@ reading your comment, have you improved on LG? If you still have issues finding inferences, attack the conditional "if" questions first since you are given more info to apply to your diagram. That may be putting a bandage over the issue which is you are lacking some upfront work. I found that to be the case for me, I wasn't fully isolating the possibilities when needed (i.e. framing by two frames when three frames is better). I'm working on that now. I hope you are figuring it out as well.
@ I found a thread about balance that you commented on. That pretty much explains what I was pondering. The takeaway is know thy self, and what I can handle. Also, I have not been taking a day off a week! I will start doing so. This could explain why I crash sometimes.
Definitely possible! 133 first exam ever (had a panic attack). Recently scored 160s
on pts. This took significant commitment and time, and I work full time. If you're interested to hear more let me know; otherwise I'll spare everyone the details!
Google "advice from a 180 LSAT Vet." He gives you the way how and the time line, goals etc.
I don't have detailed advice since I'm not an expert but want to say congrats on what you have achieved! I would say where you are now in relation to the October test is incredible! I wish I had this score before me. I was told to achieve perfection on LG to achieve my next goal and seems that you have room to do so as well. That's one starting point. Sounds to me you are so close to greatness, and yes it is 'possible' to do---I wouldn't know how to weigh in for probability. I tend to only listen to advice that tells me I 'can' something and then figure out how do get there. I am not one for likihoods! Maybe that mindset would help you!
@ sounds great. Seems like there's plenty to do.
I hope to not take too much of your valuable time and wisdom @ and @.janson35 c.janson35 (I'm aiming for this to be my last point): If you can weigh in on realistic time management and LSAT-life balance would you post your thoughts? Some people have encouraged me to quit my job and study full time.
I'm concerned if my timeline seems short to you (@ you mentioned I am short on time, which is true, the LSAT is a part-time venture at about 20 hours per week). And, I thought gaining the last 15 points would be a down-hill ride! But sounds like there's a lot to do.
I’m also concerned about keeping some boundaries with this exam. I’m not sure studying for 7 hours days 5 days a week is for me.
I should mention my background is in art and fashion. Law school isn't what I would characterize as a life passion but I enjoy the intellectual rigor of the LSAT,and this path offers me a possibility for a solid and competitive career. I am much more clever now than I have ever been, and I am grateful for the growth the endeavor has provided. I live in New York and found it very difficult to find both a fulfilling and financially feasible career path in art and fashion; I started this law school adventure with that in mind.
Of course I dream of attending a really competitive school by scoring a 175 plus. 170 is the major goal. And a minimum of 165 is the next goal in front of me.
Finding a balance between dreams and practicality is difficult. Would either of you have experience with this?
@ can do one to two PTs a week. Proficiency instead of rigid timing sounds good; so I could take a whole PT with 40 minute timing for each sections a few times. That makes sense. That way my stamina builds up and I am seeing all the questions. 7sage is definitely the best for LG, agreed @.janson35. The threads you linked me to were very helpful. The memory method has helped my understanding of the passages a lot. I need to translate my 7sage work into points! Blind review of LR is working well. I'm so appreciative of both comments!
I'm very grateful for your advice!
I work full time and study 1/2 hours on each weeknight; and aim for 5-6 each day on the weekend. Sometimes I crash and have to take a session off.
161 is what I scored in June when I started the 7sage curriculum using a 5 section test. I took another PT in July and scored 160. I worked toward the 160 since I took a course and have done some independent study. Those tests include guesses (about 10 per test).
I took an LSAT course with Powerscore so I definitely am familiar with the basics; though I am reviewing them w/ 7sage. The course had about four PTs. I hope I'm not plateauing; I would rather think I lack the knowledge of the steps needed for mastery; but, have a better idea of that given your feedback: since, LG is minus 3 to 5; RC is minus 4-9 and LR is minus 5-6. I tend to 'bomb' fourth section because of stamina (I need to get my mental game together). How?!
Ok, so I am not scoring -0 -2 on LG; so sounds like that's my point of focus. Yeah, I really need to feel I can power through one of the sections. I make LR index cards and will keep drilling the toughies; RC is challenging! Timing issues there.
Question about the frequently of PTs: I've been drilling and reviewing those two, recent PTs; particularly my weaknesses. I may take another fresh PT tomorrow; though I wonder how I would improve much more than I have, because what new or refined skills have I gained since a few weeks ago in early July? For ex, I'm not scoring -0 on LG sections. It's hard to gauge if a PT is a time sucker or worthy exercise.
This is how I think about my timing guidelines; though it rarely pans out perfectly when I take an exam or a section.
RC/LG (I try to stay flexible; depends on order of challenges)
- 7 min easy passage/game
- 7 min other easy medium/game
- 10 toughie passage/game
- 10 other toughie passage/game
LR
- 1- 15 20 min on clock
- 15 - 19 25 min on clock
- 20 - 25/6 35 min, done
Looking for how I can gain these points! My raw score needs about 15 points to do so. I would like to take the October 2015 test but could bear through until December 2015 if need be! If anyone has achieved this gain, please post your experience. If anyone is at the same point in their studies but hasn't figured it out yet, please chime in as well! Anything to keep my endurance and momentum going!
would be so cool if subscribers could 'favorite' certain questions for later review!
For logic help I took a Duke University's Think again: how to reason and argue course via Coursera.org for free! It helped my understanding of reading closely for underlying logic plus cause & effect, though I can't gauge that in points or results. I also studied from Lewis Carrol's Selected Mathematical Concepts: The Game of Logic (see Amazon); this helped me to move from particular to generalized ideas and back again. Again, I can't translate the understanding into points; though so far I improved about 20pts from my diagnostic by using those sources plus MLSAT and Powerscore. I would spent a lot of time drilling - I've lost valuable time & energy no doing so often enough.
@ yes, please! If you could share your RC mindset since your ratio is incredible!