Discussions

LSAT

New post

302 posts in the last 30 days

Hi,

I've foolproofed almost all the games from PT1~current, with a few remaining fresh PT's.

I've done at least 2,000 games. I have no problem meeting the target time when I repeat games.

But whenever I face a new LG section, I go anywhere from -8 to -10. My cold score for LG was -10 (PT68), which I took two years ago. It's so strange that I have made almost zero improvement, although my conditional logic is much more solid than it was two years ago.

I know that there are patterns on the LG, but I have serious issues registering new rules into my head and pushing out inferences under time pressure. My brain really,really suffers whenever I see new logic games.

I've been doing almost only LG prep intensively for the last two months, but my LG performance is actually getting worse.

At this point, I'd be very happy with a -5 on the real thing.

Any help or encouragement will be appreciated.

Thank you.

0

How many LR questions do top scorers completely skip in their Round 1? How many do they circle due to under confidence/uncertainty (but still chose an AC) and then return to?

For me, in a LR section, I usually completely skip around 5-6 questions in my round 1. So I end up finishing my LR round 1 pass at about 27 minutes, and I have about 8 minutes to go back and finish those 5-6 questions I completely skipped.

Those 5-6 questions I completely skipped are usually long formal logic questions, long parallel reasoning questions, tough sufficient assumption questions which I suspected need a lot logic mapping, or questions I read the stimulus twice and didn't understand and skipped in about 1 minute.

In addition to those 5-6 questions I completely skipped, I also have around 2-3 questions I circled and filled in an answer choice but was uncertain because I was down to 2 answer choices (one AC at 60% confidence level and another at 40%, and I filled in the 60% confidence level AC).

Those 2-3 questions I also wanted to get a second look at, but I often can't/run out of time because I'm rushing to complete those 5-6 questions I completely skipped.

Am I completely skipping too many? Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

4

For causation logic, I know for strengthen questions, there are a few ways to strength an argument

  • eliminate alternative cause

  • when cause happens, effects occurs after

    • But does "No Cause, No effect" also strengthen?

    And similarly for weaken question,

    does "no cause, effect happens" -- weaken? Couldn't there be another cause that is accounting for that effect, while also still allowing for the original cause to still cause the effect?

    For example, Doing bicep curls causes you to grow muscle.

    Would an answer explanation of "He didn't do bicep curls but still grew muscle" weaken that argument? I would think not, because there are other ways you can grow muscle, like doing pushups, etc.

    Any clarification or explanation on such causation logic and ways to strengthen/weaken causation would be appreciate.d Thank you!

    0

    I am scheduled to write the January LSAT but am wondering if I should reschedule for March 30th. I wrote the November test and scored 157, my goal would be 160. I have been scoring between 157-162 for the last three months. I took a 3-week break after the test to finish final assignments and have been back at studying for the last two weeks. The problem is now that I leave for vacation for two weeks on Christmas Eve and when I get back will have less time to devote to studying with school and will only have three weeks until the test. Really not sure what to do. If I push it to March the test will be falling right at the end of my semester when things get super hectic.

    Thoughts??

    0

    The question is linked below:

    https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-44-section-4-question-22/

    I'm looking for advice because upon first read, I thought this was a mistaken reversal flaw, but now I think I misinterpreted the meaning of "protect". When I first read this stimulus, I got hooked on the causal relationship, but to relay my thought process, I figured there is more than one way for a dog to get arthritis outside of neutering. Maybe you feed your dog all the time and it gets extremely obese and his/her brittle bones can't support it's meaty body. That's a weird example, but I just figured that arthritis is just a condition that has more than one cause leading to it and eliminating one cause doesn't mean there isn't another.

    That's why E looked so attractive. Properly developed bones in an obese dog could still get arthritis. However, I now have to find a reason for why that is wrong, and that reason might lie in the definition of "protect". Just because an owner protects his/her dog from something, doesn't mean that the thing being protected against won't happen. It just means you're lessening the chances of that thing happening. If that's the right way to interpret this stimulus, then I can see the conclusion not being flawed in that way. I just read "protect" to mean to completely eliminate the chances of your dog becoming arthritic.

    What do you all think?

    1

    Hey guys, I live in Austin and I am looking for someone to study for the January LSAT with me. Please comment or dm if you are from the same area and want to study together!

    0

    _Conclusion: Modern literature can damage individuals who appropriate this attitude, as well as damage society at large.

    Necessary Assumption: It is to the advantage of some individuals that they be concerned with contributing to the societal good._

    Can someone help with this? If we negate it, we get: It is to the advantage of no one that they be concerned with contributing to the societal good. I don't see how this destroys the conclusion. This answer choice seems to equate damage incurred with the loss of an advantage. It seems to be saying that, when negated, if I get no advantage from X, then I can't be damaged by X (and thus, the conclusion fails).

    But I feel like this is kind of a logical stretch. For example, suppose I gain no advantage from taking Route A or Route B to Destination C. The loss of Route B (if a street closed down) could still damage me in the sense that, while I previously had an option, now I have none.

    Admin note: edited title

    https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-46-section-3-question-15/

    0

    @BlindReviewer I think I'm seeing a pattern here.

    Hey 7 sage Fam! This is a question I got wrong on my most recent PT. The last one I discussed with the very helpful @BlindReviewer shares some elements with this one (https://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/18842/pt60-s1-q13-many-economists-claim-that-financial-rewards). Thing is, I took PT60 months ago, hence the maybe pattern. Help me work through some of the snares?

    Similar elements:

  • Some x argue y

  • But they are wrong

  • Bad reason for why they are wrong

  • Referential phrasing

    • Like the pt60 question, I ended up between 2 answer choices (D and E)

    Analysis:

    Conclusion: It is not the case that buying lottery tickets are an unwise investment

    Reasoning: Because they share a characteristic with buying insurance--and that's generally considered a sound investment

    Flaw: Assuming that this similarity is sufficient to guarantee the conclusion. It is not. Overestimating the strength of this characteristic and ignoring the differences between the two scenarios/context.

    My problem: Both answers are discussing ways in which these two scenarios are different. So the task is to choose which difference is most relevant. But I can't figure out a compelling reason to eliminate D (in fact it's the choice I ended up going with. "Well-Being" in E made me nervous). Do you have any brilliant thoughts to share?

    Thanks in advance!

    https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-69-section-4-question-19/

    0

    I'm currently registered for the January 26th test but don't think I'll be ready. Can schools see if I change my test date? Does that show up as a "cancel"?

    Also, it seems like it'd be slightly cheaper to do the "Change registration date" instead of canceling, getting the partial refund and then re-registering. Does that sound right? Thank you in advance.

    0

    Hey Everyone,

    I have depended on this community for nearly a year now, and I need some advice/good mojo. After hitting my target score consistently, I retook the November LSAT and scored six points below my PT average again (162 September, 162 November). I was floored. Honestly expected to reach my average when I opened up my LSAT email, or at the very least done better than September. It is hard not to give in to feelings of inadequacy, but I'm trying my best to stay positive and focus on January. I do not have to attend law school this coming cycle, but I have already dedicated so much time on this test, moved back home/turned down a job to study, and have submitted applications (and paid fees) to apply for this cycle.

    How should I approach January? I have 40-50 hours a week available to study for this test, but want to be very cognizant of burn-out. My apps are all submitted, however, so luckily I do not have to juggle admissions essays, addendums, etc.

    Thanks ahead of time for any suggestions/advice y'all provide. I'm so lucky to have found this community a year ago.

    -jmpm

    1

    Hi, everyone,

    I just discovered 7Sage and am so disappointed that I didn't hear of this sooner. I'm a full-time working mother, as well, so that's made things tricky -- but I devote about 3-4 hours a day of studying (not all of it intense, as I can get distracted if I'm honest). Anyway, I took the test without studying (ridiculous rookie error) way back last February and got a 150. In November, after Kaplan 2x (thinking this was not a wise move on my part), I got 155. I want at least a 160+, ideally. My dream would be a 165. I'm not looking for top tier schools or anything like that, just more that I want (need) a higher score to ensure that I can get some help in the financial department.... don't we all?

    Currently, I do the best in LG (~9 to ~5), semi-OK in RC (about ~8 to ~5). In LR, I can get anywhere from ~14 to ~7; it honestly depends on if I get distracted or slow myself down (I used to be great at skipping and going back and having some time left over...).

    So, what do you all think -- can I get enough out of this course even by starting now, to make a difference of 160+ by January 26th? Do I do the starter course option or the ultimate? I'm not necessarily looking for your assurance that "definitely yes you can do this" (because I know there's human error, etc., and it really depends on how well I manage my time/study) but I am looking for if you think the content in here is do-able in the time I have in terms of the area I need to focus on (LR). Also, if you think the Starter is what I can use or if I should go Ultimate+. Thanks! #help

    0

    Hi all!

    So long story short, I constantly find myself vacillating between answer choice b and answer choice c. I know what the right answer is supposed to be, but I'm trying to build the road to understanding it myself so that I can replicate it later. I came across an explanation that stated, "Note the introduction to this stimulus: “Many economists claim…” This is a common device used by the test to introduce an argument with which the author will disagree. Here the economists claim that financial rewards are the strongest incentive for choosing a job. The author disagrees with this assertion in the last sentence by concluding that these economists “overestimate” how important money is to choosing a job. To weaken the author’s argument, we need to strengthen the economists’ argument"

    (Admin note: Please add a link when you quote from a page. https://forum.powerscore.com/lsat/viewtopic.php?t=5808)

    This is the first time I've heard this (specifically the last sentence) and so I wanted to gut check with you all. Is this...actionable intelligence...or is it just something convenient made up to explain this person's choice?

    Thanks!

    Admin note: edited title.

    https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-60-section-1-question-13/

    0

    guys, I am having a huge problem understanding negative/double negative/triple negative statements,

    whether they are an answer choice or in stimulus of LR questions.

    I can understand them, but it just takes me a long time. Is there any efficient way to turn them into positive statements so that I can understand what the OPPOSITE of them says so I can make sense of them? (remove the negative components)

    Here's one of the simpler examples: No tax reduction package that would greatly inconvenience parents will be adopted this year.

    The way that I can understand such a statement in my head is being getting rid of "NO" and replacing it with every tax reduction package that would greatly inconvenience parents will NOT be adopted this year.

    Note: I am not having trouble NEGATING statements (ex. NONE ---becomes ---> SOME)

    PLEASE help!!

    0

    Hey, everyone! I am wanting some tips for practicing Logic Games. I am open to all suggestions from anyone and everyone.

    Currently, I am working on the June 2017 LG section, and it is very hard. I thought I had a few skills down pack, but I may need a little more assistance. I’m primarily looking for tips on setting up a LG, recognizing different LGs and their questions, shorthand ways of writing rules, etc.

    Let me know what you all have done to improve your LG score. Thank you!

    0

    Hey folks,

    I know when using the question bank - for example with games - you are able to filter your search to look for specific game types (in/out, sequencing, etc.). I was wondering is there a way to do that for comparative passages?

    I am starting to focus on studying comparative passages. Is there a list from easy - medium - hard, that folks could recommend?

    Thanks in advance.

    0

    Has anyone used this book and found it useful? I do have 7sage ultimate and have completed the CC but am still struggling with LR. My LR scores have gone down post-CC, and I am really just looking for something else to help boost my LR. I also have the LSAT trainer and find some of the material useful but most of it not.

    Thanks in advance.

    0

    Hey guys!

    I gave the LSAT in November and exhausted all the recent test material while preparing. I want to try again in January and thus am looking for ideas to get more material to practice. The harder the better, because I feel like that's the only way I will not get flustered during the actual exam.

    Do you all have any recommendations about books I could practice from, old tests that have questions that match the profile of the recent questions, etcetera that I can use?

    Thanks!

    0

    I been drilling the question types. Right now I am at MSS/MBT. However, I came across an error that was reoccuring with me in logic. What do you do when there's two group 4 indicators. For example in PT 10 S.1 People cannot be morally responsible for things over which they have no control. Would it be represented like this IF ~ C implies Not MR.

    Admin note: edited title

    0

    Hey Guys,

    So this is my first time posting here but I often read the discussions and think that they are really helpful. I am hoping for some advice with my current dilemma.

    So I have given the LSAT 3 times already, and always with score increases. My latest score was a 168, which was great, but it's just that I have been consistently scoring in the 171's for months now on practice exams. I messed up the logic games section really bad in the actual test even though I usually get a perfect score in that section on preptests.

    But if I register to give the January test it will be my fourth attempt, and am wondering if this is one time too many? I have to apply this cycle, so another concern is not having the score (even if there's an increase) in time for admissions. And finally I feel like I have run out of recent preptests to practice on if I do decide to give it another shot.

    I really feel like I can still improve, and more than anything, I believe I want to figure out the challenge of the LSAT to grow as a person.

    What do you all recommend?

    1

    Hi everyone, I am re-writing the LSAT on Jan. 26 after scoring a 157 on the November test. The goal would be a 160, which I have consistently scored on my PTs. My problem area is logic games, I can never seem to do a full 4 games in 35 min and even the three games that I complete I still get questions wrong. I have never tried the foolproof method and am wondering how I would approach it with limited time for studying. I will have two weeks over Christmas break where I will be able to study 25 hours a week and then I leave for vacation for 2 weeks. I am back on Jan. 5th and will have significantly less time in the weeks leading up the test as I will be back in school.

    Any advice??

    1

    Confirm action

    Are you sure?