I just wanted to open a discussion on how everyone is dealing with struggle when in comes to studying specific sections. I am a self study and I find myself getting very emotionally attached when not performing well when studying. It then makes me feel discouraged, but the opposite is true. If I do well I will spend extras hours studying to boost my confidence. How do y'all handle this struggle? Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

Hi all!

I just started taking timed practice tests at the end of July and have noticed that I need to improve my speed in all sections. In logic games, I'm usually able to complete 3 games and then am able to complete 1 or 2 questions on the last game before time runs out. In logical reasoning, I'm usually able to complete 23/25 questions and then have 1 minute or so to split between the last two questions. In reading comp, most of the time I can complete the whole section in time, but sometimes I run out of time at about 25/27 questions.

Any suggestions? I plan on taking 2-3 practice tests per week until the Oct test (I know... it's approaching so quickly, I'm terrified) but does anyone have anything concrete I can do to make sure my pace picks up before the test?

I just redid the logic games for preptests 75 that I took live and panicked over causing me to cancel my test. I scored a 20/23 and 2 of the misses came on the ridiculous last game. Things I thought were difficult on test day were likely just missed inferences and overthinking. Good luck to everyone in October.

Hi guys!

Just a brief comment on the "trends" page of the score tracker.

You recently changed the score tracker so that instead of showing a wide range of scores and graphing your scores within that, it shows your maximum and minimum score as the maxima and minima on that page, and then graphs all other scores within that range.

I don't like this change at all. The reason for this is that it creates an artificial level of volatility in your scores. So, for example, when I graph my last 15 or so scores, the maxima and minima are 173/179. Therefore, with that limit on the graph, a score even decreasing from 178 to 177 (much less 179 to 175) looks like a huge leap, and honestly makes me feel a little bit anxious when I am looking at the page.

A much better way to show the graph would be how you had it before. If you don't like that (which I understand, given that it can be near-impossible to show slight variations in scores) a better way to do it is make the range based on your maximum score+10 (up to 180) and your minimum score-10 (down to whatever the minimum LSAT score is -- 120?).

Otherwise, I feel like it is very easy to lose perspective when you see an "abrupt decline" on the graph from whatever to whatever, which is easy when your range is within only 6 points.

So with about 6 weeks left until test day, it's time to start cracking down.

Now I am happy with my current PT average. However, it seems like a waste of time to just hammer preptest after preptest for the next 6 weeks, especially if I have no problems with timing and stamina. So I've been taking more time with Blind Reviews to try to bring my score up a couple of points.

But I think that I'm doing it wrong.

So, I'll write my preptest, and circle any questions that I hesitated on. I'll then use a clean PT and go through the questions thoroughly, writing down "A is wrong because ____, B is right because _____, C is wrong because ______". Im consistently BR'ing in the 170s (I don't BR my Reading Comprehension, because I don't really see a point as there is no consistency to the types of questions I get wrong. Perhaps this is a problem too).

If my BR is wrong, I'll watch an explanation on it. If I change my answer, I'll also explain to myself what I was thinking at first, and why it was wrong.

...but then once it's done, I don't really feel like I'm getting much out of it. I've done a BR like this for the last 4 tests now, and my scores have stayed relatively the same (165).

Should I save the questions and come back to them again on another day? Perhaps should I only save the questions I still got wrong after a BR (as it's probably not the best way to spend my time going through all of them over again)?

I just keep getting around the same score every time for every test. LG: usually 0 or -1, LR: average of -5/section, RC: average of -7.

I think I've hit a window with RC, but I'd really like to bring my LR up 2 points/section. Am I BRing right? Should I add something else to what I'm currently doing?

Thanks :)

I know it might have been asked a billion times before in a billion different ways. Here goes a billion and one.

Can someone give me some insight on the logistics of test day? It's the only aspect I'm nervous about. I feel like something I expect won't be present on test day, or something I didn't expect will be present, and it will throw me way off. Here's a few specific concerns?

A) can I drink during the test?

B) can I pee in a bottle if necessary, as to not waste time traveling to the bathroom?

C) can I chew a small piece of rubber, makes no noise?

D) is scrap paper at all permissible? I tend to need lots of space for LG questions.

E) how much space does the test booklet give for each LG set up to allow me to diagram and what not?

F) how will the proctor indicate time intervals?

G) can I track my own time?

H) can I track my own time with my cellphone? A watch?

I) can I stretch, stand up, or otherwise do other body movements to get the blood flowing, while taking the test?

J) can I make loud noises, and exercise, during the short breaks?

K) can I bring food, or a snack?

L) can I bring an extra source of light, such as a small lamp?

I have other paranoias (what if the room is stuffy? what if it smells horrible? what if there's someone I know in the room with me?), but these here listed are my primary ones.

Hi All, I took my first lsat in December 2013 after 4 months of studying. I have a bad case of test anxiety and during the LSAT in December 2013 I freaked out and decided to cancel my score. To my horror, I received an email from LSAC three weeks later with a 145 test score. I thought it was a joke, but turns out my proctor didn't properly explain how we should fill in the cancellation bubbles and since it wasn't properly filled in LSAC counted the score. I took a year break since I had to plan my wedding and move overseas and now I am back in full swing on LSAT studying so I can retake the LSAT in October 2015. I think I have been able to suppress my anxiety, but I have been studying about 6-10 hours a day for the last month and a half (following 7sage and PTing religiously) and my highest PT score was only 153. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed and bummed with the reality of my scores and want to know if anyone has any suggestions on how to deal with this or if anyone has had similar experiences? With a month and a half to go before the exam I'm already thinking I need to take it in December -_-

Hi,

Every time I try to watch an explanation video (excluding LG ones hosted on YouTube), I get an error message about the video player being unable to load, and that the file can't be found. So I try the flash player too but that also says the video can't be found.

This happens for every video I try - I'm running on a Macbook Pro all up-to-date, and this error occurs in both Safari and Chrome. Tried it on a different laptop to double check it wasn't just mine and got the same results. Please help, this is so frustrating and I need to learn! :(

My average passage read time is 3:15.

My average passage question time is 5:15.

So, roughly 40% read time and 60% question time.

My average RC scores run from 17-21 correct answers.

I feel like I need to slow down a little on the read, because I find myself looking back for the "author would likely agree" and "what can we infer about author's attitude" type questions.

Is it reasonable to think that by slowing down on the read I can answer questions more quickly?

I'm just trying to figure out what conclusions I can draw with the info above to help me in my preparation.

Any help is appreciated.

This might seem dumb, but is it allowed to chew gum while taking the LSAT? There is some pretty interesting research out there that says chewing gum helps one focus, make better and more rational decisions, avoid fight/flight mode, etc. etc. etc.

Thanks in advance!

Quick Question. I bought the starter coarse and it is set to expire let's say October 20th. If I upgrade to the next level to get more practice set's will it also extend my membership time past October 20th? And if it does add time onto my membership how much time is added?

Hello All,

My name is Erik Jimenez. I signed up for a free account just now. I’ve taken advantage of the YouTube material 7Sage provides for students seeking explanations for logic games and have found them extremely useful. Instead of reading the explanations from textbooks, I enjoy seeing the actual explanations.

I am writing this post because I am hoping someone out there will provide me some advise/recommendations for my LSAT Prep.

I started on this journey about 5 years ago. I was just finished with my junior year of undergrad and took a Blueprint summer LSAT course. Following Blueprint, I took a fall Kaplan LSAT course. I ended up not taking the LSAT and instead went to graduate school. Why you may ask? For one, I did not feel ready. Second, a great opportunity to teach while going to graduate school came up so I took it.

After I finished graduate school I took a repeat course through Kaplan. Again, I did not take the LSAT. I had just graduated with a master’s degree and was in dire need of a job. I finally landed my first real job out of college, and once again, I passed on the LSAT.

That same year I learned that I had been admitted to a fellowship, which provided an LSAT prep course, so once I finished the fellowship, I took TestMasters. Finally, I took the LSAT last October, but I cancelled my score. I paid a TestMasters tutor $500 for a few video chat tutorial sessions and prepared for the December exam. I took the December exam and scored a 145.

I applied to law school with that LSAT score. I was accepted to several law schools, which I would probably not have been accepted to if it weren’t for my GPA, personal statement, and extracurricular activities. Here is why I decided not to start law school this fall: I have a 3.93 undergrad GPA, 3.97 graduate GPA, I am an undocumented individual with a compelling personal narrative, and I really believe that despite the adversity I have gone through, which includes failing time and time again in my LSAT prep, I believe I can improve on the LSAT. I know I can.

I just scored an exam, which I took this evening and I am right where I left off in December. I scored a 146. It was my first exam since December. You might be asking, “What have you been doing this entire time and why did you just take your first practice test a month before the October LSAT?” Truth is, up until May of this year, I was still considering law school and had been applying for scholarships aggressively. Moreover, I work full-time and also mentor youth in my community so I am always busy. Also, my now ex-girlfriend who I broke up with less than a month ago is in graduate school so I spent most of this year helping her with graduate school, which included proof reading her papers, formatting papers according APA guidelines, and many other things.

I am hoping someone out there can help with the LSAT. Even if I could get up to the mid 150s, I would have better scholarship opportunities. As an undocumented student, I do not qualify for federal financial assistance, so it comes down to the LSAT if I want to receive merit scholarship awards. Please let me know if there is anything you can do to help me. That can be a package offered through 7Sage or some advise. I am determined, committed, and driven. I could have given up but will never give up on my dream of becoming an attorney. I also could have given up on the LSAT but I know I can do this. That is why I didn’t start law school this year. I wanted to give it one more try.

I will end this with the following quote: Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it. This quote speaks to me because I am know I need help and now have to courage to admit it and hopefully someone will relate to what I am experiencing and provide me with some help. Thank you all for your time.

Sincerely,

Erik

So I'm on my 15th PT now (just took PT50) and I've been noticing that the Logic Games section in the last like 8 tests I've taken PT43 - PT50 have all been listed on 7sage's score tracker as a difficulty of only 1/5. Is it typical for LSATs in later years also to consistently have easier logic games sections and more difficult LR and RC sections? Or is it pretty random and this has just been a crazy fluke streak of really easy logic games sections?

I'm just wondering because I used to do pretty spotty on logic games and would have a lot of variability in how many I missed in that section, but by the time I fixed it and was able to get much more consistent (I've thankfully gone -0 on the games for like 7 tests in a row now) I started to notice that the game sections themselves were actually easier too. Hoping that my skills haven't only been honed for the easier games or at least that what I've been practicing so far is representative of the typical relative difficulty of the section as a whole

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-67-section-2-question-13/

I've no idea where to begin on this. Twas the only question I missed in the section.

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-58-section-4-question-05/

OK. So I have a problem with this question. Sorry if this is a destructive mindset!

The conclusion states that because they are only interviewing people for the management consulting position from the top 1 percent of firms worldwide, then they can rest assured that their ultimate selection would be ONE OF THE BEST available.

To me that doesn't presume that ONLY THE BEST work at these firms. You can acknowledge that people who work at other firms are some of the best and even better that the ones who work at the firms in the top 1 percent but still rest assured that the ones who work at the top are one of the best at their job.

To me the flaw rested in the fact that they didn't specify what type of job the person had at one of the top firms. Maybe he could have been the janitor or something else completely unrelated to management consulting so that's why it can't be said that they are one of the best at that.

Any thoughts?

Quick question:

I've taken some PTs since finishing the curriculum and consistently score at 164 but BR in the low 170s. How do I translate this discrepancy into appropriate adjustments to my study habits?

I'm pretty good with LR, often getting only -2 or -3 and having time at the end of sections to look over tough questions. LG is my worst section.. usually score -7 but get between -3 and -0 on BR.

Basically, does my BR score indicate decent fundamentals but a need to focus on timing and staying cool under pressure- especially during LG? Want to be consistently around 170 timed before I sit for the exam.

Thanks!

I've been doing 3 PTs a week for the last month.

The goal was to go through 39-75 until the Oct test date.

(Currently at 57 )

I've been realizing that the progress is slow and I am feeling burnt out.

So I've decided to do 2 PTs/week instead even though I may not get through all the prep tests.

I will spend more time reviewing questions from old tests as well as thorough BRs.

Furthermore, if I have to retake in December, I may still have a few fresh prep tests left.

Does this sound like a solid plan?

Or should I stick to doing all PTs before the Oct exam?

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I've been a 7Sager for quite sometime but just the quiet type. I've been studying on an off for this test for over 18 months now, juggling work and study just as many of you are. During this last stretch I've been performing my best: BRs in high 170s and timed PTs in the high 160s. but, I have a huge problem that i can't seem to control. During the course of preparing for this test I've noticed that as i pick up the pace with studying, i start to develop a situation where, I could read the same sentence ten times and not understand a word. It's almost as if someone turns of a switch in my brain and i go dark. when this happens, everything suffers: RC, LR, LG. I'm still able to BR pretty high but my timed PTs are horrible. I've tried reading hobby related material or something not LSAT involved but the trend follows.

This test surely brings out the best and worst of me.

If anyone out there could offer some advice i would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

PM

Hi guys! I'm wondering what your opinions are about the relative difficulty of the PTs in the 70s range compared to basically everything that came before them (PTs 30 and up). I've found that especially in the LR sections, the questions are SUPER nitpicky and rely on you finding very subtle nuances in the stimulus, which is difficult to do under the pressure of the clock. Also, many LR questions seem to have needlessly wordy structures and are confusingly phrased. It's making me nervous for the October test, especially since I feel that only tests 70-75 are exact indicators of what will be on the October test, and that's a limiting amount of study materials. June administration ruined my life. :(

Does anyone else feel like the recent tests got harder/different?

Hello,

I had a few questions about my current prep and figured the answers might be helpful for some of the other retakers out there. Long story short I have been "flirting" with the LSAT for about a year now. I took a prep course last fall, bought the LSAT Trainer, took the 7sage course, canceled my feb score, and then grossly underperformed in June (164). That leaves me studying for October with my 3rd and final LSAT try with the high hopes of getting into a top 5 law school. I have taken pretty much every recent LSAT (2000 and up) and score on my PTS generally range anywhere from 171-177. With 6 weeks left I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions on what to do to be in peak performance for October 3rd. I also am curious what sort of time you think I should be putting in on a daily or weekly basis to avoid burnout but still improve my skills and stay fresh. My current plan was to review the 7sage course and the LSAT Trainer, train flash cards, do a couple of sections with BR every day, and take a PT on Saturdays. I was also thinking about taking sections and tests with a 30 or 32 minutes time frame in order to challenge myself. I also have considered taking 2PTs back to back to build stamina. Sorry for the long winded post, I am looking forward to hearing your responses. Thanks!

Jake

Hey guys,

I came across a main point question from preptest June 2004 Section 3 #23 "Each of many different human hormones can by itself raise the concentration of glucose in the blood"

I can't understand why the first sentence isn't the main point. I'm having a difficult time understanding why the second sentence, the sentence explaining the phenomena is the main point. This argument structure was very confusing to me..

Thanks so much in advance

I cannot find full test booklets for prep tests 39-51. Must one buy these individually? If not,would someone please post a link to where these tests can be purchased in a booklet. Thanks!

Hey guys,

7Sage is undergoing maintenance and you may notice pages occasionally loading slowly. Since a lot of stuff is going on in the background, this will take a while to go through completely. This maintenance will take a few days.

I know that's potentially a long time, I'm sorry. It was either this or a day or two of downtime. :(

If you guys see anything funny during those ~72 hours, feel free to email me about it:

dillon@7sage.com

Here's a cool cat to make up for it:

Hello LSATers,

how many PTs should I do the week leading to the Oct 3 LSAT? i was thinking of 3 but I am wondering if that's too few

In a recent reply to someone's post, I saw @Pacifico recommend using a clean sheet for BR. I'd never thought of doing that before and my BR scores have been in the 168-180 range the last several months. I wanted to hear your different views on why you choose to use your old copy or use a clean copy when BRing. Personally, I like using my old copies so that I can see which questions I circled. I also find it useful to try and dissect my thought process the first time I answered a question so I can see where I went wrong on some questions. Inevitably though, on the toughest questions I do second-guess myself and have a hard time making a decision between two answer choices (my old one and a different one). Definitely thinking about switching to clean copies to see if it helps my BR scores increase. What do you guys think?