Hey 7sagers!

My BR scores are in the mid-high 170s (woohoo!), but my actual scores have been stuck in the mid-160s for a while now. I know the BR gap is a common problem, and I've seen a lot of people advocating to drill and BR, especially for LR. As the June test approaches, I'm wondering what kind of drilling would be best to raise my score at this point. For example, should I be drilling individual question types (untimed)? Timed sections to work on speed? Something else entirely?

For those of you who have successfully made the leap from the 160s to the 170s - what types of things/aspects of LR questions did you specifically focus on learning during your review? For example, were you focused on argument structures? Your skills that led you astray? Specific vocab? Characteristics of wrong answers? Perhaps I've been focusing on the wrong things during my review and not improving as a result.

A few strange things I've noticed about my scores-

TIA for all your help! Happy studying!

Hey everyone I am considering upgrading from the starter package to something else as I have finished the CC and did all the problem sets. I don't know how else to practice certain question types so I am considering upgrading my account. Any experiences anyone has had with the upgraded version and is is worth it ? Thank you and good luck everyone :)

Hi everyone,

When I started to study for the LSAT, I was originally planning on taking the June exam, but I wasn't making enough progress on LG and thought I would postpone to September. Even just 3 weeks ago, I was hitting -8 on LG. I don't know what happened, but I woke up one day and things started to "click" : now I am somehow managing -2 per section. I thought it was a fluke, so I PT-ed about 6 sections and they all average about -2-3.

Now I'm in a dilemma: I only have less than a month left till June but I've only taken 4 full, timed PTs (just here and there in between to evaluate progress.) I was saving PTs 40s up for later. (I've used maybe like 5 PTs past 40s to get myself acquainted with the more recent PTs).

**So my question is: should I start full, timed PTing NOW?**On the one hand, I am scoring only 2~3 points below my target score, and if I want to take the June exam, I guess now is the time to start taking the full, timed PTs. Perhaps, I can reach my target score by June by doing so.

On the other hand, I want to really take the time doing more drills. I am still incorporating some concepts and playing around with some strategies in LR and RC. I definitely know the concepts well, but I haven't mastered them. I don't want to move onto the full, timed PT until I feel extremely comfortable with each section. I recently bought the Manhattan Prep books and am finding them pretty helpful in mastering the concepts and strategies. I originally wanted to finish the books first before full-on PTing. I think I need at least a couple of more weeks to really incorporate the concepts.

I think I can score close to my minimum target score in June, but I don't think I would reach my full potential by then. Or who knows? Maybe I will after a full-month of PTing? It's really hard to predict how much I'd improve in a month. Should I take the risk?

I'd ideally wait till September, but given my sleep cycle and insomnia, June is a much better option for me.

Sleep cycle is brutally hard to change for me. Even if I practice sleeping at 10pm and waking up at 5~6am for 2 months, I sort of already know that I won't be able to fall asleep the night before the exam day. Exercise doesn't work. Melatonin doesn't either, and neither does Nyquil.

I'm a bit wary of waking up at 6am to take the 8:30am exam.

So hard to decide... Only if the September exam were also held at noon...

June will be the first time I'm taking it. I'm shooting for 155-160, but I'll be happy with 150. Been PTing around 144. Haven't even started studying for Logic Games, but I figured I'd do that now and in between then. But the window to postpone and switch is quickly closing. I'd rather have one good score, than 2 scores. Someone said it's better to not have all your eggs in one basket, like if I were to just do September, but I also don't want to go in and do poorly and it reflect badly on me, when I apply this fall.

What should I do?

Thank you

Hey, so I find myself having a constant desire to take a full PT. I do sections of the CC and instantly want to take a test to apply what I've learned and see if it makes a "huge" difference in my score. I am wise enough to know this is not the case but I think I really crave that "reward" of seeing my score. This is actually hurting my studying because I'm so eager to jump right into a test after each CC section that I don't hammer the core concepts home. How often do you PT? Do you PT only once you are done with the CC? or did/do you PT during the course? How can I find ways to "reward" myself without wasting an entire test?

Not going to lie, I'm pretty nervous about this. I definitely am still not near where I want to end up (going to do fool proof method next) but I'm ready to see where I am at. Really struggling to break out of the mindset of I'm the same person that I was when I made my half-hearted attempt to study for the LSAT during school (I was sub-150). I'm looking to write in September and I know 3 1/2 months is a lot of time but I'm still pretty nervous.

Any tips or advice for taking PT's?

Hi! So I need some advice about whether or not to stick with my June test or take the test in September. I took the test in December 2016 and got a terrible score (145) and I really am aiming for a mid 160s but I have been still averaging -9 on each section, I am understanding the material a lot better but Im just nervous if I take this test in June I wont be where I want to be, does anyone have any advice? Thank you so much in advance!

Hey guys so I registered for the September lsat and I am having a difficult time figuring out what i should be doing next. I'm considering purchasing the ultimate package to get access to the more difficult questions, so any recommendations regarding that? Also I don't feel that I am improving on logical reasoning at all. I went through the course curriculum already and I'm lost as to what needs to be done next. Please any advice would be great. Good luck to everyone!

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.

Hi Guys!

I hope anyone reading this is having a fine day. I guess I just wanted to make a post because I've been largely silent in the Discussion section. I'm taking the June LSAT and am feeling quite overwhelmed. Working full time at a stressful job and having a two-hour long commute takes a considerable chunk out of my day. I worry I acted too quickly by signing up for the June exam since I only started studying in mid-February.

I just took my first two PTs and scored158/159, my blind reviews 163/166. With the test a month away... does anyone think I'll be able to catch up to my blind review score? I guess I'm just looking for a bit of encouragement :)

Anyway, my apologies for sounding mopey. Let's end on a happy note. GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY STUDIES EVERYONE!!!

Hey guys!

I was hoping to get some opinions on this.....

I put up a post a while back about HOW I should undertake studying for the LSAT. I purchased the Ultimate package and I'm starting to study again..but facing the same struggle I faced the first time, "Do I want to go to law school? Why am I taking this test?" I don't know any lawyers personally, so I'm basing all of my ideas off books, blogs, and websites. I met with a pre-law advisor and he asked what I'd majored in. When I answered history and told them that I also just finished my MA (again in history), he told me that obviously I had a passion and should follow that passion. I've thought about teaching, but I've also read negative things about that too. If someone were to ask me, "why teach history?" I'd be able to run you down a list of reasons why. Ask me "why law?" I'd give you a blank stare...the only semi-positive being the opportunity to earn more.

Anyway...sorry for the long post. Basically, I was wondering if anybody else feels this from time to time - should you be 100% sure law school and being a lawyer is for you before taking this test and investing time (and money)? Do people feel "passion" for the law or being a lawyer?

Thanks! xo

To all the wonderful mothers studying for the LSAT!

I hope you enjoy your day :)

https://media.giphy.com/media/3ohzdZlw3USf5KAgg0/giphy.gif

Good morning 7sage,

Background/Additional Info

I've been lurking/slowly posting more the last week or two. I came up with a plan for my retake attempt in December or February (depending on which date my job approves the time off request for). Background: I sat for the Feb 2017 test, wrote a 156, PT average for the month going into it was a 160, BR scores were 168-170. I know, I should have postponed. My goal score is a 160+. I'm going to have an unpredictable cycle, and I'm striving to get my LSAT score as high above the 75ths for my target schools as possible . Unpredictable since I'll be a splitter, my max LSAC GPA is 2.9-3.0, military musician (there are no more than 18 people with my specific job in my branch of service), had academic issues in the past (an academic probation and academic suspension 10+ years before I'll be applying to school), upward trend in GPA (current school/degree GPA is 3.52 and rising). For my two target/goal schools, my anticipated LSAC GPA is .15 to .25 below their 25ths, my current LSAT score is right at their medians. Safety schools-I'm at/above their medians and/or 75ths already. Reach/Dream School: GPA is .5 below their 25th and LSAT is 14 points below their 75th-I'd need to get a 172+ to have even a remote chance (so, it is closer to a hail mary school). I'll be applying to start in the Fall 2019 school year, so I still have some time. My work schedule is hectic over the summer/warm months, and then in cooler months-it can be a bit busy but I get decent comp time for it. I'm also a full time student.

My overall goal for the retake is to write a 160+ to provide a greater chance of acceptance to my target schools. I'll be going to school via the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program, so unless if I can talk the school into changing any potential scholarship to a non-tuition (e.g. living expense or general) scholarship, the difference between admission with scholarship and admission without scholarship does not matter much to me (GI Bill is last payer, so whatever tuition scholarship I receive would reduce the amount GI Bill pays to match it until tuition is covered). Using LSN and a few other sites, it looks like as it stands, I have solid chances of admission at my target schools now. I'm mostly concerned about my past academic issues being enough of a red flag to ADCOMs that I need to be above their 75ths to alleviate those issues.

Time per day/week for LSAT Prep and Course work

Week Days when I'm not on tour, I have 4-4.5 per day (90mins in the morning, half of my 2hr lunch break, 2-3hrs each night after work).

Week Days when I am on tour, it varies dramatically from 3hrs to 6hrs.

Week Ends when I'm not on tour, are typically free/wide open.

Week ends when I am on tour, vary quite a bit.

Course work tends to need 4 hours per class per week to get A's.

I am single, no family/relationship commitments, and get 99.9999% of my social needs met by my job. So, I'm not concerned about having time to go out/party. I hit the gun range once a week or every other week and workout 2-3 times per week for around 90mins total time commitment per workout (or trip to the range).

So, finally, my plan.

Step 1: Redo the entire Core Curriculum.

Step 1a (done concurrently with Core Curriculum): Fool proof every logic game I can get my hands on.

Step 2: Take PT's and BR each.

Step 2a: Drill question types based off of PT and BR scores.

Step 2b: Use supplemental materials to aid in weak areas (I have LSAT Trainer, PS Bibles, Manhattan LR and RC)

Once I reach the PT point, the plan is to simulate test day conditions as close as possible with a few different locations: the lounge at my job site and local library with the test starting at 0900 on a Saturday. For week day PT's, I'm thinking they would be on Tuesday and potentially Thursday, but I'd rather focus on quality over quantity. I used the odd PT's from the 70's and PT 80 for the final month of my previous prep. I'm AOK with buying additional PT's beyond what I currently have (I think I own all of the ones currently released, but not all of them are clean copies).

Sample Week Day Plan for Non-Tour Week

0600-0730: Fool Proof LG

Work Block

1100-1200ish Course Work

Work Block

430PM-530PM: CC session 1

530PM-615PM: Dinner

615PM-715PM: CC Session 2

715PM-815PM: CC session 3

Sample Saturday Plan for Non-Tour Week BEFORE starting PT's

0830-0930: Fool Proof LG

0930-1030: Relax/Eat Breakfast

1030-noon: CC session1

noon-3PM: Relax, errands, chores, lunch

3PM-430PM: CC session 2

430PM-530PM: Relax, Dinner

530PM-7PM: CC session 3

730PM--830PM: Fool Proof LG

To avoid burn out, the only LSAT studying on Mondays would be fool proofing LG in the morning, the lunch time and evening sessions would be used for course work and/or gym or range time. Fridays I would cut the last two CC session for relaxation, meditation, or gym. I'd rather not hit burnout as many times leading up to this attempt.

Questions I have

Is it okay to start fool proofing games before completing the core curriculum?

When I'm on tour (typically a week at a time, once or twice per month from May-July/August), time is a premium, so I'm thinking I'll use those weeks as mini-LG intensives where I drop the CC time and only Fool Proof games, does that make sense to others?

Does the structure of the plan make sense?

Just wondering if anyone is taking the patent bar this year? I am planning on taking this year and was hoping for a study buddy. Thanks.

Hi everyone! I had a general question about overall studying time. I often see many people on here talk about spending 4,5, 6 or even 7 or 8 hours a day on LSAT prep which is pretty insane.

I feel like I have undiagnosed, high functioning ADHD, or something like that, because I can't study for more than an hour and a half or 2 hours at a time. 3 hours at a time is usually the most I can go, as long I've gotten a good nights sleep and whether I'm well hydrated. I study everyday (Mon. through Sunday) so I don't feel like I'm falling behind.

Also, I don't usually break up my study time as most people do because I study in the morning since I'm the sharpest and can concentrate for long periods for most of the 2 or 3 hours I'm studying. Often times, in the afternoon I feel sluggish, tired or unfocused to try and study again, because I'm usually burnt out for the morning session lol. I've thought about exercising mid day to see if that helps as all.

Is it bad that I can't study for more than 2 or 3 hours at a time a day? What are some study tips that have worked for you guys? Any recommendations to increase focus or longer study times? Thanks!

So I took the practice LSAT test from 2008 and scored a whopping 134. I have a 3.76 cumulative GPA from my undergraduate so I know I'm not dumb. I'm trying to get into Texas Tech Law school this Fall 17 so I need at least a 150. I am lost, I do not know where to start studying with the LSAT. Not going to lie, the pre-test discourages me quite some, I feel dumb. I need help, If anyone doesn't mind sharing some wisdom with me on how to study, what to study, and how to get a decent score on the LSAT. I take the June 12th LSAT so I have about a month to study. Thank!

i'm noticing a trend in my preptests:

finish a preptest feeling like i bombed it ------> usually a higher score.

finish a preptest feeling like i aced it ------> ok, but not great score.

anyone else notice any trends in their emotional state after completing a preptest?

i'm trying to use this information to train myself to ignore my self doubt after i take the actual test.

if you have already taken the lsat: did your emotional state and expectations after the test match your test score?

Yay!

Okay, so, my particular situation is that I've been attempting to do prep with PowerScore for a long time (3 years as of this month). I've taken the test 3 times already and am about to do a 4th.

"Why on earth would you take a test so many times when you've already taken a good prep course?!"

Great question, Jimmy! The reason why is that my consistency and willingness to practice and drill sections of the LSAT has been lackluster and nearly non-existent since I started in 2014. Why I didn't practice? Because I thought the LSAT was a breeze, through all 3 attempts. My last attempt in October 2015 was my painful wake-up call that I couldn't just simply read the material without any practice and expect to get a 160+ on this test.

My score has been 142, 147, and 146. Quite terrible.

I saw results when I started looking through 7Sage's LG explanations. Started to really understand them. Now, I'd like to do prep with both PowerScore and 7Sage with 7Sage being the supplement in case PowerScore's jargon-y explanations didn't crack it.

What do you guys think?

After the CC, I have worked through PTs 1-4. I'm planning on taking the test in September but I can push it back if need be. My scores are 162, 160, 162 and 169. I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the 169. Before 7sage, I was working through Kaplan and so I might have burned some of the PT 60s (I was doing individual sections as opposed to full length tests). My diagnostic at the very beginning (back in November) was 148 so I have had significant improvement already. I'm also worried that I have peaked in terms of improvement.

Should I start taking PTs 20+? Is it worth it to go that far back? I know that the level of difficulty tends to change. September is getting closer and closer so I know it would be difficult to go through all 80 preptests. Plus, I would like to save PTs just in case I don't get the score I want on the first try.

How do you get rid of the feeling that your brain is just filled with gauze?

Every time I try and do a preptest, I feel like my brain is fogged up. It goes away eventually, but comes back again irregularly throughout the process. How do I keep my mind completely sharp and clear throughout the test?

Hi all,

I have a question about correlations, as related to the LSAT. For example, PT77.S2.Q25 "The longer an animal can stay submerged in a dive, the deeper an animal can dive."

Do this statement go both ways, i.e. You can validly conclude that:

Feel free to just answer my question above, but delving even deeper into theory here, correct me if I'm wrong:

*I'm assuming that causality GENERALLY goes one way, but can go both ways. I.e., The Alliance system caused the war (it wouldn't be correct to say the war caused the Alliance system.) However, I can also think of some examples where an effect could be a cause and a cause could be an effect.

*What about correlation?

Here to vent a little bit.

I've been having horrible headaches this week and put in couple bad PT's.

Last week, I PT'd 65 and got a 167/173. Highest BR score and second highest real score ever.

The last 2 PT's this week have been 161 and 162 (both high BR scores).

I have been rock steady in LG for some time now but this week I missed -7 and -9. The new RC is difficult, but I have improved from not being able to even finish to becoming better. One silver lining is my LR, which I scored as good as -2 on.

I feel like I have a good grasp on the fundamentals but it's just been tough. Hope you guys have had a better week then me.

Edit: Any advice/encouragements/venting is welcome :):):)

Hi 7Sagers,

This is a question mainly directed at those who have already taken the LSAT. It says on the bubble sheet to "not leave any stray marks", etc.

However, I've gotten into the habit of circling the numbers on my bubble sheet to come back to for blind reviewing. Has anyone else done this on the actual test? Does it impact scoring?

If it does, what do y'all do to notate questions you want to come back to without writing on the bubble sheet?

Thanks in advance!

I can access my syllabus but when I click on anything it will not load.

Admin edit: We're aware of the issue and are looking into it. Sorry about this, guys.

Admin edit 2: Fixed. Sorry for the trouble!