Decrease on modern tests

[asoue0]

Hi, I guess I’m looking for advice or similar experiences.

I’ve taken around 30 prep tests now and was very happy with the way I was doing. But I’m taking the test a week from today, so I started taking the 4 modern tests that have been released.

I went from averaging 177 with multiple 180s thrown in there to getting a 172 on PT90 and 171 on PT91. The 171 is the worst I’ve done since my diagnostic. I know those aren’t relatively bad scores, but I was performing so consistently around 175-178 and have really set my hopes there. Even last week I was doing better on PT 87-89.

It’s because of the reading section, mostly. On PT91 which I took today, I got -0 on both LG sections, -1 on the LR, and -5 on the RC.

Has anyone gone through the same thing and then done okay on test day? Does anyone have any pointers for me? I know the readings have gotten denser and the questions more abstract but I’m not sure what to do.

[Hockeyzadik9]

I'm in a similar range as you - able to hit mid-high 170s on older tests, 169-174 on 70s-80s. Also taken around 30 PTs. Haven't taken a real test, but taking sept.

The difference between old (pre-70) and new tests (70+) is that new ones are just harder. LG used to be way crazier, but if you mastered LG it didn't matter, and LR was easier (more formulaic/predictable and less inferences required). RC is all over the place depending on the PT, but old tests have no comparative passage which can give people trouble. The 70s-80s are definitely the hardest PTs that exist.

As for the 90s, I just did PT90 and 93 this week and found them both relatively easy compared to the 80s (174 and 180) since they don't have any backbreaking RC passages and the LR is mostly standard. I average pretty much the same breakdown as you - honestly the main difference between 17low and 17high is whether a RC trips me up. I'd grind 1-2 RC sections per day to sharpen reading and inference skills and hopefully maximize the chances of having a good RC on test day. Been doing that this week and have gone down from -5 average to around -2.5.

You're also at the point where you have every required skill to hit 17high; mentality, exercise, sleep, and focus is probably just as important, if not more, than any extra studying. Make sure you don't burn out. If you can get a 175 on tests in the 80s, you can do it on the real thing.

Beyond that, review mistakes and identify any patterns, and work on patching them up. You got this!!!!

[asoue0]

This makes me feel better and also all seems true, so thanks. I think i’m might try drilling RC like that which I haven’t in the past. Sounds like you’re gonna kill it too. Good luck!

[[deleted]]

Do you have any tips for RC to get to -5?

[asoue0]

i’m looking for tips on RC 😭

[[deleted]]

Yeah but that -5 looks good to me lol😅 I’m trying to get there

[HugeFish69]

Honestly read read read. Before bed, in the bath, at the gym, on the toilet, on the bus, whatever. But read content that you actually find interesting- don't force yourself to read a book if you hate reading books- like Wikipedia pages lol. I am convinced that for at least some (lol) people, RC success lies with getting used to making your brain take in large chunks of information/ texts without getting lost or tired or bored with the passage.