Hi jy- this was the only question i got wrong over the two sets- mostly because I couldn't find hypothesis two In the stimulus. For all the other questions, I used the strategy of finding the mAin conclusion, paraphrasing, then finding the most similar answer. My question is- did I miss the conclusion( hypothesis 2) being stated in the stimulus or is the conclusion stated as " this(hypothesis 1) is wrong" and then inferring what hypothesis two is from the rest of the argument?

Thanks!

Hi DC - er's: Anyone up for hosting a logic games marathon? Was thinking it could be a fun way for us to work on speed.

I had a similar experience with plateauing and regressing. I found doing reviews of the lessons to be the best - because I needed to realign my test taking with the theory and strategy presented!

Dear Model Student who wrote the response in the lesson - You mentioned that you didn't really know why you chose B. I also chose B, and while reviewing, I think I see the trick used in answer choice B by using the negation test strategy.

B) Facility in operating machines designed for use by nonexperts is almost never enhanced by expert knowledge of the machine's inner workings.

B Negated) Facility in operating machines designed for use by nonexperts is sometimes(or always) enhanced by knowledge of the machine's inner workings.

My thought process was that if something enhances my ability to use the majority of machines (because most machines are made for nonexperts), then I will inevitably be more prepared for the job market...

This answer choice ALMOST passes the negation test, but not quite. It doesn't wreck the conclusion that a tech edu is no better than a traditional edu for the following reasons:

1) How much does this facility enhance my ability? A little? A lot? enough to make me "better prepared for the job market"?

2) By saying that B wrecks the conclusion, I must add the assumption that because most machines are for nonexperts, that I will use machines for nonexperts in the course of my job.

Hope this is illuminating!

Best,

Surur

Is there a way to "take a whole exam" or do we just have to click through question by question? Thanks!

Thanks everyone!

There are a few things that I've been doing to balance out life and studying for the LSAT. I work around 50 hours a week, am taking care of a parent, am married, and am already a mid-level professional... not sure what your situation is, but in mine - it's super easy to find excuses to let things put studying on the back burner.

1) I gave myself over a year to study. Initially I planned on only 6 months - but I postponed my LSAT and extended my access to this course. SO worth it.

2) I dedicate at least 1 weekend day to nothing but the LSAT and really evaluate my weekend out of town commitments. I wake up on Sundays and study until I'm really DONE for the day. Yes to the wedding, but I won't be attending the shower. Easter at the In-Laws? I love them all but, nope. Weekend beach trip with the girls? I'll take Friday off, but I'll be home by bedtime on Saturday night. Balancing like this helps me avoid burnout. This method helped me bump from a 157 to a 168 consistently.

2.5) A note on socializing on the weekends: One of my husband's new years resolutions was to see more of his friends in the area, so socializing is pretty much obligatory for me. Let's be real about this...it's not the 4 hours on a Friday or Saturday night that eat into your LSAT study time. (Honestly - if you're home on a Friday or Saturday night - you're still not studying! You're probably unwinding from a long week and enjoying an evening of NetFlix!) What is really damaging to LSAT Success is equating socializing with imbibing copious amounts of alcohol. You go out for the evening, drink, and not only have you "lost" those hours studying, but you've also interrupted your sleep schedule, thrown off your body chemistry, dehydrated yourself, and wasted the next weekend morning (prime study time!) to a hang over. My advice - go out, socialize, see your friends, but DON'T DRINK while preparing for the LSAT.

3) When my scores started to plateau with the once a week study method - I changed things up. For the last week and a half, I've arrived at work early (between 7 and 8) and studied for anywhere from 30-90 minutes before my morning meetings. Making this small change put me over the 170 hump and gave me the forward momentum to set a new and higher goal.

4) I got a maid - she comes every other week. That 4 hours I used to spend cleaning my apartment every couple of weeks now happens while I'm at work. I come home to a clean and organized apartment with no tasks with which to procrastinate. I'm considering increasing the frequency if my scores plateau again.

5) Some minor things:

- I sit at a desk with an upright chair in a place that is associated in my mind with studying (in this case, a library at the school where my husband teaches). If I sit on the arm chairs there, I go straight to sleep.

-I gave myself incentives (like getting a delicious burger on Sundays during my study break).

-I have a printer where I study. (I asked the school's permission first!)

- My study buddy has extremely strong study habits and is NOT working on the LSAT: My husband and I go to his school library together every Sunday. He lesson plans and I study. I DARE not interrupt his precious planning time with idle chatter. Now, my next comment may be controversial, but again, this is what works for me personally! I have found during my academic life that when someone asks me to be their regular study buddy, what they are really asking me to do is tutor them. While teaching and explaining really does help me more deeply digest the course material, it also slows my pace. I made a decision NOT to have an LSAT study buddy - because I am working on getting over the low 170 hump and nailing the last five hardest questions on the test is EVERYTHING to me right now. I really don't have the bandwidth to go over material I've already mastered and been working on for over a year. Also - as a working professional - I can't wait for my study buddy to arrive when I have unexpected study time pop up!

Hope this helps!