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39 posts in the last 30 days

This may be the most worthless discussion in 7Sage's recent history, but in the event that it may help someone in similar shoes to mine, I thought I'd err on the safe side and post this anyway.

There are perhaps three things that I hate above all else in this world: the never-ending zombie craze, country music, and. COFFEE. The last of these - the putrid, nightmarish toxin eighty-some percent of Americans seem to enjoy drinking - is the worst of them all. I once enjoyed Plants v. Zombies, and I occasionally manage to walk in and out of a store without noticing but for a second some song about a pickup truck, but coffee will never grow one me. A teaspoon of it in even the sweetest of desserts will have me immediately putting down my fork and reaching for what is hopefully a full glass of water. So what did frequently flu-ridden me always do the night (mid-morning) before a half dozen midterms? I drank a crap ton of matcha.

For the purpose of this post, I found a Daily Mail article, which will hopefully do all of the science talk for me.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2713411/Would-swap-coffee-Matcha-green-tea.html

Having been a frequent drinker of matcha for the past five years or so, I am confident that I can speak knowledgeably about its benefits. The caffeine kick isn't immediate and dramatic as is the kick from a coffee break, but the subsequent crash is absolutely nonexistent. You may notice a lengthened alertness that extends beyond the length of the LSAT (a big plus, if you ask me) both from the caffeine, which is absorbed more slowly than is caffeine from coffee, and the plentiful amount of goodies also found in the drink (see article for the actual specifics on this). While tea holds a fraction of the amount of caffeine compared to coffee, matcha is very different, primarily because of the fact that the drink requires you to drink the leaves themselves as opposed to an infusion of them. Leaves used for [quality] matcha are a very particular fraction of a very particular variety, not to mention the delicate and ultra-specific processing these leaves undergo. This leads, among other things, to a higher concentration of amino acids and to a much better tasting product.

One of the greatest benefits of matcha in relation to the LSAT is the amount customarily consumed. As opposed to a cup of coffee or tea, a "cup" of matcha is no more than a few ounces from less than a tablespoon of powder. I don't know about anyone else here on this forum, but I am not about to wait one to two hours before actually starting the test, only to have to keep my bladder from bursting while working on the first three sections of the LSAT for the two hours afterwards. Matcha avoids this issue for me perfectly and also gives me a very positive, consistent, and crash-less boost.

Personally, matcha, and tea in general, is most attractive for its taste, aroma, and history, but for the purpose of the LSAT, the benefits of matcha are especially attractive. It has helped me tremendously in many instances over the years like the one aforementioned. Should anyone take the venture to try this tea, I would recommend experimenting with it a few months out before the test; buying it is a bit of an investment, and several accessories are pretty much required in order to prepare the tea. Making the tea takes some practice as well. And just because a product claims to be matcha a) doesn't mean that it actually is and b) doesn't mean it is of any decent quality. Plenty of green tea powders are marketed as "matcha" even though its from an entirely different leaf, harvest date, production process, et cetera. Fakes and poor products lead to reduced benefits (including caffeine) and at best sub-par flavor profiles. Hibiki-an and Aiya are among the more reputable and reliable sources for purchasing matcha.

As I mentioned, quality matcha is not cheap, but I think for some, it may be a worthwhile investment. I know matcha will be very helpful for me, as will my 180watch and Ticonderoga pencils. And for coffee-haters akin to myself, a drink such as this can be godsend straight from heaven.

2

I find the section difficulty level that rates difficulty of a section on1-5 star scale useful. How is this rating assigned to a section? How many average wrongs make for 1-star and so on..?

For some sections, this difficulty rating seems very off.

PT-71 LG, which is one of the easier LGs, is assigned the same rating as the notorious PT-72 LG (had the surprising pattern game that got most takers) and PT-77 LG (December Lg with two tough games). All of these are given 2-star. Why is that?

0

I recently received more time on the LSAT because I have a physical disability that puts me at an disadvantage to other test takers. That being said I am allotted 50% more time on my LSAT and the highest score I am receiving is a 159 with the extra time. I really need help because I want to score in the mid to high 160's and I am registered for the June LSAT. Any advice?

0

Brace yourselves guys - we just got this email from the LSAC:

"In addition to the Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Analytical Reasoning (LG) sections the LSAC is add a new section call Critical Analysis. This section tests students ability to read evidence, arguments, and declarations and critically analyze the credibility of the material. This move is partially in response to increasing complaints by law school professors who feel that law students fail to think critically about what they hear and read.

"98% of my students will believe anything I say without even thinking about it for one second. It makes me sick to my stomach!", laments Prof. Laura Norder, who teaches second year Evidence at Princeton Law School."

11

Hi all,

I'm really interested in crowd sourcing some best practices for improving reading comp, especially from those of you who have seen significant gains in that section. It's a weak spot for many students and it seems perhaps to call for a more individualized approach depending on if you tend to over focus on details, or miss the tone of the passage, etc. As I work with more students to improve this section, I want to be able to give tailored advice that might not come from my own experience.

So, what has helped you improve? Does the memory method work for you? Have you tried any other methods with success? Have you picked up tips for pacing that made you a faster reader? How do you retain the passage? Do you use a notation strategy, and if so, how do you do it?

Go!!

1

Anyone else think it's just adorable when the 90's LSATs try to talk about anything involving computers? I almost ran into trouble on PT36 with the first RC Passage. I almost died laughing when the author starts trying to explain what an emoticon is LOL.

1

Can some of you awesome people weigh in on statistical reasoning as it's used in the LSAT? For example, PT 18 S2 Q4. Specifically, things like probability or likelihood trip me up. Any resources or explanations would be appreciated! Thanks!

0

So today, for what might be the first time, I could not even guess what the answer to a question was on BR. It's PT 60, S1, Q21. I've gone over the question every different way I can think of, diagramming and rediagramming the stimulus and all the answer choices. And. Still. Nothing. Is it acceptable for me to write this one off and just look at the explanation? I get that the whole point of blind review is to give yourself unlimited time to figure a question out, but I genuinely cannot envision how else I would attack this question if you gave me another year.

0

I am trying to decide which LSAT to take, June 2016 or September 2016. I know these types of questions have been asked over and over again but responses to my specific concern would be very appreciated.

I started studying at the beginning of February and I anticipate most who respond (if any do) will recommend waiting until September if I am not confident in my scores (which at this point I am not but am optimistic I will improve over the next two months). My concern with waiting until the September LSAT is that I may get through all the PT's and then only be able to redo old ones. I am also worried I will lose ambition for studying for such a long period of time. If there is anyone out there who has studied for 6-8months straight and could over some words of wisdom? It would be much appreciated.

0

Typically, it takes me 5/6 minutes to read an entire passage without ignoring anything.

How in the world can one read some of these lengthy and boring passages in 3 minutes or less without skipping any of the information?

I really need some help with this!

0

Hey folks,

For which question types in LR am I supposed to write out a logical equations (translating the stimulus)? And, for those question types, when am I to employ intuition vs. writing out logical equations?

I'm really struggling with translating convoluted/complex stimulus into logical equations and then back into English again to find the answer choice. Any help would greatly be appreciated!

0

When you skip questions do you still circle an answer choice and come back to it, or leave it blank untill you come back to it at the end?

And are there different skipping strategies for LR/LG/RC?

0

Just set up a schedule and would appreciate some feedback. Made sure to take 2-3 tests per week, and on the weeks I take 3 to include one retake to help with burnout:

April 3- PT 70

April 6- PT 40

April 10- PT 55

April 12- PT 71(retake)

April 14- PT 45

April 17- PT 73

April 20- PT 41

April 25- PT 50

April 27- PT 68

May 1- PT 60

May 3- PT 57

May 5- PT 72 (retake)

May 8- PT 62

May 10- PT 65

May 12- PT 61 (retake)

May 15- PT 76

May 17- SPB

May 22- PT 77

May 24- PT 63 (retake)

May 29- SPC

May 31- PT 47 (retake)

I plan to review all questions I had trouble with from the 70s the week before the exam. 3 days before test day I will take PT 56 (a retake) to stay sharp and hopefully remain confident.

Hoping also that some people use this schedule so that we can BR some tests together. Please PM me if you'd be interested. I think this schedule is pretty good since it mixes up the PTs while also giving you enough time to get acclimated to the most recent (70s) exams.

Lastly, I also left 8 fresh practice tests from 38+ to save for a potential retake. I know some may disagree but I find fresh tests to be so important, and I don't want to be in the position of having seen every test if I am forced to retake.

0

Hi,

I started studying in October with the hopes of taking the February test. My initial plan was to go through my books (MLR, MRC, PSLG, PSLR, and LSAT Trainer), drill untimed all of the Cambridge LG packets (1-38), drill untimed some of the Cambridge LR (1-38), practice full sections RC timed and blind review, then move on to timed sections with BR, starting with tests 39-44, and then full PTs with BR for the rest of my study period. I took too long, however, going through my books, which pushed back my Cambridge LG packets, which pushed back everything else, etc. I decided mid-way through December to take a break and start up at the beginning of January in hopes of taking the June test.

It is now the end of March and I have gone through each LG type in the Cambridge packets (I left a game or two in each type for later practice) and a good chunk of the Cambridge LR packets (I didn't want to go through it all in order to save some for later practice). For the LG Cambridge packets I timed myself using a count up timer just to take note of my progress. I definitely feel more confident with LGs but not where I would like to be. Some games take me from 5min on the first try to 20min on the first try. Some games I go through quickly and get (-0) or (-1) , some take longer with worse results. I have not timed myself for the LR Cambridge packets, as I was going for accuracy and not time, but I did take the two LR sections of PT 39 untimed the other day and got a (-2), so I feel confident transitioning to timed sections.

Essentially I feel confident starting timed sections with LR and will start using PT 40-44 for timed sections. For LG games, however, I plan to hold off using the sections of the tests I have not seen (39-77) and just going through LG sections of PT 1-38 timed in order to keep practicing, but now with time added. Yes, I know I have seen them and my score won't be representative of my actual ability, but I need to keep drilling LG as I am not where I would like to be. I am doing it less for seeing my score and more for practice.

As for RC, I plan to start going through PTs 1-38 RC sections timed and then BR-ing.

Does this sound like a good plan? Should I have approached my studying differently? I'm debating delaying to September. Should I delay? What should I change in my approach? I typically study 2-3 hours a day with 4 hours on Saturday.

Thank you.

P.S.: If it's of any help, I scored a 152 on my first and only PT way back in October.

-11 RC

-14 LR

-18 LG (I only attempted the first game in this section, as I only knew how to do basic linear games at the time. I Christmas treed the rest.)

0

With roughly 10 weeks until the June test, I would like to take a prep test every week leading up to the test itself. I want to take LSAT 77 the week before, 76 2 weeks before etc. I would like to take the tests as true to test day as possible, so I want hard copies and to fill in the bubble sheets etc. Does anyone have any recommendations for obtaining these tests other than buying them off Amazon? I know the pdf's were recently taken down :( Thanks!

0

Anticipating Answer Choices with Sage Jimmy Dahroug

Thursday 3/31 at 5pm ET

Sage Jimmy (173) will be conducting an intensive on how, when, and why to anticipate answer choices—and what that really means. Appropriate for all levels of prep!

To join the webinar, please do the following:

Anticipating Answer Choices with Sage Jimmy Dahroug

Thu, Mar 31, 2016 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM CDT

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/453435877

You can also dial in using your phone.

United States +1 (408) 650-3123

Access Code: 453-435-877

Note on all webinars: Only the live webinars are free and open to the public. No recordings will be made publicly available, but we do make webinar recordings available to 7sage's students as part of the paid course. So if you want to get some great webinar content for free, be sure to attend the live version. Furthermore, any recording or broadcasting of webinars is strictly prohibited (Periscope, screencapture, etc.) and constitutes a violation of LSAC's copyright. Copyright infringement is not a good way to start a legal career.

1

Hi there,

So I know the core says the important thing about "few," as opposed to "some," is what you can conclude about what few is not.

Few X have polka dots, so most X's don't have polka dots.

But I've heard on a couple other courses that you can't conclude the "most aren't...."

Thoughts?

Specifically, I recall some question (which I wrote it down) that talked about lightbulbs dying b4 the warmth expired and it said something like "few die b4 warranty expires" and the answer choice explanation contained something about how you can't conclude that most "don't die b4 warranty expires."

Does anyone have a rule of thumb for this?

0

Hello all, I was wondering what type of questions we’ll see that require us to pick an answer choice where we are negating the conditional idea or where negating a conditional idea (vice versa with existential) is blended with the existential idea? Weakening maybe? How does negating a conditional idea tie into the type of question we’d expect to see on the LSAT? Does that make sense or am I’m confusing myself? 7SAGE did a great job explaining how negating existential / conditional ideas was accomplished, but having trouble understanding where either apply in Logical Reasoning. Thanks!

1

I know lots of us joke about the LSAT turning us into dorks who are obsessed with the minutiae of pencils, but I'd like to stress a seriously important lesson I learned recently: don't use mechanical pencils to take your practice tests. As you might know, mechanical pencils aren't allowed when you take the real thing, and regular wooden pencils do behave differently in an important sense. Specifically, they get more dull more quickly than mechanical pencils do.

This is actually extremely important for logic games, which require you to write and diagram clearly and precisely. I found that my pencils were getting dull by the end of my LG sections, resulting in lighter and thicker marks that actually took appreciably more effort to read and understand. Whereas I could quickly tap a mechanical pencil on the table to draw more lead, I either had to make due with my wooden pencil or switch to another one. This would have been a real, although obviously surmountable, problem had I only started using wooden pencils on test day.

So, as neurotic as this may sound, do yourself a favor and get a feel for the performance of your pencil of choice. The last thing you want to be worrying about are your writing instruments.

2

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