I'm currently in my undergrad looking to get the best possible score on the LSAT. I started off by just sitting down and knocking a practice test out to see where I was at and to gauge how much work needed to be done, as I predicted I scored very low, 150. Which I should be excited for but I'm working to get into the Stanfords, Columbias, etc, and we all know a 150 won't do. Now I am unsure of how to perfect my score. What books would you recommend? What style of studying? Anything would help early on in the stage I am currently in, thank you fellow 7sagers!

So I've been siting at the library for approximately 2 hours and I am still on the same video lesson :/ for some reason my wi-fi is acting up. I am connected to the public library's network but it keeps saying "Looking for Networks.." So I cannot watch the video I'm on because it literally stops every 5 seconds and doesn't want to come back. But everything else works perfectly fine except the video lessons. Does anyone with a Mac ever experience this? Any steps on what to do?

For those of us waiting to take the October or December, does anyone know when the June LSAT will be released?

Thanks

I have noticed that there don't seem to be any recent responses from J.Y. or his team on any of the comments after any of the lectures for many, many months. Does anybody know if they are still being checked? No sense leaving questions for the authors of this study guide if the comments are not proctored.

I am not having much luck getting any responses to my study buddy inquiries using the beta program, perhaps because I am still at least two test cycles away from taking the test. So, I thought I would try a discussion post to see if anyone out there is starting their LSAT prep now for one of the 2016 test dates (perhaps June or October, 2016) and would like to get an early start on a study buddy partner?

Little less than 3 months left

I need a 5 point boost .

Suggestions please ?

I plan to review June test hard this weekend to review my errors. Most of these are in RC and LG.

I'll Begin manhatten reading comp this evening.

Master LR since this was my best section.

And increase logic game speed using 10 copy method .

Any suggestions ?

Well, everyone, I did it. I got the score required to get me into the school I'd like to go to. Ultimately I'm still not sure how I feel about it. For those of you who know my story, I'll make this brief. My first time taking the exam I received a 147. It destroyed me. I remember I was playing ranked and just straight up afked and curled into a ball (kudos to those who get the reference.)

LG killed me on this exam and the exam I took prior to this one. I'm not exactly sure why? It is literally always my best section on PTs (-2, -3, -5 MAX). Sure I have a few off exams, but it was never a huge issue. Anyway, on this exam I did better on LR/RC, this exam I didn't panic or freak when I hit difficult questions or felt pressured. I had been here before and I knew how to handle it. So far I applied to 2 law schools (with my previous score) and both of them are over an hour away, very very expensive, and offer very low amounts of living wage aid. In all honesty, even with my Hyundai Veloster, I don't think I'd be able to afford annual gas costs. You may be asking why I put myself in this situation, and my answer is that I didn't perform well on the last exam and then, there's my family.

So, I was a bit lucky. I was given a chance to retake the exam and possibly get another shot at my school if seats were not full. I wasn't promised anything but, hope, however small, widened my eyes and made me hit the books (well I used the Internets, I only used one book and that was the LSAT Trainer, LOL) again. This time I had 5 classes, and a crap load of other responsibilities. My family played a huge guilt trip on me. My grandfather bought me a car (the Hyundai Veloster). This was something he had saved/planned for since I was a kid, but he was using it as leverage with law school because he thinks if I take a year off he won't be around to see me graduate. This killed me. My father threatened to charge a lot for rent, to the point where I'd "barely be able to study" (whatever that means) and also played the guilt card with my grandfather. My uncle did the same with guilting me about my grandfather. Every time I brought up waiting a year, I was dismissed without further discussion. My girlfriend supported me, but I felt alone on an island overall. From my understanding, family support during law school is very important. Yet, I couldn't garner any support pre-law school. This frustrated me. This is MY future. They all dismissed any advice from people I quoted on 7Sage, my counselor from undergrad (who went to law school, practiced, and now is in charge of pre-law advising at my school.) No matter who it was and no matter the credentials, they did not care. I even tried to have a friend of mine (who they knew well) explain it to them. He took a year off to study for the GMAT, got a 700, and went to Minnesota for a masters in business (graduated top of his class), and is now going to Georgetown for a masters in finance. Once again, his words did not stick.

This is a rare opportunity, though. My score, although it may be too late for my desired school, is good enough for the next cycle and I may be able to leverage that to take a year off. There is absolutely no reason for me to put myself in huge debt for a year, possibly screw up, and not be allowed to ultimately transfer to the school that is not only a lot more practical, but better for my future (my desired school is 5 minutes away, I completed my undergrad there, is SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER, more living wage money for assurance, and has a lot more job opportunity post-grad.) I think this argument will leverage pretty well, because it's tangible and backed by my current score (previously they thought if I wait to take the exam I may fuck up and screw myself in the long run.) I can then study AGAIN for the exam and possibly do a hell of a lot better, and get better scholarships. Also, during my year off I can pay the capital on my student loan and slowly pay that off as well. What's your advice, everyone? I know a lot of this stuff may be too much for a 7Sage forum, but I feel if I ask for advice all details should be on the table.

Tl;DR Not sure how to feel, got desired score but felt I could have done better if I wasn't pressured/forced by my family to rush it. Can possibly use my current score to leverage taking a year off if seats are full, and can study to get more scholarship money and not put myself more in debt just to save a year.

I'd also like to take the time to thank 7Sage for everything it has given me. I would not be where I am today without you guys to guide me through this journey. I'd also be broke as hell. I have more to say, but's for a later time and another post <3.

This has been on my mind a lot lately--I've been studying Mandarin on and off for about 4 years, and recently became quite serious about it. It's rather sad to know that once I go to law school I'll essentially be unable to proceed in my language study to any meaningful degree, so my goal is to apply to a few programs and live in China for at least a year (State Department or teaching most likely).

I'm not really sure if it would be wise for me to send out applications this fall and then request a gap year if accepted (from what I've read, only 5-10 requests are granted per year), or if I should simply wait and apply upon my return. If the latter, is there a way for me to somehow save or store recommendation letters from my current professors? I imagine it would be unwise to take advantage of that resource, especially if forgoing it means resorting to non-native English speakers writing them instead.

If anyone has experience with anything remotely related, I would be very glad to hear your thoughts. :)

I remember @"J.Y. Ping" makijg a printer recommendation in a comment somewhere but I've been searching high and low and can't find it. I'm sick of this inkjet bullsqueeze and want to get a laser printer but I don't want to end up in a driver war between my printer and MacBook... Any suggestions?

1. If my blind review gives me the same answer for a question, as the first time around, do I still enter the same answer under blind review under "LSAT Analytic"? Eg: if I picked C during timed test for a question, circled the question because I'm not sure, then in the blind review, I still think C is right, do I mark C as my blind review answer, even though it's the same answer as before?

2. Would someone help me understand what's the reason to do blind review BEFORE you check your answers? My question is that if you do blind review before check the answers for the questions you got wrong, won't that reinforce wrong thinking? Please let me know if I'm missing something here.

Do anybody know anything about Stratus Prep admission Counseling

Does anyone BR the entire PT, or just the ones that were circled? I'm just now starting PT and I just want to make sure that I'm understanding each question type. I only circled those that I wasn't 100% but I guess I just want to solidfy that I know this question type and why I chose the answer. My plan is to BR the entire PT in the beginning of my BR studies then only BR those that I've circled once I've gained more confidence. I just took my first PT and for some reason I feel like I just took the training wheels off my bike! Does anyone see any issues with BR the entire PT? Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Printer - I purchased the Samsung 2020 laser printer someone recommended. I know the ink should last longer with the laser printer but I think I'll still be using lots of paper with LG. I have been using wide ruled notebook paper. It's much cheaper than printing paper, especially this time of year because of back to school sales. Most times you can get it for about .25 per pack for about 150 sheets, $1 for 600 sheets. The printer paper I buy is about $3 - $4 for 500 sheets. Can anyone think of any issues using this paper could create? I haven't been able to come up with anything. I'm just trying to figure out the cheapest way without screwing myself over in some way. Thoughts?

In context, if it helps, I have a 168, a 3.79, and very strong extracurriculars and wondering if it's worth my money to apply at the following schools, where I would fall above the 25th percentile but below the 50th percentile? Is it worth it for anyone to apply at a school where they fall in the 25th percentile?

I really appreciate any insight

[School's 25th percentile LSAT/GPA]

- Columbia (170/3.58)

- Harvard (170/3.75)

- Stanford (169/3.8)

- UChicago (166/3.79)

Data: 2014 http://www.lstscorereports.com/national/admissions/2014/

How long did it take you to get into -0-3 range? Been working on logic games for a few weeks now and almost finished the core curriculum of logic games (haven't gotten to logic bundle yet, only problem sets), and still feel I cant accurately complete any new type of game that comes my way. How long did it take you guys?

Is the diagnostic an accurate predictor of your true potential, with a score increase of 8-10 points given some hard work?

Hi all!

I'm new to the course and trying to get into the 7sage techniques. One of my first lessons is the June 2007 PT, which I took a couple weeks ago before enrolling here. I scored the whole thing and got a result. Now I'm not sure if it's possible for me to do a blind review on it? I marked which were wrong and wrote all over it. Should I just move on and make sure to do it with all my future PTs, or is there a way for me to BR this specific test?

Thank you! :)

Alright, I'll try to make this as short as possible. I'm trying to decide whether or not to take the Oct. 2015 test, which would be my third time. I sat in both Feb. (159) and June (164). I got a solid boost, but I was really wanting 167+ for the schools I want to go to. As soon as I left, I knew that the games destroyed me (my worst section), but I ended up with -4 (not too bad for me), and -7 on RC (normally my best section, -3 or -2). I also got the LG/LR/LG first three sections, which drained me mentally and may have killed my morale a bit. I've completed the 7sage curriculum and taken every test from 36-74 except for # 72 (and I heard that there's a previously undisclosed one out now?), so I won't have any fresh PT's to study with. The average over my last 10 tests was a 165.8 (which is right on target supposedly), but the range is huge: from 161-173, with a 171 in there also.

I feel like I should retake just on the fact that I did worst on my historically best section and the chance that I get a test that meshes with me better (like the 170's I hit). But the average is where it's supposed to be, and I pretty much have nothing to study with except one PT, so I thought I'd ask you guys. Thanks for reading!

So I just signed up for the Premium package, and I'm confused as to what my plan of attack should be. I took the June LSAT and scored a 164. I missed -1 in logic games, and -2 in one of the LR sections. The Reading comprehension section and other LR section made up the other misses, about -8 for both. I started doing the 7sage methods for studying before taking the lsat, specifically blind review and the method for LG. Im curious if I should go back through all the lessons, or if I should just get the practice test books again, and start going through the questions using the 7sage methods while for the most part ignoring the teaching materials. I had originally used powerscore method up until I finished the books, then I discovered 7sage's methods about 3 weeks before the LSAT, which is when I applied their methods. Thank you for the help

Got a 148 diagnostic in January and have worked solidly since. Just took my first PT and also got 148.

Feeling deflated :(

I did my first PT today and, I have to admit, was disappointed with the score (148). BR wasn't much better in the mid 150.

However, it could have just been because it is my first test - a BIG nervous moment I have been building up to since I started studying in January.

Rather than try to pick apart my weaknesses at this stage, I am figuring it may be good to take another 3-4 tests just to build up some analytics within 7Sage. That should then give me a good basis from which to do some actual targeted further study. With just this one test, I'd be unsure where to even start.

Is that sensible? Or a waste of 3-4 more practice tests?

Thanks,

J.

You are not alone. I wish I didn't need to write this thread to release some catharsis and I wish other people wouldn't need to find company in misery as I would not wish such disappointment even on my worst enemy.

I experienced a 10 point drop from my PT average this test day, and 4 point drop from my first real test. I was averaging a 171.8, a PT range of 167 to 177, and then received a devastating 162 in June. The score I received in June isn't a number I've seen on a PT when I was studying for February, let alone June. While I can never be sure what exactly happened, I'm 99% positive it had everything to do with my mental state.

I had a rather ideal testing order -- LG (experimental), LR, LG, RC, LR. I felt great after the first section to the point where I had 5 minutes to check my answers for every single game. In theory, this sounds great. How could I have been mentally defeated at this point? Except I was. By the time I had re-visited the first game (I went in reverse order), I realized I had made a simple error on question #1 but couldn't change my answer in time. I was livid. And this is when things went sour. It took me about 5 minutes to get back into the groove for LR. All I could think about was the fact that this test and that one question was going to derail the hundreds of hours I've poured into studying. I could already imagine the disappointed responses I'd get from my parents, my extended family, and my friends. I could hear the subtle derision and condescension in their voices -- maybe she's just not smart enough. Maybe this is all she will amount to. I don't know why she can't score well on this test when all she does is study -- she doesn't even have a job. These were the thoughts in my head while trying to answer a tough necessary assumption problem. This was the mental condition I was in when taking this test.

Then, when I hit section 3 (the real LG), I actually laughed out loud in the middle of my test. I had wasted so much mental energy and lost so much precious time because of a stupid section that didn't even count? Of course at the time I couldn't be certain that the first section was in fact the experimental, but in my gut I knew it to be true. I think this is when I probably gave up on the test. I blindly guessed on the last game and to my pleasant surprise, I only missed 2. I tried to regroup my brain and will it to not give up during the break -- "you still have 2 more sections" -- but I was never wholly present again for the test. I hardly remember RC and I feel like in the last section I wasn't applying the processes I had honed in my studies on actual test day.

In hindsight, I should have cancelled but I'm glad I didn't. What happened to me in June 2015 is a testament to how important your mental state is for the LSAT. I dedicated my entire mental energy to this test to the point where I couldn't separate my LSAT world from my real world. I'd be out with friends and all I could think about was squeezing in a game or an extra LR question. I'd watch TV or be at the gym and think, "Hmm, maybe if I do one more problem set, maybe that'll guarantee me the 170." I was constantly stressed out to the point where I almost irreparably damaged some of my closest personal relationships. I wish I could say I was being overdramatic (just typing this out proves to me how manic I was) but this is the ugly truth. I was at my absolute worst physical, emotional, and mental state so the fact that I took a hit wasn't really a surprise to me. The fact it was as much as a 10 point deficit was, though, very shocking.

If you're like me where you've blown the LSAT out of proportion into an unstoppable, unconquerable behemoth, we CAN destroy the test. I have no doubt that many of us possess the fundamentals to do well and I just flat out refuse to believe that my PT average was a history of flukes. My goal for October/December/February or whenever I decide to use my next and final retake is to take the test when I'm most psychologically sound. My "study plan" over the next few months is simple: PT and blind review. And hey, maybe this will finally give me the opportunity to join those wonderful BR group sessions that Nicole and co. spearheaded (silver lining :]). That's my only LSAT related plan. The rest of the time I intend on spending with friends and family, exercising, eating well, reading, and meditating. I firmly believe that a happy mind (plus the knowledge of the fundamentals) will lead to a desirable LSAT outcome.

Solidarity, friends.

After hard work and many ups and downs I scored in the 99th percentile.

Thank you @"J.Y. Ping" and 7Sage. I've done most other popular courses but nothing crystallized logic games (I got a -0) or other material like 7sage.

There's no better discussion forum either. JY fosters a community of cooperation rather than the snarky zero-sum mentality I've seen on other forums. I don't think I could have done it without 7Sage!

Thank you Thank you Thank you!

Alright! I have completed the Premium package of 7Sage twice now, I started taking prep tests at the end of May and, so far, my average for PTs is 164 and my BR average is 170. My highest score so far is a 168 with a BR of 172. Obviously I need work in both my PT score and my BR score.

I am shooting to take the October LSAT and would like my PT mark to consistently sit in the low 170s before I write, so when I factor in nerves, etc, I can score in the high 160s/very low 170s. I think this is a realistic goal for me, but of course, I will always shoot to score beyond just in the low 170s!

I'm wondering where I should go with my study methods. My LG are near 0 wrong each time, so I maintain just completing 1 timed LG a day to keep my skills up, with BR/drilling on my PTs.

For Reading Comprehension, I find I'm struggling there the most as of right now. What do you suggest? I do have all the Cambridge packages, and I drill 2 in the AM every day from those. Should I be drilling a full 4 a day? I have read the LSAT Trainer section for RC, so my approach is to read for structure and what-not. Obviously I need to refine my skills in this section, but I guess I'm at a loss of where to go from here.

For my LG, I do miss an average 2-5 per section, so that needs work as well. I have started by printing the PT from 36 and above, and I am now drilling full sections under timed conditions and supplementing that with Cambridge packages untimed. Does that look like a good plan?

So far, I PT only on Saturdays. I only do a 4 section for now, to retain materials, but I have gotten into a good rhythm of waking up, hitting the gym, eating, drinking my coffee, and diving into a PT - keeping my test day schedule consistent. I am going to introduce a 5th section come August and maybe start taking 1 PT during the week, but I am debating that because of major mental fatigue after being at work all day.... not sure it would be worth it if it'll just be a bruise to my ego.

Any advice would be appreciated!

I've got a copy of Manhattan LR in the house. Ordered it a few months ago but didn't touch it.

Does anyone recommend it? I've gone through 7Sage twice as well as the Trainer, but always open to new perspective.

I'm familiar with question types and general approaches to different questions from previous study. I wonder if it makes more sense to do PT 1-35 as timed 4-section tests, instead of using them as drills on specific topics, as I'm going through JY's video curriculum. I just feel the drills wasted the full length tests 1-35. Please let me know if I'm missing something.