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New lesson under "Resources for Taking Simulated LSATs"
Link here: https://classic.7sage.com/lesson/how-should-i-study-for-the-digital-lsat/
Full text below. If you have questions ask away! I'll try to answer if I can.
The LSAT going digital is the biggest change to the test in decades. It’s natural to feel some amount of anxiety as we leave the comfort of our printers and pencils behind to meet our digital LSAT gods.
There is no need to make drastic changes to how you’ve been studying in order to be prepared for the new digital LSAT format. You’re doing fine. This is because the content and the structure of the LSAT will remain exactly the same. Far more than format, it’s the content of the LSAT that ought to determine how you study for this test. Since that's not changing, you shouldn't change how you study. Blind Review is still king for Logical Reasoning. You still need to Fool Proof your Logic Games. And you still need to do Low Resolution summaries for Reading Comprehension.
The only thing different is that you should practice taking digital PrepTests on your tablet with a stylus to simulate actual test day conditions. If you don’t have a tablet, do it on a computer. LSAC is providing PrepTest 73 (September 2014) for free here: https://familiar.lsac.org/. We have every reason to believe that what we’re seeing on that site will be largely the same as what testers will see on July 15, the first administration where roughly half of the students will be taking the digital version of the LSAT. Starting with the September 21 administration, the LSAT will be fully digital.
7Sage will be releasing our version of the digital tester in open beta test mode by May 1 so you’ll have an opportunity to take PrepTests in digital format. The point is simply to get used to the act of doing the test digitally because there are differences from the paper version. For example, one advantage for everyone is that bubbling and flipping back to flagged questions are instantaneous. This results in time savings of 2-3 minutes or 5%-8% of total section time (35 minutes). There will also be an on screen timer so you can see how much time you have remaining without having to consult a watch.
You’ll also have to get used to doing Logic Games on separate sheets of scratch paper with a pen. Yes, you read that right. A pen. The LSAC has lost its mind. Just kidding. But they are seriously claiming that a pen is their writing instrument of choice provided to you along with an unspecified number of sheets of scratch paper.
The tablet itself (Microsoft Surface Go tablet 8.3” x 5.5” screen) will come with a small built in stand so you can tilt the screen slightly. If you’re used to taking your pencil to the paper to point to each word as you read - what I call "tactile reading" - the stylus can be used in an analogous manner. As far as we can tell, you cannot freely write or draw with the stylus. It can only be used to highlight or underline text, flag questions, and select answer choices.
The writing sample will be administered separately beginning with the June 3 administration. Test takers will be doing the writing section on their own computers and it will be typed. The obvious advantage here is that you can do this on your time where you want, as long as you have an internet connection.
Please keep in mind that this information is simply what we know for the time being based on what the LSAC has revealed. Since the Digital LSAT is new for the LSAC as well, we anticipate that they will be tweaking their digital tester and the process throughout future administrations. Accordingly, we will be updating this page.
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77 comments
The link at the top of the page no longer works.
@alexandrabrenza22 Yes it's a pen with a stylus at the end - it's on the smaller side
Yes the scratch paper is 8.5x11
is the rubber ball at the end of the stylus on the bigger side or smaller side? I'm looking at amazon and have seen them with different sizes, trying to find one that will be the most representative of the one for the digital LSAT. It is a stylus with a pen at the other end correct? Thanks!!
also, is the scratch paper they give you 8.5 x 11 standard??
Just saw scratch paper is provided for all sections.
Also another issue I am having is when i take the digital test on my microsoft go surface, some tests have the questions cut off on the bottom of the screen. So I full screen it and there is no way for me to go to the next question. Please help
I've been taking digital PTs via 7sage and I was wondering if there is a way for me to see the passage only on RC section and not the questions?
People seem to care a lot about this pen business, so just to clarify...the LSAC website explicitly states "Digital LSAT test takers will also be permitted to use their own pencil and eraser for making notes." If you're worried about not having a pencil, you can still bring one. I'm not sure why you would even need a pen for this test. I'd just set it aside and ignore it during the test but that's just for me. Obviously, the concern about having to take notes separately is still a bummer.
Hey @sako752 , so for me, just not being able to see the whole passage while on a question and the ease of looking back and forth between question and passage that the traditional format offered are what’s bothering me. You only get to see about 1.5 or 2 paragraphs of the passage in the slot while you’re working on the one individual question. While scrolling, there can be some accidental highlights, I’ve found too. I do think the different colored highlights are fantastic for distinguishing things like conflicting opinions or Author POV though.
I haven’t yet tried unchecking the highlights like you said in order to scroll without potential accidents. I’ll give that a shot too though! My problem is I don’t want to risk getting slowed down with all this clicking and unclicking and losing whatever extra time not annotating has been gaining me lol. I’ll keep you posted though!
Yes, what you’re referring to about the Paragraphs (P1,2,3) is what I was basically alluding to. I just made a list with the numbers and no Ps. If they work for you, then that’s awesome, bro.
Big reminder for the July takers though, definitely keep practicing with pencil and paper too! Never know if it’ll sneak up on you. So annoying! Lol.
@kingse414 said:
Just some really quick feedback for those who are a little nervous about studying for the digital version. I HATE, absolutely HATE the idea of the test being digital. I've always been a big pen/pencil and paper fan. After taking my first practice test using the software, I felt like I had either the same or more time on my side than usual.
One weird benefit of studying using the digital software is that it's really forcing me to absorb what I am reading, especially on Reading Comprehension. It is a little annoying to have to scroll through the passage to find desired text, but overall, I think practicing this way might even yield some benefits to you over time. The better you are at holding the information in your head, the easier I think the questions will go. I wrote Low Res summaries on scratch paper as well -- a number for the corresponding paragraph and a small 3-4 word comment/abbreviation for it.
My Logical Reasoning speed was like lightning. I zipped through that much much faster than usual.
As for Logic Games, this is where I think the transition to digital lacks a bit. I really don't think there can ever be a successful substitute for writing next to the questions and knowing exactly where all your mini game boards are. My advice is be super detailed with your scratch paper -- clearly write down the number of the question you are working on.
It is definitely going to be a change, but as a HARDCORE skeptic and technologically inept individual, I think that if I can get through it and actually (kind of) like the experience that anyone can.
As for the machine I'm using, I'm testing with a Dell Inspiron 15 7000 2-in-1 laptop. Hope this helps anyone feeling a little anxious about the switch!
Can you talk more about the scrolling of the RC passage part a little more? I was playing around with the digital LSAT PT on LSAC's website on my laptop, but don't have access to a tablet right now.
It seems like you use your stylus to tap the various buttons for Underline text and the different highlighter colors. Say you have one of the highlighter buttons selected. If you want to scroll down on the passage, do you have to uncheck the highlighter button, and then scroll down by dragging the stylus?
I was able to scroll up and down the passage without unchecking the highlighter button, but to scroll down by clicking my mouse button and dragging it up/down, I had to uncheck the highlighter button first.
The change for RC is my main concern. It's my weakest section, and having to completely revamp my passage notation strategy is annoying. I benefit from writing short phrases right next to the text. I've been practicing RC passages the last few days and have been trying to make a lot less notations. I noticed this has been saving time, and now that I think about it, there's a good chance I was losing time from over-notating. I definitely agree with you about how the new format will force you to practice by retaining more info in your head which will benefit you in the long run.
The other strategy I was potentially considering was writing P1, P2, P3, etc. on my scratch paper and writing notes next to each.
For Logical reasoning, I don't really see any downsides. If anything, the digital LSAT seems to make this section easier. For Logic Games, I'm not too worried because I'm typically pretty neat when making new game boards for each question, and most of the time I don't write the game boards right next to the question anyways. If I'm making a gameboard for question 2, I put a 2 with a circle around it. If I'm making a hypothetical to test answer choice c of question 2, I'll put 2C in a circle next to the gameboard.
Just some really quick feedback for those who are a little nervous about studying for the digital version. I HATE, absolutely HATE the idea of the test being digital. I've always been a big pen/pencil and paper fan. After taking my first practice test using the software, I felt like I had either the same or more time on my side than usual.
One weird benefit of studying using the digital software is that it's really forcing me to absorb what I am reading, especially on Reading Comprehension. It is a little annoying to have to scroll through the passage to find desired text, but overall, I think practicing this way might even yield some benefits to you over time. The better you are at holding the information in your head, the easier I think the questions will go. I wrote Low Res summaries on scratch paper as well -- a number for the corresponding paragraph and a small 3-4 word comment/abbreviation for it.
My Logical Reasoning speed was like lightning. I zipped through that much much faster than usual.
As for Logic Games, this is where I think the transition to digital lacks a bit. I really don't think there can ever be a successful substitute for writing next to the questions and knowing exactly where all your mini game boards are. My advice is be super detailed with your scratch paper -- clearly write down the number of the question you are working on.
It is definitely going to be a change, but as a HARDCORE skeptic and technologically inept individual, I think that if I can get through it and actually (kind of) like the experience that anyone can.
As for the machine I'm using, I'm testing with a Dell Inspiron 15 7000 2-in-1 laptop. Hope this helps anyone feeling a little anxious about the switch!
Is there a consensus on tablet options for those studying for the digital? I think some have mentioned the Kindle Fire as a good budget option, but anyone know of other options / have used the 7Sage Digital and could chime in?
Thanks!
How do we write low resolution summaries next to rc passages?
I was told on two separate occasions by two separate LSAC representatives that we will be given a booklet with 8 pages (no lines, watermarked, 8.5" x 11").
@alan-91620 said:
Will there be any strategical advantage to taking the test in July and October in terms of the scoring curve? I'm imagining that the median score will be a little lower than usual...
Will you explain this? I don't fully understand the curve. And so you do think the test will be to our adv?
@lucykelly459 said:
Will we not be able to diagram must-be-true/must-be-false questions on the logical reasoning section? Sometimes those are not so easy to do in your head...
You'll be given blank sheets of paper you can take notes on with a pen. You won't be able to take notes on the actual tablet though.
@alan-91620 said:
@eugenewrotethis726 the last we checked with a 1st gen Apple Pencil (about two weeks ago) on 1st gen iPad Pro it worked without any issues. It looks like the LSAC tester treats the Surface Go stylus the same as a finger. Our tester should also behave that way. E.g. using a pencil is the same as using a finger.
This is exactly what I wanted to know -- whether the Apple Pencil would work on the 7Sage & LSAC's digital tester. Sorry for causing any confusion! Thank you!! :smile:
@eugenewrotethis726 the last we checked with a 1st gen Apple Pencil (about two weeks ago) on 1st gen iPad Pro it worked without any issues. It looks like the LSAC tester treats the Surface Go stylus the same as a finger. Our tester should also behave that way. E.g. using a pencil is the same as using a finger.
Edit: I think I may have misunderstood you. I thought you were referring to 7Sage's digital tester, but on rereading, I think you are referring to LSAC's tester on the test day.
If you bought an Apple Pencil to use on test date, I am fairly certain that will NOT work on LSAC's tester at the test center. You can use it on 7Sage's tester for practice. But on test date, even if I am wrong and the Pencil is compatible with the test center Surface Pros, I doubt they will allow you to use your own stylus to take the test.
Is the digital LSAT compatible with the Apple Pencil? Can we highlight, underline, select answer choices, etc. with it just as you are able to do with a Surface Go stylus? I've read that the Apple Pencil is only compatible with certain apps (unless when used on iPad Pros) but since the digital LSAT practice exams are on the Web... will all the functions still work?
I hope the above made sense. I'm just trying to avoid making the wrong purchase :')
@pfryfogle1735 said:
Is there a way to turn off/on the timer counting down in the corner? I think that would freak me out just watching those seconds slip away...
I found the answer to this question (from the LSAC Website):
On the top right of the screen, a time remaining bar appears that indicates there was five minutes and 27 seconds remaining in the current test section. You can hide the section timer by tapping it. The numbers indicating the remaining time disappear. When there are five minutes remaining, a warning will display. The timer can no longer be hidden at that point. Superimposed over the test question, in the center of the screen, a pop up appears that reads five minutes remaining. Beneath the words is a button that reads close.
Is there a way to turn off/on the timer counting down in the corner? I think that would freak me out just watching those seconds slip away...
@jmarmaduke96714 said:
@tsheber1688 I don't believe so, J.Y. seemed to indicate that the stylus does not include the ability to write freehand on the test. However the interface will allow you to highlight certain sections and color code them. So while it might take slightly longer, you could highlight the premise in yellow and the conclusion in pink for example
Why do we have a stylus if it does nothing that our finger can't do? Is it so they can use the word "stylus" on their website?
Thank you for this post. I am very frustrated about the change. I feel like LSAC is moving the goal posts. I am a paper and pencil/person all the way. I print important reading documents, etc., to read through, always. This change is very stressful. Sorry to be so negative. Super grateful for 7Sage though.
Did LSAC happen to mention the specific stylus tip they're using? The Surface Go pen has multiple and they each seem to have different pros and cons
My goodness. I assumed they were all the same and that I would solve all a handful of my anxieties by finding myself a Surface and a stylus. Like, any old stylus.
Technology sure complicates things!
Has anyone landed on a good method for using the three highlighter colors and underline option to annotate questions?
I’ve been experimenting with different approaches to designate context/OPA, premises, and conclusions in LR but haven’t found a method that is intuitive and easy to implement across different question types.
Will there be any strategical advantage to taking the test in July and October in terms of the scoring curve? I'm imagining that the median score will be a little lower than usual...