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Dear 7Sagers

I've only recently gotten to the point where I can get through this test.

I'm by no means out of the woods but think that now I'm at the point where my learning curve will allow me to get better and faster. My first couple of diagnostics came in around 142 :-( Right now focusing on LG's only. I was spending a lot of time going over LG problems but when I'd sit down to work a Practice Test, I could only get 5 or 6 correct. I changed my strategy and have broken through a new threshold and am getting 9 correct on the first try. On the second pass at the same LG game (timed conditions), I'll go up to +16 and by the third pass will get -2. I think this new strategy is working and if I keep implementing it I will be finishing all 4 games under timed conditions after 5 LGs, or so.

I have PTs 52-71. Right now, I've have finished 52 and 53. I don't want to use up all the more recent tests to work through LGs only and wanted to ask for recommendations regarding how far back I should go in order to get more LG practices that are still valid and relevant. Read some of the reviews on Amazon for PTs 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 (of the 10 Actual from LSAC) and comments were mostly that the LGs, for the most part, did not reflect the current LSAT. So question is, what is the earliest PTs I should buy, that are still relevant and reflective of the most current material, to have the most LGs to practice from?

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Last comment friday, dec 26 2014

2 Questions

1. Can someone explain how the first and second sentences are rephrasings of each other?

- If the elevator malfunctioned, it wasn't properly maintained.

- The elevator would only have malfunctioned if it wasn't properly maintained.

2. What's the best way to tell the difference between a correct strengthen answer and a premise booster (or de-booster for weaken questions?) Had a little problem on PT62 Sec 4 #14

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Last comment friday, dec 26 2014

Burnout is REAL!

So I have a subscription to Scientific American MIND and this months edition had a 4 page write all about burnout. Although it was mostly pertaining to the workplace, I found much of the article pertained to burnout in general and would applicable to the LSAT, so I figured I'd share.

The articles begins by outlining what burnout is and how it comes about. Burnout typically comes as a result of overextending one self. The most familiar reason for burnout is exhaustion from working too hard with insufficient rest. This clearly isn't some secret, but as someone who has studied for the LSAT, I think its safe to say we often underestimate the need for rest and overlook how beneficial it can be to our studies.

The article goes on to say that the three main components of burnout are: exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy. Experts say that even exhibiting features of one area is a risk factor and that the three factors tend to be related. What typically contributes to burnout is unrealistic expectations and feeling a lack of control over your work. However, the article also notes that there is not just one recipe for burnout.

What I found particularly interesting was, "The quantity of work is important, but he real trouble arises from an employee's perception of his or her performance". This statement directly ties back to how setting unrealistic expectations can lead to burnout. I found this area to most relevant to the LSAT because I know there were times where I thought I did really well on a test, only to find out after scoring it I bombed it. Typically what followed were doubts about the entire process, maybe even a little anger and resentment towards the LSAC and there were even times where I felt like giving up.

So what does the article say helps to prevent or reduce burnout?

SOCIAL EXCHANGES, recovery periods, and a sense of community (i.e: 7sage!)

and the more obvious answer of course.... getting a sufficient amount of exercise, sleep, and eating healthy.

I think we often forget about how important it is, for whatever reason, that we actually take a step a way from our work and take care of ourselves. There are times in our lives, such as final exam season and studying for the LSAT, where our lives get hectic. But, that does not mean we must destroy our body and mind just to meet our goals. Sure, if you need to cram for an exam or be a hermit for a week or two thats fine. But the LSAT is a long-term test, that typically takes at least 3 or more months of studying before actually taking the test. It is important that when you study you take the time to take of yourself. Not only will you feel better, but it will likely improve your performance on the test as well. I know when I studied I considered not looking at the LSAT for an entire day as being lazy and uncommitted. I was SO WRONG. If I wasn't in LSAT mode 24/7 I felt guilty and useless. This was wrong and I probably could've benefited from actually going to see my friends or taking a day off here and there. While I did exercise and eat relatively healthy, I was pretty anti social. Some days I felt like not studying and actually going out and seeing society for once. However, I talked myself out of it and chalked up my behaviour to no pain no gain and pushed through. DO NOT DO THIS.

A highlight in the article for me was:

"People who face burnout DO NOT lack some essential quality, such as work ethic, resilience, or self-confidence"

"Burnout represents the erosions of these qualities"

This is exactly how I felt. That taking time to recover was a sign I lacked those qualities.

Moral of the story: Take the time to take care of yourself. Eat healthy, exercise regularly, and for heavens sake BE SOCIAL. This is not an excuse to procrastinate or go out and party because you deserve it. But you can take a day off to go and hang with friends during the day or at night, it won't kill you and it certainly shouldn't make or break your LSAT score.

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My pre law advisor said to submit an addenda explaining that my LSAT is a poor predictor of my future promise at law school. I am applying this cycle and am debating submitting this information. I got an 1820 on my SAT in 2009 (83rd percentile) and had a 4.41 GPA going into college. By the time I graduated, I had a 3.87, worked12 jobs, was on the high honor roll, college honors program, phi beta kappa, and a couple of other academic honors and awards. BUT my LSAT (took it in december so not 100% sure) is hovering between a 159-161. What are your thoughts on sharing past SAT scores with schools and sharing this kind of addenda?

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Last comment tuesday, dec 23 2014

RC transformation

Hey Guys,

I just started using much more recent PT's as my test date nears and I wanted to see if anyone felt the same way about RC passages and LR.

Has it seemed as though the RC passages became incredibly more difficult around the mid 2000's? Or is it just me getting in my own head because I've spent more time on LR recently?

The questions even seems somewhat 'different', there seems to be much more inference involved rather than pulling enumerated pieces from the passage.

Maybe Im wrong ive only done a few modern PTs, just wanted to see everyone elses opinion on the matter. The pre 2000 RC seems like a cakewalk now haha

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Has anybody applying to law school completed a master's degree outside the US or Canada? I see on the LSAC website that undergraduate transcripts must be sent from the degree granting international institution, but I'm not clear on the protocol for graduate work. I did a master's in Spain...anyone know if I have to have the diploma and transcripts translated into English and forwarded directly from the university to LSAC? In case anyone has experience with this, words of wisdom much appreciated!

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Hi there!

Looking for others with advanced degrees studying for the June LSAT and aiming for 175+ and top 5 law schools. It'd be good to find other "non-traditional" applicants and keep each other motivated through this long process. Send me a private message. Thanks!

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Hey guys,

Having a problem with the android app. Videos appear fine (when set to the standard, non-flash player). However, I can't click the fullscreen button on my Note 3 with any success. All that happens is the 'shell' of the video (including the time navigation bar) extend beyond the regular frame (which remains the same size) and the video never actually goes fullscreen. It would seem to have something to do with rotation, I can't seem to actually rotate to landscape orientation; no matter what I try.

Any ideas?

Benji

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Last comment thursday, dec 18 2014

Sage Contact Info

I recently emailed sage with a couple questions about their courses. It has been a couple days and no response yet. Does anyone know if it takes them a while to respond? And do they have a 800 number?

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Last comment thursday, dec 18 2014

2 questions

1) Done 4 PT's with BR and the scores are fluctuating between 148 and 160. At what point did you guys start seeing consistency in your PTs?

2) Do you think its worth getting the Cambridge LR drills from old Lsat's (1-35)?

Thanks everyone!

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Last comment wednesday, dec 17 2014

Recommended to improve reading.

I've heard some say that the Economist is a great source to improve on vocabulary and reading ability to improve LSAT ability.

Anyone used the above news source or something else to improve?

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Hey all,

I sat the December LSAT at an unpublished test site in Japan, and from what I understand, the test I took was not the same as the one taken by those in North America. What I don't know is whether the test I took is the same as others took at published test centres outside of North America, or whether the test I took was completely different from both.

Also, does anyone know whether the same curve will apply to all tests administered in December, regardless of testing location?

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Last comment tuesday, dec 16 2014

LSAT Study in MD

I am looking for a study partner in MD or DC. I would love to drastically improve my score. I have studied technique and I am mainly taking practice test and doing review.

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Last comment tuesday, dec 16 2014

Time Management

Question guys!

I was curious, if for certain question types anyone simply scans directly for the correct answer, or upon seeing the correct answer; even relatively early among answer choices (A or B for example), selects it and moves on in an effort to fortify time remaining for more difficult question types .

Is this a dangerous tactic? Can this be a good tactic for answer choices that clearly shine true, such as conclusion/MP questions et cetera?

I employed this method upon my first few pts without much thought upon around the first 10 Q's in LR and found I was saving a vast amount of time by not reading wrong answer choices (I was finishing almost 10 minutes early with minimal unaccredited responses (for me anyway, around -4) . I refrained from using this method several PTs later after coming across mid section problems I would get wrong by not reading ALL of the answer choices. Now a days, time is a serious issue for me and can score anywhere from -4 to -10, the larger portion of negatives owing to the time crunch I think.

IF anything, could this be used as an effective means of time management? Or does it seem too dangerous

Thanks in advance

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Last comment tuesday, dec 16 2014

Personal Statement

Hey,

Do any of y'all know if 7Sage offers an option to have your Personal Statement reviewed by one of the instructors? I bought the Personal Statement bundle, but I wanted my drafts to be reviewed so it can be as good as possible.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

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