Hi all,

I am about finished with the curriculum. Long story short, I was out of the country and have also just started a new job so my LSAT studying kind of fell to the wayside for about a month and a half but I am back at it and just have to finish up my last day of curriculum material tomorrow. I literally only had 2 days of curriculum left when I kind of fell off track LMAO. Anyway, I am wondering how much I should I be drilling daily if I plan to take the test in August (about 3 months out)? I was originally going to take it in June but then felt I fell too far behind timing wise.

I attempted a PT today and had to stop halfway through because it genuinely felt like my brain stopped processing information correctly. I wasn’t panicking outwardly, but I suddenly couldn’t sustain focus, couldn’t fully comprehend passages, and for the first time ever, I couldn’t even finish all the LR questions in a section. I was reading words, but nothing felt like it was actually sticking cognitively.

For context, I’m coming off an extremely intense semester (finals, leadership transitions, travel, etc.), so I’m wondering if this is some combination of burnout/anxiety/cognitive overload, but it honestly scared me because I’m used to functioning at a very high academic level.

If anyone has experienced this during prep:

• How did you reset?

• Did you take time off or push through?

• How did you rebuild focus/stamina?

• Did it end up being temporary?

Would really appreciate any advice because right now I feel mentally fragmented and pretty overwhelmed.

I took the LSAT this past January (third-year college student) and scored a 167. My average 5 practice tests leading up to my official attempt averaged to just about that, with a highest recorded score of 170. My initial diagnostic was a 153, and I studied from March onward, though I could only dedicate about 5-10 hours per week to it during the school year and occasionally 10-15 in the summer. I am interested in BU, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, UCLA, & UC Berkeley, and I did not hit the median for those (which is around 170) but did exceed the 25th percentile. I am confident that the other components of my application will be strong. That said, I plan to take two gap years to teach before attending law school, and I am on the fence about my test timeline. I could study this summer and retake in September, but I will have an intense full-time internship for June and July that will take up a significant portion of my time. I do not want to study for or take the test again during senior year, as I will be writing a senior honors thesis. The other option for a retake would be to study full-time the summer after I graduate and retake it that fall, but then I would have taken about a year and a half off from studying before revisiting. I could also study while working full-time in a post-grad teaching role, but I think that would be challenging to manage. I think it makes sense to retake the test, but does anyone have advice on when I should? I also should mention that I took the test under particularly bad conditions (personal life crisis) that severely impacted my emotional state and sleep leading up to it.

I took the diagnostic test a week ago and scored a 140. I am following the study guide. I have 9 weeks of course material before I start the practice questions.

Am I supposed to be drilling now? Or wait until the lectures are done?

I’ve been studying for a while, however I have hit a plateau and would love to discuss how to improve

I finished my first PT since my diagnostic back in December. My diagnostic was 139 > and this PT was a 158. I haven’t studied consistently until these last 3 weeks, I’d always start and stop. Should I finish the curriculum or keep drilling and working through the Loophole as I’ve been doing the last 3 weeks?

I’m aiming for the August LSAT (I’m okay with taking September LSAT as well) and a goal score of 170+ (I know that might be highly unrealistic in this timeframe).

While taking the PT, on certain questions I knew that diagramming would help get me to an answer I just didn’t know what to diagram if that makes sense. Any recommendations on how to get better at diagramming?

I plan to take the LSAT in September, but on RC questions I keep falling for trap answers and struggle to structure the passages in my head as I read. Does anyone have any tips on improving RC, focusing on structure and avoiding trap answers?

Hey all!!! I’m not necessarily struggling to understand the foundations however, as I’m working through the logical reasoning modules I’m realizing I’m struggling to apply ther concepts. I understand and can explain them but when I start mixing in multiple question types it becomes over whelming. Should I practice applying ther concepts? If so how? What have high scorers who ran into a similar issue done? Any help or advice would be really appreciated! Good luck to everyone studying hard.

I just scored a 168 on PT139.

Hi y'all! I just finished my first week of studying and took my second PT. I feel like I can solve most questions without pressure and given enough time. But under testing conditions, phew, it is a mental frenzy to complete them on time, let alone get the correct answer. How would you recommend I close this gap between my 177 BR and 160 diagnostic? More studying the concepts or drilling and PT's?

Hi everyone, I tried answering questions in reverse order, but it lowered my score. I thought starting with the hardest questions (while I’m freshest and have the most time) would help. Is this a common strategy, or is it better to go in order (first -> last)?

Hello! I am enrolled in 7Sage's Total Intensive Prep course which begins tomorrow. I am looking at the homework listed for the class, and I was wondering if the course is designed so that students complete the homework before each class or after each class.

For people who want to voice their displeasure at the atrocious changes LSAC has made to the August format, they have a feedback form at https://www.lsac.org/send-us-your-feedback and actively monitored email inboxes at LSACinfo@lsac.org and accessibility@LSAC.org. I sent in a strongly worded complaint across both email and the feedback form yesterday and got responses from named customer service reps within 24 hours saying they'd incorporate the feedback into their design process. Who knows if they'll actually listen, but odds are higher the more vocal we are about this.

I find that when I blind review, I tend to not miss any. But it is nonetheless frustrating as I want to be able to get it the first time. What are some tips to break through this and get to a point where my BR can match my actual performance on sections/PTs?

Hi guys! I've been trying this tip that I heard on the 7Sage Shortcut podcast and it really helped me improve my confidence and process, so I thought that I would share it here too (I hope it's okay, if not then please remove this post).

After I take a section or PT (as soon as possible), I pick out the questions that were redddddddddddddd-green (aka: I had the wrong AC selected for a while and then switched to the correct AC). Then, I write down in a journal exactly what was the 'revelation' that caused me to switch ACs. So for example, it could be something like "I realized that a particular word in this AC was too strong to be MSS'd." Having these notes to refer back to has made such a difference.

Thank you to the incredible podcasters for recommending this. Seriously, I eat, sleep, and breathe, this podcast.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Hey yall,

I've been studying on and off for the lsat for about a year. This year I decided it was my year so I've been very consistent with studying, starting back with the basics on LSAT lab on youtube. I just got access to 7sage again so I immediately wanted to go through the foundational topics which I'm making my way through.

I've been joining the live sessions when I have time but I wanted to know if there was a more strategic way to go about taking classes. Like should I be lining classes up with what I will be drilling that day or is there a better way because I don't know if its the most helpful doing LR 2 days in a row and RC 1 day, you know..

Thanks :)

Hi, I just opened some drills today, and I noticed that for the post August new UI, there's not really an option now to have it not fullscreen - before, I kind of liked having it in a smaller box with a slightly darkish background (it felt a lot easier on my eyes), but now that's not really an option anymore. Not fullscreen is pretty much the same as fullscreen. Is that representative of the actual new August UI changes?

So I have been studying now for nearly... 5 months. I work full time at a law firm and have other life obligations so I typically can only get in 2-3 hours a day, but it has been working for me, I thought. I did all of the curriculum, the whole thing. And then just drilling, sections, PTs every other week or so when I can but at LEAST every month. And it seemed to be working. I started at 153 and every PT I climbed 2 points, so I was like okay.. This is working. I took my official test in April and got a 164, which I was quite happy with.

But, I want to shoot higher, I signed up for June. At first I thought I was ready for this. Started getting some of my best scores yet after taking a week off after the April test, getting -1s, -3s on sections and such, felt good. And then.. A -8, a fluke I tell myself. A -12 in RC, uh oh... My first PT since my official take I got a 162, BUT I got lucky that the section I absolutely tanked, an RC section with another staggering -12.. was the exp. So I lucked out hard. Even still, my Blind Review plummeted, from an upward trend up to 176 down to 168.

I feel like I am stalling out. Fortunately I have signed up for a tutor and am excited for the help but I am worried if I... capped out somehow. Like, am I wasting my time and resources trying to attain a 171+? Is this just the best I can do in a timed setting? Even today, I get back to it and I just hit my averages, -7s and -6s are a constant for me, maybe that is just where I cap at on a normal day? Ugh.

I'm taking the August LSAT and I'm applying for the accommodation that allows for breaks during the test. I'm using the new interface and I see that there's no pause button. When will this be added?

Hey all!

I've been using a WAJ for as long as I've been studying LSAT, and I've read the forums from high score tutors/7Sage people about how/what to use it for, but I had one unanswered question from this. Notably, do people usually write out the question prompt alongside their explanations/answers/reasoning? I do it for LR bc doing it for RC would take ages, but I'm not sure I need to write down the question so much as the question number (e.g. PT126.S4). Thoughts?

Hello everyone!! I just did the second argumentative writing on Lawhub and I wanted to know your opinion about it. I have less than a month to improve so I would love to hear what you think about this response and is there anything I can do to improve it. Thank you so much in advance!!! I copied it exactly as it was at the end of 35 minutes:

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The parents' role in education should not exceed the role of other authorities, mainly the educators and teachers. One of the main reasons for this idea is that the authorities in that area, specifically the educators are the professionals in their field. They posses years of knowledge and experience that was earned through a long period of time teaching and analyzing the results from it. These knowledge and experience can be successfully put into practice while choosing and teaching children what they should and what they need to learn. 

Moreover, the decision of parents rests on the idea that parents already analyze and predict what their children will need and do in the future. Weaknesses in this idea are inevitable. First of all, parents' could impose their own desires and beliefs, even without realizing, into their child and one's future. On the other hand, educators equip all children with objective and broad knowledge, which is given through different subjects and their assessments. This way, one could get the basic knowledge and make a decision for themselves by analyzing what areas are in their interests and what they want to carry with themselves into the future. Another weakness in the parents' idea, which stems from the first one, is that children could not even know that their life is being influenced by their parents. This could lead to years of uncertainty in one's choice of major in the university or even one's career path. This decision should be done by children themselves and the best way they could do it is by being guided with objective and broad information acquired from their teachers. 

I certainly disagree with the perspective 1 in terms of it being rested on some assumptions. First, it assumes that the effects social media or any other negative influence on the life today will affect public schools adversely and strain the belief the parents have on school teaching methods. It assumes that parents' being able to choose for their children will counter those undesirable effects of modern harmful and inappropriate influence. This same idea also rests on the assumption that educators are not knowledgable enough to assess these same concerns. These teachers and educators, as mentioned in previous paragraph, are, first of all, in their respective fields because of their ability and their years of knowledge of teaching and education. If those educators were people who never dealt with such issues, then it might spark a debate whether they are capable enough of delivering the desired results and counter the undesirable influences. 

Another interesting idea is put forward in perspective 3 which I grant to be the example of my previous arguments about the capability of educators and teachers. The educator is capable enough to assess what is needed for child's future given the period of time they are in. The idea in this perspective about fundamental values is especially correct in that such values are fundamental for successful future of children. While parents a lot of time make assumptions or desires based on their subjective assessment or their life's period, educators such as in perspective 3 are wholly focused on objectivity and the requirements of their period of time.

Additionally, even the perspective 3 is partly supportive of my argument in terms that it indicates that parents' often judge by their own life experience and their period of living, although this argument fails to recognise that even if students are fully capable of being cautious and informed, nevertheless, the role of educators in this respect would enhance their understanding and knowledge. It could equip them with more ideas about the dangers of some content or even strengthen their own beliefs and knowledge by giving them concrete evidence. This would make them more confident in their abilities and in their actions as they move forward in life.

Despite my defense of the role of educators in the education of children, it is still correct that parents are very important in child's life, whether by guidance or giving them knowledge. We must admit that parents also possess years of experience and knowledge. But this knowledge, while being significant for child's future, might not be as precise and as professional enough as it is in educators or teachers methods of teaching. Thus, while admitting that parents should educate their children as much as they can, the ultimate requirements for future and child's knowledge is best decided by other authorities. 

I need help on Flaw Qs, specifically navigating the answer choices.

I'm getting better at finding the flaws in the argument. I have a prephrase or a rough idea of what the flaw could be. I'm trying not to be overly attached to the prephrase either, but even then I am often running into trouble.

It's the answer choices that give me such a hard problem.

In my current approach, I equip myself with different tests I run:

• Is it descriptively accurate?

• Is it the flaw?

• For takes for granted/assumes, MBT test

• For Overlooks possibility/fails to consider, Weaken test.

But, the way the answer choice is worded really tricks me up. I also try do piecemeal analysis, but that doesn't really help me decipher the answer choices.

Does anyone have any suggestions or tricks they do when going through flaw questions?

Hello all!

I want to start by saying I am exceptionally grateful for my April LSAT score. I took it for the first time, and got a 170. I am very happy that my hard work paid off, and am thrilled that I will be able to go to law school.

That said, I am considering a retake, but uncertain. For context, my dream school has a median LSAT of 171, and to attend, I would need to be able to receive at least a half tuition scholarship, otherwise I will not be able to afford it. On numbers alone (hoping that the other parts of my app are at least decent), I feel there's a decent chance I could get in, just not sure about scholarship. I plan to apply for outside scholarship opportunities as well. There are other schools I would be happy to attend, but the above mentioned school is my dream.

I am above their 75th percentile for GPA, which I think should be helpful. I also have a few years of law-adjacent experience.

Here's my pros/cons list:

Pros: retake could potentially put me over their median. This would likely lead to an increase in scholarship money.

Cons: if I don't do better, taking it again would feel like a waste of the limited financial resources I have and would potentially make my first score look like a fluke.

I have PT-ed above 170 a few times. If I can get mid 170s consistently, I may lean towards a retake more heavily. My only opportunity for a retake will be August, as I will be out of state for most of Sept/Oct/Nov. Also, January, but I would like to have applied by then.

What do you all think? I'm just at a bit of a loss here.

Hello everyone! I just want to say how I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy live sessions. I used to think they sound too complicated to integrate into my schedule, but after trying them out today, they're actually very enjoyable, and knowing that there are real people on the other end of the screen makes the studying experience a lot less isolating. Looking forward to more classes (and the selection is also amazing)!

Hello,

About 25 days into studying for the September + October LSAT. 60% through the foundations course, I genuinely feel like I am understanding most of the concepts (Lawgic the most challenging for me). I find I get a bunch of questions wrong in the drills because I don't read carefully enough and I am trying to move quickly. I don't know if it's my own impatience and limited time to study, but I want to make sure this doesn't continue on to when I am testing. Does anyone have tips for how to read more carefully while still answering the questions quick enough? It just scares me that going slow I will never be able to speed back up quickly enough to answer all the questions in a set in time.