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Hey everyone, I've been reading and seeing some of the discussions and I've been seeing so many posts of people feeling very discouraged, sad, and I want to share advice to you guys that has helped me fight through this test. Something that I understood was that this test is not only testing my skill, but from several YouTube videos, articles and reddit threads it hit me that not only my skills are being tested, its me as a person, my discipline and confidence. I watched so many videos on how to study, how to prepare, and yes, the cringe advice of sleep and eat healthy will help, IT WORKS!

So, to go down the list that I have added to my study routine let's start with the first thing. (if you're able to do these things, hopefully they help you! I know not all of us are in the same situations, but making small tweaks to your routine can help)

Fix your sleep schedule. Please, it's not worth it to stay awake studying until 3:00 am, so the next day you wake up and start studying again you're falling asleep. Your sleep schedule impacts so many aspects of your life, respect it! You'll feel so much better.

Eat as healthy as you can. Not meaning to go in a diet, eating healthy its not targeted for weight loss. There are foods that make you feel sick, and bad, and they do not provide any benefit other than make you feel bad! I started meal prepping, and I started to check out all the foods that make me feel bad, because yes, you feeling exhausted, bloated, sad, can be distracting. I'll use myself as an example, I drink a to of water, like a lot. I am lactose intolerant, and also, allergic to gluten! I still eat some dairy, but its only cheese, and I try to find a cheese that its not as processed, and I found some great affordable options. Gluten, I don't eat as much foods with gluten, so that's not a problem. Right now, I am in the process of cutting off sugars (I won't at all, I love my lil treats) but my sugar consumption isn't as high as it used to be. And most importantly, caffeinated drinks. They give me anxiety, and I have enough, so I don't need stuff to accelerate it. Try to find foods that will make you feel energetic, that will give you enough carbs so your body can have the enough energy to LIVE! Another thing is that, I cut off foods that are high in sodium, it makes me feel sick, and in all honesty, I don't want any distractions on test day, my stomach can be one, any pain, gas, etc can be distracting, with anxiety I feel all my nervousness in my stomach (something that I am working on) but also, try to feel and eat clean. Find foods and make combinations that have a lot of nutrients, you'll feel so much better.

Create a routine. If you're able, I understand life can be hectic and some of us have more responsabilities than others. I am still working on my routine. Currently I have no responsibilities other than my dog. I was able to quit my job for a while, but I made the decision to push my test date so I could work, and study and don't feel super pressured. For me, I study for 3-4 hours daily. No more than 5h+. Allow yourself to have breaks during your study sessions, but no, the break doesn't mean grab your phone and go on TikTok. Means, go outside, or walk around, drink water, stretch, have a snack, go look at the sun idk. Personally, the routine has been making me feel so much better, and I make sure to give time to everything I needed. I'm also very flexible, life is not linear, but you will feel way more confident if you complete smalls tasks through your day.

CLEAN AND BE ORGANIZED. I can stress this enough! My aunt is a psychologist and she always told me that my spaces look like my mind looks. If my car was messy, my room was messy, it meant that I was and most of the time, I was going through something. I organized my room, cleaned my desk, my closet, and created a space for myself, to study, to write, to focus. I keep my car clean, and I try to keep as clean as I can, and of course I have fallouts, and it gets messy, but cleaning it, and seeing how nice and cleans looks encourages me to keep it that way. and I also feel better. I totally understand that not all of us are able to live in clean conditions, and have our own spaces, but if you're able, I recommend going to your public library, and good news! you don't spend money (bc yes, Starbucks isn't always the right place to study). You need a quiet space to be able to focus! and they also have some LSAT study books with resources for FREE, so you don't have to buy the books all the time, you can borrow them! (also, I looked up the power score bible books on FB Market and found even on $20 dollars each book).

Exercise, or just MOVE! Walk around, move, workout doesn't have to lifting weights (but they are amazing to help you focus, they had helped me so much to learn how to focus) it can be going down the stairs for 10 min, walking your dogs, using bags as weights, or simply do some stretching there are amazing 10 min stretch videos on YouTube to avoid back/neck/hip/waist/ pain. No need to go the gym (but if you can, slay girl yesss!)

pls, please TURN OFF YOUR PHONE WHILE YOU STUDY! ITS A DISTRACTION. My phone played a huge role in my waisting time! and yes, it cluttered my mind. I realized that how many information I was putting into my brain at 6:00 am, by watching TikTok or reels, and just all that content and all the emotions I was feeling, bc yes dog videos can make you emotional and then seeing a funny video and laugh, like going from sad to joy in 7 seconds its not normal, your brain needs time to feel all these EMOTIONS, and process them. I now only have one form of social media, and I am able to do other things to distract myself, and even DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, like we should learn HOW TO GET BORED AGAIN! Yes, those 5-10 minutes you spent just staring at the screen not doing anything important other than mindless scroling are not good for you. Get away from your phone and learn how to control that desire of always wanting to be distracted. Read a book before you go to sleep, 10 pages you'll go to sleep even faster if you don't like reading.

You'll not only feel good, you'll look even better. Studying for the lsat, if you choose to take care of yourself can come with a glow up. It took me a while to realize that this test could also make me a better human. I stopped seeing it as a test that was going to change my life, but an opportunity to be a better version of myself, because, you learn a new way to think, you're more agile, your comprehension skills are better. You are just getting better at being yourself. You are already smart, you're just insecure and afraid. Those thoughts are blocking you, because you are the only person that its stopping you into becoming an even better human, than you already are. I wasn't thought how to be a disciplined person, but I learned how to, and also a part of high school taught me how to because other conditions that are private. But it takes just one small thing to accomplish so you get everything done. Getting a low score in your diagnostic doesn't mean you won't have a huge increase, it's NORMAL. going down 1-2 points, ITS NORMAL. But it all depends on how you see it.

On the reading Power score LSAT bible, in chapter two in one corner says, "A positive attitude perhaps its the most underrated factor in LSAT success. Virtually all high scoring students expect to do well on the LSAT, and that this mindset helps them avoid distractions during the exam and overcome the adversity they might face" it also says, that "This upbeat mentality is something that all high-scorers embrace, and its something that you should strive to establish from the outset, as well.

It's not worth it to study and beat yourself up because you don't understand, stress is mind blocking. Don't block your mind, don't reject yourself, give yourself days to catch up on study in your schedule for me it was every Friday. Give yourself a break and don't say no to yourself. No one is going to make you reach a higher score. Hours of studying, tutoring, and obsessing won't matter if you're not in the right state of mind. Something I heard a lot from my LSAT professors is that, this is like learning on how to ride a bike, you fall so many times, and you get frustrated, and when nothing is working, you STOP, and BREATHE. you clear your mind and all of the sudden you're riding that bike, because unconsciously you found balance. If nothing is working, stop, relax, hug yourself, drink water and strike again. Be kind to yourself and remember, there are so many benefits from taking this test, its not about the score, its about what you learn, don't listen to trolls, statistics, or OTHER PEOPLES LIMITATIONS, they're not yours. and most importantly, don't be discourage and learn to separate yourself from the commentary. I love 7 sage, and I know some people here say stuff like, this is as hardest as it gets on the LSAT (when explaining some of the games) or saying, this is a stupid answer to pick. You're here to learn. You're not those words, there are people that can get extremely discourage from hearing this words, and NO, its not as hard as it gets, for learning there are not limits, I am extremely effective when doing some of the hybrid logic games, but when it comes to the simple sequencing I over think. Words are important, and it's just as important to learn how to control your mind. Some people might say that "realistically" the lsat is hard, or that you need to look at things realistically, but to me that word has never existed and it shouldn't for you. Life is amazing, and yes, life has different situations, and complications as you don't know mine, so, don't be angry or say, "oh she doesn't know hard work" or "she has no responsibilities" or "my life is hard", and like I said, I have also a life, relationships, and they were difficult, and once I learned how to calm my mind, because I realized that 80% of the reason that I was miserable, it was my mindset that made me miserable. (and yes, it can be like that) others, simply live in uncontrollable conditions, that affect them, but if you're studying for this test, and reading this, I hope you find something here that can bring to you some peace, or an answer, or courage. you're already brave enough when you made the decision to take the LSAT.

*sorry for the typos, or grammar errors, I got to excited and English is my second language so yes! I can't always type as fast as I think.

Thank you guys (3(/p)

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This is more of a journal entry for myself as I get closer to test day. Hopefully someone can use some of these!

LG - My worst modality. I wish that I had listened to people from the beginning and just drilled it over and over again. I am really coming to appreciate that mastery simply takes time. If you're new, watch the LG core videos, and then just use the dill auto builder to focus on your worst game types. That's what I am doing now, but I am concerned I started a little too late. I know that my worst games are group-types and Misc. (obviously). So I have been doing 5-10 games a day, with at least one timed section. It's definitely helping.

I listen to the Thinking LSAT Podcast when I'm waiting for new episodes of the 7Sage podcast to come out (prioritize 7Sage's podcast- it's much more practical). One of those dudes said that when he does a LG section, he simply takes it one game at a time- he doesn't watch the clock, he doesn't worry about the next game, he doesn't think about a game that he skipped (if he skipped), he simply gets one perfect game, followed by a second perfect game, followed by a third perfect game, and if time allows, he does a fourth perfect game. It sounds a little silly, but I noticed that my biggest LG score shaker is my perception of time. Not time itself, mind you, but how I feel more and more anxious as the clock is ticking down, knowing that I likely have a harder game up next. I stop focusing, which kills my ability to do the basics- understand each rule, choose an appropriate board, split prudently, don't lose track of rules throughout the game. When I take timed drills outside of PTs, I am relaxed and smooth. I get somewhere between -2 to -4, which is acceptable to me based on my goals. But during PTs, I'll see -5+ consistently. That's the equivalent of almost an entire game. If I had taken 33 minutes to do 3 games, and then guessed on the last, I would probably do better. But I leave points on the table throughout the entire section.

The takeaway is this: do one game at a time. When you do a game, that is it. Think about nothing else. Don't think about how this simple sequencing game should take you less time. Just think about the sequencing game. And then spend more time drilling those games that are slowing you down or causing you to miss points.

LR - In one of the 7Sage podcast videos, Henry says that if you want to get better at RC, do LR. In my experience, I would agree. You're strengthening your reading comprehension and critical thinking ability, one bite-sized chunk at a time. The core videos are again very helpful, but what I noticed is that after doing a few of the full courses for the various question types, you start to feel way more comfortable with all of the types. Spend the time to watch those videos and do the accompanying drills, and you'll see increasing returns with every question type you study.

RC - I have always been pretty good at RC. I think I got a -4 on my first diagnostic, and I will regularly see -1. I don't have as much advice to give, because I feel like I haven't really improved much beyond understanding what the LSAT is looking for. I would suggest being able to paraphrase every paragraph to yourself before moving on. If you can't do that, I wouldn't move on.

General wisdom - There was a period of about 3 weeks that I was trying to get in 4+ hours of studying a day in, plus work, plus the gym. Although I was allotting myself time to review PTs, I simply wasn't allowing my brain the time to heal and absorb new concepts. I was taking a PT every 2 days- test, review the next, test again, etc. That pattern was not conducive to my learning. I have backed it off to 1-2 PTs a week, and spending the rest of that time on focused drills.

Thank you for reading my stream-of-consciousness post.

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Hi everyone, just wondering if anyone has tips on how to simulate the flex on Lawhub website. I want to get used to the interface but also since I'm just taking the flex, I don't want to do the whole 4 sections. (if theres no option I will - but just want to ask in case someone has tips on this) :) thank you!

On the other hand - has those who only practiced on the 7sage preptests interface to take the flex had any difficulty with the Lawhub interface during the exam?

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Last comment Sunday, Oct 29, 2023

Discouraged

I have been studying since June and just completed a practice test with a score of 144. I'm so discouraged and feel like nothing is working. I'm feeling like the test has gotten the best of me. Any suggestions or anyone who has been through this? It seems like my accuracy has gone down with the more I've been studying

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Hello everyone! I just scheduled my November 2023 test date through Prometric and had a few little struggles, so I thought I'd share them and hopefully it will help you when signing up for test date.

I signed into my LSAC account about 10 minutes early and immediately clicked on scheduling. Do not wait right until the "allotted" scheduling time opens!!! I was early and still 260 in the queue. When I got through and imputed my desired date to see the available time, I selected one and hit "reserve time slot," but no confirmation text was sent. I found out that there were about 1.5k people in the queue, so it made sense that things were slow, but I started to panic. I decided to just call the Prometric help desk phone number and after a long wait of 20 minutes I was able to talk to someone. They confirmed that it does not look like my selected time was reserved and they helped me schedule my test. They were pretty helpful and quick.

So, basically enter the queue early and when in doubt, call Prometric!

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Last comment Saturday, Oct 28, 2023

burnout

I am finding that as I have been trying to increase my score and doing more practicing and studying my pt score keeps consistently going down two -to three points and I feel like I never can get above 150 I do not know why I can't seem to improve does anyone have any advice for burnout on the LSAT.

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I am drilling with sections of older prep tests (currently focusing on LR) by printing the test and working on the hard copy. I have since completed the section but I would like to review my answers and watch any explanation videos needed. How do I do so if I did not input my answers/complete the whole test on 7Sage's platform? Hope this question makes sense. Thanks!

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Hi! I just used the new score converter tool to see what my last PT score would roughly be if it were the new test with no LG. To do so, I disregarded my missed points on LG and totaled my missed points on the 1 LR and 1 RC, which totalled to -11. According to the tool, that is a 168...

How can this be accurate? I scored a -8 on the Lg and a -7 on LR, so how could my score have jumped 10 whole points with no LG!??

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Last comment Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023

Lost drill answers

Hello.

I completed a drill and accidentally exited out when I was trying to compare my answers with a previous PT I took. Is there anyway to go back and find the answers of the drill I did? If that makes sense

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EDIT: As of October 24, LSAC says that Sonoma should now be compatible with Prometric’s servers.

Yesterday, we posted an important heads-up on the 7Sage blog for Mac users who are taking the October or November LSAT remotely. I've pasted the article below:

"For anyone planning to take the October or November LSAT remotely, you need to know about a compatibility issue. Prometric, LSAC’s digital testing provider, currently does NOT support macOS Sonoma, Apple's newest operating system.

If you're considering updating your Mac, hold off and remain on macOS Ventura before your exam.

Double-check your Mac's version in About this Mac. Make sure it reads “Ventura.”

If you’ve already upgraded to Sonoma, you have a few options. The most convenient is to borrow someone else’s computer to take the LSAT. If you can’t borrow a computer, you can use an external SSD as a startup disk and format it to run macOS Ventura. If you’re on an Intel mac, you can also use Bootcamp to install Windows to take the LSAT.

Whether you've opted to use another computer, Bootcamp, or an external drive, you should verify your setup's compatibility using the Prometric Testing tool and LSAC Lawhub.

Best of luck, autumn test-takers!"

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All, please help me to stop pulling l my hair out.

Two weeks ago, I switched to exclusively using Lawhub for my PTs since I'll be testing for the Nov 2023 LSAT and wanted to be accustomed to the format.

Before that, I had been scoring in the high 160s (165, 169, 170, 168) and nabbed a 170 once.

However, since I have switched, I got a 164, a 163, and just got a 164. It's wildly frustrating, especially because I am seeing trends in my scores I have never seen before (I usually get -4 or better on RC, but got a -6 and -7 on my previous two PTs) that seem to defy my previous understanding of my strengths and weaknesses. Unfortunately, there are a few things happening in my life that may be contributing to this, so it's been hard for me to isolate what the causes might be. I'm worried that the layout/fixed order/extra LR on Lawhub is a major contributing cause, but I can't tell. Further, I feel like it's important that I get comfortable with the layout whether I like it or not.

In trying to understand this, I wanted to get people's experience and input.

How do I interpret this significant drop in my scores? How can I tell whether my previously higher scores or my current scores are the fluke trend?

Has anyone else seen score fluctuations when they test on Lawhub as opposed to 7Sage? And, by extension, what are your thoughts regarding the modern (3-passage) vs. legacy (4-passage with the extra LR) for accurately assessing ability?

As general advice, what did you do to break the high 160s ceiling/plateau?

Thanks all for your input, and please help me reduce the amount of time I need to spend doing anti-frustration meditations on Spotify.

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Last comment Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023

Website Issues

The website is faulty somehow. for a couple of days now it's been giving me an error message. and it is very slow. I know it is not my laptop because i used it for other things. Someone, please let me know it is not just me.

#help

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Last comment Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023

Room scan for writing exam

So when I was taking the test it asked me to take a picture of myself then take a picture of my ID. Then it prompted me to complete a checklist of a room scan. I wasn't sure what to do because my camera showed it was recording with the red light on top of my surface pro but I could not see anything but the checklist while I was showing the room. (Such as imagine taking a video on your phone but only seeing your home screen) So I had no perspective of what I was showing. Did I miss a step? Was I supposed to scan the room when I took a picture of my ID? I am genuinely confused

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I've read a lot of horror stories about the last several LSATs taken remotely following the switch to Prometric. I'm trying not to worry. I know there could be sampling bias on discussion boards toward those who had bad experiences vs those who had zero issues.

Does anyone have advice to prepare? Additional items to have/remove, questions to ask, room requirements, etc.

I took the LSAT previously with ProctorU and didn't have issues, but it sounds like things have changed. I read the official guidelines on LSAC and Prometric, but I've also heard some contradictions (which could lead to interruptions).

Thanks so much in advance.

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I have been studying for a while. My highest on a practice test is 163 and I've gotten 160 a couple of times. However, my blind review highest scores have been 169 and 171. The reading comp is the defining factor at times. Should I wait to take the lsat in Jan or do I just take it next month. Im signed up for both. additionally, what are some strategies you use during reading comprehension. I want to continue scoring higher but sometimes I get 18/19 and at other times 13/14. The next lsat is closely approaching.

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LSAC approved me for 50% extra time on both MC and writing, but I've only been practice testing with the 35 min split.

Should I switch over to practicing with 53 minutes per section? I figured it would be better to be accustomed to finishing within 35 minutes rather than take all 53 minutes.

Would one be more likely to make mistakes finishing (ideally) with 35-40 minutes and having extra time to go back? Or is it better to be more thorough with each question and finish within 50-53 minutes?

I have ADHD and GAD, and the timing/clock countdown gives me a lot anxiety.

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Hey everyone. I am doing the core curriculum and have noticed a lot of my answers I get wrong are because I simply read the answer choice wrong / argument wrong because I was so nervous to get it right within the time limit, even when I do not show the time elapsed. I plan on taking the test the second time in 2024 because my mind absolutely blanked during the actual test. It was like everything I had learned went down the drain and was like I didn't spend months studying for the test. I would greatly appreciate it for some tips to help this from happening again, whether it be for drills, etc. Hope everyone has a great day!

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Last comment Sunday, Oct 22, 2023

Modern Prep Tests

#admin #help

Does 7Sage plan on updating the "modern" simulation to reflect the test? While there are only 3 scored sections, test takers take 4 sections, still. Considering this seems like a relatively easy addition, I am wondering if there are any plans to make a change.

Thank you!

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my gpa is 3.54 but on lsac it says my gpa is between 3.5 and 3.74 which is "mostly A's"..........does this mean that , according to law schools, a gpa of 3.5 is identical to a gpa of 3.73? because they are in the same range? how does that work?

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