Post-test analytics - Utilizing performance data for study p...

Learning Outcomes

After reading this article, you will be able to use your LSAT performance data to plan targeted and effective study. You will understand how to review missed questions, recognise your weak areas, identify recurring errors, and set specific revision priorities based on analytics. This approach will help you make your study sessions efficient and focused on measurable improvement.

LSAT Syllabus

For LSAT, you are required to understand not just question types and logic, but also how to self-assess and use exam data to improve. For revision in this area, ensure you can:

• collect and organise your answer and timing data from practice tests
• review and classify errors by question type and reasoning pattern
• understand how to spot common performance trends in your results
• use analytics to set priorities for targeted revision and practice
• monitor your improvement and adjust your study plan accordingly

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of reviewing your post-test analytics after an LSAT practice test?
   1. To estimate your chance of getting into law school
   2. To identify specific weaknesses and recurring question types you should target
   3. To memorise every question in detail
   4. To compare your score with your friends
2. If you notice that you consistently miss flaw questions about causation, what should you do?
   1. Ignore them since scores may vary
   2. Practice only easy question types
   3. Focus revision specifically on flaw/cause-effect logic and review more examples
   4. Only retake the test
3. Which analytic is LEAST useful for planning your next week of LSAT revision?
   1. The time spent per question type
   2. The topics and question types you missed
   3. How many times you changed your answer
   4. The answers your test partner got wrong

Introduction

Effective study for the LSAT is not just about how many questions you answer, but how you use feedback from your performance. Post-test analytics refers to reviewing your practice exam results to make your future study sessions targeted and productive. For the LSAT, knowing how to interpret these results is essential for focusing your revision and improving your scores.

Why Use Post-test Analytics?

Simply completing a practice test and checking your raw score gives little feedback for real progress. Breaking down your results answers key questions:

• What types of questions do you consistently miss?
• Are your errors based on logic, time pressure, or misreading?
• Which sections take you the most time per question?
• Do certain wrong answer traps catch you repeatedly?

By answering these, you turn a “review” session into an efficient plan for improvement.

Key Steps in Post-test Analytics

1. Data Collection: Record Your Results

After each practice test, log your:

• Score on each section
• Number of correct/incorrect by question type (e.g., assumption, flaw, inference)
• Which questions you flagged for a second look
• Your timing per section or per question (if available)

2. Classify Missed Questions

Split errors into key categories:

• Conceptual misunderstanding (e.g., confusing necessary and sufficient)
• Misreading or missing key words
• Running out of time and guessing
• Falling for common wrong answer “traps”

Key Term: conceptual error
A mistake caused by not understanding the logical method required for the question, such as confusing correlation with causation.

Key Term: time management error
Missing questions due to spending too long on earlier items, or failing to monitor time across a section.

Key Term: answer trap
An incorrect answer choice designed to be especially attractive, using tempting but flawed logic or similar wording to the stimulus.

3. Pattern Identification

After classifying errors, look for:

• Most frequent missed question types or logic types
• Recurring logic flaws (e.g., misinterpreting conditional statements, overlooking the argument’s assumption)
• Timing blocks (which questions or sections cause slowdowns)

4. Set Targeted Study Priorities

Based on your analytics, choose 1–2 area(s) to prioritise in the next week. Examples:

• Review all flawed assumptions errors using error logs and specific examples
• Drill necessary assumption questions if these are missed most
• Practice timed sets of inference questions if pacing lags here

5. Track Improvement and Adjust

After each future self-marked test, compare to past results:

• Are you missing fewer of your targeted question types?
• Has timing improved in your “slow” areas?
• Is your weaker question type changing, indicating new priorities?

If not, use analytics again to adjust your revision plan.

Worked Example 1.1

A student completes a practice LSAT and finds the following error log:

• Missed 4 out of 7 flaw questions—all involved cause-effect reasoning
• Flagged but got correct all main conclusion questions
• Scored lowest on Reading Comprehension, especially inference questions
• Spent extra time on parallel reasoning questions, finishing section with only 30 seconds left

What should the student prioritise for their next week of study?

Answer:
The student should focus on:

1. Reviewing cause-effect flaw logic, including revisiting principles and practicing with drills specific to causation errors.
2. Practising timed inference questions for Reading Comprehension, as this is a scoring weakness.
3. Managing time during parallel reasoning questions; try skipping and returning if stuck, to avoid running out of time for other questions.
   Regularly re-check analytics after targeted practice to assess progress.

Revision Tip

Identify one question type you consistently miss and plan a 15-minute targeted session using drills focused only on that area before your next full practice test.

Exam Warning

It is a common error to focus study time only on comfort topics or the most recent test mistakes. Analytics show broader patterns—revise according to these patterns, not just one-off errors.

Summary

Table 1.1: Sample Post-test Analytics Error Log

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• You must use post-test analytics to focus LSAT study efficiently
• Classify and record every missed question for recurring errors, not only 1-2 examples
• Prioritise question types or logic errors that are most frequent
• Use performance data to set future revision targets and select specific drills
• Track changes in performance after each test to measure improvement and adjust your plan
• Analytics-based study planning is a key LSAT skill for achieving your personal target score

Key Terms and Concepts

• conceptual error
• time management error
• answer trap