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. :(

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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?

I don't know how representative my score is when I see what I get on the PT that I split up to use as a 5th section for 4 other tests, but I got a much higher score than I have been getting recently and I suspect, aside from regular fluctuations in performance, that a big factor behind this boost is the mental preparation I do beforehand. What I mean is that I'll insert the first "experimental" section at the very beginning of a PT, then I'll put the second section as the second, the third as the third, etc.

I read that people recommend doing a game, a few LR questions and one RC passage before doing the actual test the day of. I'm not too much of a morning person but I've been trying to wake up earlier. It hasn't been that easy and I know that grogginess can definitely hinder my performance. What I'm trying to figure out is if my experimental PT (the one I split up) is better because most, if not all, of the sections are written after having done another section from the "real" one I'm doing that day. Perhaps this is just speculation but I'm wondering if people have gotten into the habit of doing some light preparation before going into their PT and noticed an improvement. I hope this post made sense. Essentially, I think if I can wake up earlier, it will save me a few points.

I'm writing in October. Although the examination time is listed at 8:30, I know it doesn't start exactly then. Nonetheless, what time do you suggest I wake up to not feel groggy and to prepare by eating and doing some light prep? When I simulate/do PTs, should I be starting my test at exactly 8:30?

Alright folks... I feel as though I'm missing some brain cells when I do SA and PSA questions. I just did the Marsupials question.. I'm certain some of you know that one. And MY GOODNESS what a fucking terrible combination of sentences!!!! I'm going to go take a break before I decide to throw my computer into a pit of fire. But what am I missing??????? I've reviewed the SA section a couple times because I still lack in this area. I've now memorized the valid and invalid argument forms and have scored perfectly on the logic quizzes leading up to the actual SA questions, but when the questions are incredibly convoluted, i get really lost and my logic game goes south.

Can someone just give me a vote of confidence or tell me how they overcame their struggle with these type of questions? Please know that I am complaining, but not giving up. I am going to keep drilling, just needed a little venting and break time.

But seriously, fuck these questions.

:-) Sliz

I have not taken an official LSAT in a test center yet so I am confused how it works.

When the section you are working on is done then what happens? How quickly do you move on to the net question? Also Do you need to guess during the section you are on or can I fill in all C's before I start the next section? I am also confused do some people look back at previous sections if they finish a section early? What is preventing you from doing this? Last how many people are in each test room?

So I've been printing out pdf versions of tests to practice test as well as using the book of 10 that you can buy that is in softcover form or whatever. My question is, since the lsat is a ton of pages (like 40+) how is the actual test given?(is it just all of the sections stapled into one big group or is each section stapled separately to be easier to work with?) Because those book form tests are annoying because you have to hold them from trying to change the page or close on their own.

Hi y'all,

I'm aiming to take the LSAT in October. My average PT score is 1 pt under my goal, with wide variation (9 pt range) and I haven't started taking 5 section PTs.

Suggestions how to avoid plateau-ing/burning out in these last weeks? Also, when to start taking 5 section PTs?

Thanks!

Hi guys,

I recently just finished my undergrad dual major degree at the end of July. I was the Director of Student Legal Services at our university and am now planning to attend law school. However, with work and summer classes I was not able to dedicate as much time to studying for the LSAT as I should have and now I am weary about taking the test in October. Are there any HUGE reasons why I should NOT take the test in December?

Thanks guys

Does anyone know if Mike Kim included anything substantially new and useful in the 2015 version of the LSAT Trainer? I have the older version (Black and teal cover with the orange fishy) and am currently giving it a 2nd read-through.

So I'll start by prefacing that I've really been drilling LG hardcore for only the past 3 weeks or so, so not exactly a great deal of time. I followed @Pacifico guide, here's the link for the curious http://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/2737/logic-games-attack-strategy and I am definitely seeing an improvement. Granted, I'm going from possibly finishing a game and a half, to at least getting to the fourth, but I'm still having so much difficulty up front. I'm at PT 29 and hope to hit the 60's later this month. My biggest struggle right now is time (surprise). I almost always freeze for almost 8 minutes on any given game figuring out the board, trying to split the board, or figuring out whether the game is rule driven, before finally getting fed up and hitting the questions. Afterwards, I find myself hitting the questions and then by the second or third question the light bulb will turn on while I'm brute forcing my way through and I'll realize the stupid inference I missed and then I'll breeze through the rest. However, those initial wasted minutes are killing me and putting me into panic mode before I barely finish the first game. At this point, I've rarely needed to come back and check out JY's video because I'll realize the inference or issue mid game, but by the time I figure it out, the damage is essentially already done. I was really hoping that by the time I started getting into the post PT 36 games that I'd have a more solid foundation to comfortably move on to the more modern games and not waste any that I could use for full PT. I can't tell at this point if I'm actually improving significantly from when I started drilling LG through this process, or whether it's because I'm starting to hit the modern games. Anyone have any thoughts/advice?

I'm currently signed up for the October test, and am looking to postpone to December.

Background: I started studying this April, and finished the Manhattan LSAT prep books for LR and RC, and bought the most expensive course for 7sage (before the PDF changes). I went through everything regarding LR in the 7sage curriculum, and went through LG PT 1-35 once (am currently in the process of going through it again until I ace all the LGs, like 7sage recommends). I didn't go through anything in the 7sage curriculum regarding RC or LG (I find LG getting to be easier with time, and am currently subscribed to the Economist).

I took two cold diags, and they ranged from 150-155. I took 5 PT's and scored between 160-164, with my BR scores from 162-168. I am missing on average 3 on LG (ranges from 2-4), 7 on LR (ranges from 4-9) and 6 on RC (ranges from 5 to 7). What could I possibly be doing wrong, and how could I improve within the next couple of weeks to break 170? I want to not take the test until I consistently score within the mid 170's. My GPA puts me in contention for HYS, and I would prefer not to settle (if anything, attend a t10 on a big scholly).

I also started studying part-time during April, but started to study on a full time basis starting from the end of June.

Any thoughts or help at all would be really appreciated, as I am currently discouraged and am wondering what I am doing wrong.

Hello sagers.

I have begun my journey of taking strictly-timed PTs and am currently working away at the BR (PT 41). I have some questions in which I would appreciate some insight on, regarding the BR process and, how I can become more efficient during the BR process in terms of time-management, proper strategy, and utilizing this time effectively so that improvements occur!

As stated, I just finished PT 41 and have been BR'ing for the past hour and a half. I am just finishing Section 1 (LR) of that test, and am wondering what the "right balance" of searching for the perfect answer (or getting every answer correct) and pushing through to complete the BR process in a more practical manor, with the context in mind that I am not at a very strong point in my understanding of the test. I have completed the majority of the curriculum, and have attempted at least 1 of the PS for each QT. I found I got bogged down in the curriculum at times and, in an effort to stay focused and positive, I moved on to the next section of the curriculum without completing every PS.

Even though I felt my timing has improved a little bit (compared to diagnostic and 2 other PTs I have taken) I recognize that my fundamentals are still not yet developed to the point where I understand exactly: what type of question I am attacking; what I am looking for in the right answer, and perhaps most importantly - why the other 4 answers choices are wrong. Essentially, the BR process so far, feels as if I am merely taking another PT (without the time restrictions obviously) where I am relying on a whole lot of intuition, and not really understanding what the question wants.

My plan is at this point, to complete my BR which seems will take more like 6 hours (seems a lot), and then really focus in on the video explanations tomorrow of the incorrect questions (there will be many). After about 5 PTs I was going to take a look back at the analytics, and really start focusing in on what questions (if not all) I can improve on more so than others, while also going back over the PS' of Logic Games provided in the curriculum that I have both completed, and have yet to complete.

To conclude, I ask if I am overdoing it with the BR at this process? Should I break it up into a 2 day review, instead of PT - break - BR/videos? I acknowledge that it is perhaps the most important part of the development process, so is there a better strategy I can use? I'm thinking of drilling question types every mourning, and reviewing the notes I have on different question types and how to attack them - do you think this would benefit my growth? I appreciate all the help and insight provided; please PM me if that works better. At the end of the day, I am not feeling like the BR is helping me grow, and would love to hear about how I can change that! Thanks everybody.

Okay. I'd like to say that I've been lsat prepping for about a year / year and a half or so, however, during this time I've been working full time hours, (multiple part time jobs) raising my daughter, finishing my bachelors degree and combating never ending family issues and unnecessary stresses. To be perfectly clear, I've been doing all the above (i.e. raising daughter, working fulltime ect.. for at least the past ten years) Yeah, I just turned 30 too....

What I am getting at is this, I feel so burnt out, depressed and stressed that I have little to no time to "properly" study and raise my scores in time for the October Test date. I've already pushed off the June Test to October. I plan on enrolling Fall 2016 and really stress about pushing the test back any further.

Time restraints are only getting worse. My primary work is starting up along with this upcoming fall semester ( I work for a local University ) and as a Liberal Arts major who studied criminology, sociology and psychology, my kids 4th grade algebra is a nightmare for me; go figure.

I want to say all the (lack there of) improvement is due to the stress and time restraints, but I've dealt with this for so long. I manged to graduate with Latin Honors in a difficult curriculum all while doing the same juggling act; however, this TEST is killing me.

As the title suggests, this is likely just a rant. But, are there any others out there who are in this boat?

At this point, I'm not sure how to study anymore. I've completed the Course/ albeit hastily in some areas; and I've been PT'ing as often as physically possible - which in my case turns out to be once a week! Usually a Sunday, then I sporadically BR throughout the week whenever I can.

Understandably, there isn't a real clear cut and dry answer to woes and restraints. However, there has got to be someone out there in the program who understands this and has something valuable to add to this.

Hello,

I am interested in applying to American law schools. However, I was wondering if T14 schools look primarily at your cGPA, or if they/if any of them look at your primarily your last two years of study.

Thanks!

Hi - looking for a study/accountability buddy. I've been getting ready for the October LSAT. I am finishing up the 7sage curriculum by mid June or so and then I will be taking PTs. Let me know if you want to buddy up. Thx.

I was looking at another forum and saw this hilarious post. Thought I'd share:

"This questions sucks. It makes me want to start a forest fire. How do you even go about breaking this down and then how do you justify D? I didn't like any of the choices. I see how the genetically malignant minds of LSAC rationalize D as the correct answer but it's a tough sell. I don't see how the argument hinges on this assumption and how I would even attack a similar question. Any insight would be much appreciated. IF I don't get an answer within 48 hours a tree will die . . . then another until I am appeased. I'm getting my Leatherface on."

I like how creative he/she was in said threats. I hope a tree didn't pay the price...

So, my LSAT story is that I basically started studying on and off last summer. I finally decided to commit to the October LSAT this year and got really serious about studying this summer. My original, cold diagnostic was a 155. I have used the LGB and self-studied. Panic soon set in, and I decided to sign up for a 7Sage course. I love it so far, but I just took the June '07 test and scored a 146 and a 149 on BR. So far in my 7Sage curriculum, I have been through general lessons like intro to arguments and grammar.

How lost of a cause am I? At this point I don't even know if law is for me if I can't even improve after studying. Do I just keep going through the 7Sage course?

Hi Everyone!

I am currently working on memorizing the valid argument forms and I was just wondering if there were any study methods yall used to help you memorize them aside from the curriculum. I have had a bit more trouble with this section than I have with others so any feedback or suggestions that may have helped yall master these concepts would be greatly appreciated!

Best,

Liz

Is everyone using the 180 watch? There is also another option? What is best to use?

I would like to thank all the staff at 7Sage for not only helping me, but the rest of us. I would also like to thank the community for all of its help, with a special shoutout to @Pacifico who helped me a lot through PMs.

I don't have much time to write this, because I was admitted to the law school of my choice! I could not have achieved this without the help of 7Sage and the community. The only downside is, I was admitted 2 days before the semester started. The workload is hitting me like a brick wall! Classes are extremely interesting, and the readings are very interesting. The only difficult part is getting into rhythm, learning to outline, and stay 40-60 pages ahead of the assigned readings (recommended by the law professors.)

I hope all your studies are going well, and I hope to stay on this forum whenever time permits.

Even in hard times, whether it's studying for the LSAT or anything else in life, remember, the carousel never stops turning (kudos if you get the reference)!

Thank you, guys and gals!

Does anyone know the 2016 dates? I found a PDF online that appeared to be from LSAC (last updated Nov. 2014) that had the date set for late September and not October. Could this be correct? Has a test ever been administered in Sept? Thanks.

When JY is explaining not ( group 4 Logical operator) he does not apply the not to the come home idea. i understand its function as a logical operator but why doesn't not affix itself to /CH as in the description of Group 3.

if not is the L.O. and u have to negate the second idea, but it seems to me the the properties of not should apply to the ( 1st idea) come home idea!

Obijuan, please explain!

Hi All,

I think I'm good with the Logic Games theory and I'm about to start the Logic Games bundle.

For those who have already done it, approximately how long did it take you to get through it all, including the fool proof method?

Thank you for your time.

BLAH.

I took prep test #62 today and had to stop when I couldn't complete the Logic Games section. I just couldn't move past it. That has never ever ever happened to me before in the entire time I have been practicing for the LSAT.

I don't know what to do at this point. I've been studying for an entire year. I took the December LSAT and received a 155. I decided to take the October LSAT of this year, so I've been studying consistently since December.

I started PTing at the end of May and I started with 1 a week. Since then, I've taken 10 exams and my average is 165 with a BR average in the 170s.

I took a mini vacation for a week and a half and managed my first 170 at the end of July.

Since then, I've felt.......... burnt out. I tried to take a few breaks last week (after scoring a disappointing 161), but today I had a panic attack and couldn't even finish the exam.

I don't know what to do at this point. I took some advice and stopped drilling LR sections, as that was probably contributing a lot to my burn out, but if my mark keeps plummeting I don't know if it's in my best interest to write in October?

I just feel lost.