Customizing Qbank to Your Needs

How do I generate a LSAT Qbank set?

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Written by Blueprint
Updated over a week ago

You open up the Qbank and are ready to start digging into some LSAT practice questions, but where to start - there are so many options! This article will give you a run-down on all of the filters, modes, and hints we offer. Then we'll give some recommendations on how to tailor your practice sets based on where you are in your prep journey.

The Filters

Filter by subject

Beginning with subject matter, you should first choose the section you want to cover in a practice set. Within each section, there are filters for each question, passage and game type. Additionally, there are specific skill filters within each type. For instance, you can select diagramming or causation questions for an LR set. Or if you want practice with a particular secondary structure, you can select one or more of those RC filters. For LG, you may want practice with Playing the Numbers. You bet we have a filter for that!

Filter by size

For LR sets, the QBank size corresponds to the number of questions that you want to attempt in a set. For RC and LG, you select the number of passages or games you'd like to attempt in a set.

Filter by difficulty

You can either set difficulty levels (or a range of difficulty levels) or select the adaptive feature. Adaptive difficulty relies on our algorithmic estimation of what difficulty level you most need. Additionally, for LR and RC, you can filter by language difficulty. If you feel overwhelmed by language density, this can be a great filter to build your confidence (low) or challenge yourself (high).

The Options

Modes

In question by question mode, you will see the Blueprint explanation after each question you attempt. If you use this mode, you should plan to review the explanation and think through:

1. what this question illustrates,

2. what you did well,

3. what you need to work on.

In test mode, you will need to complete the entire set before having access to the Blueprint explanation. This gives you the option to skip around and come back to questions that you flag before registering an answer choice. In either of these modes, you have the option to pause a set and return to it another time. You can also select “Reset” to wipe clean your previous answers and hints so you can begin fresh.

Hints

Narrow it Down narrows your options to only two answer choices, one of which is correct. When you have less to focus on, it can be helpful to look for specific reasons to eliminate one answer choice over the other. Popular Opinion shows you the most commonly selected answer choice among Blueprint students. This is more helpful when you are leaning toward a particular answer choice but not entirely sold. If you struggle with confidence, this hint can provide affirmation that you’re on the right track. On the other hand, it might be a reminder to review your selection before marking it. Ask an Expert provides a big picture clue to help you anticipate. This can be a great way to reinforce the method and remind yourself of the questions you should be asking yourself on test day!

Generating Qbank Practice Sets at Different Stages of Prep

If you are just getting started

Goals: familiarize yourself with the basic strategies and practice anticipation

  • Subject: keep sets homogenous (one LR question/passage/game type at a time)

  • Size: keep practice sets small (5–10 LR questions, 1–2 passages, 1–2 games)

    • Note: once a question/passage/game is generated in a Qbank set, it can’t be used in a future set. If you make practice sets too large and forget to finish them, you risk missing out on those questions

  • Mode: question by question, and you should review each answer thoroughly before moving on

  • Timing: all untimed, you should not be thinking about timing at all

  • Difficulty: lowest to medium

  • Hints: encouraged! Just remember to review explanations for all the answer choices so you know (i) why the correct answer is right and (ii) why all four incorrect answers are wrong

If you are in the middle of your prep

Goals: gauge strengths and weaknesses by incorporating some mixed question sets and timed practice

  • Subject:

    • for LR, an Implication mix is a great way to see how the strategies differ for Must Be True questions vs. Soft Must Be True questions

    • For RC, you might want to mix Thesis and Antithesis passages.

    • For LG, start by mixing basic ordering, 1:1, underbooked/overbooked and tiered

    • You might see a dip in accuracy when you first practice with mixed sets. That’s totally normal and it’s important to reflect on why you might be having trouble. It’s probably that it’s tough to navigate between different tasks so quickly. For that reason, it’s best to start off doing these mixed sets untimed. Once you build your accuracy to a solid 85%, you can start timing yourself.

  • Size: to build endurance, you should see if you can get through medium sets (~10–20 LR questions, 3–4 passages, 3–4 games)

  • Mode: question by question for new material, test mode for familiar material

  • Timing: once you are at a solid 80% accuracy, you should start incorporating timed practice

  • Difficulty: at this point in prep, stick to mid-range difficulty and avoid lowest and highest. It might also be helpful to use the adaptive feature.

    • You should have enough data points from ordering games, thesis and antithesis passages and the implication and characterization families such that the algorithm can gauge your strengths and weaknesses.

  • Hints: should be weaning off at this point. Asking an expert is ok if you are not sure how to approach the question, but if you need that hint, it’s an indication that you need to focus a bit more on your strategy for that particular type of question.

If you are close to testing

Goals: practice with test-day mentality aiming for smooth, steady practice

  • Subject: practice should be mixed unless you are still targeting weak areas

    • You should prioritize (i) your weaknesses and (ii) the material most frequently tested

  • Size: keep practice sets medium (max: ~25 LR questions, 3–6 passages, 3–6 games)

    • you should be taking and reviewing 1–2 practice exams per week so you won’t have as much time for QBank sets

  • Mode: test mode

  • Timing: all timed

  • Difficulty: a wide range or adaptive

  • Hints: you should no longer be using these

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