If anyone is looking for supplemental practice (in addition to actual LSAT questions) in identifying assumptions and in strengthening or weakening arguments, I suggest looking at the essay prompts for the GMAT:

http://www.mba.com/us/the-gmat-exam/gmat-exam-format-timing/analytical-writing-assessment/analysis-of-an-argument.aspx

The website lists more than 100 prompts that could be used as essay topics on the GMAT. Each prompt presents a weak argument that makes unsupported assumptions. The test-taker is supposed to identify the assumptions and recommend ways to strengthen or weaken the argument.

This is also helpful if you are also applying to business school and need to take the GMAT. :)

Does anyone else experience this? I feel so solid/ full of energy on the first 3 sections, then when it comes time for the break, I feel so sluggish. Anyone have a suggestion to combat this?

Hi,

Just a general post requesting info from those who like RC /score consistently/ or have improved significantly. I have heard of two types of RC folks - who started out from their diagnostic in RC doing REALLY well and have since fallen from grace. Or those who started out doing not so well and are still doing not so well.

I feel like there is a giant, extremely invisible elephant in the room regarding RC that we are all missing. I would just like to hear some success stories or unusual tips. I know there is a ton of advice regarding different guides and such and I have gone through it with little success. But what has worked in real time? It would be comforting to know that there is at least one 7Sager who loves RC and is scoring -0 to -2 consistently. Where are you?

I appreciate it! I just want to solve the RC mystery to eat up some time in between drilling RC for the rest of my days...

Hi all,

I am struggling with RC. Recently, I bought LSAT Trainer. It is really helping me. I am wondering if I should buy Manhattan RC book as well. I heard both books were written by the same writer. Are these two books pretty much similar? Should I buy Manhattan RC? I really appreciate your time and cooperation.

If anyone is interested please PM me. I already took the exam and scored a 145. I believe it was because I was nervous because I was scoring in the 150's during my practice test. I am looking to score a 160 +

I was wondering if anyone has found a way that works best to approach these question types? If so, PLEASE share.

The June LSAT is at 12:30 pm; does anyone have suggestions for how to optimally set your internal clock?

Since January, I have been waking up around 5 am in order to get focused study time in before work. I'm a natural night owl, so these days I am drifting back into a later bedtime. Does anyone have thoughts on how your internal clock affects your alertness/ energy? Should I continue to discipline myself to wake up super early for this final stretch (as opposed to suddenly starting to study at night)?

Thanks!

Hi Everyone,

I have already purchased all Lsat prep tests. But I am looking for a resource that has these games grouped into types. Since I'm still a beginner, I am still trying to master the basic sequencing games. Would anyone know if someone has already compiled all those games into some sort of list or PDF?

Thanks!

Can y'all please help me explain this? I watched the video a few times, but the numbers method that JY explained..is just not really iron clad proof for me, or at least I'm not really understanding it.

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-62-section-4-question-16/

I played around with some other numbers, and that didn't really add up to the conclusion.

PT --> E

B some E

B some not E

Conclusion: #E > #not E

JY used 100 for both PT and B. That adds up and makes sense. However, I switched the numbers for PT and B to 50 and 100, respectively. So let's say some B out of 100 is 40, then 50 PT + some B (40) = 90. What's left of B thats not E are 60... 90 > 60 in conclusion, that is correct, but 50 PT and 100 B is not the same.

Thanks!

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-27-section-1-question-21/

This is a NA question... One of my least favorites! Could somebody tell me how they approached this question to get B?

I actually crossed out B because of it's ending stating that "...top gov't officials"

NA =subtle assumptions. I think it's late and my brain needs rest lol

But I chose D because of "most effective" but once I BR I knew this answer choice was too strong to be an NA AC. And since it also starts out with "Of all"

If you want to join PM me with your Skype name.

If I plan on studying logic games for this whole month then what is a good amount of number of games to play per day? I was thinking of going over 8 games a day. I pretty much understand plain sequencing games but in some games like the in/out games you need to know about biconditionals and the demorgan's law, so I need to go back on that little section on advanced logic before I start playing some of the games. I am getting pretty well with the use of "or" and "not both" rules too. So would 8 games a day be enough or should I go for more? I think 8 is a good number to start with. If anyone wants to let me know there strategies then please share. I am planning on retaking the june lsat, and games is my worst section. But I heard that its the easiest to improve so even if I get 15 right on every other section, and get about 20 right for games then hopefully I can get a 150 or above. The last time I enrolled for 7sage, I didn't really spend much time studying the material so I ended up with a 140 so I really hope I can get 10 points or more on the test. So please suggest what is a good idea to go forth with games. Thanks.

Hi folks!

We all know the importance of taking and reviewing PTs. For me, I absolutely dread RC review. It sucks! I found myself needing an utterly systematic approach just to make sure I stay on track for this section. Most of you probably already do this and/or there's been a similar post in the past, but if not, I find the following process quite helpful. I'll share it here (and also ask for feedback re: other strategies you've found effective):

1) I blind review as normal, referring back to the passage occasionally -- of course, this method is always great, but I find it inadequate on its own (mostly because I am a smug, overconfident flake and I don't often end up revising anything when I really, really should). Hence:

2) I watch the passage analysis. To get to this video without seeing the answers, I insert the site URL directly.* http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-[PT#]-section-[#]-passage-[#]-passage/

The answers are at the bottom of the video, so don't scroll down! 7Sage, among other things, has been great for my self-discipline :-D

3) Depending on my comfort level with the passage, I listen to J.Y. at up to 1.4X speed. I make notes to keep focused, either for reinforcement or revision, but usually I find he's compelling enough that I don't get as bored as I was when first reading. And usually (okay, fine, all the time) I've found I missed something, big or small (hopefully small), in my own analysis.

4) Armed with this passage review, I tackle the questions again. Second (third?) time through is definitely smoother and much faster. Then, finally, I scroll down and check my answers. If, after all of this, I still got questions wrong, (s)I crawl into a corner and cry(/s) I rehash the question and watch the explanation.

5) Rinse and repeat!

There. That's what I do. Not sure how much of it will be helpful, but I certainly hope it is! If I can trouble you for your own RC review strategies, tips & hints, perhaps we can find the ultimate way to destroy this section in 2 months' (!!!) time.

Happy Easter weekend!

*for peeps enrolled in the course only

could also bookmark the relevant links before PT-taking

PM me if you would like to be added to Saturday's Skype BR group :)

Hey 7Sagers!

So today, I decided to officially register myself for the June 2015 sitting but was in for a surprise. I realized that the place where I wanted to take the Exam, Georgetown LC (where I currently study), was all full. This is shocking because I've seen it been open even until the month before, but I guess it was super popular this time around.

Does anyone know any other good exam sites in the DMV area? Also, I feel like it would be really helpful to everyone if we all shared where we previously taken our exams and if you recommended it to everyone! (not just in DC, but anywhere!)

Although I've heard that test locations matter, the attorney that I work with said that she took her LSAT (and her bar exam) at UMD- College Park, which is known to be a less-than-optimum location...but she ended up at HLS and said that in the end, it's just an exam center. So we shouldn't think too much into it, but i'm sure it will help!

I have a question in terms of dissecting the conclusion-premise structure of the stimulus.

So here is my question in relation to identifying/dissecting the premise-conclusion of this stimulus.

To me it seems that the author is providing his/her own explanation of weight and surface area in explaining the observation of squirrels and larger animals.

In that sense it seems much more logical to regard the entire observation of squirrels and large animals as the premise part and to consider the author's explanation as conclusion. I think it is much more natural to see the whole argument originating from one observation and reaching a particular conclusion that the author deems logical/plausible explanation.

Therefore I believe that it is better to put the stimulus as

Premise : Small animals run up a tree trunk fast while large animals slow down upon running uphill.

-->

Conclusion : Weight proportional to energy output and surface area to energy output

I would be more than glad if you could clarify on this.

Thanks in advance and excuse me for English not being my first language.

I am currently registered for the June 2015 LSAT. This is my second shot after getting in the mid-160s a couple of years ago. Prep method at the time was some Powerscore skimming, a few PTs, and lots and lots of liquor. I finished the Ultimate curricular lessons a few weeks ago and have started doing the PTs.

I work full time and probably won't be able to take more than half of the PTs in the curriculum. I also purchased the most recent ones that are not included in the package. I was thinking about taking the even or odd numbered ones only (i.e. 42, 44, 46,...72, 74) for the June test for a couple of reasons: making sure I get some practice on the more recent (and relevant) PTs, but also leaving some in the hopper and keeping them "pristine" in case I want to give it another go in October.

I am hitting the 170s using the proctor app and 180 for Blind Review. But, hey, I can always screw up on test day, right? The data in the control group is too small right now to make assumptions anyway. Feel pretty good where I am though.

Thoughts? Should I just burn through in sequence or just focus on doing half the PTs? There are specific reasons I have to take the test in June that I don't want to delve into, but I will if asked. Just try to refrain from the "don't take it in June and just wait until October/December" advice if you can.

Liquor is still a part of my prep, but JY says I have to give it up 2 months out. Which is a week from today. FML.

I have problems with finishing RC on time. My problem is mainly on "detail except" and inference questions. I feel like when i try to read slowly (4 minutes upfront) I do well on structure and author attitude questions but still spend too much time on detail questions and get them wrong. If i read too fast (less 3 minute), then i still miss although i spend more time on those questions. Does anyone have any similar problem? I've been in the U.S for 6 years but still struggle with reading sometimes.

My reading comprehension is improving slowly. I've just started reading more for the past 2 years. My average RC is -6 or -7 (best -4 and worst -12). I have problems with deciphering detail sentences and usually misunderstand them. Recently, I am trying to re-reading technique by Graeme Blake ( I actually re-read sentences and the whole passage in about 3-4 minutes until i can summarize each paragraph and sentence), but my rc has not improved. It seems like i tend to forget these little summaries as I answer the questions. Does anyone have any specific or general tips on RC? I would like to hear success stories from non-native speakers who scored well on this test. Thanks

I have the 4 packets on Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and Law available on Cambridge and I was wanting some input on whether or not I'm actually doing this right.

Every day I make a packet of 4 (including 1 of Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and Law) and I give myself about 25 mins to answer each passage. Of course, it's a lot of time but later when I get halfway through I will only give myself 10 mins per passage and then cut my time to around 7-8 mins on each.

I really struggle with RC mainly because the passages lose my interest and it's hard getting the hang of why I'm actually reading a passage for lol. Terrible, I know. But I am working on it and BR helps a lot. I usually miss 4 or less on every packet after BR. After I review my answers and why they're wrong I understand why my reasoning behind each question was wrong.

But I was wondering if doing 4 per day 1 of Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and Law was the right way of doing it since I will have 4 passages on the LSAT day and I'm guessing I'll have 1 of each. Or should I focus on maybe doing 4 Humanities on Monday, 4 Social Sciences on Tuesday, 4 Natural Sciences on Wednesday and 4 Laws on Thursday? So that i can see if I will find a pattern in each of the four types?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

How will you change your prep in the month of April?

What are your goals for this month?

How many prep tests will you take per week?

What section is still giving you problems? And HOW do you plan to improve in that section?

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-74-section-1-question-17/

Conclusion: Hans purple was probably created by accident while someone was trying to make white glass.

Reasoning: Hans purple uses the same chemical ingredients and a similar process as making white glass.

When I first came across this question, my eyes immediately made their way to answer choice D. D states that the ingredients involved in making Hans purple and white glass were easily obtainable during the relevant time period. I reasoned that if the ingredients were easily obtainable, then people may be less cautious, and thus, an accident is more likely to occur. I guess I was just focused on the word, "accident".

But A is correct because it ties the two creations geographically. I understand this is a "hidden assumption"--if Hans purple was made on accident while someone was trying to make white glass, then it helps if the two come from the same place.

How did you guys fare on this question? Did you spot the problem immediately? I was also thrown off by the phrase, "small geographical region" in answer choice A. I thought to myself, "Who cares if it's a small region? Irrelevant."

I just wanted to ask what steps most of you take when you are answering questions on RC passages?

Can someone give me a list of techniques/methods that has worked for them?

Also, when you want to find out the attitude of the author do you usually circle words such as however & although to try to figure out the author's attitude/main point in that section or paragraph that start with those two words?

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-49-section-2-question-12/

Just wondered if anyone could provide some insight into how they approached this question.

I fell for the trap presented in E, I took "interest rate hikes generally will be perceived as needlessly restraining a growing economy" to be a sub conclusion. After watching the video explanation, I see how each premise supports the main conclusion as detailed in the final sentence of the stimulus. I then waffled between C and E because I felt that the fragment in question supported both the sub conclusion and the main conclusion, by way of the sub conclusion.

Does anyone have another way of explaining why the argument structure supports only the main conclusion, the last sentence? Also, is "accordingly" a indicator that is seen regularly?

I wanted to ask for some advice on how to correct LR errors during BR (which I hope will follow me to timed tests eventually). I have mastered the art of circling questions I have trouble with in LR (The questions I miss are part of the group of questions I circled). However, during BR, despite spending a large amount of time reviewing - I am unable to get the question right. I am SURE that I have the right answer - the one that I circled during the test. So not quite the confidence error described by J.Y., but still an error in confidence.

Any advice or methods on how to correct this? My game plan is to put these questions together and drill them / write out my reasoning / watch videos / correct reasoning / drill again. But considering that I'm making these errors consistently, I would love some help.

Thanks!

Hi all,

Would please help me by giving some keywords or conditions of grouping games that can done with charts.

I know some conditions such as it has to have 2 types of items(for example, at least one of the 3 features in 6 cars)

After reading a grouping game, I thought I could do it with chat; however, after spending almost 5/6 minutes on game setup, I realized that I could not do it with chart.

I really appreciate your time and cooperation.