There are a few discussions from just over a year ago about the practical aspects of how to record timed PT's (selfie sticks, uploading and file sizes).

I have that part down. I am curious to know what others do with the data afterwards. I can now see what questions are taking more time and I will drill the worst offenders. I think that knowing that I'll be watching myself makes me more aware of my time management, which is valuable in and of itself.

I just want to know if there is another step that I am unaware of.

I appreciate the input, as always.

Hi All,

Does anyone have experience crafting a 350 word statement about contributing diversity to a law school? Berkeley's prompt is: How will you (your perspective, experience, Voice) contribute diversity in our classrooms and  community? Any advice would be highly appreciated. I'm struggling with this one. Please note that I have already spoken at length about my minority/first-gen/immigrant background in my personal statement.

I took a test untimed and scored 153 , is that a bad score for untimed?

Hi everyone,

Just like the title says, I’m on the fence about a retake. I took September and got a 169 and then got a 172 in November. My PT average over the last five PTs was 171 with a high score of 175. My gpa is 3.9. I’m not planning on applying til next cycle. Is it worth the time and stress to try to bump myself up the one point to Harvard and Yale’s medians?

Ok I finally looked after 3days (I know, I’m a little crazy). 163.

So. My PT average is 167 with a pretty tight standard deviation of +/-2. I took the Sept. and got 158 and was very rattled, I’d never scored there (that whole test is a blurry, blacked out memory) except for my diagnostic back in June. Then Nov felt much better and more like my practice tests. I wasn’t particularly nervous — ya know, just regular “this is important, stay calm” kind of thoughts.

I didn’t think “test day fatigue” would figure so prominently in my scoring, but I guess it does.

Would you guys retake in Jan? I really don’t want to apply next year. I’m 28, 6 years out of school (working in criminal justice reform) and desperately want to dive into law school.

I have been hearing about people talking about having tutors for studying, some from 7sage. How exactly does that work?

Hey guys. So I got my November LSAT results back, and scored a ~163. I’m content with the score, having only studied 2 months so far, but feel that I can do better. I want a score in the 170s.

My situation is a bit different as I’m already going -0 on games. My weak areas are in Logical Reasoning and Reading Comp. For LR, I’m going around -7 per section, and for RC, I’m going -5.

Any advice on how to shore up LR and RC for the January administration? Should I just keep taking practice tests and BR, or should I go back to the Core Curriculum for a few weeks before starting a heavy PT cycle?

Thanks in advance!

I just heard the newest 7sage podcast. It was such a great episode and encouraged me to keep persevering in my LSAT studies. I thought I heard @"Grey Warden" mention watching J.Y. doing RC passages in the curriculum. I'm a little unclear if that was part of the explanation videos or if it was part of a timed test.

Are there videos of J.Y. doing RC passages in the curriculum as part of a timed test? I think it would be great to observe how exactly he approaches RC.

I am currently on the premium level on the LSAT study program. I want to know if it is worth it to upgrade to the Ultimate version ($570)? If anyone has feedback on their experiences I would greatly appreciate it.

I have taken the LSAT 4 times. I have gone 158 -> 160 -> 164 -> 163, all of which were terrible disappointments for me. Especially the last one from this November, which has completely shattered my confidence that I can do well on the LSAT.

Because of personal financial reasons, it is extremely hard to justify attending law school outside of the T14. My gpa is 3.77, so with a 164, even th T20 is largely out of the question. Let alone any scholarship.

I have managed to get logic games to -0/-1 largely thanks to 7sage, but I have just constantly struggled with LR. I can do BR, I can prepare, I can elinjnage wrong answer choices, but I cannot improve it no matter how hard I try. Everytime I go back to see what I did wrong on a question, the reasoning JY uses doesn't seem like something I can replicate and always seems to be unique to that specific question. It seems entirely contingent on sone manner of intuition that can't be explained in a way I can repeate another LR.

I don't know if a fifth take will do it for me. I am starying to believe I am simply too unintelligent to score 170+ on this exam and that building up these skills requires a core level of intuition you simply can't train. The logic games follow the same patterns. RC can be fairly repeatable. But LR seems totally alien and the explanation is completely different every single time. Even when I see the correct answer, especially for difficult question, I fail to understand the explanation for the correct and why the wrong answer isn't correct.

Employment prospects for law schools outside the T14 and at least the T20 are quite miserable. If I can't attend those institution, I greatly struggle with why I should attend at all. Perhaps the trades woukd better suit me.

Hi all,

I just got my November LSAT score and it not only wasn’t my target score, but also didn’t improve from my last score. I was PTing a good 7-8 points above where I ended up scoring, so I feel bad not retaking. But for various reasons, I’m also set on applying this cycle. Is it at all possible to apply to schools with the scores I have and then re-take the LSAT in January and have that score added to my file? I don’t want them to hold my application for that new score because I wouldn’t want to apply that late, so I guess I’m wondering if it’s possible to take the test after the fact and then have a score added to my file (at least for those schools that haven’t made a decision yet).

Thanks!

I will be eternally grateful for this site and this community. My initial diagnostic was a 152 and I started studying a few years later. I was lucky to have decided on 7sage after researching other prep companies and I couldn't have made a better decision. Started studying feb/March of this year and after a bad test center experience and a cancel in Sept I miraculously got a 172 in November. I had only managed 2 171s while studying and that was only on retakes. Otherwise I was scoring between163-166 but my BR scores were always above 170, usually in the 175+ range. My mindset played a huge role in my score the second time around, as I had through the roof anxiety in September along with a 2+ hour test delay that I did not see coming. I had a newborn at home during the November administration (I delivered on Oct. 30th) so I thought my stress about leaving him and leaving him enough milk was going to negatively affect my performance but I think it played the opposite role - it pushed the lsat out of my thoughts because there were more important things to worry about. I accepted that however I did during November it didn't matter, I was still applying and everything would be ok no matter what. This was thanks to advice that I read on this forum a few weeks before the exam to just do what you have to do, in the long run your score and the school you attend will fade into the background, what you make of your career is what's going to matter. Your best is all you can do - especially because I felt as if I was more prepared this time around, I didn't take many prep tests in the few weeks before November (for obvious reasons), but I was scoring in an ideal range during timed sections. I think the key was getting out of my own head, accepting where I was at progress wise when test day came around and just approaching sections like I'd done time and time again, relying on habit, not worry. Never give up on yourself no matter your previous scores or circumstances. I was so close to accepting sept. (Which would have been a score nowhere near 170) as my only chance since I thought it would be close to impossible to test with a near two week old baby. I'm so glad that I didn't.

The July 2019 LSAT presents us with a very unique opportunity. LSAC's thinking is that this will be the test on which they transition to digital, and so they should provide some benefit in order to counteract any detriment the switch to digital may present. The benefit seems subtle at first: You will be allowed to cancel your test after you see your score. The more I've thought about this, the more I realize how enormous it is. I've actually come to strongly disagree with LSAC's decision to offer this. If I had been in the room when this decision was made, I'd've been vociferously opposed to the point that it may have become uncomfortable for everyone. But with the decision made, everyone needs to shamelessly exploit this mistake. They take advantage of our errors, and so it is incumbent on us to take advantage of theirs.

Forgive the sports metaphor, but it's just too perfect: This is like a defensive offsides in football (real football, not soccer). When this happens, the offense gets to finish the play and decide if they want to accept or decline the penalty after the play has played out. Go for the end zone! If you make it, decline the penalty and touchdown! If it's intercepted and run back for a defensive touchdown, none of it counts; you get to accept the penalty and try again! Literally nothing can go wrong, there is no bad outcome possible. This is the July 2019 LSAT. Plus, the switch to digital won't be universal. Many test centers will still be administering the test on paper! If you're in one of these groups, your advantage is truly pure and unmitigated. I'm the poster child of "Don't-Take-Until-You're-Ready" but all bets are off for July 2019. This is a test worth taking for a much broader range of students. If you're not quite ready, take this test anyway. Take it for practice with the digital formatting. This alone is worth the take. The fact you could get lucky and spike a score worth keeping/applying with is just crazy. It's actually crazy.

https://www.lsac.org/about/news/lsac-announces-technology-collaboration-microsoft?access_latest=a8xdazrwIwsZ0GYfgsqyOXox-B6I3uvO-MNpZl2bI1E

I’m looking to submit everything tonight. My essay is probably off the normal route of delivery but I feel it’s the most accurate way to portray my desire to pursue law. Would anyone want to review and ensure you feel it is appropriate?

Hi all,

For starters, I'm 21 years old and I will be graduating from college this winter. Over the past year, while going to school full time and working in the time not spent going to school, I attempted to prepare for the LSAT. I used Kaplan from around January '18 to June, and singed up with 7Sage in October. I took the LSAT 3 times; June, September, and November, and scored consecutively a 151,152, and 153. I don't know what I was expecting to happen as I was PTing in the mid-150's while hoping for a score in the 160's. Ultimately, my goal was always to score in the high 160's, putting me in a competitive position for Fordham & Cornell (I live in NY and will only go to NY schools).

After talking to many other students and reading tons of post on this forum, I'm starting to realize that delaying a cycle is not so bad at all, and is actually somewhat of a normal occurrence for many. In a couple weeks I will be finished with school, and can finally dedicate the kind of time to the LSAT that so many who have conquered the test have recommended. I plan on doing some extensive global traveling in February, but besides that I can devote a significant more amount of time to studying than I ever could have while going to school full time and working 21-28 hrs a week. So, it seems that I will allow myself the time between now and June to prepare for the June LSAT (and then again in July). I am about a quarter of the way through the CC, but because I have studied with Kaplan and self-studied after that, I am kind of out of order with my studying methods.

I'm wondering if anyone who has been in a similar position has any advice to offer as to a kind of daily/weekly schedule that would allow for the most improvement in the next 6 or so months. I have never been a full time studier before so the thought of devoting my self to one test, almost full time, is rather foreign to me. I know this answer can get very detailed and is specific based on the individual, but I was wondering what are the kinds of things that someone studying full-time would do to get a 165+ LSAT score, in addition to the 7Sage CC.

Thank you so much for any advice!

Did people who took the delayed test in Northern California get their scores back? I haven't gotten an email.....

Thanks!!

Sarah

I decided to take a gap year, so I am deciding where I should work. Which experience would be better for law school? Court bailiff or paralegal? Why? What is similar or different between these jobs?

I was in a car accident about three years ago and am now a quadriplegic. I would love to go to law school to advocate for disability rights. I have been studying for the LSAT for a while but am confused about the accommodations I can receive because I am unable to use my hands. I called the LSAC and they told me I could use a scribe or request other accommodations. She could not tell me what other accommodations would be available such as using my laptop to take notes. I am concerned about having to use a scribe that I have never met. I think I would waste precious time trying to explain to them how I wanted to write my notes. Do you guys have any advice?

Okay, so I haven't touched the LSAT since the September test. I have not reviewed the test itself, although I know how each section broke out (LR: -6, -6, RC -6, LG -3). I was / am relatively happy with my 163 although it only off-sets my 20 year old uGPA of 2.73 so much. I've got 7 applications outstanding. I do have 2 acceptances in hand, one of which I am happy with / would attend. However, as my 163 is still 2 points below where I was averaging at the time and only at median at a few of my reach schools, I am looking at studying for the March LSAT while the rest of this cycle plays out. Worst case scenario, I happily go to one of the schools I'm already accepted at. Best case scenario, I increase my score and get a better outcome on some of the other still pending applications. I'm anticipating wait lists (if not outright dings) for my reach schools.

So, here's the plan:

After that:

Continue to fool-proof LG (I've got a huge binder of games from my previous work ups).

Practice different techniques for RC. I tended to do better with RC than the scored -6. So I'll continue to work with that.

Start PTing about early February (assuming timing works).

I've only got 9 fresh PTs to work with, all "older" ones in the 30/40/50 range. When it comes time to PT, I'll mix fresh PTs with reused ones from further back in my prep.

I'm not going to register for the LSAT until just before the deadline. I'm willing to let my current applications stand on their own strength.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

I’m seeking some advice from anyone whos underperformed on their first take.

I scored a 160 which is 5 points below my average on my November take. I’ve decided to sit out this cycle and focus on getting my score up as high as possible for the next cycle. Should I go through the CC again considering I was BRing in the 172-175 range before I wrote in Nov?

I also noticed I performed slightly worse as the test went on. My 5th section was LR and I went -8. My LR average on PTs is -3. Was there potentially some fatigue at play here? I never practiced 5 section PTs.

I also wasn’t incredibly healthy going into the test. Had lost about 10 pounds from stress and lack of eating. This is something I’m going to work on while studying in the future.

Thanks!

Just got my November score back and i got a 155. (RC: -9) (LG: -6) (LR: -18) I'm not too surprised as my average for my last three PTs was 157.5, so it was within my "+ or -- 3" area. I seemed to do slightly better than my usual LG (which is -8), on par with my usual RC (which -10) BUT unusually bad for LR (my average is -7).

For January I'd love to get to 159 or 160 on test day. Any advice on how to get through this last push? What area i should focus on? Has anyone else been in a similar position and made this improvement?

Hello All,

I just wanted to say thank you to the community for this journey. My first LSAT diagnostic was a 141 and that was after working on some of the core curriculum. In June, I scored a 153--my PT average. I needed to make some changes to increase my score. Instead of going for volume of practice, I focused on quality and began to work with a tutor (shoutout to @Sami- she'll kick your butt). I also started doing blind review calls with J.Y. which was so helpful. RC was always my weakest section (we're talking -10 average); reading cases in constitutional law for my undergrad class forced me to grapple with difficult text which made LSAT RC manageable; read anything to get well rounded.

In September, I scored a 150. This was after scoring 161, 159, 161 on my last PT's Yeah, it was a terrible feeling but I didn't waste energy feeling bad for myself. From Sep-Nov I did some untimed practice to get back into it and then just really focused on timed sections; like two or three a day with fool proofing-- this was on top of undergraduate courses where I would do a lot of my reading. I only took 1 PT between Sep test and Nov test and scored a 161.

Don't lose your hope or confidence, put in the work, trust the system, and leave it all out there. I'm no LSAT master, but I am happy to answer questions or chat via PM if you need anything. It's the least I can do. Wishing everyone the best.

Lorenzo

I've been studying on and off for about a year and a half. This past August I started taking it very seriously, but my score won't improve. I am stuck in the mid/high 140's. The higher I've ever scored is a 151. I've taken lots of practice tests, gone over them etc. I even took a power score class that I thought I was doing well in. In class, I was the one always answering the questions from my tutor and my classmates turned to me for explanations, and when doing the hw on my own, untimed, I got most of the questions right and I truly understood them. However, when it came to the real thing I did badly. The first time I took the LSAT I got a 148( Sept), and a 146 in Nov after taking the Powerscore class but to be fair I had a family situation the night before that kept me distracted during the test/kept me up the night before. I've also gone over the LG and LR Bibles. I took a practice test today and got a 145...

I am set to take it in January because I have a fee waiver and would like to apply to some schools to see what happens.I need to somehow break 160, which feels impossible.

I work full-time and my living situation is awful (family stuff), which I think might have something to do with my lack of improvement, but I can't change it.

I know there's always the option of waiting until next cycle, everyone tells me that, but I am so ready to go to law school, I've been working for almost 4 years in the legal field as an admin and now legal assistant. I am at the point where I am ready to take the next step. Doing the same thing for another year would kill me, I am not challenged at all and extremely bored. So I want to at least give it a try this cycle. I am interested in public interest. Any advice or ideas about what could work for me or what's worked for you is helpful and appreciated. Or if anyone has tips about law school apps that might be relevant to me, I'd love to hear them. I am desperate at this point and I just feel stupid bc I have really tried. Below is a little bit about myself to give some context.

LSAC gpa is a 3.3 ( got two NP's which LSAC counts as Fs, but will write an addendum as I have a legit reason for why it happened). URM. I work full-time/bad living situation so I have to study after work and in the morning outside my home.

I was retaking a 171 I got on the June, 2018 LSAT for better scholarship opportunities and also to at least meet LSAT median at HYS. I was telling myself that I’d stop retaking if I meet 173, and that is the score I got!

I’d like to thank 7Sage, and also personally JY because attending JY’s BR sessions for PT85 (September 2018 exam) was really helpful to me.

I went by the username “TP” by the way. Haha.

For the November exam, I went -1 on RC and -3 combined on LR.

I actually went -2 on RC and -4 combined LR when I took the September exam as a PT the week before the November exam.

I really think that attending JY’s BR sessions contributed to reducing the mistakes by 2. I volunteered to answer the questions as much as I could during the sessions, and that really paid off! I felt like I knew all the tricks in the books and walked in to the test center very confidently.

I highly recommend attending JY’s BR sessions (of the most recent LSAT administration) the week before your real LSAT.