Hey all! Any idea if we should be taking the practice test of 4 sections or 3?

If we take it as 4, do all 4 sections get counted towards the score or just 3?

For people who do 3, do you worry you might not have the endurance to do all 4 on test day?

The LR was difficult on this test I went from -8 to -11 on this test.

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https://lsat180.org/images/pt909192.png

I am registered for the October LSAT and was wondering if there is any difference between the test depending on which day you take it...I think the options are the 9th, 10th, and 12th.

Was there a pattern on the August LSAT, for example if you take it the first day your experimental section will appear last, or is it just totally random?

And are all of the scored sections of the test the exact same across the different testing days, or are there going to be 3 totally different tests?

I'd like to practice on LawHub to get familiar with the format. Am I able to input those results into 7Sage afterwards?

Hi Im taking my test in November and I just got done having an unreliable and disencourging tutor I wanted to know is there anyone that is willing to tutor me on LG because this is my weakest section? thank you!

I posted this as a comment on my post "146 —> 180 (Thank you 7sage!) Very tired Mom edition": https://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/30244. But it has become difficult for people to find amidst the other comments on there, so I am posting it separately here. See the original post for my schedule, RC tips, and LG tips.

Comment below with your favorite books; would love to get some more ideas of books to read now that I'm in the midst of finally applying to law school!

My 15 favorite books that I read while studying for the LSAT

“The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds…”- Rene Descartes

Books on Habits, Exercise, Mindset, and Psychology

James Clear - Atomic Habits: start here! This book inspires and has tons of practical resources on how to build routines, schedules, and habits that will allow you to thrive while juggling multiple priorities.

Dr. Ratey - Spark: From Dr. Ratey, I learned that exercise may be the most effective way we can combat depression and improve our brain functioning each day. Exercise has actually been shown to be one of the most effective treatments for depression. Research has shown that 3 days of exercise per week is as effective as regular doses of the antidepressant Zoloft.

Dr. Dweck - Mindset: From Dr. Dweck, I learned the importance of a growth mindset, which is the belief that our “inherent” traits ARE shapeable (including intelligence, personality) and how to cultivate one with practice. I learned how destructive LABELING is: both positive and negative labels are destructive. When we label ourselves and others we tend act consistently with those labels instead of growing in our ideals. They become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Books on Process, Mindfulness, and the Brain:

Dr. Daniel Siegel - Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation: From a pioneer in the field of mental health comes a groundbreaking book on the healing power of "mindsight," the potent skill that allows you to make positive changes in your brain–and in your life.

Thomas Sterner -The Practicing Mind: really honed in why focusing on the process is necessary. In order to achieve the goals we are striving for, we need to let go of the result, so we do not become impatient with the process. I learned from the stoics not to label what happens (the outcome), and this book affirmed this. “Failure” in the outcome is learning. Learning something new requires practice and involves mistakes. We will make mistakes when we are doing hard things and challenging ourselves.

Thomas Sterner - Fully Engaged: Better Results and Less Stress through Proven Techniques: To be fully engaged in life means that we have clear goals as well as the focus and skills to accomplish those goals with ease and a sense of calm awareness. This book explores specific techniques, such as thought awareness training and setting goals with accurate data, and demonstrates how using these techniques will not only help you reach your objectives, but will keep you engaged in each moment of your life, throughout the process of accomplishing those goals. Being thus engaged will result in less stress and more satisfaction in every aspect of life.

Dr. Ian McGilchrist - Ways of Attending: Attention is not just receptive, but actively creative of the world we inhabit. How we attend makes all the difference to the world we experience. And nowadays in the West we generally attend in a rather unusual way: governed by the narrowly focussed, target-driven left hemisphere of the brain.

Books on How to Study and Learn More Effectively

Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning: this book has given me a new strategy for studying for the LSAT that incorporates the latest research on the most effective ways to learn new subject matter. The focus of the book is memory and how to best promote long term retention of subject matter. It details the research behind the most effective study strategies we can employ to promote our memory. It offers many strategies all based in robust research. Each chapter is packed with studies and stories that capture real-life applications of the strategies. I highly recommend this book to anyone committed to lifelong learning. Even if you are beyond the years of formal study, you stand to benefit from learning better ways to retain information.

Cal Newport’s How to be a Straight A student:

Connection to other concepts: this aligns with what I’ve read about Growth Mindset - we are truly shapeable and if we want to be good students, we can hone the habits of good students. I love that this book allows for us to shape ourselves, with practice, into being good students. This book offers STRATEGIES that can help us be better students of life.

A big realization I had while reading this book was that the LSAT is a TECHNICAL exam, so my approach should be as such. So I am treating the test as this. There are a set of LOGIC rules that underlie the test. It is not a philosophy test, although there is theory behind the rules, it is really more of a MATH test. So my study approach should reflect this.

Books on Stoicism

Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations: I was deeply inspired by this book! This book is a collection of meditations that Marcus wrote to himself. He was encouraging himself and reminding himself to stay grounded. Each point could have been reflected on for 15 minutes or so. They reflected what Marcus was struggling with at the time or needed to remind himself of. It was a helpful reminder that no matter what we are doing, we need these reminders of what we are called to do in our lives. Thousands of years ago, Marcus Aurelius needed to remind himself that what other people think doesn’t matter.

Ryan Holiday -The Obstacle is the Way: What I learned from this book is about the philosophy of stoicism; this book is a modern day take on stoicism. There is an incredibly long tradition of stoicism dating back to the founding fathers and before that to ancient Greece and Rome. Ryan Holiday gives many examples of stoics in his books, much like James Clear does in his Atomic Habits. I was struck that Abraham Lincoln struggled with depression and was forced to manage it over the years. Ryan Holiday made the point that Lincoln’s depression gave him a unique perspective on his own mortality. He read voraciously which helped him manage his depression. It reminded me that nothing happens to us that we can’t endure. I enjoyed reading this book in conjunction with Marcus Aurelius, one of the original stoics.

Favorite Memoirs

Tara Westover - Educated: an incredible book. Something I learned from this book is that it is important to acknowledge the power that old ideas and ways of thinking have over us. They are passed down from generation to generation. To grow, we need to leave old ways behind and keep pushing before. A part of growing is leaving aside ideas that were passed down from our parents and grandparents. I think one of the most important lessons we can learn from the book is that we are shapeable. Our past does not define us. With effort we can grow and become capable of more in our lives.

Tori Murden - A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean: Was struck by how much this woman had a heart for the vulnerable and how much that drove her to do what she did. She protected her mentally handicapped brother from bullies. This is a true story of Tori Murden McClure, the first woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean. McClure’s memoir is more than a woman-against-the-elements adventure tale; it is a story of courage, adventure, and personal discovery that will appeal to women and men of all ages. Beautiful, breathtaking, moving, and inspiring. I read this book in 24 hours.

Other Favorites

Digital Minimalism - Cal Newport: Minimalism is the art of knowing how much is just enough. Digital minimalism applies this idea to our personal technology. It's the key to living a focused life in an increasingly noisy world. In this timely and enlightening book, Newport introduces a philosophy for technology use that has already improved countless lives.Digital minimalists are all around us. They're the calm, happy people who can hold long conversations without furtive glances at their phones. They can get lost in a good book, a woodworking project, or a leisurely morning run. They can have fun with friends and family without the obsessive urge to document the experience. They stay informed about the news of the day, but don't feel overwhelmed by it. They don't experience "fear of missing out" because they already know which activities provide them meaning and satisfaction.

Set Boundaries, Find Peace - Nedra Glover Tawwab: Learning to set boundaries is an acquired skill that we can master through practice. Boundaries allow for healthy relationships with our spouses, children, family, friends, work, volunteer efforts, and ourselves. This book offers practical advice on how to identify when boundaries are needed in various aspects of life and how we can go about setting assertive boundaries. What I learned from Nedra Glover Tawwab is that actually “feelings of guilt” are inevitable when you’re setting boundaries in areas you haven’t before, but where boundaries are desperately needed. It won’t feel “good” to set much-needed boundaries but it will allow for a more joy-filled, balanced life.

I’ve only been working on questions and PTing digitally because I didn’t want to get used to doing them on paper but so often feel like I could really benefit from the paper format at least while going through cc and just figuring all the stuff out. Wondering if anyone has experience in studying/PTing on paper until maybe closer to the final few PTs before the actual test? Did you find it helpful to work on paper? Did you have difficulty switching over to digital later? Any thoughts are appreciated!

I just received the email from LSAC that October LSAT for Europe will be on Thursday October 14.

My issue is that I will start working for a company in Europe on October 1, and the first six months will be on probation. I am kind of anxious to ask for a leave during the first two weeks of employment, and obviously (since it is a branch totally unrelated to law) I cannot tell them that I am writing the LSAT.

Legally, I am entitled to 2 weekdays of holiday per month. However, what should I tell them if they ask me (I think they will because, on exactly that day, there is a training for new employees, and they explicitly asked me last month if that day would work for me to do the training session)? If I say something like "an unexpected private matter", it might raise suspicions (and, legally, they can fire me at any time during the first six months)...

I want to print out all the questions I've missed, taken a long time on, or waffled back and forth on so that I can revisit them. Is there a way to do that from the test review page, or do I need to write them down and make a problem set out of them?

I was wondering if anyone has any ideas how to PT like you are in the new LSAT test (3 sections but with an experimental, like what the new LSAT is like through June '22), but grade only the three sections? I want to simulate the test as closely as possible without excluding the time and energy it takes for the additional experimental section, and get a grade accurate to what I'd get with just the one LR section. And for anyone who's done this, do you recommend doing it like this?

Is there a way to properly grade just 3/4 sections?

#help

Hi fellow 7sagers,

I have been using 7sage for lsat prep for quite a while, and I really enjoy using it and have seen some great improvements on my prep tests. However, I don't seem to see those improvements in my actual exams. I have taken it three times and the scores are nowhere near where I was in prep tests. Of course, the tests I have taken on 7sage are all timed and proctored, and I follow the blind review closely. My recent score on the prep tests mostly fluctuates around 168, and sometimes I get to 171 or 170. I literally finished a timed pt yesterday and scored an honest 172. But the test result that just came out was again a disappointment in the low 160s. I felt confident during the test, no debilitating anxiety, and there wasn't really any anomaly.

This is really frustrating, but I really want to get better. Is there anyway to overcome this? I hope I can get some answers and continue to improve. Thank you all in advance!

While obviously late in the cycle, will the January test be able to be counted toward this cycle?

Hey guys, I need advice is Bradbarbay lsat prep is good? I was thinking of doing it in addition to 7sage practice and work. I wanted to know before buying the package if it's worth the additional cost. I was thinking of getting the $50 access for each LG,RC and LR.

I hope to hear from you soon

I really messed up the August attempt. It was my first ever LSAT, I guess the exam pressure and anxiety got the better off me. I ended up with a 148. I have been averaging a 155 and aiming for a 160 and above. Should I keep or cancel my 148 score? Please do let me know

Hi all,

I just did my first PT and scored a 155 with a total of -27 missed questions.

However, according to the score converter on the homepage, -27 nets you an average score of 159 on all recent preptests. I simulated flex, could that have affected the score conversion? Or is this particular PT I did just an outlier?

Any info on this?

Hi guys, I am signed up for the Oct LSAT and it will be my first time taking the test. I want to apply this cycle. My practice tests are really solid and I'm hitting my goal score but I'm worried things will fall apart on test day. Should I sign up for Nov too as a back up plan? If I sign up for Nov can I cancel if my Oct score is good enough? Any advice appreciated.

I printed out a preptest, timed it myself and scored it. I want to upload the results online so I can see which types of questions I missed without going through the entire digital test putting my answers in one-by-one. Is there a way to do this?

anyone know how to increase speed for the LSAT? I took a couple months break and it seems to be taking a while for me to get a hang of it. My brain is slow lol

Hi! I have the accommodations for paper/pencil format. Has anyone had this before, if so could you PM me? I have some questions about how exactly this format works! Thanks :)

Hey everyone,

I am thinking of taking the LSAT around June or August. I am aiming to apply for the cycle after the current one (Fall 2023 I am guessing .... correct me if I am wrong please... I am still figuring it out). Basically, I am sending out my applications a year from now (end of 2022).

I need to hit a 170 and have been studying 6 days a week. I started with a score of 143 about 2 years ago... Couldn't study since then because of school and I am finally focused on the LSAT. It's become my main focus.

I was wondering if I should do PTs about once or twice a week until I am done with the CC or wait till I get through the whole CC before I move to PTs.

I am really worried that i'll spend 1-2 months on the CC and then find that my score is not improving due to not practicing enough.

Also, with the time I have to study (about 9ish months): is it reasonable to hope to hit a 170+?

If anyone can share their experiences it would be really appreciated

Thanks in advance

This site is unbelievably user-unfriendly. I can't figure out where anything is or how to use anything! I'm sure I'll get the hang of it eventually but in the meantime I feel like I'm wasting such valuable study time just trying to navigate this thing. Is there somewhere I can go to do timed practice sections? Are there video tutorials on how to use this site? I hate watching those things but it looks like I am going to need to for this program.

I’ve been studying since February, and haven’t posted on this discussion board yet, but I’m feeling especially frustrated and lost with my LSAT journey lately. I had planned to take the test in October, and at this point, I don’t think that would advisable. I could push my test date back to November, but more realistically, I’m looking at a Spring test date for the 2023 academic year. I’m particularly frustrated given that in the last couple of weeks I’ve seen my PT score move backwards, and as someone who has already been out from undergrad for 3 years, delaying for another academic year is a bitter pill to swallow. Any suggestions on charting my best course of action would certainly be welcome.

If I can master this exam (while 7 months pregnant, working full-time, & parenting a toddler), you can too.

Scored a 146 on a diagnostic back in 2018. Took the November 2019 LSAT and scored a 153. Took it again and scored even lower. Worked my ass off (used Khan Academy —> BluePrint —> LSAT Hacks —> 7sage) and scored 180 in August. I almost canceled my score.

I’m very tired. Need a nap and maybe some chocolate.

Update: ** see below for the topics I covered in the comments.

** In the comments, I added tips around each of the following topics:**

Note: found my diagnostic score and it was actually 2 points lower! (updated accordingly).