24 with 9 years work experience. My only legal experience was an internship last fall.

THANK YOU!!!

The judges candor passage on the September test killed me—I thought I bombed it and i was so anxious about it for the rest of the test. When I got my score back I saw I actually did the best on that passage. Even so, that was still the worst in my opinion. (Well besides the expiremental RC on that same test). Haven’t run into anything worse on PTs yet.

Thank you so much for the webinar, it was extremely helpful! I think the biggest takeaway was not to rush the application process because a higher LSAT score is more beneficial than applying early with a less than stellar score.

Also, I really appreciate the help with my question regarding GPA trends! I was unsure of whether or not to write a GPA addendum, but now I know that I should absolutely include one. If you are going to write a GPA addendum be sure to incorporate the reason(s)/factual information (they don't want overemphasis or dramatic explanations) for the changes in GPA and reference the actual numbers in the addendum.

I would appreciate any input on a follow up to my original question:

Should someone with an upward trend (say 2.75 to 3.95) consider applying to schools where they are below the median GPA (say cumulative is 3.29) in hopes that the trend makes a difference in the admissions officer's choice or is it better to only apply to schools where the cumulative GPA is near the median or above? Thanks!

@

Thank gd I'm not the only one! My parents live over two hours away and check in almost weekly to make sure I'm keeping up with my studies OMG. Would you want to go over PT's together? @ is also studying full time, it could be a good little group! Also if anyone else wants to go over PT's/work together (in addition to the November group) LMK.

@ thanks for your thoughtful response!

I feel pretty solid on my LR skills (I’m not at -0 but I am happy where I am. I don’t have any huge weaknesses, just some difficulty with timing). I think it would be reasonable to say I could go -3 per LR section once I find a better way to pace myself, and I would be perfectly happy with that.

As far as LG goes, I usually do pretty well (the worst score I’ve gotten since finishing the CC is -4 and that was an anomaly). I had it back to back on the September test and just completely froze. During my non-experimental LG section there was a band practicing next door and I had to beg the proctor to shut the door to our room. The proctor had a brief conversation with me and I just completely lost my focus.

In regards to studying, I haven’t experienced any feelings of burn out or score decreases from the hours I put in each day and I would like to continue to do so because I NEED to get back to work after I take the November LSAT. Also, I know that my horrible RC score is not due to a lack of understanding, as I do very well on untimed sections. So as long as I don’t have 35 minute interval sections to complete reading oriented homework I think I will be ok in law school.

So why November... My family has agreed to help me out while I am in law school (with some of my rent and other living expenses so that I don’t have to work during the school year). I worked full time during my undergrad and I know that the 40-hour work weeks seriously impacted my grades. Anyway, I initially intended to start law school this year. I delayed after the September 2017 LSAT, and this decision was not well-received. I would love to distance myself from my family and do my own thing, however calling my parents “helicopter parents” is an understatement. Also, my parents are not as willing to help me if I choose to delay another year and I really need their help. They make it as if they are ashamed of me for delaying and I just don’t want to deal with it anymore. They think that the LSAT is the same as the SAT (which I didn’t study for and got into almost every school I applied to). Additionally, my boyfriend (of four years) is looking into MBA programs and we would both be ready to start our degrees next year. Both of these factors are contributing to my “November or bust” mentality. I’m not looking to go to a t14 school, and I’m honestly not interested in big law. Just want a job I am happy with and I believe going to a top 50 school is enough to get me there (and a bit further away from my parents, geographically speaking).

@ I think I’m going to try out what @ mentioned. Timing is my biggest issue for RC (I can usually swing -2 untimed) and I think going through a bunch of RC passages would be a good drilling activity. Here’s to perfect RC scores in November!

Also going to go through the LSAT Trainer’s RC section this week. I really appreciate everyone’s suggestions!!!

@ said:

@ @ @. Sounds like we are all in the same ballpark as far as numbers and goals go. Would be happy to get a study group going, I know it always helps me to hear how others go about their PTing and reviewing.

I also think we should get a group going. Maybe we can work on getting it together this week?

@ said:

Are you talking about a giant binder for storing games?

I actually have a 6in binder for everything but I sectioned it off by notes from the CC, PTs (to review questions I got wrong), and then practice sections for LR (by question type), LG, and RC. It’s nice having everything in one place. The only problem is I put it together with ~3 weeks until the September test so I didn’t get much use out of it. I put everything in sheet protectors so I could write with expo. But like @ mentioned, I’m going to try and replicate testing conditions better this time and not use the expo markers. I also think I’m going to give myself under 35 minutes/section while practicing.

@ Congrats!!! Boy or girl?! Also you definitely have a 168 coming this time around!

@ I’ve only gone through the LG and LR sections of the trainer but, in my opinion, it wasn’t great (at least for those sections). When I started studying I had trouble differentiating between “the author takes for granted” and “the author fails to consider” answer choices and the book helped me grasp the difference but I haven’t had any “aha” moments with the book since.

@ @ @ is anyone in the November study group? It seems like we could benefit from working together :smile:

I’m not expecting anything crazy in November. Just trying for UConn and possibly George Mason, so a 163 would make me very happy.

@ said:

When did you last finish the CC? If it's been a while, do it again. It helps to go through it again with a more mature perspective. Each time I went through the CC, I went up about 4 points in my PTs. Focus on perfection on the second time through. Making sure to focus on breaking down and analyzing every mistake. I think people can benefit from doing the CC until they BR 180. On your second go, you will know which parts are strong or weak, and adjust accordingly: you can skip some of the practice if you're already strong, and find extra practice in the question bank, if you're recognizing a weakness. My caveat is that going through the CC should take at least 2 month's time, even if studying 5 hours a day, 7 days a week. So if you're taking the November exam, there might not be enough time, and I would just focus on PTs and tailor my practice based on what the 7sage analytics tell me are my weakness.

I finished the CC in June. I think I’ll go back through any weak areas I am aware of and then continue with this method on any new weaknesses that may show up. Thanks!!!

@ said:

I'm in the exact same boat, I feel the same exact way about each section (run out of time on RC, thought I was good with LG until the test came, fine with LR) and cancelled my score due to a terrible experience at my test center. I've also been on a break these past few days and am having trouble knowing where to start back up. I just purchased the LSAT trainer to see if that can help me with RC, and I plan on foolpoofing LG again, this time by section and with as many games as I can get through by November. With LR I plan on doing more timed section drills and making a scrapbook with every single question I miss to make sure I perfect my strategy. My BR score is typically pretty high, reliably above 170 so a lot of what I'm going to work on is mindset and timing strategies. I'm going to try to work meditation into my daily routine as well if I can.

Wow. We are really in the same boat! I’m so sorry to hear about your testing center experience (here’s to a better center next time).

My BR has been averaging in the low 170s. I have the LSAT Trainer but never got to the RC section- will definitely give that a try. I also bought transparent sheet protectors and printed out dozens of LG. The sheet protectors are great for fool proofing because you can write on them with dry erase markers. I put all of them in a binder and would highly recommend it. I guess I just need to print more out!

I really appreciate your tips. Best of luck on the November exam!

That is great! A few days ago I read an article on the Apple News app that said “farmers had been frustrated with weak corn and soybean prices”. I immediately started thinking about the September exam and HAD to screen shot it.

Could you please add me to the group?

Thanks for the AMA session today!

I think a blog post about employment and the LSAT/law school would be helpful. For example, my employers don't know that I plan on going to law school. It is really nerve-wracking because the LSAT (and law school) have become almost like a double life for me (cue the Hannah Montana theme song). I think that there may be other people who are afraid to discuss their upcoming plans with employers out of fear of losing their jobs. The post could include advise on how to balance work/studying when your job is unaware of such a major commitment, as well as how to break the news to your current employer.

Could you please add me? September did not go as planned.

It’s been a Stoli O day here in NJ!

@ said:

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Which LG was real in this order?

Rc-lr-lg-lg-lr

3

Whoops I was wrong. It was 4.

Thanks! Wish it was 3 though!

Yuppp I am cancelling unfortunately as well because of this. For whatever reason I couldn't get into rhythm in this LG section. Hang in there!!

You too! Hopefully November will be good to us

@ said:

@ said:

@ said:

Which LG was real in this order?

Rc-lr-lg-lg-lr

3

Whoops I was wrong. It was 4.

Thanks! Wish it was 3 though!

@ said:

Mine went RC (opera)-LR-LG-LG-LR. SOMEONE PLEASE SAVE MY LIFE AND TELL ME THE 1ST LG WAS REAL. I can barely remember the first section, except that it was really easy, and it was like two [admin note: too specific, read OP]...? The second section had something about an electronics store, or something about headphones and microwave. I hated that section with a passion.

I wish. First was experimental. I’m canceling my score :neutral:

Which LG was real in this order?

Rc-lr-lg-lg-lr

Thank you both for the responses @ and @ , I really appreciate it! I'll save the newer tests for November :smile:

I printed mine in B&W last year, just did the same for Saturday, you should be fine with B&W

Alex, could you add me to the group? I originally planned for December but have recently decided to postpone!

Thank you !!!!