Update: Good-bye for now 7sage! Thank you all for the love and support! I'm grateful for the opportunity to help my fellow 7sagers by sharing key strategies that helped me along the way (see the comments for guides that I posted!) I am shooting to get my APPS DONE in the next few weeks before my daughter is born, so wish me luck :) I may be back to responding to messages in November after I've applied.

In the comments, I added tips around each of the following topics:

My study schedule

Some thoughts around balancing work, parenthood, and LSAT studying

My 15 favorite books that I read while I was studying: https://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/30299/15-books-to-read-while-studying-from-a-180-scorer

A few RC strategy tips that helped me go from -6 to perfect on RC sections (it's possible!)

My logic games strategies

My approach to the Core Curriculum + Mastering LR

@ I did a post on how I managed to study. I started in the 140s. https://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/30244/146-180-thank-you-7sage-very-tired-mom-edition/p1

I also did a podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/60-7sager-me-v-lsat-146-to-180-lsat/id1437219549?i=1000541976019

PM me if you ever want to chat. It's so hard to find time to study when you're a parent!

@ I just read 20 pages/day. It didn't feel like a lot on a given day! At that rate, I would read 2 or 3 books per month.

@ yes!! I just made my decision, so I will post the outcome of this cycle!

@ @ @ thank you all for the kind and encouraging words. I can't get enough of it!!!

@ @

By popular request, this is how I approached the core curriculum.

Context: if you saw my original post, I tried a bunch of different programs before coming to 7sage so I had a foundation in the exam and was scoring in the 150s on PTs. So in re-attacking exam, I let go of some ineffective strategies and habituated effective strategies.

Mindset + Step-By-Step Strategy Guides: I was focused on being as precise as possible. As I went through the strategy for each question type, I wrote down the numbered steps of each strategies because my brain responds best to that. I thought of my brain like a computer and I needed to upload a new program, then run it to identify any bugs along the way. I needed a reference document where I compiled all of my step-by-step strategies for each question and type, so that I could refer to it easily and it helped me readily identify any missteps or "bugs" along the way. for example

weakening question:

Identify conclusion

Identify the primary premise

Prephrase the assumption… etc.

That way, when I would get a particular question wrong, I reviewed the strategy and identify where my misstep was. I needed this level of precision and analysis to make significant improvements and improve my efficiency. This process took all the mystery out of the exam. There were clearly wrong answers and right answers and no one question type was less precise than another. Each had a specific strategy and 1 correct answer.

Overall approach to CC: Once I started 7sage, I spent 4 months mastering strategies for LR (2.5 months), LG (3 weeks), and RC (3 weeks). For each section, I focused on accuracy THEN timing. For LR, I mastered each question type before moving on to the next. For LG, I focused on ensuring I had a step-by-step strategy for sequencing, grouping, and in-and-out games, For RC, I developed a reading strategy that worked for me and different strategies for each of the question types (a lot of them were almost identical to the same question types on LR).

This was my approach to LR:

Step 1: Learn the strategy for each question type. I the solidified my understanding of the strategy for each question type. I created a document with my step by step process for each question type, which I refined and added to as I did practice questions. If a particular strategy didn't work for me, I abandoned it.

2. Untimed practice for accuracy: I practiced 15-75 questions per question type and focus on accuracy. I would master the strategy (ensuring I was scoring 93% accuracy at least on each question type). I noted questions I got wrong to see if I needed to modify my strategy at all to ensure I didn’t make the same mistake again.

3. Timed practice: Once my accuracy was near perfect, I would put myself under timed pressure. I did timed groups of 3 questions of a single type. If my timing was slow, I would identify any inefficiencies in my process, then try another set of 3 questions. Small tweaks here and there really helped me improve my timing.

1 month out I started PTing. I did 1 full test on the weekend under timed conditions and 4 time sections during the work week. This totaled 10 exams in that month. I’ll do another post describing how I reviewed each PT. My first exam I scored a 168 and then I was scoring in the high 170s. I will do another post on how I reviewed PTs.

I hope this helps! Focusing on accuracy then timing and having clear step-by-step strategies were instrumental in getting a 180 on test day.

I redacted my GPA and applied to WUSTL the first week of November. I was invited to interview. The Admissions Officer who interviewed me explained the redaction and scholarship process to me. She volunteered this information without me prompting her because she said she wanted to be as transparent with me as possible, which I found very refreshing!

Step 1: Admissions committee review - when you choose to redact, the redacted element of your application has no bearing on whether or not you are admitted.

Step 2: Scholarship committee review - once you are admitted, they send your application to the scholarship committee. That part is not redacted, so both your gpa and lsat score are considered in how much scholarship is awarded. She told me a lower gpa would likely mean I wouldn't receive as much scholarship money as someone with a high gpa and high lsat score. While I didn't disclose that I had a lower gpa, she made that assumption based on the fact that I had redacted that element of my application.

I hope this helps!

@ lol I love your use of logic! it's just... so... logical!

@ I'm rooting for you. YOU CAN DO THIS! Moms are superhuman

@ first of all, I love your username. At the end of the conversation, I told JY I could've talked for another 2 hours because we only scratched the surface! I'm still here and would love to continue to offer strategies that may be helpful (although bear with me with any delays because my daughter could be born any day now!)

Regarding mindfulness: I was skeptical of its efficacy, but then I learned that practicing mindfulness actually helps us focus our attention on studying. A helpful analogy I learned is that it's like a workout for the attention function in our brain.

I always feel like I have a super long to do list running in my brain, so doing mindfulness before I started studying helped me clear my mind and direct my attention to the task at hand.

Over time, I noticed I was less "reactive" and overall felt more peaceful and patient with myself through the inevitable ups and downs of studying for the LSAT. I also noticed that when I would spend time with my son after work, I was more present to him and could shut off my "work brain."

Here's a podcast episode on mindfulness I found really helpful:

With all the forums, reddit, and news around the LSAT and application cycles, the law school journey gets overwhelming really fast and exercise and mindfulness have helped me stay grounded through this process.

And to @'s and @'s point, it's frustrating to be stuck and in the middle of studying and see others achieve the outcome we desire. This is why I focus so much on the process (as I discussed with JY in great detail). Mindfulness helped me remain grounded in the process even when I wasn't seeing improvement. Hearing from other 7sagers about their journeys inspired me in my own, and also showed me how unique everyone is in their learning styles and best practices.

and last note: one's ability to perform on the LSAT is not fixed. I'm not the first to say this, but it's a learnable exam! Our intelligence and ability to reason are shapeable qualities. Here's a book that helped me understand that yes, I could actually improve: https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Carol-S-Dweck/dp/0345472322

Thank you so much for interviewing me!! it was a pleasure speaking with JY!

@ you're amazing! Cheers to you! good luck with the LSAT and book publication :)

My pleasure!! @ lmk if you have any other questions.

@-444 no problem! happy reading!

My pleasure! @

@ great questions!

I recommend doing whatever helps you work through games most efficiently. I prioritize the question types I think are easier, then do the harder ones. I find that doing the easier questions first helps me build out scenarios further and those scenarios can be used to eliminate a lot of the answer choices on the harder questions.

To answer your questions:

I actively scan the questions to identify those that are MBT and introduce a new piece of information (an additional constriction to the scenario) and then answer those first. If it introduces new information, but then requires you find the one choice that is false, obviously that would take longer, so I save those for later.)

in item 6, I reference CBT questions (so those that introduce a new scenario but then ask CBT would apply). MBF would also fall under this category because it will require you to test more scenarios.

hi there! My diagnostic was in the 140s and I just scored a 180 on the August 2021 exam.

This is the schedule that worked for me as I was balancing a full-time job, parenthood, and LSAT studying.

Mindset: I reframed this arduous LSAT prep process as something that would prepare me to excel in law school while being present for my children. I knew that this test was challenging me to grow in ways I needed to grow as a future law student. Once I mentally detached from the score, the process of growth became more enjoyable.

My schedule: The best hours for me to study are between 4:30 AM and 8 AM. A top lsat score was my #1 goal so I scheduled my studies for a time of day when I was least likely to be interrupted, which is those early morning hours (before work and before my son wakes up). I’ve done this routine since December 2020 and it has served me very well.

Pre-Study Morning routine:

4 AM - wake up; I program the coffee the night before to brew at 3:59 AM, so the fresh smell of coffee wafting from the kitchen helps me get going. I also put my alarm across the room so no matter how tired I am, I have to get out of bed to turn it off.

Read: I spend a few minutes reading a good book and drinking a large cup coffee (let me know if you want any good book recommendations that will aid your studies - I can provide a list). Reading good books about how our brains work and how to build good habits helped me keep my sanity and stay focused on the process of becoming a better student throughout this journey.

Workout - short but sweet. A fast run or high intensity lift. I recommend the book “Spark” which explains the science behind why exercise primes our brain for learning and focus. https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Revolutionary-Science-Exercise-Brain/dp/0316113514/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=spark+book&qid=1631437821&sr=8-3

15-minute mindfulness exercise (breath based) which focuses my attention. Here's a helpful guided mindfulness exercise that helps you focus your brain: https://www.mindful.org/a-15-minute-meditation-to-focus-the-mind/

How I Study:

Study sprints: I study 6 days per week for 4-6 focused periods of 45-minute sessions or “study sprints” each day.

Quantity goals: I do 4 sprints before work and 2 during breaks in the work day (the latter doesn't always happen).

Breaks: I take 10-15 minute breaks between sessions. I find the breaks essential to keeping up my energy throughout the day, especially during those days when the pregnancy fatigue was hitting me hard.

Plus breaks help refresh my brain periodically so I can reattack those really tough LSAT topics and questions.

Once the work day starts: What I don't finish before my son wakes up, I try to squeeze in during lunch time, his naptime, or quiet moments at work. (I got a promotion at work the day after I took the August LSAT, so this must've worked!)

deadline: I aim to have my studies done before the end of the work day at the latest, so that I can be present for my family in the evenings.

A productivity tool that helped me:

I use the productivity tool https://www.optimalwork.com to help me plan each study session. It challenges you to set up the steps of your studies prior to beginning and harness anxiety to help you perform at your best.

I do 2 minutes of mindfulness before I started each study session. It helps my brain fully engage with the material.

I also would never have my phone on me when I study.

Small reward:

I had a calendar for each month above my desk and added a sticker to it every time I finished a study session. It was a fun, small reward! Whenever I started doubting I was putting the effort in, I would look above my desk and see the evidence of all my work right there in front of me. It helped me avoid getting into an "all or nothing" mindset and celebrate the small wins along the way. There were countless days where everything went wrong (a trip to the ER, unexpected house guests, crazy work deadline, sick baby, no childcare due to COVID) and I only got in 1 or 2 quality study sessions. But I made it my mission to get 1% better each day and never miss a study session 2 days in a row (I got these ideas from James Clear's book (https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-James-Clear-audiobook/dp/B07RFSSYBH/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9ANGAQQXFTCQ&dchild=1&keywords=atomic+habits&qid=1631437183&sprefix=atomic+habits,aps,169&sr=8-1).

@ @ added my LG tips/strategies!

Re: finishing all the PTs:

I didn't even come close to finishing all the PTs. Throughout the last stages of prep, I focused on perfecting and refining my strategy for every question type and on the timing aspects of each section. Then, in my review, I focused on any behavior change that was required in order for avoid making the "same mistake" twice.

Re: PTs in the 80s

In my experience, the PTs in the 80s are the most like the exam I took in August 2021. Anecdotally, the level of difficulty in RC and LG seemed to be about the same. I actually found the LG to be less challenging than in older exams, however the RC to be much more challenging. I thought the August exam was the same.

Strategies for Logic Games:

Once I had a solid foundation in LG (knew the basic game types, and had ton several games). I was still really slow at these until I started using the 7sage fool proofing method. I saw the most improvement with LG when I Foolproofed the games that I found particularly challenging on a given section or that took me longer than the recommended time.

A couple of pointers:

Logic Games are like a muscle: if you don't work them, then they will atrophy. do these consistently to perform/maintain your ability.

Keep the diagrams as simple as possible

Define your process. Mine was:

Read the rules once and write them out in notation form. List the variables and double check to ensure the # matches the # in the scenario.

Set up the game in the way that was most visually helpful for me (if not sure how to, sometimes the first question can help with that)

Re-read the rules to answer the first question. For example, read rule 1 then eliminate any answers in question 1 that violate the first rule. Do the same for rule 2, 3, etc.

Make any deductions (this step will become more intuitive with practice):

-identify the most limiting point in the set up or rule

split the gameboard if you can

figure out which variable is a free agent (doesn't have any rules tied to it and moves around a lot/variations of their placement will come up a lot on CBT and CBF scenarios)

Then, attack the questions in order of difficulty - I prioritize the question types I think are easier, then do the harder ones. I find that doing the easier questions first helps me build out scenarios further and those scenarios can be used to eliminate a lot of the answer choices on the harder questions.

First answer questions that are MBT and add additional rule to the set up (i.e. if Johnny went to the store on Tuesday, which of the following MUST BE TRUE).

6.Then do more general questions that require you to test more scenarios (i.e. which of the following COULD BE TRUE? or MBF). These are tricker but the scenarios from the MBT questions will help eliminate a lot of the answer choices on these.

Do a sanity check on each question before finalizing your answer (did I use the right variable? did I test all necessary answer choices? etc).

I also recommend fool proofing the top 10 toughest logic games in between tests. I got this great list of the top 10 toughest LG. Working through these certainly made the games on the recent PTs easy.

The top 10 toughest Logic Games: https://lsatblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/hardest-lsat-logic-games-list-hard.html

Thank you and thanks to 7sage!! @

thank you for your kind words @ :)

Here's my RC strategy: @ @-resistance28 @ @ @

My Strategy for Reading Comprehension: how I got from -6 to -0

Note: these strategies helped me after I had a strong foundation in RC and was still getting -6 to -4 wrong per section. I had nailed down a good reading/timing strategy at this point (which was highly individualized) but found myself often stuck between two answer choices on tougher questions.

Mindset: think like the future lawyer you are! At first I hated RC, but then I started to enjoy once I realized it's the area of the test that I think challenges us the most to think like a real attorney because there needs to be concrete evidence in the passage for EVERY correct answer choice and there's simply not sufficient textual support for wrong answer choices.

5 things to get -0 on RC:

1. Eliminate wrong answer choices - Process of Eliminations vs. Process of selection:

do a thorough process of elimination; as soon as I found myself doing a process of "selection" I was in the wrong mindset and I was going to get the question wrong. You know what I'm talking about. You will notice that there are times you’re “trying to make an answer to work" but as soon as you find yourself doing that, and if you don’t switch gears, you will likely get the question wrong.

The secret to RC is eliminating the wrong answers and further evaluating the answer choices left standing. For example, if there's no textual support (key word, sentence, or phrase) for an answer choice, it's wrong and can be eliminated in your process of elimination.

As soon as I demanded more of myself and forced myself to eliminate all the wrong answer choices, I started getting all of the questions correct.

2. Ensure all selected answer choices have support: DEMAND a line of evidence for EVERY answer choice you select as the correct one:

Before you finalize the "correct" answer, ensure that there is an actual line of evidence supporting the answer choice you select. Even on inference/author's opinion/attitude/tone/analogy questions, there will always be a key work, sentence, or phrase that will support the answer choice. For specific questions, the correct answer will most nearly mean what's stated in the passage.

For inference questions, the right answer choice will be something that can be "reasonably inferred" from the text. By definition an inference is an unstated conclusion. As you read each AC, ask yourself, “Where’s the evidence?” Once you start thinking this way, the correct answer choices will start leaping off the page.

3. RC requires an exact process just like LG or LR; there isn't gray area

Early on in my studies, I struggled a lot with RC because it seemed like there wasn’t always a precise answer. But there always is. I had to let go of the idea that RC was less precise as LR/LG. It is just as precise. There are always 4 wrong answers and 1 correct answer. there's textual support for the correct answer; there's partial or no support for the wrong answers.

4. Ignore any prior knowledge you may have of the subject matter discussed in the passages in order to remain objective

Once I started thinking about stuff I knew about the subject matter being discussed, I'd get tripped up. Think about it: it wouldn't be fair for LSAC to bring in outside information and require that for you to get a question right. That would be discriminatory. Try to ignore anything you know on the subject and approach each passage with a clean slate.

When we bring in outside information to evaluate a passage, we may unknowingly become biased to certain answer choices and lose our objectivity.

5. Use the same LR question type strategies on RC

When “tricky” inference questions on RC come up (the dreaded analogy questions for example), try using the same approach you would on LR.

Think of the paragraph the question is referencing like an LR question stimulus and use the LR strategy to identify the correct answer.

Here's my strategy:

Locate the paragraph where question is referencing

mentally view it as a LR question stimulus

employ the LR strategy you would use to prephrase the correct answer

Utilize a strong process of elimination

Identify support for any remaining AC, the correct AC will be the one with textual support.

Once I started consistently forcing myself to think differently about RC and employ these practices for every question type, I started getting perfect scores on sections.

I also advise doing untimed sections and practicing these strategies before doing timed sections. Perfect your strategy. Then focus on accuracy under timed conditions.

PM if you have other questions.

@ @ here's my reading list!

My 15 favorite books that I read while studying for the LSAT

“The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds…”- Rene Descartes

Books on Habits, Exercise, Mindset, and Psychology

James Clear - Atomic Habits: start here! This book inspires and has tons of practical resources on how to build routines, schedules, and habits that will allow you to thrive while juggling multiple priorities.

Dr. Ratey - Spark: From Dr. Ratey, I learned that exercise may be the most effective way I can combat depression and improve my brain functioning each day. Exercise has actually been shown to be one of the most effective treatments for depression. Research has shown that 3 days of exercise per week is as effective as regular doses of the antidepressant Zoloft.

Dr. Dweck - Mindset: From Dr. Dweck, I learned the importance of a growth mindset, which is the belief that our “inherent” traits ARE shapeable (including intelligence, personality) and how to cultivate one with practice. I learned how destructive LABELING is: both positive and negative labels are destructive. When we label ourselves and others we tend act consistently with those labels instead of growing in our ideals. They become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Books on Process, Mindfulness, and the Brain:

Dr. Daniel Siegel - Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation: From a pioneer in the field of mental health comes a groundbreaking book on the healing power of "mindsight," the potent skill that allows you to make positive changes in your brain–and in your life.

Thomas Sterner -The Practicing Mind: really honed in why focusing on the process is necessary. In order to achieve the goals we are striving for, we need to let go of the result, so we do not become impatient with the process. I learned from the stoics not to label what happens (the outcome), and this book affirmed this. “Failure” in the outcome is learning. Learning something new requires practice and involves mistakes. We will make mistakes when we are doing hard things and challenging ourselves.

Thomas Sterner - Fully Engaged: Better Results and Less Stress through Proven Techniques: To be fully engaged in life means that we have clear goals as well as the focus and skills to accomplish those goals with ease and a sense of calm awareness. This book explores specific techniques, such as thought awareness training and setting goals with accurate data, and demonstrates how using these techniques will not only help you reach your objectives, but will keep you engaged in each moment of your life, throughout the process of accomplishing those goals. Being thus engaged will result in less stress and more satisfaction in every aspect of life.

Dr. Ian McGilchrist - Ways of Attending: Attention is not just receptive, but actively creative of the world we inhabit. How we attend makes all the difference to the world we experience. And nowadays in the West we generally attend in a rather unusual way: governed by the narrowly focussed, target-driven left hemisphere of the brain.

Books on How to Study and Learn More Effectively

Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning: this book has given me a new strategy for studying for the LSAT that incorporates the latest research on the most effective ways to learn new subject matter. The focus of the book is memory and how to best promote long term retention of subject matter. It details the research behind the most effective study strategies we can employ to promote our memory. It offers many strategies all based in robust research. Each chapter is packed with studies and stories that capture real-life applications of the strategies. I highly recommend this book to anyone committed to lifelong learning. Even if you are beyond the years of formal study, you stand to benefit from learning better ways to retain information.

Cal Newport’s How to be a Straight A student:

Connection to other concepts: this aligns with what I’ve read about Growth Mindset - we are truly shapeable and if we want to be good students, we can hone the habits of good students. I love that this book allows for us to shape ourselves, with practice, into being good students. This book offers STRATEGIES that can help us be better students of life.

A big realization I had while reading this book was that the LSAT is a TECHNICAL exam, so my approach should be as such. So I am treating the test as this. There are a set of LOGIC rules that underlie the test. It is not a philosophy test, although there is theory behind the rules, it is really more of a MATH test. So my study approach should reflect this.

Books on Stoicism

Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations: I was deeply inspired by this book! This book is a collection of meditations that Marcus wrote to himself. He was encouraging himself and reminding himself to stay grounded. Each point could have been reflected on for 15 minutes or so. They reflected what Marcus was struggling with at the time or needed to remind himself of. It was a helpful reminder that no matter what we are doing, we need these reminders of what we are called to do in our lives. Thousands of years ago, Marcus Aurelius needed to remind himself that what other people think doesn’t matter.

Ryan Holiday -The Obstacle is the Way: What I learned from this book is about the philosophy of stoicism; this book is a modern day take on stoicism. There is an incredibly long tradition of stoicism dating back to the founding fathers and before that to ancient Greece and Rome. Ryan Holiday gives many examples of stoics in his books, much like James Clear does in his Atomic Habits. I was struck that Abraham Lincoln struggled with depression and was forced to manage it over the years. Ryan Holiday made the point that Lincoln’s depression gave him a unique perspective on his own mortality. He read voraciously which helped him manage his depression. It reminded me that nothing happens to us that we can’t endure. I enjoyed reading this book in conjunction with Marcus Aurelius, one of the original stoics.

Favorite Memoirs

Tara Westover - Educated: an incredible book. Something I learned from this book is that it is important to acknowledge the power that old ideas and ways of thinking have over us. They are passed down from generation to generation. To grow, we need to leave old ways behind and keep pushing before. A part of growing is leaving aside ideas that were passed down from our parents and grandparents. I think one of the most important lessons we can learn from the book is that we are shapeable. Our past does not define us. With effort we can grow and become capable of more in our lives.

Tori Murden - A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean: Was struck by how much this woman had a heart for the vulnerable and how much that drove her to do what she did. She protected her mentally handicapped brother from bullies. This is a true story of Tori Murden McClure, the first woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean. McClure’s memoir is more than a woman-against-the-elements adventure tale; it is a story of courage, adventure, and personal discovery that will appeal to women and men of all ages. Beautiful, breathtaking, moving, and inspiring. I read this book in 24 hours.

Other Favorites

Digital Minimalism - Cal Newport: Minimalism is the art of knowing how much is just enough. Digital minimalism applies this idea to our personal technology. It's the key to living a focused life in an increasingly noisy world. In this timely and enlightening book, Newport introduces a philosophy for technology use that has already improved countless lives.Digital minimalists are all around us. They're the calm, happy people who can hold long conversations without furtive glances at their phones. They can get lost in a good book, a woodworking project, or a leisurely morning run. They can have fun with friends and family without the obsessive urge to document the experience. They stay informed about the news of the day, but don't feel overwhelmed by it. They don't experience "fear of missing out" because they already know which activities provide them meaning and satisfaction.

Set Boundaries, Find Peace - Nedra Glover Tawwab: Learning to set boundaries is an acquired skill that we can master through practice. Boundaries allow for healthy relationships with our spouses, children, family, friends, work, volunteer efforts, and ourselves. This book offers practical advice on how to identify when boundaries are needed in various aspects of life and how we can go about setting assertive boundaries. What I learned from Nedra Glover Tawwab is that actually “feelings of guilt” are inevitable when you’re setting boundaries in areas you haven’t before, but where boundaries are desperately needed. It won’t feel “good” to set much-needed boundaries but it will allow for a more joy-filled, balanced life.

@ good luck to you!! I was especially exhausted the first week of waking up at 4 AM but then doing a quick workout got me energized. If you sleep in one day, no big deal. Just re-strategize and go at it again the next day. I figured out a couple tricks that helped me get myself moving so early: I would put my alarm across the room and program the coffee so it was ready for me. I also would prep my workout clothes and study materials the night before. These little things made the mornings so much smoother. Good luck! Let me know if I can support you in any way on your journey.

@ that is so kind!! Thank you!

Balancing work, parenthood, and studying:

@ you got this!!

@.i.deangelis I'm rooting for you! I love your sentiment because you hit on an exact struggle of mine that held me back for far too long and was in the back of my mind even when I took the exam in August. I'm going to write about it here in case it is helpful to you and any other 7sage parents/those with caregiving responsibilities:

Because I work full-time and have a young son, I worried that this process was going to hurt my relationship with them. I felt so guilty for studying. In fact, I had people close to me telling me I was wrong/selfish for taking this path! "what are you doing? why aren't you spending more time with them?" What they couldn't see was that I was doing this for them too. In reality, we were growing closer as a family in ways that became clear over time.

Through 2020-2021, my increased focus on my studies allowed my husband the time and space to grow as a father to our son in ways he wouldn't have otherwise. Because I took the time to pursue my dreams, my husband and son were able to do more fun outings on weekends while I was taking practice tests. It was adorable! Because I wasn't picking up the slack as much with the day-to-day tasks, my husband had to. In fact, he even moved into a more fulfilling, flexible, and rewarding career path that is a better fit for the needs of our family. He is so much happier with this own career path now too. I can confidently say now that this whole journey brought us closer together as a family. I know the same will be true in law school.

Back in March when I found out I was pregnant with my first daughter, it deeply motivated me to keep studying. I want my daughter to grow up knowing that children and motherhood can bring out the best in us. As baby girl was growing, so was I. Then, when I finally took the test in August, she was kicking me the whole time. She and I did it together :) I can't wait to tell her about this one day when she's old enough to understand.

@ great question about speed. The mini drilling sessions I did helped out A LOT with speed, but I also needed to develop an overall timing strategy for a section of logical reasoning.

Towards the end of my prep, when I was doing more full sections, I found this article on timing helpful: https://lawschooli.com/lsat-logical-reasoning-timing/.

**good timing rules of thumb:

10 questions in 10 minutes

20 questions in 25 minutes**

Instead of asking myself, "how do I fit in those parallel reasoning questions in at the end? I'd ask myself, "how can I become more efficient earlier on in the section, so I have time at the end?" Hope this is helpful.