on the LSAC website is says writing is typed and separate now? How do I do that? And does it still not count for the score?

Hi All,

I apologize in advance for the length of this post, but I feel it's important to lay out everything in order to provide accurate context.

Essentially, I've had quite a lengthy LSAT journey so far (although nothing compared to some other brave and determined 7sagers) and I've sort of hit a wall and am hoping to get some of y'all's thoughts.

I started studying for the LSAT while I was in college about two years ago. My first diagnostic score was a 148, which I know is quite low. My target date was last June (June 2018). Since I was studying while being in school, which made my studying schedule not very consistent, I couldn't take it in June, so I had to reschedule to July. That ended up being a bad idea since I started an intense internship in July and ended up having to work and study at the same time. I then rescheduled to September, but once I started school and one of the most intense semesters, I had to yet again reschedule. Essentially, I've rescheduled sitting for the LSAT about 4-5 times. I just graduated from college and my last semester was incredibly academically intense, so I took a break from the LSAT and as soon as I graduated about 3 weeks ago, I started studying again. Currently, I'm PT-ing in the mid 160s. One of my biggest issues is that when I take timed individual sections, I do incredibly well on them! I average -0/-1 on LG, -1/-3 on RC, and -3/-4 on LR. But when I sit down to take a practice test, I do significantly worse. In other words, if I combined the latest 4 sections I took individually, my score would be in the mid-170s, but my practice test scores are mid-160s.

At this point, I'm feeling quite burnt out. Truth be told, I've been feeling burnt out maybe for the past 5-6 years. I went to a top high school, then a top college (top 10), I graduated with not one but TWO majors, a minor, and a certificate, all while taking classes in three additional languages. I founded and ran many organizations while in college, I wrote articles for a national newspaper, did a radio show, did a bunch of prestigious internships in the US and abroad, studied abroad, ran a big organization outside of college, and did a lot of other things. I graduated with a 3.87 GPA (but if you add in the A+s, my CAS GPA is a 3.92). I was even busier in high school (like I was a competitive pianist/violinist, karate champion, etc etc). And to be perfectly frank, I haven't had more than one or two weeks off (during which I've definitely worried about and done at least SOME work).

My plan is to take one or two years off to work before starting law school. I'll most likely be starting my job in late August/early September. But at this point, I'm not sure if I should sit for the July exam. Should I take a break, maybe a whole month off and just not do ANY academic work but instead relax and start studying again in July? Another issue is that I want to do a dual degree (JD and MPP), so I have to also take the GRE at some point (for admission into a government school to do the MPP), which is why I'll probably give myself two years instead of one before doing the dual degree. I just REALLY wanted to get the LSAT out of the way because I'm so done with it. But I also know that if I sit down and actually study thoroughly and intensely (because frankly these past two years, my studying has not been intense enough since I was always simultaneously busy and burnt out lol, just always pushing through the mental fatigue), I can score in the mid 170s on the actual exam. I feel I still have room to improve, and I've already made about a 15-20 point jump (from 148 when I first started to consistently mid-160s).

If anyone has any similar experiences or just generally has some advice, suggestions, recommendations, anything, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know! I'd love to hear all your thoughts, even if they're harsh or direct or anything. I'm used to making my own decision, but I also really value others' opinions.

Again, sorry for the length of this. Happy to answer any questions if it would help understand my predicament better. Thank you 7sage for being the best community ever!

Is anyone taking the LSAT at Convene at 32 old slip and know directions to get there?

Also does anyone know what kind of a place it is/took the LSAT there previously? I signed up to take it in Fordham and they changed my test location.

I've gotten a few questions, so I figured I'd make a second post because I know I really benefitted from reading other people's study method. I went from a diagnostic of 153 to a score of 173 in Dec (-3 RC, -2 LR, -2 LR, -2LG). I do want to point out that I got very, very lucky on test day. I had never scored above a 171 in practice, but was BRing at 179-180 consistently for the month before the exam. Sometimes you luck out with a test that plays to your strengths, and mine just happened to actually count!

I went through the core curriculum for about two months and then Fool Proofed LG. If you don't know what that is, check out this post: https://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/2737/logic-games-attack-strategy/p1

Once I had fool proofed (took over a month), I started drilling and PTing. My schedule was:

Monday: 1 LR and LG section

Tuesday: 1 LR and RC section

Wednesday: 1 full PT/blind review

Thursday: 1 LR and RC section

Friday: 1 LR and LG section

Saturday: 1 full PT/blind review

I used all of PTs 40-52 for these section drills. I started out doing each section untimed, underlining the keywords in LR with a highlighter and writing a line # for where I had pinpointed the answer for RC. I would take 15+ minutes on each RC passage at first, and 45+ on LR. I figured it was better to get the basics and concepts down to a science before I moved on to timed. Eventually, I started timing my sections. Probably around October. Honestly, I wasn't learning anything from LG at this point, just keeping my mind sharp.

In November, I realized I needed to really focus on Flaw/NA questions. So instead of doing full LR sections (plus I was running out), I started using the 7sage question bank to drill. I'd do some timed, some untimed depending on how "hard" the question set was. Also in Nov, I started writing "explanations" for the questions I got wrong in my drills. I'd save these in a word doc but didn't really look at them again. But I learn by teaching, so I'd write out an explanation as to why a choice was correct and why all four others were wrong and then post it on the video explanation here on 7sage. I think this is when I consistently started scoring 169-170.

I found that I was able to go from -7ish a section on RC down to -2ish. I mostly did this through allowing myself to find the answer in the text. It's there. I would read the passage and make sure I understood it (started out by writing a summary for each paragraph, but found that to be too time consuming on timed sections). And then just go through the questions and make sure I could draw each answer to the text. For the untimed, I would write the paragraph line.

For PTs, I was worried I would need to retake so I was nervous about tearing through them all. So I started with PT 55 and did every three. So 55... 58... 61... 64, etc. Until I got to the 70s and started over. I jumped around a little bit to make sure I did 79 (the dreaded virus game) and 81 right before the Dec. test. All in all I did ~15 PTs.

**Edit: I also totally forgot that I worked through the Bibles in October lmao. I'd do a chapter of LR, LG, or RC a day. LR was helpful because at this point, I had gone through the CC in June so it was a good refresher. LG was a waste; I had already FP'd so I had already seen most of the games they used. RC was mostly useless too. However, I found it was good to focus just on RC but I didn't highlight/underline like they suggest. Overall, I used the Bibles for refreshers and test-taking strategies. Did LG or RC help? Eh. But the LR was good because it explained question types in a bit of a different way, so between the Bible and 7sage, I had a deep understanding of them.

I did all of this as a full time student taking 16 credit hours and working 10hrs at my part time job. Luckily, I had planned my course load and work schedule around the LSAT so I didn't start classes until 2pm on Monday/Wednesday and 11am on Tuesday/Thursday. This meant I was on campus at 8am every day, either to drill or take a PT. No tutors or any of that, but I relied on the 7sage forum and r/lsat to keep my mind in the "lsat" mode even when not feeling motivated.

I do believe that most people can raise their score with a good schedule that they stick to. How much, I can't say. But my schedule was very much let's-see-what-works and I just kinda went with it. I think you have to find what works for you; I drew from a lot of other people's tips and tricks. I hope this helps someone out there. Again, I got incredibly lucky on the exam (which is why I'm not retaking lmao) but maybe hopefully you wont have to rely on luck on your take!

Felicitations Malefactors,

I’m currently enrolled in 7Sage Ultimate and I am planning on taking the October Lsat. I just started studying last week and so far I feel like I’m understanding the material.My issue is that the workload is a little overwhelming, considering that I’m scheduled (according to my syllabus and study plan) to do 20-34h of work each week.

To decrease my weekly workload, I am now considering moving my LSAT to November. The only issue I have with this is that I could mess up and wouldn’t really have enough time to retake, to apply for the Fall 2020 cycle (some schools I’m considering may not accept lsat scores past November). Obviously I would be taking a risk there.

Also, if I took the Lsat in October but followed a more laid back schedule, I would probably only end up doing about 25-30 practice tests, including blind review.

Do you guys think 27 PT are enough? Or should I give myself more time and take the November test? Thanks in advance!

I'm a recent graduate looking for a study buddy in New Jersey or New York area to meet in person or via skype to study. I'm around edison, New Brunswick area but also not too far from the city. My goal is to get a 165+ on the lsat. Please email me if interested kwakes3@gmail.com.

I've tried using peer meet ups on 7sage but it got a little confusing for me lol.

Anyone in the Vancouver area and would like to start a study group for the Sept/Dec LSAT?

Comment below!

Apologies if this has been posted before but:

Should we be finding a PT to take before we start any of the lessons as a base? Haven't started any LSAT prep yet and just purchased my package.

I've written the LSAT twice before (2017 and 2018) - I scored in the 140s both times. I've been studying on/off for 2-3 years but for the past couple months I've really dedicated all my time to the LSAT. However, I'm frustrated and shocked that I'm still scoring in that range. I'm scheduled to write the LSAT on Monday :(

I've completed the core curriculum with 7 Sage and completed a few practice tests, drilling and blind review. But I'm still averaging -13 on LR, -10 LG, -15 RC.

The 7 Sage curriculum is amazing and it's the most engaging platform for LSAT prep (imo). I've seen the slightest improvement in my score but it's so insignificant (low 140s to mid 140s). I think it's just me and my own inability. I am not improving. I'm putting in the work. I have the perseverance, stamina and motivation to keep trying since I've written it twice before. Going to law school is what I want more than anything and I've had this goal for several years even before undergrad. It's a hard reality to face when I've been trying to get better at the LSAT for so long and not improving significantly. I feel so hopeless right now.

I have an excellent GPA but my very low LSAT score will not compensate for that. I just need a mid 150. I know it's a learnable test but maybe not for me because why am I not improving? I'm drilling question types and reviewing notes I've made on each question type. But I'm still missing them and running out of time.

I feel at my lowest right now...thinking about giving up on a dream that I've had for so long. It's also the anxiety knowing I'm writing Monday and will get the same score I have in the past.

I just don't know what to do. I really don't want to give up but it feels like the only choice.

If any of you have any comments, opinions or feedback on my situation, I would truly appreciate it even if it's not what I want to hear.

I wanted to ask the forum I started with a 151 cold LSAT in March. Have practice 3 hours a day every day since then drilling and learning games and since then have only achieved a 159 twice and blind 165. My test is in july and I am nervous I am going to do badly as I have switched to doing two tests a week and went from a 159 to a 152 with a 159 blind score. Has my ability gone down, am I practicing too much, I am lost and not sure what the solution is? (My target score is 165+) I get this may not be possible in July, but am taking it as i have the option to cancel it if it is a bad score.

Should I take the June test if I’m still a few points below my target score? This will be my second take. I also signed up for July and am going to take it no matter what. I think I can reasonably improve another 2-4 points to get closer/reach my target score within the next 6 weeks. But I’m not sure how the digital nature is going to impact my performance since I have been working exclusively on paper.

I’m confident that if I take the June test, it will show an upward trend from my last take. But isn’t it better to have reached your target score in two instead of three takes? I have been laying out different scenarios in my head. Just trying to put the best application forward to maximize my chances. Please help!

Just got an email from LSAC announcing July score release date:

"Because the July test is being offered in two different formats, it will take longer than normal for test takers to receive their scores. When introducing a new mode of test delivery, testing companies are required to do in-depth research on the two modes, in this case tablets and paper booklets. This is to ensure the validity and reliability of the test scores. As a result of this process, July test takers will receive their scores on Wednesday, August 28, 2019. We anticipate the ability to report scores faster with future tests."

I know it's been said many times before but it's really hard when it happens to you several weeks before your test.

Based on score data from PT 70 to 81, PT 72 and 75 were 4-5 points lower than my average. Took 74 on saturday and 75 the following wednesday; I dropped 7 points. Shit. I know you're supposed to look at average score and consider those two to be outliers but with about 6 PTs left before my second test in June, I'm really stressed. Any coping mechanisms? I'd be reasonably happy if I got a score that I got on PT 74. If I perform how I did on 75 on test day, I'd be devastated. There were only 4 days in between PT 74 and PT 75 but going down that much of a score is so frustrating. (Granted, I missed 1 on 74's LG but I bombed the last game on 75. But mainly I got toasted all over LR sections in 75)

Do I just need a small break? I really dislike myself for being vulnerable to PT scores.

Hi 7Sagers, I moved here few years ago and English is my second language, no educational background here. I have studied engineering and would like to pursue my goal in Patent Law. I have been studying for LSAT since late 2017, and am struggling with time. I do pretty good in LG but in LR and RC I have problems with time. I wonder if anyone had a recommendation that helps test takers like me, reading faster and comprehending simultaneously.

Hi everyone,

I am wondering if anyone has taken the lsat at a hotel in Vancouver or the Pacific Link College in Burnaby? Both locations are very close to me and I wanted to see if anyone has previous experiences at those locations before I register, however, I'm kinda leaning towards the Pacific Link College because the hotel listed on the website is Hyatt Regency which is downtown and very close to a hospital.

Hello,

I'm taking the June test and I have a specific question regarding the actual proctoring of the exam. I've noticed that I tend to get flustered in between the time they say "put your pencils down" and when they start the next section. It seems like literally three seconds go by in the time that all happens.

For people who have actually taken a proctored LSAT, do they really go between sections that quickly or is there more than 10 seconds to take a deep breath beforehand?

Thanks!

I received an email this morning that I've been relocated to a different testing center that is way too far out for me. I was so pissed because the test is 4 days away so I called LSAC and they told me that I can be a "standby candidate". This means that I can show up to any testing facility and they will accept me as long as I have my ticket with me. They gave a few options where the testing centers are closer and there are open spots, but I'm worried that they won't let me in. They told me to just show up earlier and tell the proctors about my situation. I'm worried that since I'm on "standby" that I'll have last priority into being let in the testing room. I'm so conflicted as to what to do because I want to go to one of the centers that are closer to me, but I'm worried that I won't be let in because the ticket shows a different location.

Has this happened to anyone here? Should I stick with the location that they stuck me with or should I take the chance and go to a center of my choice? I'm so stressed and frustrated so any advice/words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

I got an email this morning telling me that "Due to circumstances beyond our control, you have been reassigned". First of all they reassigned me to a center which I don't like, since the desks are super small and rooms are crowded. Second, how do they think it's acceptable to just change you like that 4 days before the test without even consulting you first? Im debating on withdrawing from the test, I don't know what to do. I need advice.

Hey guys,

Has anyone experienced a score reduction when taking the digital LSAT compared to their physical LSAT scores? I am quite nervous about taking the digital LSAT because I am a person who loves to mark up the paper when doing RC and LR. I find that it keeps me more focused.

I have taken a couple individual RC and LR sections digitally and have found that my scores in those sections have dropped a couple points due to (I think) the inability to physically circle/draw arrows/etc. on the passage or stimulus. Any tips on transferring physical LSAT habits to the digital LSAT?

Thanks!

Please remember to take it easy this week. If, like me, you woke up this morning after crazy test dreams, with a headache ~ take today off. Only light studying from now on...we're prepared, we're awesome...and we're NOT going to blow it with burnout. Cheers.

Hey!! I'm been doing the core curriculum for the past 2 weeks and i'll be wrapping it up in the next 2.5 weeks after which I will start doing the PTs as per my Ultimate+ study schedule.

I'm just wondering if I should be practicing more of the questions I'm having trouble with now or once I'm done with the CC and will be working on the PTs?

Thanks in advance!!

Hey everyone! I was planning on taking the June LSAT, but decided to push back to September because I've had a pretty hard time balancing full-time work and studying. I planned a trip to Tokyo a while ago (before I even started studying for the LSAT), and I'd be coming back a week before the September LSAT. Would it be a bad idea to take the September exam? I'd be in Japan from September 2-9, and the test is on September 16. I plan on taking September 11-15 off from work to rest and prep some more.

So, I have been consistently testing at a pretty good score that I am happy with, however, when I start using the proctor feature or sit down to take a timed exam I freak out. My score definitely varies and I am worried on test day I will lose it. What is the best way to quickly bump up my score so I give myself some extra score padding for if/when I freak out.

Thanks.

I have been using the schedule maker and have been really liking it. Today, I bought more LSAT practice tests to have those more recent ones replace the older ones offered in the starter pack.

But, what happened in the schedule maker is that it added them all as if I was going to do all the practice tests (not replace the older ones), and now my weekly tasks are off.

I put May 17 as the start date and July 15 as the end date. Could someone with 7 sage starter pack, please include here a screenshot of their template study schedule off of those dates? I cannot get back to the screen where I can see my study schedule before I bought the extra practice tests so that I actually know what I am suppose to get done each week.

I realized you can only use photos from the last 6 months, so I have to retake mine. How long do I have to upload a new one?