Hello everyone!!! I recently just got my first 170! I went from a 151 diagnostic back in June to that score on my most recent prep test! I just wanted to say thank you to everyone on the forums who's helped me, I really appreciate it and it definitely helped me get to this spot!

I would appreciate any feedback on my study plan from the Sages and also really anyone else who has been studying for a while and feels like they have a good grasp on what they are doing here.

Goal Score: 174

Cold Diagnostic: 166 (Aug ‘19) (disclaimer, this is not a totally fair point of comparison as I did not do an adequate job of precisely simulating test day conditions - e.g. gave myself more time in between sections).

LG (-9)

LR (-8)

RC (-3)

Studying so far: I technically started studying for the LSAT last summer but I had no idea what I was doing. Initially, I worked my way through a Princeton Review Prep book from the library and was devoting probably 4hr/week to studies with no set schedule; then based on the advice of a friend, I went through the PowerScore LR Bible but studying was still haphazard.

The same friend told me that what I really needed to focus on was taking timed practice tests. Through no fault of my friend, I somehow got it in my head that if I just took enough practice tests, my score would improve. I then blazed through 9 PTs without any BR (I have since learned my lesson and have turned those old PTs into drilling material so not a total waste). To illustrate how bad it got, at one point I took a PT on 8/28 (163), then 8/30 (164), then 8/31 (163), then 9/2 (160) and then 9/4 (158). (In case you’re curious, during this period my LG and RC scores were very inconsistent but LR was relatively stable at around -8-14). I would take these tests, exhausted, at 4:00am and then (because of a somewhat toxic situation at my full-time job), would job hunt late into the evening. Obviously the lack of improvement was disheartening (although, looking back it is almost laughable that I expected ANY improvement in between these tests).

When I started my new job, I put LSAT training on hold (partially because I was exhausted) and partially because this new job was a lot more intense. Anyways, I quit that job back in late February and have been studying full-time (so approximately ~5 weeks) ever since (6 days a week for 8-10 hours a day). I joined 7Sage shortly after and I finally feel that I am studying the right way. For the remainder of February and first half of March, I worked intensely on drilling LR (2-3 sections/day with intense BR) and full-proofing LG. When I was ready, I took another PT as a check-in and scored a 169 (BR 170) with -1 LG, -9 LR and -3 RC; I was calm for most of the exam but felt as if my nerves still probably got the better of me in both the LR sections. Anyways, one week later, the Coronavirus is in full swing and I took another PT from home in the absolute worst of conditions (jerry-rigged setup in my closet with my dresser set up as a desk) where I was hunched over and could not give 100% to the exam; ultimately, I think my nerves really got the best of me, scoring a 159 (-9 LG, -9 LR and -9 RC).

What I took away from this is that I do not have a reliable and repeatable process; I’m falling back on my intuition, which works fine when a test somehow aligns with my strengths but not so much when this isn’t the case (feel free to disagree with my diagnosis). After my 159, I went through the Core Curriculum in earnest (previously, had just hopped around focusing on Formal Logic and other perceived problem areas).

All this to say, that I am now going to be starting a new PT/BR schedule and would like feedback on my tentative plan. I had originally planned (and am registered for the April exam) but expect this to be canceled and feel that June/July is probably more feasible anyways.

Logic Games:

Logical Reasoning:

Reading Comprehension:

Apologies for the somewhat rambling post but appreciate in advance any feedback.

(This is long. Thanks for bearing with me. Otherwise, TL;DR is at the bottom.)

Through elementary and middle school, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer. When I was confirmed, I chose Thomas as my "confirmation name," after St. Thomas More, the patron saint of lawyers. Whenever I was asked, I always said that's what I wanted to do, mostly because I enjoyed logic, and dissecting arguments.

By the time I got to high school, I had steered away from that dream, simply because I was told that "doctors and lawyers" were the types of people that got consistently high grades and, well... I didn't.

In college, I tried my hand at a few different programs, but never really found "my calling." I tried aviation, and computer science (both of which I enjoyed, but weren't "my thing"). I ended up settling on a degree in Secondary Education, with a focus on English, because teaching and English were things I was naturally good at, and I needed to get out of school sooner or later. I sailed through those classes without much trouble and graduated with a 3.0 GPA.

I've since found that teaching isn't "my thing" either, and I've been doing technical support, in one form or another, for going on 10 years now. Again, it's something that I have a natural aptitude for, but not something I'm necessarily passionate about.

I settled down, got married, had some kids, and spent some time wondering whether this is what I was meant to do. And then, I found you all.

I feel like I've found my people.

I'm... excited to study? What?

I am legitimately looking forward to the time when I get off work, put my kids to bed, and get to my computer to listen to JY teach me things at chipmunk speed.

I learn. I take quizzes. I fail — and thoroughly enjoy the process. I've never been this excited to learn about something in my life.

But, here's the thing:

I don't really know what it's like to be a lawyer.

And actually, I don't even know what it's like to be in law school, or how the process of studying for the LSAT compares.

I want to believe that I will enjoy it—that this will be "my thing." But I've been watching these videos about how so many lawyers get through this whole process, where they crush the LSAT and get into a great law school and do awesome in school and then they get out and... they just wind up hating it. And that scares me.

I don't plan to go to into big law, or even "medium" law (is that a thing?). I'm not sure I will ever live in a city with more than 150,000 people. When I become a lawyer, it will probably be in a small firm with a few other people and a wide focus — at least, that's what it seems like to me.

So, here's the TL;DR: How did you know you wanted to be a lawyer? I am pretty sure I was made for this. But, the number of lawyers who hate their jobs is daunting, and I don't want to get into this only to find out that it's just "another thing" that I tried and decided wasn't for me.

When I take a practice exam on 7 Sage how come there are only 4 sections and the actual test is made up of 5 sections with 1 unscored section. So I'm wondering where is the missing section and shouldn't we be preparing by doing 5 sections vs 4 since that'll only under prepare us. Thoughts? Solutions?

Hi all,

I’m currently scoring in low160’s. I can tutor whoever is scoring below that. Send me an inbox message if interested.

Hello,

Is it possible to understand suff n necc. conditions to such an extent that memorizing the indicators taught to us in the groups become unnecessary?

Thinking out loud- i'm afraid of becoming too dependent on the memorization of these indicators and not be able to establish a solid form of logical thinking into my reasoning process, if that makes sense?

Any thoughts?

My loophole book just came in the mail and I was curious if I should finish CC first then read or is it okay to learn from both at the same time. I also have Mike Kim's LSAT Trainer on the way as hell but I think that's just a study guide not necessarily a course. I'm interested in hearing everyone's thoughts and/or suggestions! Or experiences?

If I have completed a section of the test in its current form, will converting it from paper to digital or vice versa remove any answers I had inputted for that section?

Hi everyone,

I am studying the second time around for the LSAT. I have taken it once before, a while back and scored a 146. However, I am looking to start re-studying except for the life of me I cannot form a solid game plan or even know where to begin. My goal is between a 160-165.

Thank you.

I was studying 5-6 consistently before Covid. Idk maybe im just lazy or making excuses but im barely doing 3 now lol

I plan to take the LSAT in August of this year. I am looking for a tutor that can help me. Suggestions are welcome.

How do you get your fee waived?

Hi Everyone!

I am looking to tutor one to two people who are scoring lower than me in LR. Those who would benefit most from my help would have an untimed BR score around -5 to -10+ per LR section.

My current average BR score is between -1 to 0 per LR section. And -5 under timed conditions. I have been studying full time for almost a year now and I have been scoring in the mid 160s on full length PTs with BR scores at 175. My goal in offering tutoring is not only to get better at it myself but to contribute to the 7Sage community as I have benefitted from others willing to offer their time and knowledge to me.

If you are interested please direct message me with your average LR timed and BR score per section, any weaknesses you have noticed, and which exams you have already taken. Also, let me know what time zone you are in and then we can discuss the logistics of how tutoring would work.

Thanks and stay safe!

Whenever I try to take a problem set from the lessons or when I make a custom problem set, it just displays the number 1.

Hi, when I click on Existing Problem Sets the website brings me to the page with all my problem sets. When I click on one, the "Take Problem Set" area only shows the number "1" and that's all instead of showing the questions or the loading interface. This stopped working about 2:40pm est.

Trying to do problem sets, says "1" under take problem set and nothing else. Not letting me take it

Hey guys,

I just finished the CC, and my first two timed tests have been above a 170 (first one 173, and second one 176 with BR: 180), which is really encouraging! I'm trying to follow @"Cant Get Right"'s post-CC strategy, which advocates a first phase of just getting comfortable with the material, and then a second phase of timing/execution strategies once you feel comfortable with the material. The thing is, even though I'm breaking 170, I'm still feeling VERY uncomfortable and uncertain about a LOT of questions during the test, and my scores have come as a genuine surprise. I honestly feel like I'm flying by the seat of my pants on almost every section, and have a tough time identifying the relevant concepts for each question. It feels like I'm working off of intuition rather than complete understanding.

My question is whether, given this information, I should move on to execution strategies or whether it would be wiser to spend more time trying to understand and re-learn some of the material?

Hi my name is Mark and I've been studying for a little over a year, I've gone through Mike Kim's LSAT Trainer, the Lawschooli LR curriculum, the CC here on 7Sage and I'm working through The Loophole by Ellen Cassidy. My highest BR score has been a 173 / 174 and I generally PT about 167.

I'm looking to mentor (for free) 1 student in the 150's or lower and help "pay it back" to 7Sage for being such an incredible resource. Since I have a very pregnant wife and a toddler I won't be able to video chat, but I hope to message back and forth at least once a day and answer any questions you have or help work through tough problems. Mentoring can be especially helpful in grasping some of the hard yet core concepts in approaching tough RC questions, hard logic games, or just seeing subtle wording or subtle support relationships in LR.

Please let me know if you're interested,

Mark

I am self-studying as much as possible and plan to use a tutor later on. I'm about to get the ultimate course from 7sage but am feeling overwhelmed because I'm not sure how to coordinate my self-studying. Where do people buy drill materials from and how do they use them? What PTs do people use to drill and to use as a PT? I need help figuring out the best study strategy.

Where do I begin? In what order should I be working through all of these? Thank you!

Materials:

Getting 7sage's ultimate course

3 Manhattan Guides I have been working through Manhattan Prep's LR guide because LR is the section I struggle with the most.

LSAT Trainer

As the 2020 admissions cycles comes to an end, I wanted to hopefully provide some inspiration to those preparing to take the LSAT and begin their admissions cycle. I started studying for the LSAT in September 2018 and sat for my first take a year later in September 2019. Like many others, I didn’t score as well as I thought I could’ve or enough to be competitive, so I sat for the next test in October. Thankfully, I scored enough to be competitive and get some scholarship money, although I’ll still need to take loans.

Like you all know, preparing for this exam will eat up your time and demands that you give it serious attention if you want to do well and get into top schools….likely in the process, it’ll mentally fuck you up, but depending on how bad you want, KEEP AT IT! I remember when I initially started studying, I listened to a discussion from one of the Sages about how she scored a 174 or something like that, and the mentality she developed…she said she prepared for the test like a top athlete does, and that really struck a tone with me, considering some of role models are Cristiano Ronaldo, Novak Djokovic, and Lewis Hamilton. What is one of the strong assets of a top athlete? Their incredible mindset and mentality. I cultivated that trait and decided to keep plugging away.

Of all sections of the test, LG was my biggest weakness, but eventually I got to the point where I was consistently scoring 17,18/25, although my strategy is one I wouldn’t necessarily recommend…I focused on 3 games, making sure I’d get almost all of the questions from those 3 games right, that gave me ~15 points right there, and guessed on the remaining, thereby getting on average ~2 more questions correct.

One of the best advice I can offer is that you shouldn’t look for a short cut or a quick fix and spend time figuring out your learning style, doing the BR process, mastering the LG timing through foolproofing, and MAINTAINING A POSITIVE MINDSET. My diagnostic was a 141, and I ended up scoring enough to land me at a T20 school, Boston U with a decent scholarship and possibly NW (waitlisted), still waiting to hear from a few others. It’ll take work, a lot of mental stress, and a high amount of focus, but like others have achieved, it’s possible to do well on this exam…RIDICULOUSLY WELL! You just need to be committed, trust yourself, and keep your eye on the prize. Daily running and hanging with friends every Sunday was massive for me, so I’d advice finding a hobby you enjoy that’ll replenish you and fill you with positive energy, you’ll need it for this exam.

Lastly, just like how you put a lot of effort into preparing for the LSAT, you’ll need to put even more into your apps. This caused the most stress for me tbh. Make sure your app is airtight, write a banging ass personal statement and if possible do all supplementary statements, the more the admissions committee knows about you, the more you stand out from the rest. Try to make it as personal as possible and really think about why you want to attend law school, tie in your interests and things from your life and how that helps you contribute to whatever school you’re applying to. Regardless of how scary this process is, admissions committees are still human, so don’t get in over your head about this. I even wrote about running in one of my statements.

Keep plugging away, believe in yourself and ability, cultivate positivity, joy, and resilience and trust the process. You’ll also be where you want, and remember, just getting into law school is an achievement in of itself, NO CAP! I know it can be intimidating seeing other folks getting into Stanford, Columbia, Yale, etc…but keep things in perspective, and if this is truly what you want to do, you’ll succeed.

Hi!

I'm not sure if others are having the problem, but the course curriculum and videos stopped loading. #help

Thanks,

Jonht B.

Hello, on both the tablet and the computer, I'm getting an error saying just "1" on problem sets.

Here are some links: https://classic.7sage.com/lesson/introduction-to-reading-comprehension-problem-set-9/

the other sets are doing the same thing for me. Please advise, thank you.

Any tips on staying motivated right now? I recently took a few weeks off from studying right before I started working from home. Now that I'm trying to get back into a study routine, it's been really challenging to study after already sitting at my desk for 8 hours during the day. If you have any tips/suggestions, please send them my way!

What I love about 7sage is how you can just post a discussion in need of help and advice, so I deeply thank you 7sage community for all your thoughtfulness.

First, I plan on taking the LSAT in either August or November this year 2020. Some background - I have been studying since March of 2019 and what I mean by studying is picking at Khan Academy and Powerscore here and there. However, real studying is when I got onto 7sage in October of 2019.

I finished CC and now i'm in the practice test phase and I have taken 3 timed PTs (June 2007,PT 2 and PT 3 from the 90s) and scored a 143 on all (obviously not the gifted kind like many). The problem is i'm just stuck at 143 raw score. Blind review has been around 158-161. GPA is a 4.0 close to a 4.1 since I came from a +/- gpa school. Goal score is 160. I am not the fastest reader and I am pretty bad at puzzles, so Reading Comp and Logic Games have been killing me. I am a full-time worker, 5 days a week, 40 hours a week.

Can a student jump from 143-160 in 5 months? Knowledge and performance seems to be the splitting problem as a have a fine BR but my performance raw score is so bad and wont budge. I just cannot read RC fast enough and I can't help but get the wrong answer when Im stuck on the 2 last answers in process of elimination.

Does retaking past PTs under timed conditions help with performance?

Again, thank you 7sage!

https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/03/29/coronavirus-expect-shelter-in-place-order-extension-this-week-santa-clara-county-official-says/?fbclid=IwAR1PsiEQjaYNrOhOKjWmfaDov4HTWWaa7J8Vav75cd1_FyFS72U9DPFYNcI

This is for my area at least, around where I live