hi there,

i have a question on diagramming multiple conditionals: e.g., Q#15, section 1 of PT #63 (june 2011), choice B states, "if someone tells the same lie to two different people, then neither of those lied to is owed an apology unless both are." i know this is not the correct answer choice but i had a question as to how we'd diagram a multi-part conditional statement like this. would the correct way be:

someone tells the same lie to two different people --> (at least one owed apology --> both owed apology)? if so, what would be the contrapositive of the entire sentence? i never dealt with a conditional within a conditional so any advice you have would be greatly appreciated!

thanks in advance!

WH- PT - JP - TB - PD - CB - SM - PM - CE - DT - ? - PC

What is the ?

For Main Point questions, are they asking us to kind of mechanically pick out the conclusion of the argument, as indicated by words such as "thus", "therefore" etc or are they asking us to fully read and understand the argument and pick the answer choice that best captures what the stimulus is aiming to prove? Basically is main point = conclusion or does it mean the gist of the stimulus?

I don't think skype is the answer, but I have heard that taking a weekly [or so] full LSAT in a group is key. Maybe I will pretend everyone in the library is doing a preptest, cause even though this is worldwide, it makes some city & states so remote like PCB FL. The college message board, if there is such a thing, might help. Ha.

We're going to dominate this test!

I am taking the February 2014 LSAT and would like to find a study buddy in the NYC area. You can email me at [removed]

Hi!

I missed a precious point (and wasted a lot of time) because I did not translate "could be false EXCEPT" properly (It means MBT). I believe JY has a posting where he details these type of translations. Would a 7Sager be kind enough to either point me to that post or provide a list/summary with the correct translations for these type of questions. I just can't find the post in the syllabus.

Thank you very much!

Of course you are. You're about to take an important test. It's not the most important test though. That one you will be taking in February.

Just kidding. This is likely the last LSAT you'll ever take.

I'm only trying to remind you that for something this important, there are second chances. That's not true for a lot of other important things in life, so that's something to feel good about.

For most of you, you already know what score you'll get. Take your past three recent (e.g., 68, 69, 70) properly administered LSAT Prep Tests and average your score. You'll get plus or minus 3 points of that average.

You are as prepared as you can be and there is nothing standing between you and that score. You've already seen everything they'll throw at you and you've amply demonstrated your ability to respond. Saturday will not be new day and the December 2013 LSAT will not be a new LSAT. It will only be "LSAT Prep Test 71" which will be just like PT 70 and PT 69 and PT 68 and so on.

For Saturday, remember this: keep moving.

You've met curve breaker questions before. Every LSAT has them. Every student who has ever taken the LSAT before you has encountered them. You will encounter them again on Saturday. I'm telling you this now, so you'll be prepared. Skip those difficult questions. Don't let a couple questions break your rhythm.

Just keep moving.

You got this.

Please read every single word:

http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/day-of-test

LSAC is fascist with their rules.

Seeing as how you're all reading every word of the rules straight from the LSAC, what I'm about to yell will be redundant, but what the hell.

LEAVE YOUR CELLPHONE AT HOME.

People get kicked out for bringing their cell phones to the testing center like idiots. I've seen it happen. Many other students have seen it happen. Don't be that guy.

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-56-section-3-question-20/

The argument first states a general claim about people taking Vitamin C is, on average, healthier and then proceeds to show how he arrived at that conclusion by citing a study about heart disease. I picked (B) over the correct answer (D) without hesitation. The question stem asks "which one of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument in the newspaper article?"

I felt (D), the claim that Vitamin C supplements tend to reduce one's resistance to certain common infectious diseases weakens the conclusion but does not weaken the argument---one that derives the benefits of Vitamin C from the fact that studies have shown it lowers the risk of heart disease.

While (B) isn't an ideal answer, I felt it fit more because it weakens the argument rather than the premise or the conclusion by implying that Vitamin C may not be responsible for the reduction in the risk of heart disease. Furthermore, the question stem asks for "most weaken" rather than "which of the following would weaken" which I read as the answer does not necessarily have to fit perfectly but only needs to be slightly better than the best alternative.

Could someone explain why (D) would be superior to (B) given the question stem?

Thanks!

Hey guys,

Just wondering what people think about the final 2 week stretch. How much should someone study during this time? I definitely want to get in a couple PTs over thanksgiving break. My latest and highest score was 165, I've slowly been creeping up through the 160s and I'd like to keep going (goal is 170). But I also don't want to break the trend and then get nerves. Suggestions?

Hi KS,

Perhaps you are taking the Feb LSAT, but given that the Dec test is only 3 weeks away, let me share my RC strategy. Not sure if you have the Trainer book yet, or if it's been helpful. If so, then great! Apologies for the extreme length of the below. I hope it's helpful.

The method I use/developed relies on 1) heavy annotation of the passage structure (the form) and 2) active abbreviation of main ideas as I read to reinforce and memorize relevant info (the content).

All RC Passages have the same deep, basic structure, in that they track a linear thought progression with claims and supporting examples. Avant-garde lyric poetry this is not.

The first paragraph of each RC passage is basically the "opening statement" for the passage and helps to introduce the general idea, argument or thesis. In fact, the passage itself is basically the central idea, argument or thesis come to life in a more expansive way. Generally, the opening statement of the passage begins by providing a tiny bit of context, then either a) states an Overarching Claim or Thesis To Be Supported, or b) showcases a Unique Perspective that Needs To Be Explored or Countered, or c) names The General Problem At Hand. Sometimes it skips the context and goes straight to the general idea. As soon as you encounter these elements, in the left-hand margin scribble down CTX for context next to context, then put a CIRCLE or BOX around the claim, problem or important viewpoint, then scribble "claim" or "prob" or "view" next to that and then draw a line to the circled claim/problem/viewpoint. If you find the Main Point, write MP next to it. You should ALWAYS box ALL authorial names and the term "some x" that denotes the perspective of some scientists, some historians, etc., and then draw a hanging arrow from the box leading out to the left hand margin, because the LSAT always comes back to the viewpoint of at least one of these groups or persons in its questions. That arrow and box will help you find these viewpoints right away.

After the passage's opening statement, the passage goes to into its big PROBLEM TO BE RESOLVED schtick. It names either a Problem (P), Issue (I) or Question (Q) that will be explored, resolved, supported or countered later in the passage. Typically, 2-4 additional P's, I's or Q's will also arise throughout the passage, in a linear fashion. In the left hand margin, if you encounter a question, write out Q1 in the left hand margin, if it's an issue, use I1, if a problem, use P1, etc. These concepts are very similar but not exactly equivalent, so it's up to you if you want to distinguish between them from passage to passage or just use one abbreviation for all of RC. Typically, each passage will stick to either Q's, P's or I's throughout; so try to use the same abbreviation every time. Anyhow, pretty much immediately after (or slightly after) a Q1, I1 or P1 is raised in the passage, you will find an Answer related to that Q, that I or that P. Next to that Answer, write A1. I make gratuitous use of circling and drawing lines from the notations of Q1 or A1 in the left-hand margin to the Question or Answer they refer to in the passage itself. With a connecting line, you can refer back to it later right away. It's basically just connect the dots. After you encounter and mark A1, you may then encounter additional support, evidence or examples that back up A1. Scribble "supp," "evi", or "ex" next to it and keep reading. Continuing to read, you will likely then come across a second question, issue or problem - mark that as Q2, I2 or P2 (whatever it is). Or, you may instead come across another answer to the first question that was raised - mark that as A2. Keep reading and marking. Every time you find a Q, P or I, and their corresponding A's, mark them as Q1, Q2, Q3, or A1, A2, A3, etc. and then draw a line from that notation to the Q or A it refers to. As stated above, scribble quick abbreviations for things like meth(od), evi(dence), supp(ort), tech(nique), ex(ample), counter whenever you find them. This technique outlines the structure of the argument right there on your left hand margin, and solidifies it in your mind. You will end up with something like "Q1, A1, supp, ex, Q2, A2, counter, Q3, A3, MP" right down the left side of the passage. So, so, so helpful for me. Also important: do NOT forget to write out the word COUNTER in the left-hand margin next to any counterarguments presented that counter or object to the passage's own argument(s). Also, do not neglect to read, understand and note the Honorable Mention of Further Suggestions for Research or Theoretical Inquiry that are usually laid out at the end of the passage. If that's not there, the end of the passage is probably a re-statement of the argument's conclusion or gives a grand teleogical justification for the argument's thesis. Just remember that the left hand column is reserved for an outline of your argument's FORM, and not it's content.

PART ONE OF THREE - KEEP GOING TO PART TWO

Hi all,

Please excuse if my post is not suppose to be here as I am new.

I recently took Powerscore's class and although it was somewhat helpful in introducing the concepts to me - I haven't fully grasped everything. I initially signed up for this coming December LSAT with the intention that the material would be fresh in my head, but now I am having second thoughts. My diagnostic score was a 142 cold. Ideally, I want to do better but if I am not grasping the material now well...

After the December test I was going to continue to study using 7sage materials for the June test. Any thoughts or advice on this? I currently work 40 hours a week as a paralegal, so I can only study when I am home and on weekends. It's quite exhausting, but I know I need to stick with a better schedule.

My weakness is the logic games portion. I realize once the questions get more complex, I lose it. Should I wait until February or June? Thanks.

Hi all,

I wrote my October LSAT and found that I was so nervous that finishing sections seemed to be much harder than when I did my own practice tests (I always finished with time to spare usually). Needless to say I scored my worst score yet - 149, whereas I was scoring high 150s in my practice tests. I am trying for a new tactic in December- finishing 20 of 25 questions say on the LR and RC so that I achieve higher accuracy as opposed to rushing through to finish but getting 16/17 right on a section. Does anyone do anything similar? Or have any other suggestions as to how I can improve? My goal is a 158-160. Thanks!

"Vernon, Wendy and Zazi are all faster than Tai.

Wendy cannot be fastest, and there are no ties."

I'm especially interested in how to diagram the second sentence.

Thanks. :)

Hi all --

I'm pretty sure I'm posting in the right spot but let please move if I'm not!

In any case I'd like some advice.

I am a college student, but that's it.

My situation started off late January when I started to study for the October 2013 exam. This self-studying (complete with MLSAT and Powerscore bibles) didn't work out for personal reasons. I then decided to try to study again for the December exam, this time with a tutor. This has not worked out because my exam scores are nowhere near (think 150s) where I need them to be (170+). I'm delaying until February and taking a year off to work before law school, but now have been considering delaying until June 2014 in pursuit of a great score.

I have purchased the Complete LSAT package and will be going over it, as well as the recommended practice exams, in preparation for February. Do I have enough time to improve to where I need to be by then? Any experience or recommendations would be great.

I have been working on Logical Reasoning and Logic Games, and I feel pretty comfortable with them. I still end up scoring in the 150's however due to reading comp. I feel like the only way to really improve is to do them and get them wrong and try to do better next time? I feel sort of lost. I have been reading the Economist and scholarly journals on scientific information to try and hone those skills as far as reading goes. However, I am not sure why I just cant make it work.

Any Tips?

Anyone know where I can find the questions to all the game explanations? It's really difficult to follow along without having done the questions first.

Thanks!

Any advice on jumping into the 170+ range?

LG is definitely my weakness. Currently, I'm scoring at about 75% correct in the section (-6) and if I can get it to -0 to -1 I'd be at around a 170-172. I've been doing tons of the 7sage method in the last month and it has helped a ton, but I feel like I need a stronger final push before December. Any suggestions?

Hello all!! So, I've got a bit of a predicament. I've taken the OCT LSAT but did not get to spend as much time as I needed to prep and thus didn't receive the score that I would have liked to have. I got an OK score, 153, but I know that with proper prep time, I can score at least in the low 160's. I'd like to start submitting applications soon but I'm wondering if I should hold off on submitting. Is it possible to submit applications with my current score and then when the DEC LSAT scores come out, add that to my already submitted applications, or is it smarter to wait to apply until after I receive these scores? I realize that applying earlier gives me a much better chance of being accepted and waiting could hurt my chances, but on the other hand, a better score gives me a much stronger application. Any help would be great! Thanks guys!

If I wanted to make note cards for the LR Q i continue to miss how do I learn from them or what is the best to write them out? In one of J.Y's videos he said he use to mark Qs missed and go over them. My dilemma is that I don't want to memorize but actually learn so when i see it i know.

scores coming out today!!!

Hey people,

Wanted to get some advice on whether or not it's helpful to re-do the PTs that you have already done once...?

It obv cannot accurately measure what you are scoring, but it must be helpful in some way?

Any advice / feedback would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Sujin

I need a bit of help on this one, I am currently working on my MBA and studying for the December LSAT (a bit obvious but I thought I would just make it clear). I am enrolled in the Basic class and considering the Ultimate one, however given that I have less than two months would this make sense? I do not work AT ALL, I am just preparing for the LSAT and working on my MBA. I can devote the full 40+ hours per week to the LSAT if necessary. I could take the Premium but I really want to be as prepared as possible. This is my second and (better be) last attempt. I don't want to waste the money if I won't see enough of a return, however that being said even a few points of difference can make or break an application. Thoughts?

Hello everyone,

I'm having trouble with the LR sections. I can't seem to get a proper hold of when to diagram or when not to, and it usually ends with me taking the trap answers.

I've walked through the 7sage LR guides, but I am not quite sure how to tackle these problems effectively. Does 7sage or does anyone know a drill or another place where I could look.

Thanks in advance.