I was talking to my brother who wrote the GMAT last year, and he said he cannot study anywhere else but his room. He locked himself in there for weeks when he was studying. I like studying at my desk at home too, but I get crazy cabin fever and end up going a little nutty. You can tell when I've been inside for too long -- my skin gets all pale and translucent lol. I tend to study in places that force me to look presentable - i.e. a nice cafe (instead of being at home in PJs all day which usually results in me feeling kinda gross).

Where is your favourite place to study? Cafe? Library? Home? Rented office space? Just curious to see how everyone else approaches their LSAT studies :)

Hi everyone,

I've been studying for the December LSAT (I started ~2 weeks ago) and I'm already having serious burnout problems. I will start my day early, around 6:00am, to go to the gym, shower, have breakfast and be studying by 9:00am. I'll work for a bit, get distracted, get back to work, etc.... and then at around 3pm every single day (like clockwork!!) I will fall asleep in the middle of studying.

Sometimes it's straight up falling asleep at my desk, other times it's "let me relax for like 5 minutes" and then I fall asleep for 1hr+. It completely takes me out of the LSAT mindset and then takes me forever to get back into it after I wake up. I know that a lot of people's advice is to take breaks (even for days), but I get crazy anxious when I'm not looking at the material because I feel like I'm not giving myself enough time to study - does anyone else get like this?

Does anyone have any advice on how they've been combating burnout or fatigue for the December LSAT? Any tips or tricks that really get them feeling awake and into the material?!

Also, just wanted to mention - this is such an incredible community! One time I made the mistake of posting on lawstudents.ca and I got eaten alive ... lol. Thanks for taking the time to read this & happy studies!!! :)

I've been studying since September and I've just hit a wall. I tried to do another PT today but I got so antsy that I couldn't focus, I lost like 10 minutes on one question because I was so out of it, and paced my room rigorously like a mad person. I know everyone says to take a break if you feel burnt out but this is 2 weeks before the LSAT and I'm worried I don't really have time to relax or take a break; I still have stuff to work on/drill and I need to get better with time constraints.

What do you guys recommend doing when you have bad burnout this close to an exam?

I've been studying full time for a few months and on days like today (where I'm loopy and can't focus), I like to take a break and do something non-LSAT related for a bit. I'd love to use my breaks to spend time with friends but socializing has been tough lately because all of my friends either work full time or are still in school. I am usually studying by the time my friends finally get off work/end class, so my 'break' moments have consisted of me going to the gym and then putzing around until I feel like I can study again lol... I'm running out of ideas for things to do during the day that will keep me sane!

For those who study full-time, what do you like to do during the day when you take a break from the LSAT?

One of the lessons I completed had 14 problem sets which I did all in one sitting -- 6 hours later, I was totally drained, very loopy, and a little discouraged.

Do you guys complete every single lesson's problem sets before moving on to the next lesson? Or do you save some for a rainy day?

Hi all,

Just went onto OLSAS (for those who don't know, it's the Canadian system where you submit law school applications in Ontario) because I heard that the calculation they make for your GPA went up.

...... It says I have a 3.48 GPA. I've heard that OLSAS can bring down people's GPA, but I graduated my university "With Distinction" which meant that I had an overall 80%+ average over my four years at uni. According to the OLSAS chart, that should warrant a 3.7 GPA. (I am in column #3 - https://www.ouac.on.ca/guide/olsas-conversion-table/)

I'm pretty nervous because I relied on having that GPA as a strong part of my application, as I know I won't be getting a super competitive score on the LSAT. I've already messaged OLSAS but they haven't gotten back to me yet.

Has anyone had experience with this? Is this the GPA that Canadian law schools use to consider your application, or do they still calculate it themselves/look at your transcript?

Hi all,

Hope everyone is doing well :3

I seem to have developed this habit while I was in university where I don't really 'take in' what I read on the first try, and usually have to read something 3 or 4 times before attributing meaning to a sentence.

This method clearly isn't flying during timed questions lol. I end up spending more time reading the stimulus than the ACs. I'm stuck in the habit of reading two or three full sentences, going "wait, what did I just read?" and then re-reading it again and again. I want to be able to just read a sentence from a stimulus and immediately compartmentalize it somewhere in my brain so that I know it's there & I don't have to go back and re-read it.

Has anyone experienced this? Is it just mental burnout or is this something that you conquer with time? How do you mentally prepare yourself to take in words on the first try?

I've been PTing for about a week now and it's not going great at all.

As soon as I turn on the timer or proctored app, I freeze up and can't even read the first question. I'll read and re-read it three times and then will lose 3 minutes because I was so out of it. I'm not sure what it is -- in university, I never got nervous before timed exams but we always had a decent amount of time to complete them, or at least I felt like I did.

I haven't been able to properly complete a PT because I'll just stare at the paper, lose a significant amount of time, and then stop the timer to get up and take a breather.

Does anyone have advice for how to chill out when taking a timed PT or how you went about doing it in a way that didn't stress you out?

I am pursuing a dual degree at one of the law schools I applied for (JD/MES). The school recently contacted me and said I did not meet their minimum academic requirements because I received a major in Anthropology rather than an Honours Specialization in Anthropology. I have been asked to write a rationale form to apply as a non-standard applicant with the following:

-Why I do not meet the minimum admission requirements

-How my professional/personal and academic experience have prepared me to be successful in the program 

I have a pretty direct and logical reason for not receiving an Hons. Spec.: I was 1 credit away from an Honours but the only 4000 level course my school offered in my program was for students intending to pursue a masters degree in Anthropology and I did not want to do that, and decided to pursue electives that would better assist my admittance to a dual JD/MES (i.e. environmental law courses). Similarly, I know what to say re: how my academic experience has prepared me to be successful in the program.

However, I have no idea what to write for 'personal experience.' I don't really understand how personal experiences could make up for the fact that I was 1 credit away from an Honours Specialization and decided against it. The only thing I can think of is that I was the president of a lot of committees and councils in my undergrad while maintaining a 3.7 CPGA, and thus believe I am well prepared for the workload a graduate degree would provide.

Otherwise, I don't really know what else to say and I'm worried the rationale form will come up short.

I spoke to a guy involved at in the MES program not too long ago, and he said admittance to the graduate program might help in getting into the law school itself (i.e. the dual degree is really unique and would look good to the law school as a fringe applicant). I want to make sure the rationale is really good in case that is true -- anything to help my admittance to law. Has anyone had any experience writing a rationale form? What do you think they are they looking for when asking about how "personal experiences" have prepared a student to be successful in a graduate program?

Hi all,

I saw a 7sager already posted a similar question (see https://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/13716), but I'm less confused about what happens, and more so how we made the decision in the first place.

I was doing a problem set in which one of the rules was "F is not included in the same group as N."

At first, I drew it out as F ----> /N, which is a "not both" rule. However, when given a new premise (/F), it failed the sufficient and I didn't know what to do anymore/couldn't go any further.

Going back to JY's video explanation, I saw that he drew it out as a bi-conditional F (----) /N. When given /F, then we can conclude N is in. And then the answer is very clear.

My question is, how are we supposed to know when to use a bi-conditional and when to use a not both rule? What triggers the use of a bi-conditional? The rule "F is not included in the same group as N" spoke to me as a "not both" rule, but could also speak as a bi-conditional [(either) or but not both].

Hi everyone,

Been a solid month since I posted. After I wrote in February, I took a mental break from everything LSAT related. I got my score back on March 7 and scored 6/7 points lower than my diagnostic (went from solid PTing at 159/160 to a 153 on test day). Needless to say I was pretty upset but I kind of saw it coming. I completely choked on logic games but found LR/RC to be less difficult, which I think shows in my score. I definitely guessed upward of 20 questions in LG (i.e. blindly guessed) and the other questions I didn't guess, I likely got wrong anyway. I knew I was choking on LG in the weeks leading up to the LSAT too. I was just aiming for a 160.

I'm just in general pretty bummed out. I feel like my personal statements were some of the best writing I had done. My reference letters were really strong and relevant (as I had just graduated university when I submitted my apps). I also had very strong leadership experiences and was an exceptionally involved student. I know some may say I still have hope but my top choices have historically never really accepted people with an LSAT score this low.

Now, I feel like if I retake the LSAT and apply for next cycle, my app will be significantly less competitive. I quit my job and studied for the LSAT for ~6 months, which means I've been unemployed and doing nothing but studying since September. Come applications for 2019, my application will have gone from stellar undergraduate student & involved leader to unemployed person in a quarter-life crisis lol. I've been applying for jobs but so far nothing significant has come up.

Hopefully I can muster up the strength to try again and hopefully something that I feel proud to put on my resume will come up. Blah. Just needed to vent a little.

Congratulations to everyone who received the score they were hoping for and/or has gotten into their dream schools. You guys have been super helpful along this journey so far!!

Hi all!

So I've been drilling LG for a while now and I figured I would start a thread where people can post little 'tricks' or things the LSAT commonly puts on LG that you can look out for/practice getting into the habit of. This is probably more for people who have been struggling with LG like I have~

Oftentimes I missed these inferences or tricks, or just didn't even think to look out for them, but with practice, time and noticing the patterns, I have been getting a lot better!! I had a lot more written down but I lost the sheet lol so hopefully I can add more when I find it.

Here are some of the things I've written down:

• When making inferences in in/out games, take note of the inferences that can be made from distributions as well, not just the stated rules; i.e. the gemstone game (https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-33-section-4-game-3/) where it says 6 in, 4 out; you are able to make a lot of inferences from this later on in the game

• Check to see if an introduced rule would not only trigger in-game inferences but would trigger a new, unspoken rule (i.e. in the gemstone game, 2S -> 1R paired with the distribution allows us to trigger a new rule 2S -> 3T)

• Always look for not both & or rules in in/out games, makes inferences a lot easier

• In sequencing games, block sequences i.e. [MKM] will likely only have a few places they can safely go, and will often trigger an inference or the ability to split the game board up so look out for how they will affect your setup

Some of the game setups I have come across often are:

• Circular (misc)

• Sequencing or double layered or triple layered sequencing

• In/out game

• In/out game with categories (i.e. selecting 'in' from multiple groups)

• Chart games (often a good setup for when the game pieces can choose multiple variables i.e. the showroom & cars game https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-35-section-3-game-2/)

• Grouping games

Please share things you have noticed or would find helpful for others!! :)

So I've been following advice to go over questions just to refresh my brain before the LSAT. LG has always been my strongest section, with usually going between -3 and -5 timed. It was the section I originally needed the most work on/struggled with the most. I spent almost 2 months training LG and significantly improved. However, within the last four days, I have been absolutely bombing it.

Bombing as in, I cannot even get 2 games completed in under 35 minutes, and if I do, I get an entire game wrong. I can't answer more than one question with confidence. My brain goes completely blank and I feel like I've lost all the skills I spent months working on. Every other section is fine/the same as before.

I know that some people drop a few points in their PT the week before the exam but I'm doing fine in LR and RC. But it's like, as soon as I see an LG question, especially one with a MBF/MBT/CBT/CBF (i.e. with no additional premise), I completely freeze up and can't answer the question. I've forgotten how to approach it. I've also seemingly lost all ability to make inferences. I have no idea what's going on. I feel like how I did 3 months ago when I first started LG and didn't know what I was doing.

I'm seriously worried I'm just going to bomb the LG section on Saturday and I just don't know what to do anymore -____- has anyone had experience with this, and what did you do?

Hi everyone,

I have slowly realized that I probably won't be able to make the December LSAT; going through CC has taken me a lot longer than I expected, and on top of this, Canadian law school apps are due Nov. 1 and I really want to put a lot of time and effort into all my personal statements. I'm applying for admission in 2018. I'm only on invalid argument forms right now and I still have to do a lot more LR, all of LG, all of RC, and PTs.

There's a part of me that wants to write December anyway (and then re-write in Feb if I do poorly), but I really feel like I'll bomb it which won't look great on my record (I'm assuming). The schools I'm applying to accept the February LSAT, but I know a lot of people say it puts you at a disadvantage because you are competing for fewer spots by the time your marks come out & they review your apps etc.

When I spoke to schools on the phone, they made it seem like I wouldn't be at a huge disadvantage but it's not ideal; on the other hand, I've heard from applicants themselves that it's really not a good idea.

Does anybody have experience with this? Do you feel like it's actually a disadvantage? I only know one person who's gotten into law school using their February score of the same year. I can't decide if I should just go ham and push like crazy for December and risk having a mental breakdown, or take my time and have a better chance of doing well but possibly less of a chance of getting in...

Wanted to make this post after seeing @akistotle's post on movies to watch pre-test day.

For those who are taking the February test on Saturday, what are you planning on doing Friday? I'd love to hear about everyone's ~relaxation~ routine (and maybe steal your ideas). For those who have already written, what did you do the day before the test?

In the morning, I'm gonna get to the gym and get a really good, stress-relieving workout in. Gonna come home and make myself chocolate chip pancakes cause lord knows I haven't had time to make a decent breakfast in months. I booked a massage for myself at 11am cuz why not!! Then I'd like to go for a nice walk outside. Afterwards, I'll probably chill and read a book until dinner. I'll try to cook a nice meal and spend time with my family. Then, for the evening, I want to have a spa night with a bubble bath, candles, tea, and a cozy movie. Hopefully be in bed by 9 or 10pm because I am a grandma.

I've been looking forward to this day for months.

What are you planning on doing the day before the LSAT?

PrepTest 23.Section 3.Game3.Q18 (https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-32-section-3-game-3/)

Questions like 18 always get me confused. I was able to narrow R down to 6 and 7 fine, but after that, I just didn’t know where to go. None of the other rules seemed immediately relevant, and then I started stressing out because I didn’t know where to go from there.

The way JY explained it made complete sense but it would have been a huge time sink for me. I.e. making the inference that if R goes into 7, then we remember our rule that S can’t go into 6 or 4, which means P & S must go into 1 and 3, which means T won’t be able to go before F or after R. As I am very new to logic games, interpreting or making all those inferences in my head in a short amount of time has been really hard for me. This did not come naturally to me and I was completely stuck -__-

Does anybody have advice for a question like this where, once you get to a certain point it becomes very open-ended (i.e. multiple slots open with no immediately obvious rule to jump to)? Is it really just trial and error?

I am aware that this is a relatively easy game but I am struggling with LG in general lol

Hi everyone,

I'm on the LR part of the curriculum, specifically just finishing up strengthening questions.

I'm super confident with the first 4 or 5 drills, and without BR, I'm getting 4/5 or 5/5 on the questions. Unfortunately, as soon as I get to the 6th drill and above, where the difficulty gets worse, I continuously bomb each drill.

It's really frustrating to study causation theory & strategy for 6 hours and then barely see any results when doing weakening & strengthening. I guess I'm having difficulty because when J.Y. does the questions in his videos, he doesn't really use a 'strategy' to do strengthening questions. He simply figures out the assumption the argument is making and exploits it. I, however, cannot seem to pinpoint the assumption very easily. Is there a strategy for this or is it just something you get good at with practice? Does anyone have any advice on how they mastered strengthening/weakening questions?

Appreciate any advice or simply relating :)