Discussions

LSAT

New post

302 posts in the last 30 days

I took the test in Sept. and I have been able to narrow down the parts of the test that I struggled on. I struggled on the necessary assumptions and the sufficient assumptions on both the practice and real test. I have gone through all of the videos and looked through multiple articles to try to figure out exactly what I am doing wrong and I can't figure it out. It is like when I follow along with JY, I understand perfectly, but when I am doing the questions myself, I never figure it out like he does. Can anyone offer any hints, or articles online that might clear up the situation for me? I would really appreciate it.

0

Hey everyone,

Can anyone explain the difference between the main point of a passage and a passage's purpose?

I understand that the passage's purpose answers the question "Why is the author writing this?" but to me, the answer to that question seems to be the main point.

For example, if a passage is about how new scientific research techniques have allowed us to definitively conclude that climate change is real, the answer to "why is the author writing this?" would be "to tell me how new scientific research techniques have allowed us to conclude that climate change is real." That would imply that main point and purpose are more or less the same, so I feel like I'm thinking about this wrong.

Thanks!!

0

This is for assumption family questions (flaw, na, sa, psa)

I see the conclusion. I see the support. But even for the easiest questions (as in one of the 0-12ish), I still can't go into the answer choices with an idea of what the a/c should be. The passages usually look right, but I know it's not perfect and there's a missing link/connection, there is an assumption the author is making. I try to make a prediction, but I end up not finding one I am confident in and I move on to the a/c. Once I go through the a/c's I usually can get the right answer. But within that time, I am losing a lot of precious time that I know can be used to 1. finish the entire section (usually 5 that I don't finish) and then 2. not rushing the 15+ questions, which are usually the more complex ones. I know that another problem with this is my mind wanders a lot still, leading me to re-read a lot.

Other than just keep drilling and keep practicing, any strategies on predictions? Memory retention? Or is there something I wrote in this post that seems worrying? Please point it out.

Thanks!

0

So I came across a discussion and someone mentioned that for weakening questions he/she uses this strategy from time to time: negate the conclusion and then find the answer choice that supports that conclusion.

I mean there's more probably to this so maybe someone can explain this a little bit better but I honestly can say this works.

It has helped me find the correct answer choice much easier for more harder weakening questions.

Thought I would share for some of those having trouble with weakening questions.

Has anyone else experienced this or used this strategy?

0

So the title of the discussion is gigantic but it summarizes it pretty accurately. I ask because during the 40's and 50's PTs, I was essentially scanning them just to get a sense of what to expect and whether I had to focus perhaps on a specific point of view or paragraph and I would also make a mark on sentences that are asked. For these PTs, I would get -1/-4 consistently and now that I am with the 60s and 70s PTs, the RC is just destroying me. Sometimes I do what I mentioned above with some success and sometimes I don't. Just wanted to get a sense of what people do here, especially of course if you are super successful with the RC passages. Maybe it all boils down to the RC passages becoming more and more difficult over the years, I don't know! Thanks!

0

I'm a bit confused with the wording in the right answer choice-

This is how I worked on this question, please let me know if there is a different way for getting this question right -

1980 (A) GDP = 10,000

1980 ( EEC) GDP = 5000

1990 (A) GDP =11,000

1990 (EEC) GDP = 5000

OR

1990 (A) GDP= 10,000

1990 (EEC) GDP= 4000

I chose D through POC but still a bit unclear on the math!

Thanks in advance

0

Hello fellow 7sagers,

I have been struggling with SA questions. I can't seem to translate the stimulus into the valid argument form. I can draw the connections once I have translated it correctly but I often struggle just to translate the ideas. I have the argument forms memorized but now it just comes to the translation of the stimulus.

I am writing in December.

Any tips?

0

So this is my first time posting and not sure how much background I should give lol

I’ve taken the LSAT once in September 2016 and I had only been studying for about 2 months and I also got really nervous and during the exam I kept changing my answers, and I got a 149.

I took a break from studying after that and started re studying in July 2017 and I signed up for the September exam but I hadn’t scored during my PTs in the 160s so I withdrew and signed up for the December LSAT. And right now my average is 157.7 for 28 PTs, my goal is to score 165 and the highest I’ve scored so far is a 163 one time, two weeks ago on PT 31. I'm not sure if I should just take the December LSAT and hope I get in the 160s and apply this cycle (my goal is to get into a T14 law school) or if I should take the February one since everything is kinda still fresh in my head and use that score to be really early for next cycle.

I'm just so conflicted because the last two months all of my BR are 170 and above, I even got a 179 on one ?

I would really appreciate any advice! Thanks in advance!

0

I'm currently working through the CC right now and I just finished the lesson on grouping games with a chart. I'm understanding the concepts alright but when it comes to application, I'm having trouble. My biggest question is... How do I know when to just do regular grouping and when to use a chart? Thanks in advance!

0

Hi all I am a bit confused about the sufficient and necessary condition for (C).

According to JY, (C) should be interpreted as "no[Physically addictive --> psychoactive]" , but shouldn't the relative clause "to which people can become physically addicted" introduce the necessary condition to make the argument no[psychoactive --> physically active]? Thanks!

https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-33-section-1-question-11/

0

I know this sounds counter intuitive as this method seems to be dedicated toward LG but this was my thought process.

I attended the recent webinars (AMA) and everyone seems to say that I should fool proof RC because it would help in increasing your score. So I took their advice and now I’m fool proofing an entire RC section every day for all the PT’s that I’ve taken so far.

So their recommended method was to

  • Write a brief summary of each paragraph,

  • Write the main point of the passage,

  • Write the attitude of the individuals within the passage (ex. Author, some people, crazy philosopher, overqualified chemist,

    • Gustavo Fring etc.),

  • Write the structure of the passage,

  • Repeat for all the passages in that section.

    • Do you think there is something I’m missing out in this process?

    Anything I should add to ensure my fool proofing method is good?

    Any advice would be welcome at this point because RC is a real roller coaster for me (-10 ~ -3)

    Thank you!

    4

    Hi everyone,

    I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice, resources or recommendations on how to sharpen one's skills at recognizing valid / invalid argument forms in the LR sections. I know there is lots about this is in the core curriculum but it's mainly within the context of formal diagramming lawgic-type methods. I feel like this is giving me trouble in Flaw, NA/SA/PSA question types which are my worst along with Strengthen and Weakening questions. I can actually get Parallel Method of Reasoning (Flaw and Regular) questions because of how basic the structures tend to be, but usually only in blind review. I'm basically terrible at every type of question that involves being critical about and analyzing the merits of an abstract argument :( Any help would be appreciated!

    0

    I took the September LSAT and did not reach my target score. It was my first test, nerves kicked in, and I only studied for about 3 months while working full-time. I am not able to study full time and quit my job, but my boss allowed me to have a 4 days/week schedule (Tues-Fri) to allot time for studying. I signed up for the December LSAT, but I do feel that I haven't had much time to study after September. However, the partial refund deadline was yesterday, and if I do decide to withdraw, $180 down the drain.

    I plan to turn in my applications early (by next week), and I'm wondering if I don't do so well again, and decide to take the February LSAT, would hurt my chances taking it three times and later into the cycle? I will write an addendum.

    To add context: My GPA is not high (double-majored, 3.4). I prefer not to wait another year for the next round of applications since I stalled one year already. I am sort of non-traditional, 3 years out of school.

    I appreciate any insight and advice, thanks!

    0

    Yesterday I had the privilege of working through a problem with J.Y. It’s in here if you are curious;

    https://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/13637/pt-82-br-sessions-with-j-y-spoiler-warning

    The question was PT82.S4.Q14 a weakening question.

    After working through it I can see where I was confused. I see how the two answer choices that stumped me are different.

    My question is, that on some questions, I find myself really struggling to see how they work. This is ESPECIALLY true for weakening questions. On some of these questions I have a really hard time seeing how any AC does something to the argument or, more succinctly, the conclusion. Only through really intense scrutiny of these kinds of problems am I able to get to the answer. Obviously I do not have the time to do this kind of in-depth analysis during a test.

    For example on the question J.Y. Helped me with I was able to eliminate 3 answer choices fairly easily. I was then stuck between two. No matter how much I read them, I thought they said the same thing. It took really comparing them to understand that one of the AC did something the other didn’t. Only after I saw how they were different, was I able to see how the right answer weakened the argument. I should have been able to spot this right away.

    I don’t like feeling “on my heels” like that during a test. I like to have a semi clear idea of what to look for or, at the very least, when I read the right answer knowing right away that I've found the right one.

    Another example was PT35.S4.Q20

    I had no clue how the AC worked until I had a chance to really dig deep into it. By then I've wasted far too much time and screw myself for the rest of the section. It's one of the many issues I am still trying to address before my next test.

    Any suggestions on how to approach questions like this in a better way? I know what I'm asking is really abstract, but I hope I make sense.

    1

    So with the December test coming up, I am freaking out a little bit now.

    I have been scoring -13/-10 on timed LR sections. I need to get to at least -8 or -7 since I am now realistically aiming between 160-165 for the upcoming test date.

    I feel like this strongly has to do with flaw and necessary assumption questions. I struggle with these a lot.

    I have already went back to the CC and reviewed the relevant sections.. but I still don't seem to improve. I have even drilled them down to bits but no improvement.

    Overall, I often have trouble predicting or paraphrasing answers. I'm guessing this is probably why I score so low on LR.

    How can I improve on this?

    0

    I currrently average -7.4 over 5 pts in logic games, my best was -4 and my worst was in my september lsat (lol). Anyway, im looking to compensate and better this section and ordered the logic games powerbible to supplement the core curriculum. What kind of improvement is realistic from here till december lsat?

    0

    Hi, I'm currently studying for the December LSAT (20-25 hours a week + a full course load + clubs and a sport). I've changed my studying habits from the first time around I was studying. I began in early May with the expectations of taking the September test. I only depended on the PowerScore Bibles (all 3) and I purchased two PrepTest books. I honestly didn't utilize the best techniques at first and in a strange way, luck was on my side. I got stuck in Irma back home and LSAC moved my test for free to any date. I wanted to take it in December because I wanted to get it over with and I didn't want to keep prolonging it. Anyways, with the whole stress of balancing everything and keeping up with assignments, exams, and papers. Sometimes I'm overwhelmed especially at this point towards the end of the term. I've changed my studying to taking 1-2 PrepTests a week under timed conditions at the library on the silent floor. I'm seeing gradual improvements with fluctuations. I always return to the questions I got wrong and the ones I got correct. For the ones I get wrong, I identify the type of question and I also make note of questions that I narrow the two possible answers and answers that I second guess and either select the wrong answer or I just change the answer completely.

    I'm noticing this is my main problem. If I didn't second guess myself, I would score 165+. I'd just like to know if anyone else encounters this and what is the best way to overcome this? I also had this same issue with the SAT but that was so long ago I honestly forgot what it felt like. Timing is really not my problem at this point, it's more an issue of accuracy and self-trust. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

    0

    Over my last couple of ptests I have scored in my goal range for one (ex -4) and then like 5 below that (-10). It's really hurting my score. I was wondering if anyone has had experience with this problem and if there was a solution for it. It's frustrating because I know what my potential is and I am not even close on one LR section to it.

    0
    User Avatar
    •

    Tuesday, Nov 7, 2017

    51112

    what is necessary

    I signed up for the premium course in able to get more out of the lessons, but with the December LSAT being less than a month away, I am finding myself overwhelmed with all of the lessons. Is there anyway to cut down the number of lessons and only flush out what is necessary?

    I know they all are necessary, but again, just trying to get as much in before the December exam.

    0

    Confirm action

    Are you sure?