I'm trying to wrap my head around seeing multiple conditional indicators in a sentence, and I'll like some confirmation as to my thought process.

Suppose we get this statement:

All vegans [V] cannot eat meat [M].

This seems straightforward.

V → /M

or

M → /V

However, in comparison, this statement, which I'm copying from one of the lessons isn't as straightforward for me:

All things that cannot swim are not Koala bears.

We see what appears to be two indicators "all" (sufficient) and "cannot" (negate-necessary). However, on close examination, "cannot" is not acting as a predicate as compared to the first example. It seems to be attached to the swim idea. In other words, there's actually only one indicator: "all."

So:

/S → /K

or

K → S

Am I on the right track? Thanks in advance.

Yes, my score came in this morning and I got 7 points lower than I was aiming for. Retaking it in December. Anybody have a good study plan laid out? I've already done the 7sage course and gone through about 20 PTs, so I'm thinking about focusing exclusively on more recent PTs (like the last 20) and reviewing/trying to find my weakest points. Does anyone have good advice/pointers? Unfortunately, I had to take the LSAT outside of the US, so my results are undisclosed and I can't go over my mistakes on the actual test :/

Hi everyone!

I was just watching JY's explanation of the third game explanation for the Dec 2004 LSAT. At the very end of the video for Q17 JY tries out answer choice (D) to show us how to determine which answers are incorrect. Why is it that why Y and Z are in the photo W, S, and U get tossed out? Here's is the link for the video http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-45-section-3-game-3/

I'm just confused about the very last question (17) when we try out answer choice D

THANKS!

Hi all,

I wanted to get your guys' opinions on how to study for the December retake. I have done almost all the logic games using the foolproof method and was getting -1 or -2 at most leading up to the September test. When it came test day, however, I got two sections of LG in a row — the second of which ended up counting. I remember the games not being particularly difficult, but for whatever reason, my brain refused to work. I got -7 in the end, which hurts my soul. Anyway, I'm wondering if I should chalk it up to test day nerves/fatigue (I redid that particular LG section yesterday and got -2) or if there's something fundamental I'm missing and should review before I retake the test. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!

Hi,

Can someone please explain the difference between these two question types? I find that there is a significant amount of overlap in the content of answer choices and it is hard to distinguish. Is a MSS question asking for something that is just most likely to be true based on the stimulus? On the other hand, does a MBT have to be true 100% of the time no matter what based on the information in the stimulus? Before coming to 7 sage, I previously used powerscore to self-study and they group both question types together under one umbrella.

Can someone clarify the difference? To me it seems like a MSS is more like a Could be true question from the LG, whereas MBT is always true.

Thanks

So I thought SA questions were rough, but nope! NA questions are going to be the death of me! I'm just not able to distinguish between sufficient and necessary when looking at the answer choices but it makes sense to me when reviewing the lessons before the questions. Weird, I know. Initially I didn't negate because it won't always work so I wanted to learn how to actually find the necessary Assumption, but now I'm just like screw it! I'm wondering if I can get away with just negating the answer choices? How badly do you guys think this will harm me? Anybody wanna take a stab at getting me to see how you conquer these questions? Anything is greatly appreciated! TIA!

Hello,

I find that I really struggle with Humanities/Diversity passage types. Especially when they talk about a particular author/artist...

I usually score -1 or -2 on all other passage types, but these tend to give me the most difficulty, getting up to 3-5 questions wrong per passage...

Anyone else have/had this problem?

Any hints on how to improve on these passage types?

Right now I'm in the process of going through old material to improve my less-than-stellar LR sections.

It's interesting how going through old material can help you pick up on concepts that... you did learn, but never stuck.

For MSS (if anyone is having trouble). What was said was that.. usually... the wrong answer choices will be very conclusive or specific.

Whereas the right answer will be more general.

Example)

What is most strongly supported?

Jane likes pizza. She likes cheese and pepperoni a lot. She does not like peppers.

A) sometimes Jane likes cheese pizza.

B) Jane always buys cheese and pepperoni pizza.

C) Jane never buys pizza with cheese or peppers on it.

D) Jane really likes cheese sticks.

OK. Not the best at making LSAT questions. But, obviously A is correct. Why? Because it's more general. She likes pizza. She likes cheese. So, sometimes, she likes cheese pizza.

The fact that she likes cheese and pepperoni, doesn't mean she ALWAYS buys cheese and pepperoni pizza. That is way too conclusive, and would be hard to find support for.

Usually I go through, now, and cancel answers that include "All" "Always" ect. Which I know was taught to us, but I only picked up on it now.

For Weakening, again, we were taught that we should think three things:

1. Alternative Cause

2. Show a Coincidence

3. Show the reverse

Ok. But it didn't really click until now, and weakening were my WORST questions.

If we look at Q9 of the weakening set:

9. A running track with a hard surface makes for greater running speed than a soft one because even though step length is shorter on a hard surface, the time the runner's foot remains in contact with the running surface is less with a hard surface.

Ok. What's the conclusion: running track with a hard surface makes for greater running.

WHY? Because your foot is in contact with the surface less.

Ok. So then, in reference to above, you just simply ask yourself. What if something, aside from your foot touching the surface, made it better for you to run on the hard surface?

Answer choice C - hard surfaces enhance a runner's speed by making it easier for the runner to maintain posture that minimizes wind resistance.

This answer is another way to explain why the hard surface is great for running faster. Not necessarily your foot being in contact, something else!

I don't know.

These facts just dawned on me. But it makes me feel like I'm moving in the right direction!! I hope this helps other people.

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-27-section-4-question-02/

I was stuck between B and C (I thought both could be answers) and finally chose C. But the answer is B. The more I looked into, the more I had no idea why C was wrong.

Can anyone explain me why B is correct and C is wrong?

Here's a great bridging-type tip:

[Mock Stimulus]

Every weekday in Pleasantville the mayor goes home on lunch. Her husband is a stay-at-home father and architect. He has planned many buildings for the city of Pleasantville. They have been lauded as some of the most beautiful in existence. Last Tuesday there was an accident causing Main Street to be closed off. Therefore, the mayor did not get to see her husband for lunch.

Any new information in the conclusion must be included in the correct answer choice. The correct answer has to include something about not seeing her husband for lunch (either last Tuesday or a generalization about road closings and seeing him/he not being able to see her). Also, you're probably thinking "Cool, but couldn't he go see her for lunch?" or "Couldn't she take a side-street to get home?" or "Why couldn't they drive in opposite directions to two different airports, thereby flying to a destination in a previous timezone where it would still be lunch and they'd have awesome stone-baked authentic Italian pizza?"

[Mock Answer Choices]

A.) If one is the planner of the most beautiful buildings in existence then one will surely get a contract with the city of Pleasantville.

B.) If there is an accident on Main Street, the mayor cannot go to her favorite delicatessen for lunch.

C.) If the mayor's husband is busy working on a new and exciting project, then she will not get to see him on lunch.

D.) If Main Street is closed off, the mayor will not be able to see her husband for lunch.

E.) If the mayor does not see her husband on lunch, then she will fly to Disneyland.

-A.) is wrong because, really, what does landing city contracts have to do with anything?

-B.) is wrong because what does her favorite deli have to do with anything?

-C.) is wrong because we don't know if he is in fact working on any project. It requires an additional assumption.

-D.) is the correct answer because it bridges the loose ends. It says that if Main Street is closed, then there is no way they meet up on lunch.

-E.) is cool and I just hope she takes her lovely darling children.

Using this technique will allow you speedily check off incorrect answer choices that don't have the information pertaining to the conclusion. Hope this helps!

(I'm obviously not a test writer, but it should make sense, I hope.)

RC is currently my weakest section and I'm looking to change that.

If you are serious about improving your RC score, please message me with:

1. Your availability

2. Your current score breakdown (can be just RC or every section)

3. What strategies you are familiar with (e.g. 7sage, Manhattan, LSAT Trainer)

We would be meeting over Skype/Google Hangout.

Also, as an aside, I'm willing to swap knowledge with someone who is having trouble with LG or LR (in exchange for help with RC) as I am confident in those sections :)

Wish everyone the best of luck!

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-52-section-1-question-19/

I came to realize that my trouble with this question is that I mistakenly assumed a PREMISE (more likely to determine policy by electing officer than through direction vote) was a CONCLUSION.

The conclusion was subtle and obscured - that direct vote was not right way decide matters (electing officers was).

and so answer was E - maximize power of indivudualy to influence decision made because it bolstered premise and in turn conclusion.

Did anyone else make this mistake?

Should I focus even more on IDing Premises vs. Conclusions? I already avg -2 on LR but will focusing on a seemingly basic thing like PvsC help more?

Hi guys!

I thought I'd start a thread in anticipation of tomorrow, when scores will likely be released, for us to vent on/celebrate/maybe cry?

For real though, I NEED MY SCORE.

Been working on June 2007 test at a snail's pace. Primarily because on week nights, I may devote hour and a half or so and Saturday's I haven't been consistent about devoting more than 2-3 hours. So I've been on this test for about 2 weeks now just working one section to the next. I'm in no way even prepared to take a diagnostic yet. Feeling like a slug right now. I did Passage three of section 4 (June 2007 test); it took me 25 minutes to read the passage, take some notes and answer the 8 questions. After 25 minutes, I only got 4 out of 8 correct. RC is kicking my ass. What am I doing wrong, what should I be doing to get my RC scores up and what should I be doing to get faster? Please help.

I was stuck between B and E because I thought both could be right answers. So I finally chose E because of the word "net effect". But the answer is B.

The more I looked into, the more I had no idea why E was wrong.

Can anyone explain me why B is correct and E is wrong? :(

Hi there -

Anyone in the Vancouver, BC area want to meet up a few times before the December LSAT? Perhaps write a few practice exams and then go over them with each other?

Kevin

I plan to write about 20-25 practice tests before the December LSAT. I've gone through all of JY's material, I just need to write practice tests. Is it better to write them at a slower pace throughout October and November, or just write them almost every day in November?

Hello, I am currently scoring at 158 consistently, yet am aiming for a 163 at the least. I have been studying for a while and have seen my score already rise by 12 points. Can I make further ground?

Can anyone who's taken the test (preferably recently) advise whether or not writing in the test booklet is allowed, and if so how much space is there for LR q's, LG's, and RC (to make notes during the test)? Also, as it relates to skipping questions, are we able to make a tick mark next to our answer sheet to remind ourselves thats a question we skipped? I'm assuming the answer to that one is no, but worth asking none the less. I plan on filling in a random answer even on the questions I skip since there is no penalization for guessing, but if I get extra time (doubtful but still, plan in case of any eventuality), I intend to return to my skipped questions and devote as much extra time as I have to answer them properly instead of a random guess.

For instance, a -> (b -> c) simplifies to a + -b -> -c. What about (-a -> b) -> c. How can I simplify it?

Hey y'all,

So unfortunately I cancelled my score from Saturday's test. I took the test at Pace NY and there was construction being done on the roof of the building and as I'm sure you can all imagine, the incessant banging of pipes and jackhammering of concrete didn't make for an efficient test site and it certainly didn't complement the Reading Comp section very well.

The good news is that I took the test, cancelling my score after, and I really believe I was well prepared, thanks to the months of studying aided by 7sage. I do think, however, I can better my timing, I ultimately cancelled the score because I couldn't risk the possibility that the distractions screwed me up on things I know I could otherwise have been positive about.

BUT, now that I have time to do some more prep, I want to look at bettering my timing. When I time myself and take pts on my own, I finish sections in 33 minutes or so, but both times I took the actual test (last October and Saturday) I fell apart. Of course distractions were at an all time high on Saturday because of the crazy amount of noise from construction but now that I am taking the test in December I'd like to better prepare getting my timing down to a science. I'm thinking maybe I should start taking tests with other people.

Does anyone know of any programs or group that facilitate group tests? If not, would anyone in the NYC area be interested in maybe putting a group together this way we can take the exam under more realistic conditions?

P.s. if anyone else was at the Pace location and feels the construction was an overwhelming distraction, LSAC is being very accommodating and investigating all the reports and will either offer a make up or reimbursement. Be sure to get your complaints in to them if you need to!

Is it possible to take the LSAT in February and be accepted for the Fall cycle? Is this a wise idea? Is the LSAT truly harder than the December one?

if interested in joining please email juneby01@aol.com

Hi All,

I am registered to take the December exam but really believe in order to do my best, I should move the date to the February exam. My goal is not to attend a top school and the majority of the schools to which I am applying application deadlines for the fall semester well into 2015. One even has a July 1 cutoff, which is amazing to me. Anyway, I was just wonder what people have heard/know about the level of difficulty of the February exam. Is it truly more difficult? Does it really hinder the possibility of getting into school in the fall based on all the fact many law schools have rolling admissions? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you!

Hi everyone,

I truthfully don't have a difficult time answering the LG questions/making the proper inferences once I know my game board is correct. That's where my problem is though. I don't trust my board, and I constantly find myself reviewing JY's answers before moving on to the questions.

Is this going to get better with practice or does anyone have any techniques on how I can improve on trusting my board? I suppose I already know the answer, it's just extremely frustrating. Will it just click after a certain point or am I doing something wrong?

Thanks,

bC