So I'm taking the December LSAT and I'm stressing super hard because I still can't get the timing aspect of the test down. I have the concepts down enough to score relatively well when doing a blind review of my PT but when it comes down to the real deal I don't do nearly as well. My most recent example is that I scored a 152 timed, but after a blind review of my PT, my new calculated score would have been a 165, which for where I'm aiming I'd be perfectly okay with scoring on the real test. I have underlying diagnosed anxiety problems which I'm now starting to find out may be affecting me more than I previously thought especially with LR. I feel like my anxiety makes me focus on the time in my head too much which in turn messes up my focus in deeply grasping the stimulus, but I obviously am way too late to seek any type of accommodations for the December sitting. I don't even know what to ask tips on, but does anyone have tips on I guess how to kind of push the timing pressure aside or even what you have seen helps you focus better on the questions?

Just finished my first timed practice LSAT after having finished core curriculum. I never did the diagnostic one timed so this really was the first ever long testing, timed, sit down session I had with the LSAT, so throw in some factors of some mid-test stress about time and what to do, whether to skip or not etc. I got a 157, and then got a 166 after blind review (did this all in one day). Realistically, am I going to get better with both scores? Do people learn to navigate the time better and the timed test scores increase? Or am I going to lurk in the general area of what I just got in regards to the timed test? What are your experiences

Hey everyone!

I started the core curriculum on Sept. 26th and so far I've only completed about 10 percent of all the curriculum. I'm currently on the Weakening/Causation questions which are giving me a hard time. I'm a junior/senior in undergrad and I'm planning to take the June 2017 exam. However, I feel that I'm moving too slowly because I have to balance out all my other work while putting in 2 to 3 hours 4 to 5 days a week of prep. When I do study, I'm usually doing question problem sets in which I manage to complete only a few because I take a lot of time typing everything up in a word doc while blind reviewing to fully comprehend the problem (which I truly recommend because it really does help with learning). Should I take it slow and keep doing this, or should I just move on to another section and try to finish the core curriculum as my main priority? I have 7 months until the June LSAT, but at this pace it seems as if I'm never going to finish the core curriculum in time to start doing practice tests lol.

I know some of you will tell me to just go at it slowly and take my time and wait until I'm at my target score, even if it means taking a year off after undergrad. I have seriously considered this and it is an actual possibility for me. However, I'm graduating undergrad a bit behind as it is, and delaying law school will only extend my years of schooling into my late twenties which I truly would not like to do (I just want to work!!). What do you guys think?

Hey everyone,

I think we all face during our LSAT prep a particular dislike for a certain question type or a section. For me it was Necessary Assumption questions. I was doing a couple of Necessary Assumption questions today and I realized how much I have come to enjoy them. So I decided I want to share my journey with you all in the hope that it might help someone as well.

So quick background story. I am sure you guys guessed I hated Necessary Assumption questions and I had a good reason to hate them. They took me forever to do and I usually got them wrong. If you take a look at my Analytics, NA questions are the big red dot on my graph whose color and huge size was neither changing nor decreasing in shape!!!

I first decided to re-do the core-curriculum on NA questions. I did that probably 3 times, I think more; with little benefit. I felt like I got what was being said but somehow I just wasn't able to apply. I now know I got the concept but not the method to achieve it. But back then I didn't know, moreover because I had done those questions so many times, I felt like I had the answers memorized, so each time I was learning less and less. Combined with the factor that I was getting them wrong so much on the practice tests, I just hated seeing NA questions on a PT. I would skip them, come back at the end, and still struggle with them. I was at a point where I just dreaded seeing the NA question stem.

Then, I decided to approach a few mentors. I used their office hours and each time I brought up how to do NA questions, took notes. I also messaged them with any further questions I had. I think asking different mentors the same thing is fine, sometimes depending on where you are, one of them might say something that helps more than the others. When I finally felt like I knew what steps I had to take, I realized I still hated doing the question.

So instead of doing a full drill, I decided each morning to do about 5 NA questions and that's it. This is because I wanted to associate NA questions with something positive. So I only did NA questions when I drank coffee and I put extra marshamllows in it to make the experience even better, and yes I like marshmallows in my coffee :DDD . I think this was important to associate something very positive for me -coffee and marshamallows- with Neccessary Assumption questions.

After two weeks of doing this I have come to realize I have come to enjoy Necessary Assumption questions. I understand them better because of all the help I got and I got rid of the negative feelings I had associated with the question types. Now every morning I can't wait to put a hot steaming cup of coffee with marshmallows on my desk pick up my NA packet and do 5 questions. This honestly brings a smile to my face.

I think the lesson I learned from my experience is to not overdo something you are bad at or hate. We tend to really focus on drilling out our mistakes and we end up overdoing it. Sometimes our mind just needs a bit of time and some help, like marshmallows, to undo all the negative feelings it has.

I think the key to LSAT and life is to enjoy whatever we end up doing. So give yourself time and a little bit of help to learn to enjoy something you don't normally associate with fun.

I hope this helps some of you in future. <3 <3

Hello All–

I'm working on an addendum to include with a few of my applications about a decent difference (6 points, 10 percentile) in scores between 2 consecutive takes. Any feedback would be appreciated, here's what I have so far:

------------------------------------------------------------

During the June 2016 LSAT administration, I experienced several compounding issues that resulted in a score I feel is unrepresentative of my ability. Due to a large number of test-takers, the check-in, seating, and test material distribution processes took a significant amount of time. There was an approximate two-hour period of time between entering the testing room and commencing the first section of the exam, during this period I was unable to drink water or use the restroom. Although I was able to access my water during the break, I was already experiencing physical symptoms of dehydration that only worsened during the second half of the exam. As my physical condition worsened, my performance on the exam was significantly affected; notably in the final section of the exam, where I missed more questions than the first three scored sections combined.

Hey,

This might not be appropriate to ask here but...

How to explain to them if you want to take another test/extend the test?

I have already postpone my June, September test actually and I explained to them all of the advice here and I also explained the score remains for 5 yrs and how important the score is etc.

But it seems like I cannot convince them anymore about postpone so I am kind of pushed to take the test.

I told them that if I cannot get the score that I want, I want to work&study for another take, but they said it is impossible.

I understand what they say too and because they are not as young as my friends' parents, I also feel like maybe I should give up if I do not get a decent score on December and support them instead of pursuing my selfish dream.

I am going to take the December test but...if possible I hope I can take 2nd or even 3rd test if the score is not good. In that case how should I explain to them? Saying nothing is actually not an option because we share our stories basically.

I feel really bad since they have supported me a lot so far...and not sure what to do now.

The best is to get a decent score on December test, but from my PT scores...especially the one on PT79, I'm not sure...

What would do/say?

Sorry for the unorganized sentences...appreciate any thoughts.

Thanks

Hello,

I just finished my personal statement.. and it's kind of late but anyone willing to read it and give feedback?

my draft has about 600 words and i have to trim it down to 500..

In another thread, about Logical Games, which I didn't want to hijack:

@BinghamtonDave This is a set that doesn't allow an ounce of hesitation or misreading.

Because this is a skill that's absolutely required for success in law school.

Right? ... Right?

And to anyone, including the LSAC, who says, "Maybe not specifically, but LSAT scores correlate well with success in law school," my response is that you do not understand the distinction between necessary and sufficient conditions.

And somewhat separately, but still within this discussion's title: it's 2016 and not only are we taking multiple choice exams on paper, we're writing essays in pencil?! Is meekly accepting being treated like a child -- or a criminal -- a criterion for success in law school?

Hello!

I'm taking the Dec 3rd LSAT, and want to ensure I don't make any avoidable mistakes with my Scantron.

More specifically, when practicing PTs I like to put a little dash next to the question number (in the white space between section columns) on the Scantron to indicate the questions I'd like come back to. That being said, will these type of marks impact the scoring of the Scantron? Any insights are greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

-nick

I think sometimes they disagree each other in both premise and conclusion, (different premises and lead to opposite conclusions)

and sometimes they only disagree with either premise or conclusion. (arrive at the same conclusion using different premises or using the same premise but arrive at the different conclusion)

When they have opposite conclusions and different premises, the question can really ask either about premise and concision discrepancy right?

For example, PT79S4Q20.

They disagree with both premises conclusions right?

The conclusions are implied---For Edgar, the conclusion is do NOT shutdown, but for Rafaela, DO shutdown.

I took the OCT 2015 lsats for the first time and I did absolutely horrible . I only received at most 3 1/2 hrs of sleep and went to do the exam on an empty stomach . Within the second section I just wanted the test to be over with ; I also guessed on a majority of the LG games . I ended up scoring a 139. I started studying again and decided to take in September 2016 . I felt like I was better prepared ; I took a full time Power Score course , studied from 4-7 hrs a day and the whole nine yards . I made sure I got a good night rest the day before and ate before taking the test. I ended up scoring a 140. I don't know what else to do , I really need assistance smh .

I have noticed that when I try and switch question types a bunch..i.e. take a practice test, that I do much worse than if i can do 2 or three of the same type then move to the next question type, like in the lesson. Has anyone tried to mark the question types first? I know it would be a time sink though..

PS I timed myself marking the question type and it took me 2:30.

Silly question, but I'm fairly addicted to caffeine, and was wondering what the best strategy for caffeine intake on test day is. My concern about drinking a large amount of coffee during breakfast is that I'll have to go to the restroom before the built-in break, or that holding it in will literally distract me from the exam. Are you allowed to bring caffeine pills/5 hour energy type drinks into the exam room (in your ziplock bag)? I was thinking that could be a half-way solution.

Guys honestly I'm doing pretty well in LR-3-5 and -2LG thanks J.Y....but I just can't get my RC Down to at least -7 or even -8 ... I've tried speed reading doesn't work I've tried notes doesn't work.... I realize it's like a super slow developing skill active reading that is but any concrete tips would really help I'm going to experiment this week before the test... please any thing solid would be appreciated!

Hello,

I was wondering which is better in terms of:

-sleep well

-no anxiety on the test day

Is it better to stay in a hotel close to the test center for a day or two, or commute from home?

What are you going to do?

Thanks,

Thanks for all the great answers!

If you need a break from studying, or you're trying to remember why you're doing this in the first place, Slate's Working podcast just released a great episode on what an immigration lawyer actually does all day:

https://player.fm/series/slate-magazine-daily-podcast/working-the-how-does-an-immigration-lawyer-work-edition

Do you answer those questions by memory or go back to the passage?

Or like...

After you finish reading passage A you go through all questions?

I've just gone through the "Grouping Games with a Chart" lessons, and for each of the four games -- two in the lessons and two in the problem set -- as an experiment I did NOT use a chart but instead used a "standard" grouping diagram that allows members to have multiple memberships. Multiple memberships is said to be the condition which dictates use of a chart. In none of the four did I have any more of a problem answering questions than JY did.

Furthermore, for a couple of the games the final question not only added a rule but removed one of the original ones. For these, JY abandoned his chart and started over with a new one. I didn't do this with my diagram, and am unclear as to why JY started over. In each case it seemed easy enough to see the implications of the rule change to my original diagram. JY's motivation for starting over seemed to be that he was afraid he would miss a required change to his original chart.

My challenge: can someone cite a game for which a chart definitely saves time?

I read the following (I think on one of the Manhattan prep forums) about weakening questions.

On weakening questions, when the argument posits a causal relationship, we seek an answer choice that does one of the following three things.

1. Provides an alternative cause

2. Provides an example of the presumed cause without the presumed effect

3. Provides an example of the presumed effect without the presumed cause.

I don't understand why/how 3 would weaken the argument, unless we are also assuming that if A causes B, then A is the ONLY thing that would cause B (i.e. A is necessary for B)

Can someone elaborate on this?

Also, on "most seriously weaken" questions, is it correct to think there will really be only one answer choice that weakens the argument? I am asking because of questions 21, section 1, on PT 79. Both answer choice A and E weaken the argumnet (According to the above), but E is clearly better.

Sorry to be melodramatic, but all of life is hopeless and I want to die. Just kidding, at least about the dying part, but I need some advice about to what to do.

I just walked away from PT 79 (SPOILER, I'm going to discuss the order of the sections) in the middle of the RC section - which is usually my best section. I didn't feel like the RC section or the LR section before it was any more difficult than any other PT, but I just felt like my mind was in a haze. I was moving much slower than usual and felt like I wasn't comprehending what I was reading.

Some background - I went to bed early last night, slept well, got up early, exercised, ate breakfast, had coffee, warmed up with half of a LR section and 2 easy Logic Games. I felt confident - I really felt like this was the day I would get a 170. I have done well (for me) on my last 5 PT with an average of 164.8 (166,166,167,162,163). I took a timed, proctored PT 73 last Saturday under test-day conditions and I didn't do as well as I had been doing (163). This damaged my confidence some, but I attributed the score to nerves which caused me to choke on the LG section. But that's always my worst section. I normally get -2/-3 on RC and LR and today I felt like I was choking on those!

So, what do I do? Don't say postpone. I know it's good advice, but my situation is different than most of you and I have to take the test on Saturday. I'm taking advantage of the University of Oklahoma's "early entry" program and I need a score to finish my application. I can retake in Feb and even June for scholarship purposes, and my lowest score is still in the top 25% for OU. Do I take a day or two off? Is this just regular burnout or something else?

Hi!

Will all the explanations for PT 79 be available on this website sometime this week (i.e. before December 3rd)? Unfortunately I missed the BR session with JY.

Thanks

Hi everyone,

Upcoming Dec test taker here. A question about stray marks on the answer sheet has troubled me recently.

If I fill in the whole circle, and broader than the circle itself (so it covers the bubble entirely), but not to the extend that the mark touches the edge of bubbles of other answer choices, would that count as a stray mark and thus not admitted?

I originally thought that they only scan answers within the circle and thus as long as no other answers have anything in it, while one answer has everything filled, it will be fine; but I recently read an example of stray mark that worried me. (If someone hand score it, it may appear apparent which answer the test taker chose)

For example, on the right, question 7 and 25, if there is only 1 answer, the one on the right, filled for each question, will it still be a correct mark?

http://www.iitianspace.com/images/OMR-filling-guidline.pdf

Can someone explain the science of OMR and how are machines processed?

Much appreciated!

Thanks for your thoughts.

example; PT79S4Q5

So they are disagreeing each other about what value means: property value vs. value itself has (not necessarily property value)

Is this correct?

I thought it's so rare that they start to ask those questions again...at some point I think they stopped to ask a vocab question.

Do you think they start to incorporate old questions again?