From our blog post here (just in case you haven't seen it yet!): https://classic.7sage.com/lsat-final-stretch-withdraw-cancel-or-conquer/

When to Withdraw

If you’re confident that you have not reached your LSAT potential or still have major milestones to overcome in your LSAT journey, then withdraw from the test.

Never, ever, ever waste a take. Many of us here who have LSAT success stories needed all three of our takes to get to the triumphant chapter. Assume that you will likely be in the same situation.

To put things in more concrete terms: take the average of your last 3 PT scores. If this score is more than 3 points below your minimum goal score, you should think about withdrawing.

If you’re seriously ill, have had recent personal drama (not related to the LSAT), or have major life changes going on (particularly that are out of your control), also consider that you might be better off withdrawing. We have heard many stories of folks who decided to take the test instead of respecting the realities of personal upheaval. Few of those stories had happy endings, and most of those folks wished they’d taken a step back from the LSAT at that time.

Do not take the test "just to see how it goes." Do not take the test "just to get experience." Only take the LSAT when you are good and ready.

When to Cancel Your Score

Fact: Everyone feels awful after they take the test. Expect that you will too. The worst thing for you to do is to obsess over all of the questions you weren’t sure about or how you could have diagrammed that game more effectively. And don't discuss the test with anyone else—both to preserve the integrity of the administration per LSAC's guidelines, and to preserve your sanity. It’s over, and you did your best.

It’s important to say that up front, because feeling icky after that test is not a reasonable grounds for cancelling your score.

There are three conditions that warrant score cancellation, and only three.

—You are certain you had a bubbling error from which you were not able to recover. For instance, realizing that you started bubbling at #2 and were therefore one off for every answer in that section. If you are certain that this happened, then you should cancel your score.

—You had a medical emergency during the test, such as: an asthma attack, seizure, blackout, full-blown panic attack, etc. This list of conditions sounds extreme, because you should only cancel your score if something truly extreme happened.

—You had to leave the testing room for any reason and were not done with the section. If this happened for any reason, then this may be an serious enough condition for you to cancel you score.

Again, please note that feeling bad about how you did is not grounds to cancel your score.

How to Know You’re Ready

A combination of these three conditions is necessary for you to go forth and conquer this upcoming LSAT:

—Your PT average is within 3 points of your goal score

—You’ve done due diligence in your prep and have not neglected any major difficulty

—You do not meet any of the criteria noted in the “withdraw” section above

You may not feel perfectly ready. Almost no one does! But if you’ve done your part and your performance indicates readiness, then let us be the first to say: YOU GOT THIS.

Just wondering (i.e., hoping) if anyone got a higher score on the actual exam than on their PT's?

7Sagers, is there an example of a LR question that you have deconstructed front to back that really paid dividends for you? I’m not talking about magic bullets or anything, but a question that after you had a foundational grasp of LR down, provided an understanding that you felt took you to a deeper comprehension of the test? Maybe a question that you were thankful you got wrong because of the insight heavily reviewing it provided? If possible, I would like to use this thread to bring together our views as a community on this matter. Disparate points of view, like the sinews of the rope are often the strongest when they come together.

For me, my question is 53-3-22, the Paradox-Except question. The first layer of difficulty on this question for me is the “except” element of the question stem. For some reason, I lose sight of this when my brain tries to make the answer choices fit, when they do fit (that is to say, when they actually resolve the paradox) it takes a fair amount of discipline for me to not consider them the “correct” answer. Essentially, I feel as though it takes me an extra step to first translate the answer in a manner in which resolves the paradox and then eliminate it as wrong. I am reminded in this regard of what Marx wrote about the clunkiness of learning a new language: " In like manner, the beginner who has learned a new language always translates it back into his mother tongue, but he assimilates the spirit of the new language and expresses himself freely in it only when he moves in it without recalling the old and when he forgets his native tongue.”

The first lesson this question provided me was not to waste the mental energy on the “Except” part. Simply know before I sit for the actual test that “except” means what it means and be familiar enough with the exam that that process is automatic and smooth. The first time I got this question wrong I simply chose something that resolved the paradox (C) and wrote “Easy!” in the margins. This will never happen again.

The next lesson this question taught me what was both out-of-bounds and in-bounds in the realm of assumptions. That is to say what constitutes “implausible, superfluous…” by “common sense standards” when weighing the assumptions of answer choices? The second time I got this question wrong I chose (A) because I thought it took more assumptions to consider (A) as a resolution than it did any other. So count that as 2 times I got this question wrong for 2 different reasons.

At the end of the day for this question, you are forced to weigh whether (A) or (B) actually resolves the paradox more. (A) carries with it the assumption that because libraries are buying fewer “popular” novels, that people are choosing to buy them at bookstores and therefore are increasing profit. (B) carries with it the assumption that not only are bookstores contained within the nebulous “most” retail category in which shoplifting has hit, but that the cost of the “sophisticated antitheft equipment” was not only covered by bookstores being “largely unaffected,” but that it actually lent itself to “increased profits,” all within the realm of “recent.” Colloquially, if I were to show (B) to my friends who are nurses or chefs or mechanics, it would make sense as something that resolved the issue. Yet the assumptions that it carries because of the wording, require much more mental gymnastics than (A) does to resolve the issue.

Lesson #2 this question taught me: you are going to have to sometimes make some assumptions, make them cautiously and weigh your options. you don't have to love the answer choice for it to be correct.

Lesson 3 is to bury the question when you've answered it. It's worth 1 point.

So 7Sagers, I hope this wasn't too stream-of-conscious, but what are yours? I look forward to your comments!

-David

So I hear a lot of people say "only do timed!" "Timed! Timed! Timed!" But, I've been wondering if doing all timed tests from the get-go help one build up the skills needed to do really well on the timed tests? I am aiming to do untimed tests until I start getting about 90% correct before moving into timed, I'm currently at 77% self-study untimed (I know I need to build it up), I take the September test, and have a live course with TestMasters that begins in July and ends a few days before the actual test. I'm using prep test 14-46 (untimed) to really hone in on the skills, and 47 - the rest (lol) for timed. What are your thoughts? Good strategy? Or am I kidding myself? #LSATCRAZIES

Does Generally/Usually = Most?

Hello! I am a rising Junior in college and I am looking to go to law school after I am finished with undergrad. Can someone please tell me where to begin in my LSAT prep or any study practices you've used during your LSAT preparations? Have I started to late in preparing?

I know that this issue has already been dealt with before, but in JY's live commentary videos, he says that for certain question types, such as SA or MP questions, if you are sure, you should just be confident and move on without reading other ACs. Anybody else doing this??

I can not find this video online. Can anyone let me know under which subject can I find this video? Thanks a lot.

Is this allowed in court? What if it's a small wrist tattoo?

I realize that some people notice a drop in their scores once they reach the latest PTs. I don't know how widespread this phenomenon is, but do you think it is wise or advantageous to do an older PT (say, in the 40s and 50s) with a fifth section from a newer PT? Or if I do an older one on one day and the next time I PT, do a more recent one? I've also heard that some of the newer PTs have some experimental logic games, so would alternating between older and newer PTs (the older known for having some funkier games) be a smart move/good way to ensure I am not thrown off too much compared to progressing precisely in chronological order?

Note: Please bring your questions!

I'll be holding office hours this week, so come hang out with me! We can talk about the LSAT, law school, Fallout 4, Overwatch, brisket, butter, steak, etc.

To join, click the link below (at the appropriate time ;) ). Bring your questions on any LSAT topic and ask the Sage!

Office Hours with Nicole (8-10 PM ET Wednesday)

1. Please join my meeting.

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/382933861

2. Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) - a headset is recommended. Or, call in using your telephone.

Dial +1 (872) 240-3412

Access Code: 382-933-861

Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting

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I thought it started at noon (and have been taking PTs accordingly) but then I realized that my ticket says "check in no later than 12:30". So will the actual test start at around 1?

Hey guys! If you're taking the June LSAT and your account is inconveniently set to expire a few days before the test date, just email me (dillon@7sage.com) and I'll extend your account (up to 14 days) for free through the June test.

For those of you who are expiring after, good luck on the LSAT! We here at 7Sage are rooting for you.

Hey everyone!

Exciting news - I made the jump from the 140's to the 150's.

I've done only a few PT's and was bouncing between the low 140's and high 140's and I did a PT last Saturday and jumped to a 156. I'm not sure what happened or how I accomplished it to be honest - everything except for one game made sense to me and I finally got to the end of some sections within the time which I wasn't doing before. I don't expect to stay that high as I'm sure I'll drop a bit but it's nice to finally see progress.

Just wanted to share :) Have a good day everyone!

I will take the June LSAT for the first time in my life. I saw that we can't bring a cellphone to the testing center, but can we bring a backpack and put the cellphone in the backpack during the test? I was wondering if they provide some designated areas for us to put personal belongings like a backpack, etc.

Thanks to everyone’s advice to postpone my test date until Fall so that I could enjoy very special life experiences this past month. After changing my test date, I felt a huge sense of relief and was determined to unplug from everything for a few weeks especially this weekend for a family trip. While packing, I “randomly” threw a bag together at the last minute with a notebook of LR/LG questions and an Ipad – “just in case” we had bad weather.

I never had my phone with me the entire weekend, but I chose to find time to drill a few LR question types/games and check the Discussion Page because it made me happy. Seriously??? When we checked out of the hotel, I didn't realize that I had left my phone in the room until we had been on the road for over an hour but my LSAT stuff was packed safely in the car… (Yes, I ain’t right)

Throughout the past few weeks taking a “break”, I missed this community, the friendships that I have built and most importantly realized that I really enjoy studying for the LSAT. (for those that know me, it was so painful to miss Jimmy’s webinar on Argument Part/MOR)

For anyone that is similarly finding themselves studying for what seems like an eternity, I have been given a great gift of realizing once again that it can be fun to challenge myself prepping for the test while keeping a balance within my personal circumstances and obligations.

Thank you again to everyone with your Sage advice to keep this test in perspective to make the most out of the experience building my future to be a part of the 0L group next summer!

All the best to the June test takers!!!

Hello Everyone!

I searched everywhere to find an example of a traffic violation addendum, and I barley found anything. So, I basically wrote my addendum explaining the circumstances of my two violations with specific details.I then wrote a short paragraph at the end to express remorse. Do you guys know of any resources? Or is my approach fine?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Kristen

Proctors: Efficient, but lax about the rules including bags and items. Did not check materials brought into the room with too much scrutiny.

Facilities: Excellent, renovated building with cafe, bathrooms, and seating area

What kind of room: Lecture hall style classroom

How many in the room: ~50

Desks: connected arc of table space, plenty of room

Left-handed accommodation: no idea

Noise levels: quiet

Parking: Took public transit

Time elapsed from arrival to test: 45 minutes

Irregularities or mishaps: someone brought a shopping bag and they let them leave it up front, they also let someone leave early to catch a flight

Other comments:

Would you take the test here again? Yes

Date[s] of Exam[s]: June 2015

I am just curious to know if anyone here has written an LSAT with accommodations. If so i just had some specific questions

Does anybody know when LSAC says they release your file to all attending law schools if that means all your demographic info like SSN's, birthdates, and contact info? What with identity fraud run rampant, I am concerned that my signing up to attend would allow dozens of schools to which I will not be applying to have my info in their computers, available to unknown numbers of staff, etc. Is it possible to attend by just showing up that morning without releasing your info? I've already been an ID victim twice and not interested in having it happen again.

Where do you guys obtain your PTs (in hard copy)?

Argument Part/Method of Reasoning with Sage Jimmy Dahroug

Friday 5/27 at 8pm ET

Sage Jimmy (173) will be leading an intensive on Argument Part/Method of Reasoning questions this week. Y'all requested these types in particular so be sure to join us for this webinar! Jimmy loves these Q's so he's looking forward to imparting some of that enthusiasm to you all.

To join the webinar, please do the following:

AP/MOR

Fri, May 27, 2016 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM CDT

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

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/165375093

You can also dial in using your phone.

United States +1 (872) 240-3212

Access Code: 165-375-093

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.

Hi 7sagers! I just came across this podcast - so far I think it's pretty interesting and wanted to share it with the community since it seems like something that a 7sage student might enjoy... It is by "lawyers who hate being lawyers" but I think they love the law, so much so that they want to talk about it and analyze it for our entertainment. Sounds pretty great, right? ;) so, for your LSAT study breaks, you have another way to nerd out:

The Citizen's Guide to the Supreme Court.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/citizens-guide-to-supreme/id950099189?mt=2

http://www.citizensguidetothesupremecourt.libsyn.com/size/2

I always warm up before taking a PT and I know that it def helps, but I was wondering if any 7sagers advocate specific warm ups over other (e.g. doing a full game instead of a few LR questions). Also, do you guys generally check the answers to your warm up questions? I know that the answers to these questions are subjective to an extent, but I am just curious. I usually either do an RC passage (it's my weakest area) or 3/4 LR questions and then check the answers right after. Thanks in advance!

Here's my anecdotal evidence that the 70s PTs are harder (or at least different) from earlier modern PTs.

PTs 54-59, 61, 62, 65, 66 (Not cherry picking, these are just the tests I've done from these series):

Avg. score: 174.5 (high 177 [thrice], low 170 [once])

Avg. RC: -2.3

Avg. LR: -2.4

Avg. LG: -2.6

PTs 70-77 (excluding PT 76):

Avg. score: 171.1 (high 174 [once], low 169 [twice])

Avg. RC: -2.7

Avg. LR: -4.8

Avg. LG: -2.9

For me at least, this is clear evidence that the LSAT has evolved. That evolution has made the test noticeably harder.

A couple interesting data points:

* I once got three consecutive -0 RCs in the 50s. Haven't gotten a single one since.

* I'm now getting twice as many questions wrong on LR. I think it's because they're using less formal logic and more complex grammar forms and/or extremely subtly wrong trap answer choices.

Anyone else seen a similar trend? I found this exercise simultaneously interesting and depressing.