Hey everybody,

It just wouldn't be a week if I didn't ask a million questions. So yesterday I did prep test 54 and scored 154 flat out. I knew it was going to be a low score (rough day) but I was committed. It didn't bother me that much because I normally am around 158 and the big tank was in LG when I hit a game that my brain just could not compute to save my life. I decided to post pone my BR to today after I got some much needed sleep. My BR was 173. My highest score what so ever to date.

Now here comes the question, how do I close that 20 point gap because I would LOVE to do that. Any tips? Advice? Is drilling the way? The questions I missed in LR and RC I saw the answer almost right away for 80% of the stuff I got wrong. I could easily tell my brain had been general MUSH yesterday. I was considering doing some drilling tomorrow on the major question types I got wrong and doing a PT on Sunday. Is that a good idea?

Help your favorite-always-posting lsat kid out.

Love, Victoria

I have been trying to stick to the group 1-4 method. Previously, if I read "except" I would make what follows the necessary condition and then simply negate the remaining and make that the sufficient. For example, "Mark goes to school except on Sunday" would be /MGS--->Sun and /Sun-->MGS. So my question is do you guys categorize "except" in group 3? Negate the sufficient? What about this example, "Mark does NOT go to school EXCEPT on Sunday." I would again, choose except as the indicator, make what follows the necessary, and negate the remaining and get MGS-->Sun and /Sun-->/MGS. I am trying to rewire my brain with JY's computer algorithm, but "except" is the only glitch.

Up until last week, I was feeling really confident.

My previous five scores (under strictly timed/bubbled/public conditions):

PT 57- 179 (definitely an outlier)

PT 72- 173

PT 66- 173

PT 71- 173

PT 77- 176

PT 81 comes out and all the cool kids are taking it. 169. (LR -6; LG -0; RC -4)

To be honest, I didn't BR it as hard as I should have because I was anxious about the score so it only went up to 173. I have since gone over every question on the test and feel like I understand it inside and out. And then I took off two days to avoid burnout because I really am trying to learn from y'all's wisdom.

But I was still pretty freaked out about the drop so I took 80 to convince myself that I just had an off day and that I really could do the most recent tests.

...166. (LR -8; LG -3; RC -5)

(BR brought it up to 177; -2 LR, -2 RC)

For both 81 and 80---nothing really stood out in regards to having a bad day or anything. I always feel panicked during a test and grossly underestimate my score, but these tests didn't feel noticeably worse.

Perhaps I felt a bit more pressure since I knew these were the most recent and hence the best comparisons to the real deal and then feeling like it was do-or-die for 80 after the previous test. But if it really is an issue of underperforming under stress, things aren't going to end well on the 16th or in law school anyway.

Several of the questions were stupid mistakes, but I realized there was an RC passage I didn't fully understand the first time through and a couple of LR questions that I didn't understand under timed conditions (but I get them now.) I haven't been unable to finish an LG section in about 10 tests, but even if that had gone perfectly I still would have been stuck with a 168.

Is this because I haven't taken enough recent tests? (72, 71, and 77 are the only ones I've done in the 70's. I was trying to save them.) Is it just a couple of off days in a row and I need to chill the #%*$ out? What do I need to do to move forward? How do I assess if I need to postpone (and much more importantly--how do I avoid postponing because ughhhh)?

Thanks so much for your help!

Hey all.

I've taken 30+ PT's by this point, but found that I skipped the June 2007 diagnostic exam. I took it, untimed, today just for practice drilling questions, and actually found it to be really really difficult. Like 9pts lower than my average score difficult.

The LG was easy, but RC and LR - which felt deceptively easy - actually destroyed me (-5 on RC; -9 on LR). Coupled with a non-existent curve and my score was abysmal lol.

Anyone else find the diagnostic questions difficult?

Hey guys!

I had my LSAT break through a few days ago and I wanted to share. After studying for 4 months, I decided to postpone writing the LSAT until the December sitting.

I've been having the most inconsistent scoring these last few weeks, from 155's-175's and yesterday I BR'd at a flipping 180. I'm at that awkward stage where I understand the logic behind it, but not consistently enough to trust myself to write the LSAT. A little disappointed, because it's daunting to know that this test will be my life for another 3 months, but I think I'm making the right decision, since my dream school is Columbia (and Harvard but it seems crazy to write that).

So, I'm heading back to the CC after taking this weekend off and will be drilling each LR question type (where I struggle) in between each lesson + webinars when available. I want to focus on studying the structure of each question types, and understand wrong answer choices. My goal is to get through the CC+ drilling in September, so that I have two months to PT and get that 175+ in December. I've been hearing a lot of back and forth about whether or not schools care about multiple sittings, and my take on it is this tests matters too much for me to risk a sloppy take. I'm confident in my softs (I'm an investigative journalist focusing on national security + won national awards for my work + other things), so I don't think applying later will hurt too much. I didn't want to apply ED anyways, because a Columbia adviser said they almost never give scholarships to people who apply binding. Being Canadian, and paying international fees, I definitely don't want to pay law school entirely on loans.

SO, basically, if anyone in Toronto want's to go through a little LSAT bootcamp with me, along with exercising and eating right, hit me up :)

Hi, In the Logical Reasoning section, how do you know when you’ve eliminated a wrong answer choice for the wrong reason (because of faulty reasoning) as oppose to a reason that's just different from what JY points out in the explanation video? Do you do anything specific to ensure that your thought process is not illogical, unreasonable, or out of bounds? Please comment.

never mind, figured it out lol

Hey everyone, was just curious if anyone knows whether our photo printout for the LSAT admissions form can be in black and white or if I need to take it to kinkos to print it out in color?

Seeing how anal LSAC seems to be about a lot of these kinds of details, just wanted to make sure!

Hello all! I'm signed up for the September LSAT and have been testing in the lows 160s. It terms of preparation, I have completed 70% of the 7sage curriculum and have taken only 3 LSAT practice tests. I am already planning on taking the December LSAT because I am absolutely confident I can make at least a 168 merely by improving on LG, which is the part of the curriculum I have not gone over. I have also been missing around 3 questions in RC and around 8 across both sections of LR, so I know I could also make some improvements there.

Typically I would just say I'll withdraw from/cancel the September test, as I already know I plan to retake. However I am taking the LSAT abroad, as I'm in Europe at the moment (actually in a country that doesn't offer it, requiring me to fly to Paris to take the test). I made this whole plan several months ago, assuming I would be ready. Long story short, I'm not and I know that I am not performing at my score potential.

At this point, I can't get the money back on the flights/hotel/or test in Paris, so should I just go ahead and take the test, knowing I'll probably get a 162 or so? I am not planning on submitting my apps until January when the December results are out anyway. I've already read up quite a bit on whether the December LSAT is "too late" and have realized with a 170+ score, it really isn't. I also have read the policies of each school I plan on applying to in regard to multiple LSAT scores, and the general consensus seems to be they will consider the higher one, and give you the option of sending in an explanation if there is a big discrepancy between the scores.

Like all of us, it has been beat into my head to not take the LSAT until you feel ready for it. Is it irresponsible of me to just take it anyway and then explain the lower score away on my application?

Also, as an aside, I am now in a position where I could devote around 20-25 hours per week for the next two weeks to studying. I know predicting point improvement is hugely difficult, as it depends on the person, but do you think I would potentially raise my score another 3 points or so?

I really appreciate y'alls help. Just reading through the discussions here on 7sage is helpful, the community seems so genuinely helpful and pleased when other's succeed.

Hey guys!

Just curious, what's the take on letters of recommendation for graduate students?

Do students get letters from graduate professors or should we go back to our undergraduate professors and hope they remember you? Since our undergraduate grades are the ones that count for admissions, should we ask undergrad profs?

In my case, I went to a grad program that had professors that basically SUCKED and it's literally like pulling teeth to get them to do ANYTHING. I'd probably have a better shot getting a better letter from my undergrad school.

I'd love to hear opinions!

Thanks!

I'd rather be able to just glance over at it. Wondering if anyone knows the answer.

So when I uploaded my picture for my admission ticket it seemed fine, but now that I've printed it off it looks like there's a shadow on half my face! Is it possible that they will let me change my picture even though it's after the deadline if I call them or something, or am I basically screwed out of taking the LSAT in September?

Hi,

Is there any plans to add caption / closed captions to the videos?

I think it would help with the study @ work as well as those with hearing disabilities.

Just a thought ...............

So im one of those perpetual starbucks dwellers. I cannot study anywhere else. I just started tracking how much coffee i drink a day....its insane. Apart from the health ramifications i have realized that a triple shot gives me the perfect amount of focus for 2 sections or so and then my brain shuts off. My score normally starts tanking at section 3 on most PTs EXCEPT if its LG. Im attributing this to coffee over fatigue bc i can do 6 or 7 timed sections and be ok if i have coffee. What do i do?

Was wondering how people go about squeezing every question for all that it can teach.

I found this website a couple months ago before I joined 7sage. It gives ratings and reviews of LSAT testing centers. Should be helpful for those of you deciding where to take your exam!

http://www.simugator.com/lsat-test-site-rater.php

Are there many things more dangerous on this test than a Sufficient Assumption answer choice in a Necessary Assumption question? It's like trying to distinguish a blueberry from something that looks like a blueberry but is poisonous. Not to mention we've only got 30 seconds to do it and if we fail, the effects of the poison compound for years.

I feel like I've got to be like Michael Jordan on the clutch...17 seconds to go in a 62-61 game and sinking the jump shot with confidence, every time. Should I prepare before hand so I'm ready for the situation? Or should I not think about it so when the time comes I'm relaxed? You know what, I'll meditate on it. I'll practice my mindfulness for the performance after I tune my brain to distinguish the strength of arguments floating in the ether that aren't made in the conversation.

If anyone tells me this test won't prepare me for law school, I will likely question their sensibility. For ((-- premise indicator) this is a mental transition. (em)Although ((--- conceding a point that probably doesn't matter) this isn't teaching me about torts, you bet I'm going to read those books quicker, with greater scrutiny, tact, and anticipation. And much later on when I'm helping my clients defend themselves, you bet I'm going to drive my opponents to the ground with their assumptions.(/p)

Hey all,

So I do poorly on my first two sections of my test but then get better and more focused on the last two.

Anyone else have this problem and how to solve it??

Thanks

Good morning 7Sage, I am back - as always - to ask some advice from everyone. Let me start by showing a break down of my last 5 PT's numbers.

PT C2: -6 RC, -7 LR, -1LG 166

PT 76: -6 RC, -7 LR, -1LG 169

PT 74: -9 RC, -6 LR, -1LG 167

PT 81: -4 RC, -12 LR, -2 LG 164 (wtf happened here..)

PT 66: -7 RC, -4 LR, -1 LG 169

Average: 167

Okay. This is where I am at currently.

1.) LR needs work. I miss Flaw and harder NA questions fairly often. In-between PT 81 and 66 I went back and reviewed ALL the fundamental basics for each LR question type. I was able to bring the score from -12 total to -4. What happened here? Why was a basic review necessary? How do I retain that level of LR proficiency so I don't lose it again? Prior to my review of the basics I completely forgot how to do MSS questions.

2.) LG - I don't know how the LSAC does it, but that one point is sloppy. I just can't get rid of it though. It follows me around like a lost puppy. It can be any type of question but typically it's;

or a "could be true" where I don't accurately read the question.

3.) RC - I have good days and I have bad days. I average a -6 in this section. The biggest thing here is I still don't feel like I have a solid strategy. I know this is the hardest section to improve, but I hate feeling like I am winging it. I have now done some of the RC portion of 7Sage and read more in the Trainer/Bible. I have found reading for structure helps a lot, but I still struggle with inferences. I just don't have the right mindset for what can be inferred from the passages.

I'm sorry this post is super personalized but this community is the only one I trust for advice. I need opinions on what people think is going on. I'm at the brink of pushing into the 170's and on a REALLY good day I can break it. I've scored as high as a 175 before. I'm just stuck at this final plateau and can't seem to budge!

So I just took it and completely bombed it. I found LR to be extremely difficult and it is a strong section for me.

Anyone think this PT sucked or am I the only one?

edit: I got a 166 on it and went -2 on LR1 and -8 on LR2. This has not happened to me in a very long time. Maybe I was just not very focused, idk, it's worrying me though with the Sept LSAT right around the corner.

So iv done hundreds upon hundreds of LR questions and i still dont have an answer for this. What does LSAC consider acceptable outside knowledge. What can i assume?

What would be the correct way to diagram this?

A->B->C

Or

(A->B)->C

Hey everyone,

I'm thankful and happy to say after my June sitting (162), my average for PT's has improved.

I've taken 46, 47, 55, 58, 60, 61 and have averaged 169 (as high as 172).

I'm around my goal (170 would be nice), and I'd like to take more PT's in the 70s before September's sitting.

I have PTs 48-54,56-57, 59, 69, 71, 72, 74, 76, 78 remaining.

I'm going to take 4 more PT's before the 16th.

Keeping in mind of a possible retake in December, I'd like to save some newer PT's.

Should I take as many modern PT's before September as possible, or should I save some?

I'm thinking I'll do 59, 69, 72, 76... Or 69, 71, 72, 74.

Thanks for the advice.

Hey guys, I'm having trouble finding which lesson what I wrote in my notes is from. I have:

Tuesday->rain->sad

= if tuesday, it will rain, and it will be sad

Vs.

Tuesday-> (rain->sad)

= on tuesday, if it rains, its sad

I want to review this, but I can't find the lesson... does anyone know?

Thanks!!!

Of course this hurricane just decimated the city. My family and I are fine, my apartment and the surrounding area are under water but luckily i live on the third floor so none of my stuff is wet and i came to my parents house on the other side of the city that drains a little better.

Im scheduled to take the LSAT this September, and have been studying since December '16. Got an email from the LSAC and they said they'd make provisions regarding the LSAT due to my location (the university of houston) literally being under water.

Has anyone else had a catastrophic issue like this where the LSAC had to reschedule or change the location? If so, what are some of the things they do and the possibilities? One person told me they may move the test to San Antonio, which is 3 hours away from houston. If i have to go to San Antonio, I'm moving the test to December. Im not adding that stress of having to make that ridiculous commute for an already difficult test.

This whole ordeal has been stressful, my family and I have been stranded in our home since Friday. Still have power, food, and internet, a couple generators if needed, all of which is more than most have. And none of my stuff is ruined. Roads and highways are still flooded. My car is okay for now, its in our garage which has a little water but not high enough to harm my car. So for now, i still have transportation but theres more rain coming tomorrow so who knows.