@ Thanks for your response! Sorry for the slow reply, I was away from my computer all weekend and moble refused to let me add any posts/comments for some reason.

That definitely does make sense, and is totally the strategy I'm attempting to implement (I guess I just wanted use the basic ideas as a really low res map - like knowing that I probably need to head south to get somewhere, but willing to take a detour north if I need to ;). But I'm messing it up somehow.

When I started studying for the LSAT a year ago, I took a practice LSAT. I got -3 on RC. Seems OK, I'm naturally a pretty decent reader, my parents read to us a ton when we were little and instilled a love of reading, so that seems about right. Just time to hone those skills, seemed like. I basically was consistently around -2 for a long time, and then took the PS class. I tanked RC. I have no idea what I'm doing differently now, or how it's so incredibly wrong. But I'm messing up so bad now. I got -11 on the real LSAT in September. If I hadn't, I would have been around 172. I'm kind of frustrated and lost. I don't have access to all the things on 7sage any more, I bought the basic course and completed that, but am low on funds now (so I can't really purchase it again). I did watch the high/low res video before, and I really like that. I'm trying going through a ton of RC passages. I don't know if that's helping or not. Sometimes I do OK, most of the time I'm hovering around -5/-7. What do? Thank you for your response already. That makes a ton of sense and I am trying to do that. I just suck at it, I guess.

So I’m stupid and did the same thing - and also didn’t get my transcript request in until this week. Am I screwed? I have a scholarship application deadline on january 10th that will otherwise be ready.

I’ve been gray since 11 this morning. Still no score :(

I think it's just an intermediate premise, because it doesn't say something like 'B causes C because B causes A which causes C.' In my opinion, that's just an fact, not a conclusion.

haha, so @, you say to not get too intense to avoid burnout, and @, you say to do some super hard sections? I think actually I can tie that advice together though. Thanks!

@ thanks for the advice! I'm finally getting over a bout of the flu now, so fingers crossed I don't get it again in a week!

@

So this is a really weird strategy, and one that I haven't even seen anyone else suggest, but it worked for me, so I'm sharing it. On RC, I basically have gotten -3 every time. I pretty much missed at least one main point every time, and often an author inference one. I tried the memory method and I tried just skimming the article, etc, etc. I finally decided that my problem was concentration (I doubt that that's your problem, but it took me forever to realize that was mine). If the passage was a boring one, I was skipping around in it by accident. Skipping to the next line without fully comprehending the last one and what-not. So I started employing a strategy that I sometimes have to use when I'm reading a novel. If I know where the spoiler is (like on the last paragraph of the chapter or book) I have to cover that paragraph so I don't spoil it for myself. So I implemented this on RC. I cover the entire passage with my hand save for the line I am literally reading at the time, slowly moving my left hand down the page as I read. If I feel like I didn't totally understand it, I go back and read just that line (or sentence) again. Some note taking/circling/etc, not a lot. Boom. -0 RC, like magic. I usually wind up with time to spare, too. I can complete almost all of the questions without even referring to the passage, even for the specific line reference questions.

Even if you don't do that ^, I hope it helps in some way. Good luck!

I’m scientifically trained, so I look for the thesis. What is the passage trying to ‘answer’ or address? That seems to guide me on main point.

This is the reason I dislike PS. The instructor keeps harping on reading the stimulus first and I hate it. I get questions much faster and with much more accuracy if I read the question stem first.

I tried a ton of different strategies, including memory method and skimming. Weirdly, what works for me is covering the passage with my hand and forcing myself to read it line by line, only moving my hand down a line when I have finished a line. If I don't fully understand a line, I go back and read it again (rare). I find myself completing the questions without even referring to the passage, even for the specific line references.

I know you asked about books specifically, not classes, but I would not recommend the PowerScore live class. I'm halfway through it now, and while it may have been a good introduction to the LSAT, I would not recommend it for getting the last 5% or so. Perhaps the second half will be better, but this first half is not great.

@ said:

@

Why do you have to take in September and have to apply this cycle? Usually when people say this it is just because they don't want to wait, and unfortunately, sometimes that's exactly what we have to do in order to reach our potential. If you ever find yourself in a position where you absolutely must go to law school right now, this cycle, it's probably a pretty good sign that your priorities are such that delaying a cycle is exactly what you need. It also doesn't help to have unrealistic expectations of huge score increases with only a little over a month left. It is probably just adding unneeded stress and causing you to burnout.

Various reasons dictate that, if I don't apply this cycle, it would be difficult to apply later. I've already taken basically 2 years gap (half of one of those was to complete a second BS degree), and I can't/don't want to wait another year to apply.

You got a 172!? That's awesome and as long as you did it under the proper timed conditions, it is not fake at all and says a lot about your potential. You're definitely capable of this score on the real test, so set this as your goal and work towards it, unwavering for anything, especially test dates and man made deadlines. If it takes an extra year to prep and next cycle you get into, say, Columbia law school instead of Bart's Law School, I'm sure you'd agree that it would be worth it.

Ok, so that makes me feel way better.

I am generally a fan of using multiple LSAT companies to prep. I think learning different approaches and perspectives has been a positive, at least in my prep. That said, I think trying to balance them all at once may be causing you some harm.

That's probably legit.

From what you've described I think you may be doing a bit too much. The 7Sage course, Powerscore in class, and whatever else doesn't seem to be working well for you if your scores are ultimately trending down. Focus on one thing/curriculum at a time would be my advice for now. Perhaps you may want to finish the PS course, focus on the homework, and utilizing their methods if they are working for you. Then maybe afterwards, depending on where you are scoring, you may want to focus on 7Sage's methods and course. (I see you have the starter course, not sure if you've completed it yet?)

I've basically completed the starter course. There are a couple RC videos I haven't watched yet, mostly because I thought I was competent enough in RC that I should skip it an focus on the other areas. The PS course goes until the Sept. test date. I'm scared to put all my eggs in that basket, but it sounds like maybe that's what I should be doing?

As far as LG, I think you might benefit by fool proofing the older games (PTs 1-35)

This can be time consuming, but it will ultimately help you become more consistent. For this I do recommend using 7Sage's videos and fool proof method. Or perhaps since you've said you rarely miss more than 1 per section, is it possible you just made some stupid mistakes or were having an off day?

I've fool proofed, maybe not all of them, but almost all of them. I'm really consistent at games. On blind review, I fixed all of my LG mistakes, and it was weird, because they were mostly stupid mistakes. Like obvious rule errors.

Really try to dig deep an examine and evaluate why you're missing the questions you get wrong. You had a high diagnostic (162), so it's clear you're a bright and very capable of breaking through the plateau.

OK! Dig deep how, do you think? I'm totally open to doing some deep digging, lol. And thanks for the kind comments :smile:

Lastly, I think you should lay off the PTs for a bit, especially if you're burning through new ones. Spend the necessary time to thoroughly review the tests and do targeted drilling of any weaknesses. Lack of proper review and drilling following PTs may very well be why you aren't seeing any improvement as of late. I think PTs always make the most sense after you've completed a full class/curriculum anyway. Drills and timed sections are probably your best bet while still in your learning phase.

That sounds legit. I'll focus on this last PT and review it incredibly thoroughly. My BR was 171 (actual 164, I accidentally didn't enter two answers on the grader I guess. Whoops.). BTW.

Good luck!

Thank you!!

@ said:

Hi!

170+ scorer here, hopefully I can shed some light on your situation.

First, consistency with the in/out games often resides in ones dedication to limiting splits within the game boards. If this is something you struggle with, more complex game pieces will be your godsend.

The 170 bar is an elusive one, both mentally and physically. In your situation much will be decided in your logical reasoning--you will live or die there. One technique that is not well-known but nonetheless effective is the "midnight mash." You set your alarm clock for 3 or 4am and start a logical reasoning section within 2 minutes of waking up. This will train your semi-subconscious logical reasoning center of your brain and vastly improve your focus. Used by me and many 170+ colleagues of mine.

Good luck!

When you say limiting splits for in/out games, do you mean like, if the game says four pieces can be in at once, you put four slots on the left? I struggled with that for awhile, but I think I've got it now!

Dude, the midnight mash sounds brutal.

@ said:

It could be burn out as you have been studying a lot. Have you been taking breaks?

Also, have you tried recording yourself and finding out where you are going wrong. It's hard to give person-specific advice about what could account for that big range in section performance without knowing where you are going wrong. I would say a good way to figure that out is to record yourself and break your time down and see where it is you went wrong.

I've taken some breaks... on the advice of family and forum, I'm going to take this Wednesday to go to a water park with family. I feel really lazy doing it, but I think you all are right, the burn out is real.

I haven't done the recording method yet. I may try that.

@ said:

Please don't do the midnight mash guys. "Train[ing] your semi-subconscious logical reasoning center of your brain" is the kind of statement that should really trigger your skepticism. From what I understand, our knowledge of the human brain is far from being able to make these types of claims. From what I have experienced and from what common sense tells me, that's not how learning the LSAT works.

The semi-subcounscious part does make me a bit skeptical. I guess it would train you to wake up and pay attention pretty quick though!

I found a huge improvement when I quit trying to find the specific flaw and simply started by reading the stim and identifying what was wrong, then going to the answers to find it there. Fit the answers to the prepphrase!