Hi guys,

Has anyone used Manhattan Prep vs. Testmasters for private tutoring?

Trying to see which is better. I'm not referring to the group courses, just the tutors.

Any prep courses that you guys would recommend? I live in Orange County CA if that matters.

June 2017 test I got -5 on each of the (2) LR and (2) RC sections, -12 on the 1 LG section. So shitty that I bombed such an easy LG, I was just checked out and exhausted by the time I got to that section and the simple games oddly threw me off since I only repeatedly practiced the really difficult ones.

I obviously just haven't studied well enough but waiting outside in line for like 2 hours outside in the heat and then waiting more inside for everyone to get seated and the test not being over until late evening really messed with my head.

I'm thinking maybe an in person prep course and taking prep tests in a classroom setting will be more similar to actual LSAT conditions and will help with my stamina. And maybe will help improve my logic games since it's just not clicking for me after self studying with 7sage.

Do whatever it is you need to do to get back on your feet. You have a little over two months until the September test. You haven't failed completely if you can just get back on your feet quickly and try again. You know where you messed up along the way..don't spend time thinking about what went wrong outside of the question types you messed up or your strategy. It's not going to be easy, but nothing worth having is! Get on your grind.

What exactly does it mean for the ultimate plus edition to have the hardest questions, while the basic has the easiest questions?

Will I not be prepared if I choose the basic edition instead of the ultimate plus due to the lack of the "hardest" questions.

Hey All,

72 days left for all of my fellow September LSAT takers! Definitely beginning to feel that tinge of pressure. The end is in sight :)

I'm seeking advice from any sages/top scorers who routinely score in the 170s. A few top scorers that I've had the pleasure of speaking to had an average PT score of 173, 174, 175, etc. I'm wondering how you all were able to overcome the "almost there but not quite in the 98/99th percentile" plateau. My last 5 scores were 168, 174 (yay), 169, 168, and 169, respectively, so I'm averaging at 169.6. I'm prepping the same way I have been for my entire LSAT career, but I feel as though I cannot get over this 169 phase. Any tips from those who have been here?

RC is definitely still the primary cause of this plateau. Averaging -7 for RC, -1 for LG, and -2 for LG.

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! Happy Grey Day! Just received my score and didn't do so hot, not horrible but I want to improve by 10 points at least. I'm going to upgrade my account and purchase a course, but I was looking for help on which one to choose. I'm kind of broke at the moment and can afford the Ultimate package, or the premium package. I see little differences between the two, should I get the Ultimate at the $549 price point or would it be wiser to save some money for not much of a difference in resources with the premium package? Looking for some opinions from my fellow sagers.

Thanks everyone!

Jon

What do you guys feel are the implications of the self-perceived confidence of a test taker when they take a test? Have you ever been really confident in your performance on a PT only to find that you've bombed multiple sections? Have you ever felt bad about a PT and discovered afterwards that you over-performed?

Personally I've experienced a bit of both extremes throughout my preparation, but I find I've done my best work when I'm slightly pessimistic about my performance. I think this happens because my logical faculties are in overdrive on a PT when I'm not exactly certain on any given number of questions (i.e. when I've narrowed my options to two answer choices on an LR/RC question), and so I'm forced to give the proper justification before selecting my answer. This attitude seems to indicate more correct answers than when I'm overconfident and feel I've nailed a test.

I ask because I tend to think mindset, whether it's overconfidence or self-loathing, can be a major problem for some test takers, especially as they approach the end of their respective journeys. I also think the whole 'mindset' discussion is underrepresented when it comes to talk of LSAT preparation.

So, what do you all think? What are your experiences with your levels of confidence?

Hi everyone! So I am studying through some PTs now and using the blind review method, find that I can figure out exactly why an answer was correct in place of the answer I chose upon reviewing but haven't been able to translate that into behaviour or habits or pinpoint exactly why I chose the wrong one (I know but on the scale of that question) but there is no overarching pattern of me choosing the wrong answers for any one particular reason. Is anyone else having this problem and how did you delve into this? Is it just a matter of repetition?

Hey Everyone,

I signed up for the September LSAT about a month ago, but have yet to receive a package in the mail with all the info on what to bring, where to go etc.

I'm not sure if this is something that gets sent closer to test day? If anyone that has taken the test has any insight I'd appreciate it. I just want to make sure it didn't get lost in the mail.

Thanks

I just took my first timed PT after foolproofing and the CC so i got a 160 timed and a 171 on the BR. This is way below what i was expecting. Could it be that i scored much lower bc it was my first timed PT. Should i expect a jump in scores just based on adjusting to taking timed tests?

I feel like I'm in a sort of awkward spot during my studies. I saw an improvement and am now at a new plateau. However, where I use to be confident in my methods for fixing my weaknesses, now I can't figure out how to approach the test.

Admitiadly I haven't spent much time on RC, and it is a major impact on my score (up to -8) this section is a hit or miss. There are also times I go -2 but then my LR shoots up through the roof.

I still don't feel completely confident in my LR either.

I seem to be missing the "hardest" questions per LR section. These could be any question type, but they are the most difficult to solve. So whereas before I would attack the questions by type, now I feel lost.

When I review the questions I've missed though I almost always spot the correct answer, and don't know why I ever picked the answer I did. Very rarely do I go back to a question and continue to struggle.

I also can't seem to polish off LG. I'm always going -1 to -2. I finish with extra time fairly often, and feel confident in my answers. Some how they always manage to get me with one.

I feel like I'm trying to sweep a path at the beach. Every time I clear a spot the sand gets blown right back onto it!

Any suggestions?

Hi all,

I've posted about my RC struggles a few times now so I'm few several of you are familiar with my predicament. I have very strong scores in LG and LR, but my RC score is average at best. About -10 give or take on timed sections. I guess that's average because that down 4 sections would be about a 150...but I'm not sure of the actual average RC score.

I've tried all of the methods available to me. I've practiced, practiced, and practiced some more and with no progress. In fact, a few times I've thought that I've sort of figured it out with a -3/-4 section only to find out I was still in the -9/-11 range. That's the most frustrating thing of all.

Obviously, retaining every detail of the passage is impossible. I just seem to fall prey to trap answers left and right in RC. It demands a superb short term memory and I exercise that in games and LR...I just don't know why it doesn't translate to RC. Has anyone else faced this sort of problem? How did you 'figure it out'?

My two biggest problems are definitely falling prey to trap answers and having to look back at the passage when it shouldn't be necessary which slows me down. Because of this, I usually end up not reading the last two passages very well. Ironically, my scores on the last two passages are not any worse than on the first two when I put more time in...just another maddening piece of information.

I don't know if I need an entire RC makeover or what...but I'm just practicing and feel like I'm getting no where.

Any tricks or tips from people who were in my situation would be greatly appreciated. Again, 170+ range scores in LG and LR, 150 range score in RC.

Hey all!

Just wanted to see what others who are attempting to take the September test are studying right now..what's your study plan until the test date? I just went through the core curriculum,drilling Logic Games right now. Trying to figure out practice tests schedule right now. I'm studying full time until the test date so trying to figure out how to maximize my potential.

I'm thinking it is time to switch up the way I'm doing timed sections. Right now I have my phone stop watch run and pay 0 attention to it. I stop it when I get to the end of my section, record my time and move on.

I think it's time to go analog. I'm not sure if I'll even want a physical watch on test day, but it cannot hurt to train with one. That being said I'm looking for suggestions.

The 180 watch seems pricey but does seem to fit the LSAT very well.

There is also the Perfect Score watch but Amazon has mixed reviews on it.

What do you guys use to time yourself with. What are the pros/cons?

I've been taking practice tests starting with the earlier ones from the 1990s. I've been scoring pretty well on them (high 160s-low 170s). Are they easier than more current tests? Is my average score an accurate picture of where I would be if I took the LSAT right now?

Hey was just curious how others approach the prep tests. Do you diligently do the prep tests in order, or do you tend to jump around from 50s to 70s to 20s etc?

Just curious if there is a better strategy. I've been going pretty diligently in order from prep test 37, and I'm now in the 50s but also kind of want to just tackle test 80 for a thrill and to see how different it is. Is this a bad idea? Should I leave the later exams for closer to test day?

Hey everyone, not sure if I'm just blind, but I just did the early prep test 1 logic games section and can't find the answers anywhere. I just upgraded to the Ultimate+ package so it should have answers, no?

Does anyone else find BR tortuous??

Hey! So, I have the starter package which is still really good. I am halfway finished with CC so, I wanted to know how many preptests should I have for drilling and practicing? Currently, I have preptests 19-28, 29-38,52-61,and 62-71. I've already used 19-28 during my powerscore studying though. Also, once you enter your test answers with blind review, does 7sage show you the types and explanations? If not, how did you all go about supplementing your studying for after CC?

Hey guys,

When I took the LSAT December 2016 I thought it would be my only attempt. Although I did well, to get into the school of my dreams, I need to do better. Problem is I went all in last year and burned through a lot of valuable PTs

There are a lot of PTs I haven't hit (30-45) range, and some intermittent throughout the more recent ones. Any ideas on how I should go about PTing from now until my September test date? I know I can still squeeze juice out of the one's I did do, and I know I don't remember a lot from those same PTs. I am concerned however, that the PTs I do take again will not be truly indicative of my score, moreover, I'm not sure how to schedule what PTs (seen and unseen) to do when. Would I want to do the one

Help?

Thanks!!

If i dont finish a section. Should i attempt those questions during BR?

I accidentally hit score prep test without Ann of the answers filled in and cannot figure out how to reset the score card so I can enter the answers fully. How do I reset it? Thanks :D

Ok, so I was a July tester who knew going in that I wasn't ready. I have awful test anxiety so I decided to take the dive and do the test anyway to quench my nerves. Luckily it did and I registered for the September in good spirits. I've taken the last few weeks off waiting for the score, and now I'm trying to set up my new plan of attack. Any retaking advice? I didn't do sage before, and I'm interested in doing it this time around.

By the way, sorry if there is typos. I'm currently typing with one finger due to being a kitten bed!

Hello again! First of all, I wanted to express my general appreciation for everyone in the 7Sage community! You guys are essentially total strangers, yet almost always go the extra mile to help and support each other. I'm very impressed, and I feel privileged to be among you.

As for my question, I wanted to inquire about how the LSAT treats independent events in relation to likelihood. The content that spiked my curiosity came from Mike Kim's LSAT trainer rather than an official LSAT passage, so if this issue is not relevant to the LSAT, I'd love to know that too. The trainer has an exercise where one has to use proper knowledge of LSAT meanings for "some" and "most" to determine whether or not a statement in valid.

One of these statements is that "Everyone who orders a sundae gets offered a free extra cherry, and most people say yes to the extra cherry. Some people who order the banana split get offered a free extra cherry, and less than half of these people say yes. Therefore, people who order a sundae are more likely to say yes to a free cherry than are people who order a banana split."

Using the LSAT definitions of the qualifier words, Sundae buyers have a 1.0 chance of being offered, and more than half of them say yes. Banana Split Buyers have a 0 to 1.0 chance of being offered, and fewer than half accept. The conclusion then maintains that /people/ who order a Sundae are more likely to say yes to a free cherry than their heathen Banana-Split ordering counterparts; the book later designates this as a valid statement.

This situation immediately reminded me of a common mistake people make in evaluating confidence intervals in statistics. A 95% confidence interval, for example, does not mean that any given member of a population has a 95% chance of meeting a certain criteria. Rather, they already have have either a 0% chance or a 100% chance of meeting that criteria; their status (or in this context, selection,) is fixed and independent of any outside conditions. There is no roll of the dice. The interval merely gives us insight into the qualities of the group as a whole. In a way, this principle is reminiscent of the piece = puzzle LR flaw.

In the cited problem, we have data regarding the proportions of entities who made a decision being equated with the likelihood of those rigid entities from making one decision or the other, which isn't true.

So what does this situation mean for the LSAT? My guess is that this kind of situation would never arise on an LSAT, but if it does, I hope to find out whether my aforementioned thought process is correct, (thus invalidating the ice cream statement,) or if the LSAT does indeed require us to treat a population proportion and the "decision likelihoods" of its individual members as congruent values.

Thanks!

I was wondering if I should take a practice test now before the completion of the 7sage to get a baseline. I have taken shorter versions and I know that according to them I will have a fairly decent score, but I haven't taken a full practice test. Is that what I should do, or should I instead focus on the cc, test, and use that as a baseline ?