Took a class this past semester and I really clicked with the prof. I'm hesitant to email her until next semester begins because I know some professors keep (and deserve to keep) strict, operating-hours only timelines for checking their emails. I don't want to clutter her email and then her lose it in the depth of her inbox.

I'm also hesitant to ask at the very beginning of the semester because it can be so hectic. So is there any particular time that worked best for y'all?

Personally, on Sunday I'm going to go chop off my hair! I haven't cut my hair in like 5 years, so I'm gonna go to a salon, get a nice shampoo, and then chop off all the stress from the past 6 months of studying. It sounds drastic, but it was either this or a tattoo!

What about y'all?

Hi all, during some of July and most of August, I foolprooed 1-35. And then I started to go back through the games immediately after I was done to make sure I could do a full section under timed conditions (I FPed by doing six new games a day, timing each individually and separately). However, I found that I was going -2 or even -3 per section.

So I stopped. I only looked at games during a PT.

And y'know what? I've gone either -1 or -0 on every single PT I've taken since (six, so far). FPing is time intensive. I was doing 6 new games two times and then doing the 6 games from the previous day a third time AND 6 games from a week earlier. All in one day, starting at 5am and fitting it in between working 7:45am-5pm. This is all to say that FPing takes a shit ton of work. It is exhausting. But your brain is taking it all in, somehow. So if your plateauing---or even backsliding---take a break. Don't look at a game for two weeks. And then get back on the horse and you'll really see how much you've improved. Of course this is all anecdotal but I just realized today how much that break probably improved my morale.

I've gotten a few questions, so I figured I'd make a second post because I know I really benefitted from reading other people's study method. I went from a diagnostic of 153 to a score of 173 in Dec (-3 RC, -2 LR, -2 LR, -2LG). I do want to point out that I got very, very lucky on test day. I had never scored above a 171 in practice, but was BRing at 179-180 consistently for the month before the exam. Sometimes you luck out with a test that plays to your strengths, and mine just happened to actually count!

I went through the core curriculum for about two months and then Fool Proofed LG. If you don't know what that is, check out this post: https://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/2737/logic-games-attack-strategy/p1

Once I had fool proofed (took over a month), I started drilling and PTing. My schedule was:

Monday: 1 LR and LG section

Tuesday: 1 LR and RC section

Wednesday: 1 full PT/blind review

Thursday: 1 LR and RC section

Friday: 1 LR and LG section

Saturday: 1 full PT/blind review

I used all of PTs 40-52 for these section drills. I started out doing each section untimed, underlining the keywords in LR with a highlighter and writing a line # for where I had pinpointed the answer for RC. I would take 15+ minutes on each RC passage at first, and 45+ on LR. I figured it was better to get the basics and concepts down to a science before I moved on to timed. Eventually, I started timing my sections. Probably around October. Honestly, I wasn't learning anything from LG at this point, just keeping my mind sharp.

In November, I realized I needed to really focus on Flaw/NA questions. So instead of doing full LR sections (plus I was running out), I started using the 7sage question bank to drill. I'd do some timed, some untimed depending on how "hard" the question set was. Also in Nov, I started writing "explanations" for the questions I got wrong in my drills. I'd save these in a word doc but didn't really look at them again. But I learn by teaching, so I'd write out an explanation as to why a choice was correct and why all four others were wrong and then post it on the video explanation here on 7sage. I think this is when I consistently started scoring 169-170.

I found that I was able to go from -7ish a section on RC down to -2ish. I mostly did this through allowing myself to find the answer in the text. It's there. I would read the passage and make sure I understood it (started out by writing a summary for each paragraph, but found that to be too time consuming on timed sections). And then just go through the questions and make sure I could draw each answer to the text. For the untimed, I would write the paragraph line.

For PTs, I was worried I would need to retake so I was nervous about tearing through them all. So I started with PT 55 and did every three. So 55... 58... 61... 64, etc. Until I got to the 70s and started over. I jumped around a little bit to make sure I did 79 (the dreaded virus game) and 81 right before the Dec. test. All in all I did ~15 PTs.

**Edit: I also totally forgot that I worked through the Bibles in October lmao. I'd do a chapter of LR, LG, or RC a day. LR was helpful because at this point, I had gone through the CC in June so it was a good refresher. LG was a waste; I had already FP'd so I had already seen most of the games they used. RC was mostly useless too. However, I found it was good to focus just on RC but I didn't highlight/underline like they suggest. Overall, I used the Bibles for refreshers and test-taking strategies. Did LG or RC help? Eh. But the LR was good because it explained question types in a bit of a different way, so between the Bible and 7sage, I had a deep understanding of them.

I did all of this as a full time student taking 16 credit hours and working 10hrs at my part time job. Luckily, I had planned my course load and work schedule around the LSAT so I didn't start classes until 2pm on Monday/Wednesday and 11am on Tuesday/Thursday. This meant I was on campus at 8am every day, either to drill or take a PT. No tutors or any of that, but I relied on the 7sage forum and r/lsat to keep my mind in the "lsat" mode even when not feeling motivated.

I do believe that most people can raise their score with a good schedule that they stick to. How much, I can't say. But my schedule was very much let's-see-what-works and I just kinda went with it. I think you have to find what works for you; I drew from a lot of other people's tips and tricks. I hope this helps someone out there. Again, I got incredibly lucky on the exam (which is why I'm not retaking lmao) but maybe hopefully you wont have to rely on luck on your take!

My diagnostic was 153. After ~6 months of on and off study, I scored a 173 in Dec! In fact, this was 2 points higher than my best PT! And I had only scored 171 once before the test. My average was 167ish. I'm so grateful for the 7sage community throughout this journey.

I had read posts about "positive thinking" and meditation, so I figured I'd give it a try. 173 was the score I chose to picture; before each PT I pictured me opening my email and seeing 173. And despite no evidence that it would, it worked!

My test day was honestly the worst I could have imagined. I got to the test center ~20 minutes early, but it was game day at my university so there was no parking. I ended up street parking about a football field away after calling my boyfriend and exploding on him; sobbing, convincing myself I wasn't gonna take, the whole nine yards. And then once I made it halfway to the center, I realized I forgot my admissions ticket in the car. So I RAN back to my car and then RAN to the test center. It was 8:24 when I got back to my car. I truly thought this was a sign that I wasn't meant to take it. I was the last person to check in; I ran to the bathroom before getting to the room. It was hell honestly.

I luckily managed to just separate myself from that, but during the entire directions I was breathing heavy lmao.

It ended up working out for me, but honestly I was hoping for 165 after the test. All this to say, just because a day goes bad does not mean you should cancel. I think I'm done testing with my 173. Thank you 7sage. For keeping me calm and for just being a great community.

Took a very niave PT back in Dec. Scored a 153. Then decided to start 7sage two weeks ago (studying for Dec. 2017). Took June 2007 and scored an actual score of 160. Blind Review-ed even higher! I'm sure this is a fluke because I can't believe I saw this big of an improvement after just two weeks of the CC! Thanks - y'all are inspirational! What's your largest jump?

Something I've noticed about my PTs: I perform better when I'm feeling better. Not like.... physically (although that helps) but mentally. I mean when I wake up and put my contacts in, get dressed, and brush my teeth just to sit in my room to take a PT. Hell, even putting on shoes helps.

We talk a lot about mindset in these forums, but other things contribute to mindset besides meditation and repetition. Not only does waking up and "getting ready" help your outlook, it gets you prepped for test day. If you only ever take PTs in boxers, you're not replicating test day conditions!

This is all to say, keep in mind other things that might give you a little confidence boost. Two weeks out (exactly)--we can do this!

Hi all, I'm back on the forums haha. In my last post, I was contemplating whether or not to retake. As it stands, I'm deciding to apply with my 173 and if I don't get into the schools I want, I'll sit out a cycle, retake, and reapply (I'm also K-JD, so sitting out would benefit me no matter what).

I'm hoping someone who has completed their cycle would be willing to look over the beginnings of my 250. I know it's early in the game, but this damn thing is such an enigma lol I'd love some feedback.

Today a friend mentioned that headache you get after staring at a computer screen for a long time. Y'know, the one behind the eyes that makes you feel nauseous? This got me thinking about last semester, where I was taking five classes (all required extensive computer use), had a part time job (again, using computers), and working on 7sage (an online course). I would notice after long day of working on the computer, I was groggy and couldn't quite piece things together like normal.

My classes are about a fifteen minute walk from my apartment and I made it a priority to not look at or use technology while walking to class. No answering texts/emails. No listening to podcasts. Nothing. Just me, my thoughts, and my walk. And I think it truly helped.

Einstein would go for daily walks, no matter what. Getting moving not only helps, but so does having an "empty" mind. If you can, I recommend getting a walk in at least once a day. I noticed things on my campus that I've been walking past for three years now. Did walking alone allow me to score 20 points higher on my Dec. test? Nah. But I do think clearing my mind helped my studying. Now that I drive everywhere, I miss the freedom of letting my mind wonder on walks. If you notice yourself stagnating, try to get outside and move a little. Who knows, it may help.

Typically I go -2 to -0 on LG, -4-5 on LR, and -2-5 on each LR. Right now my schedule looks like this:

Sunday: 1 LR & LG timed section; BR

Monday: 1 LR& RC timed section; BR

Tuesday: 1 LR & LG timed section; BR

Wednesday: Full PT; BR

Thursday: 1 LR & RC timed section; BR

Friday: 1 LR & LG timed section; BR

Saturday: Full PT; BR

I'm also a full time student with a part time job, so I probably miss one day a week, but I kinda see that as a mental day off tbh. For those of you who have made the 170 jump, do you remember when it clicked? If you had been doing anything specific?

Cross posted with r/lsat

While prepping, how many full timed PTs did you take? I have access to 1-80+ (but am using 1-35 for drilling/fool proofing). I'm very overwhelmed by the prospect of doing 45+ PTs. That feels like... a lot. So how many did you do - do you feel you didn't do enough? Too much? Just right? If you have Ultimate+, did you utilize all of the PTs?

As of now I'm looking at doing 2-3 a week with blind review, starting in July. That would allow me to get through every single PT 36+. But damn that feels like a lot and wouldn't give me any more material if I decide to retake after Dec.

Hi 7sage! After the Dec test, I had to take a mental break. Now that Feb scores came out, I'm looking at all the threads and wondering if I could get a higher score.

Context: I'm a second semester junior right now, planning on applying in Fall 2018. I have not looked at the LSAT since Dec. 2 lmao. I also scored a 173, when my highest PT had been 171. With my GPA, I'm looking at T3. I know that retaking the exam doesn't matter, except to Yale. And I'm pretty sure a 173 on the first try looks good to adcoms. My concern is that if I were to score lower than 173, Yale would nope-out. So my question: is it worth the risk?

Hi all--I've been staring questions that are particularly daunting as I'm going through timed sections--how do I get to a list of those starred questions?

Hi all, it's not a serious mistake but I noticed in S4 (the 2nd LR) that the first page says "22 questions" when really it's out of 25. Not sure if that's LSAC or 7Sage's doing, and it doesn't really affect anything. I just wanted to point it out; I know I was confused when I saw it

Just wanted to give some hope for other people. Today I took my first timed PT in about a month (I've already FP LG and am now drilling LR). A month ago I got a 161; today - 170! It was PT59, which as far as I know may be the easiest PT ever and my score may drop back down to 160 next week.

Fool proofing works. I got a -1 on LG (granted, there were no odd ones). I'm now going to drill LR even harder. Somehow I have to get my RC up, so if you have any advice please share! I'm shooting for a 170+ in December, and with two months to go it's looking like I might actually have a decent shot.

Date Taken: Dec. 2nd, 2017

Proctors: Really great. Timing was perfect. I had a watch that I started as soon as the proctor started and they were correct on timing down to the second. It's mostly law students (we had four in our room) with an administrator over-seeing all four rooms.

Facilities: FSU College of Law.

What kind of room: Large, lecture-style classroom. They had four rooms, broken down by last name. Very well organized and easy to find.

How many in the room: 50ish

Desks: Those long, connected desks. Plenty of room. I was spread out and never ran into the girl beside me. They put one seat between each test.

Left-handed accommodation: Maybe? I'm a lefty and was placed in the last seat on the left hand side (so no risk of me hitting another student) but that might have just been a coincidence. It really wasn't needed.

Noise levels: Very quiet. I was a little concerned about the break, but it seems like all the rooms got out at right at the same time.

Parking: Horrible. It was game day. The civic center and a parking garage were open--for $10, but I didn't have my wallet. They didn't reserve any parking for test takers. So I had to park on street parking a good two/three blocks away and run. Get there with PLENTY of time. Parking was the most stressful part of the test for me; I was the last one in the room because it took so long to find parking

Time elapsed from arrival to test: Checked in was closed at 8:30 (I think that I checked in at 8:29 haha). With instructions and everything I think we started around 9:15. Very quick.

Irregularities or mishaps: 0. They knew what they were doing and were very professional.

Other comments: There was a clock at the front of the room, but it happened to not be visible from where I sat. There was also one at the back. They didn't "reset" the clocks, so be prepared to bring your own watch if you need to check the time remaining. Temperature was fine, no issues there. The lines for the bathroom (specifically girls) was horrendous because they started out by making the ~125 girls use only the three-stall bathroom on the lower level. And all the rooms took break at the same time. The head proctor did decide it was okay for us girls to go upstairs to the 2nd floor bathroom, which alleviated the line a little bit. I'm just glad I was one of the first up there otherwise I wouldn't have been able to eat my snack.

Would you take the test here again? Yup! Great testing environment. Next time I would get there quite a bit earlier however due to parking.

I'm 50% done with the CC. I've been seeing a lot about fool proofing and can definitely see the benefits. Should I completely fool proof before starting all of the PTs, or during? I'm planning to take in Dec and rn am poised to be done with the CC by mid-July