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Last comment thursday, nov 07 2024

Exam Registration Details?

I am taking the January LSAT and it will be my first official test. I requested to take it at a testing center rather than virtually. When do we typically know if this request is granted? Do I wait for LSAC to reach out to schedule more details? The deadline for this exam registration is Dec 3rd so I have time, but I was just curious! Thanks for your help and happy studying.

Taking the November LSAT this week and I’m feeling the first test jitters. I don’t think my score will be anywhere near where I want it to be. However, I’m planning to retake in January. Am I setting myself for failure by doing this and applying in February? Will I automatically get rejected and/or waitlisted? Should I just wait for the next cycle?

Im not planning on going to any of the T14 schools. Im aiming for law schools with ABA accredited part-time remote programs.

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Last comment saturday, nov 02 2024

Changing Format - HELP

Help pls!!!

I began PT93 this morning, when I began it was 2 LR sections and 1 RC section. As I finished the third section, I noticed the 4th LG section. This is pointless for me to complete, but I am concerned that my general score will be impacted if I don't complete this section. Is there a way to change the format so that the results for the three sections (2 LR, 1 RC) I completed are graded and the 4th LG section is dropped?

It's upsetting to know that I worked through those three sections and I won't see accurate results because of the LG section. There should be work to get rid of this section completely.

Like the logo always reminded me of something but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Alas, here I lay, at 2 AM, next to my sleeping lover, and I am having this eureka moment.

Do you think it was purposeful? And Like maybe that’s also why they chose the color to be blue? To make the similarity less obvious?

Also- Lawhub. Doesn’t the name remind u of a certain..ahem… website….

Hi team,

I've been meaning to write this post since I got my July score, but I wanted to give a brief recap of my LSAT experience while working full time and doing and starting an online Master's program. I got into some details about my mental state, time spent studying, and stuff like that. Sorry it's a bit long, but I figured some other stressed out/anxious people might benefit from knowing the details of what was happening in my head. The story comes first, then my general tips, and a few actual LSAT tips. Happy to answer any questions :).

#My Story

I started studying back in June 2018 and got 7sage Ultimate+, planning to take the test in September. I got a 160 on my diagnostic, so I figured I wouldn't need more than a couple months (and oh boy was I wrong!). I was also working full time in consulting in a pretty demanding role, so finding a couple hours after work wasn't feasible for a while. By the time it got to the beginning of August, I wasn't even up to logic games in the core curriculum (CC), so I decided to push my test date out to January 2019 to give myself more time. I let myself enjoy summer a bit before bearing down in the fall. Time-wise, I allocated 1-1.5 hrs of study time after work Monday-Thursday, and around 5 or 6 hours on Sundays-- I don't work on Shabbat, so I always had that break built in. This scheduled worked for me, as I had built in breaks and didn't burn out (at first).

While going through the CC, I made sure to print out multiple copies of problem sets and game sets, coming back to problem set types as I moved ahead to make sure that I didn't get to the end of the CC forgetting how to do an LR strengthening (which is more towards the beginning of the CC). This was super helpful as it let me retain and refine knowledge as well as the understanding that most LR questions are built from the same elements-- e.g. a strengthening and a weakening question can call on the same flaw/assumption in the stimulus.

When I got into practice tests, my first practice test (some time in the fall) was a 166-- I was pretty disappointed in this because I had been studying for 3+ months. Anyway, onwards. I was doing practice tests ~once/week on Sundays (blind reviewing on the same day) and doing practice sets/review during the week. I was at this point getting anywhere from 164 to 169, with one 170. LG was -2/3, LR was -4/5, and RC was -7/8. Everything I read told me that LG was the easiest to improve on, so I started doing games at every chance I could. Lunch? Cool, time for a couple games. Subway ride home? 2 or 3 games. Having trouble sleeping? I'd do a game. Waiting for a doctor's appointment? Oh you know I was hitting those grouping games. But I wouldn't just go through games absent-mindedly. As 7sage suggests, I'd foolproof every game, doing it over and over until I could get the game done quickly and perfectly. This got my prep test LG sections down to a very consistent -0, bringing my average up to 165-168 by early January (RC and LR receded a little as I focused on LG)

At some point, I realized I still wasn't going to be ready by the January 2019 test. My GPA is somewhere around 3.3, so I was targeting at least 170 to be competitive at T14 schools and all that. So, I pushed to March. At this point, however, I was really, really struggling mentally with this test. I was putting a ton of pressure on myself to perform-- I knew I knew this stupid shit, but I would freak out on LR and RC sections, missing a bunch of questions. Unfortunately, I started attaching my self-worth to my ability to get a 170 on this test...which I'd only done 2 or so times by mid-February. I kept cramming studying in to ALL of my free time, including Shabbat, and not giving myself breaks. I'd also started a Master's program online in January, while working full time, and studying...so tons of stress and no breaks.

When you're in it, it can totally feel like you need to be studying at any time that you're not studying. Fuck that!!!! Treat your mind like a muscle. It needs rest time and it will break down when you overwork it, which I was doing leading up to the March test. I'd gotten my average to 168ish at that point, and scored a 166 on the March test. While this is an excellent score, I knew I was capable of better. I do a lot of design thinking at work, so I decided to do some retrospective activities to figure out what went wrong with my studying and what could've gone better. Obviously, I didn't build in enough breaks and was putting far too much pressure on myself.

Unfortunately, when I started studying for the June test, I slipped into the same patterns I had before the March test--- any time I wasn't studying, I was thinking about the LSAT and about that magical 170 number. I'd focused down on RC and LR and had gotten my average up to around 171, which was great. For RC, I practiced the memory method a ton and learned to, as JY says, "contain my confusion" in passages, especially science. For LR, I'd developed a skipping strategy that had a fookin massive impact on my score. Unfortunately, though, as I mentioned, I was stressing myself out in crazy ways. I'm thankful for the people around me who basically forced me to take 2 weeks off, and what an incredible break it was!!!!! I forced myself to not think about the test for 2 whole weeks!!!! Then I studied a bit for 2 weeks before the test, didn't study the day before, scoring a 175 and a 174 on practice tests. I scored a 169 on the June test that I was really proud of.

HOWEVER. I still knew I could do better. I'd gotten 3 LG questions wrong!!!! It was that last game, and I couldn't stop thinking about it. I decided to take the July test, knowing that I had this great score in my back pocket and could cancel if I didn't perform. This gave me a lot of confidence, and I actually barely studied at all between the June and July tests. I took two total practice tests, one of which I'd already taken (176 and 177). I knew that confidence was going to be the biggest factor for me, so I didn't try to do too much. I breathed a lot, slept a lot, exercised a lot, and spent a lot of time with friends.

To practice for the possibility of getting the digital test, I borrowed a friend's iPad for a week and did a couple practice sections on PT 73 (which I'd already done by hand). This was to make sure I knew the mechanics of the digital test and all that. The content was gonna be the same.

Going into the July test, I went in cool as a cucumber. I knew I had this great score in my backpocket and I knew that I was going to absolutely crush it (that's what I kept telling myself---- confidence is seriously a fake it till you feel it kind of thing). I'd also listened to Malcolm Gladwell's Revisionist History podcast about the LSAT the day before, which talks about, essentially, the uselessness of the LSAT in determining outcomes for lawyers-- this made me feel better, knowing that the test is NOT a reflection of how good a lawyer I will be or how smart I am, but only a test of how well I can do on that test. Despite taking the test at a different facility from my first two takes with about 4x more people, and starting 2.5 hours late due to tablet issues, I kept my confidence up by closing my eyes and imagining how it was going to feel flying through the test to get my 170+. I'm thankful to have gotten a 176 on the July test and have my 13-month LSAT journey come to a close. It was a massive roller coaster of a ride, but I am THANKFUL to have gone through it. I learned a lot about myself, what works/doesn't work for me, and how to find balance.

Some thanks: 7sage for the amazing curriculm, JY's comforting and assuring voice for explaining shit in a very very very clear way, my partner for her unbelievable support, and the 7sage community.

#Some overall tips

CONFIDENCE: You know this shit!!! If you come into the test KNOWING that you will kill it, you WILL kill it. You've put in the work, and it will pay off when you allow yourself to envision what it looks like to fly through the test like you did when you nailed all those practice tests. If you're having trouble building confidence in yourself, pretend you are your friend-- what would you tell your friend to build up their confidence?

BREAKS: Like I mentioned, TREAT YOUR BRAIN LIKE A MUSCLE. You need space away from this stupid, stupid test. You need rest days. You need rest weeks. It will feel counterintuitive: "How can I get better at in/out games if I'm not actually doing in/out games right now?" You will do them. Just not now. Your brain's gotta rest. Go for a run. Go play some video games. Go see friends. Go SLEEP. You'll be fine.

BALANCE: I studied for and took this test while working full-time and doing an online master's program. I couldn't figure out my schedule for a long time. I constantly felt stressed about the other things that I wasn't doing, and I let that fuck with my head. Plan your schedule, and write down lists, and allow yourself to focus 100% on whatever you're scheduled for right now.

TIME: Especially if you're working full time, you're gonna need time to study for this, factoring in plenty of breaks. JY recommends a year. I'd say that's pretty accurate.

#Actual LSAT advice

Skipping: YOU NEED TO SKIP LR QUESTIONS. I aimed for 10 in 10, 20 in 20, and being done with the section around the 25/27 mark, with 4-6 skipped question. BUT I didn't let myself get stressed out if I didn't meet those guideposts-- they're just guideposts. I skipped any question that I was confused by or found myself struggling after one or two read throughs, and all parallel method/parallel flaw questions. This let me bank a ton of time for those questions towards the end that I knew I would need more time for.

Contain your confusion: For RC. I don't remember which video it is, but JY talks about "containing your confusion". When you read some RC stuff, there will be things that confuse you. Scientific concepts, weird arguments, things you don't get about the Louvre, or flower, or 18th century art, whatever. Box in your confusion. Tell yourself, okay, in this little second paragraph, I don't really get what's going on, but I'm gonna zoom back out. We know that most questions are not detail heavy, and if they are, you can come back to that section to figure out out what the heck is going on. Stay focused on the big picture: what's the main point? Who's making it and what do they believe? Is there another viewpoint there too? What do they think? What section supports that main conclusion?

Foolproof!!!: not much to say here except that games are learnable and foolproofing is the way to learn them.

Yikes wow that was long. Thanks for reading. You're gonna do great on this test!! I believe in you.

😭 I am stressing out. I started studying just 6 weeks ago. Originally scored a 143 on the diagnostic. Now I am scoring an average of 158. Then I got a 171! couldn't believe it. Now I am back to mid 50s and honestly. I feel like crap. I think. I am burning out. I study around 10 hours a day, 5 days a week like a full-time job.

However... I deff am having the biggest issue with timing. Also second guessing myself. it is to stressful and I just needed to vent. I deff need to just take my own advice and take a freaking break.

I am taking the November exam on the 9th. So I don't have a ton of time. I feel like if I don't apply within the next 2 months, I am just not gonna make it. I do plan on taking the January exam as well but I feel like applying after that exam is just so freaking late. I have my letters, personal statement, etc all done. Just need the LSAT score.

Anyone else feeling discouraged or in a similar situation? I feel I should take a few days off despite being so close to test day. Any advice?

thx

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Last comment wednesday, oct 30 2024

Study Buddy (140s)

I’m currently scoring in the 140s and looking for a study buddy from 7Sage who is scoring around the same range to do some LR questions together. Ideally, it would be great to find someone who enjoys learning verbally so we can discuss and process thoughts together. If you’re interested, please leave a comment or DM me! I’m in the PST time zone and usually available either in the morning or after 6 pm. Thank you!

Beyond happy to be done 🥳

Took my first diagnostic in October of 2023 - roughly 1 whole year before I took the October exam a couple weeks ago.

Though 146 was my lowest, I've scored PTs in the 150s and a 180 and everything in between. I just wanted to give hope to those of you with low diagnostics that a 170+ is possible with proper study and hard work and to remind those of you still on your LSAT journey that progress is not linear and is rarely ever truly consistent.

Thanks a ton to 7Sage and to JY for all the explanations, the drilling app, and the analytics UI. Couldn't have done it without you guys.

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Last comment tuesday, oct 29 2024

patience

my biggest problem is that i rush through questions and this results in me picking the most attractive wrong answers. answer advice on how to stay patient and thoroughly consider every answer choice?

Hey y'all, I am thinking of writing an addenda about a family emergency I experienced earlier this year (I will write a bit more below). Additionally, should we but trigger warnings if we discuss heavier topics? With that I will put a TW: Suicide Attempt for what I am going to continue to mention down below:

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My brother's SA was a couple months ago as I was getting ready to start studying for the LSAT. Of course I delayed it to be with my brother and family but it deeply impacted me (and honestly still does). I have been formally diagnosed with some conditions because of this and although I have been able to study, it has been hard. Should I write about this in an addenda? If so, would it be appropriate of me to put a trigger warning? Thank you in advance for any replies (3(/p)

Hi Everyone

I need some advice. Last year I had decided that I wanted to take the LSAT and go to law school. So I had taken the January 2024 and February 2024 LSAT and got 145s on each which is not the best score. From November to March, both of my grandparents were in and out of Hospital. They both passed away, one before my exams and one after. I affect me a lot because I was very close to them. I should have never taken the LSAT then because I mentally was not prepared. I spent most of my time in the ICU and although I did try to study, my mind was somewhere else completely. I know that the two LSAT's I took were not a representation of who I am as a test taker and my ability to go to law school, but do law schools know that or care?

I have been studying for the November LSAT. My tutor suggested taking the November LSAT and if I do poorly then I would study for the January one. I don't know what to do. I know it looks bad to take the LSAT many times and 4 is a lot. Would law schools be understanding to me potentially taking the LSAT 4 times due to my circumstances? Should I take the November LSAT?

Thank you in advance!

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Last comment wednesday, oct 23 2024

Test tomorrow

I am scheduled to take my first and hopefully last attempt at the LSAT tomorrow morning. I have been studying for two almost three months. My ambition is low and I will take anything 150+ lol. :)

Good luck to everyone else who is taking the test tomorrow! Hope you get whatever score you're aiming for.

And if for some reason you cannot make post like this, let me add a question. Should you study the day before your LSAT test?

~Tyler

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Last comment tuesday, oct 22 2024

Exam strategy

Hello, I plan on taking the exam in February and then another one in June. However, I do not feel prepared at all unless something starts to click for me until February. Would it be better just to forego the February test feeling unsure/ under prepared and just take the June lsat where I will feel better prepared?

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