific question types you get wrong, it's still critical to review your test to understand why the correct answers are right and why you selected incorrect answers.

[1awschoo1]

Thank you for taking the time to answer my question, Luke! This is really helpful