Well congratulations on the score you're hovering at! I finally got a 180 on a PT after about a 1.5 years of studying, though I doubt I'll score that when the actual test day comes. Still feels very rewarding to achieve, and I'm sure you can hit it too.

My errors are similar, it's always a few in LR and RC. The only advice I would have is to maybe slow down and consistently do a few drills in LR. I like to go question by question and write out why the other answers are wrong as to solidify my confidence in my answer choice and confidence in my reasoning, and I've seen results from doing so. For RC, I'm just doing at least a section a day up to the June LSAT to keep it fresh in my brain/practice the few I get wrong due to overconfidence.

I think retaking PT's can be valuable, but it also leads me sometimes going, "huh. did I chose this answer last time and it was wrong?" and thus choosing a different, usually wrong answer. I think the RC sections are great for rereading though, for you don't have to reread as closely and can usually skim. Even LG if it's a game you are particularly not confident with.

** Forgot to add, I don't do BR. I haven't found it to be useful at all, for all it is to me is a 2nd chance at getting it correct, kind of like mental crutch instead of admitting to yourself, "I am not 100% confident in my answer." If you're not at 100% with your answer choice that means you need to study that question stem/section better and that you haven't completely mastered it, not that you'll maybe get it right on test day. It's a harder but more beneficial approach just to have the opportunity to answer once, like actual test day conditions. Not sure if that could apply to your studying, but just wanted to add it for my advice!

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I meant it seriously, but if you want to answer with snide remarks and the like, 7Sage is not the place for you. Try TLS.

Suck it up.

Don't bother commenting on my post when you have nothing substantial to add other then, "Aw, that's life" Thanks!

Hey, let's not with this type of attitude please.

I'm the one with the attitude, after that reply from that person? .... Sure, okay.

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Hey, man I feel your pain on the LSAT prep and law school expenses. I'm not from a wealthy family and don't want big law so I'm trying to keep costs as low as I can.

My advice for cheap LSAT prep would be to aquire the actual tests either used or through an act of internet piracy/civic disobedience against the LSAC monopoly depending on your perspective. Other than taking and blind reviewing those that the only prep I have found useful is the 7 sage core curriculum about $170 and especially the free logic games video explanations. I also got the Powerscore logic games bible, but would cut that in hindsight.

And I have a 172 that I am retaking hoping to push it a little higher for the potential scholarships. So its not like you need a ton of money to do well.

On the test where I got the 172 I switched to the pencil the LSAT sight provided because I liked it better than the box of Ticonderoga's I'd splerged on since I knew that their erasers worked. That stuff watches, pencils, ect. doesn't really matter. It's an outlet for the frustration and anxiety people feel when taking a test which determines their future; it's an attempt to have some additional measure of control over the test.

So those rich people spending thousands of dollars on an in person prep course are getting ripped off. It's not that the advice those tutors or teachers are giving isn't valuable. It's that you can get the same advice at a fraction of the cost online for free or from JY and that all the advice in the world does not make up for aptitude or hours and hours of practice.

It's harder for the poor to get those hours of practice in with a full time or longer job, but it is also hard for those who are rich and privileged and not used to long, grinding, and often boring work.

Don't use an admission consultant if you are worried about money. I'm not going to. They have a little more experience with the system, but you know what good writing is or know people who can be coerced to tell you what's good about your writing. And you have the internet for examples. TLS might be condescending and smug, but it's not useless for examples of workable law school resumes and essays. Law school admissions are shockingly predictable based on numbers so admission consultants have less to offer than for other graduate programs or undergrad. If you did not use an admissions consultant for undergrad why would you start now?

The price of Law School is ridiculous, but the scholarship game and the LSAT are your saving grace.

Good luck.

Thank you for your reply!! It was lovely to read and oddly reassuring.

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First, LSAC has fee waivers. If you are extremely poor as you say you are, you should have a high chance of being issued a fee waiver from LSAC = no CAS fee (savings of $100), 2 free LSATS (savings of $360), and an official LSAC review book (200 pages). Too boot, virtually every law school in the nation will give you an application fee waiver, meaning, applying to a law school is only the cost of sending your CAS report, which is $35 per school. Even the one school that doesn't automatically give you an application fee waiver (Stanford), will almost certainly give you a fee waiver if you fill out their fee waiver application (I have done this successfully twice).

Secondly, I am not sure why you only looking at the most expensive LSAT services; there are cheaper ways to study for the LSAT: 1) find someone to study with or borrow their materials; 2) some LSAT self-instruction books are rather cheap, and quite good. For example, the "LSAT Trainer" is $35, and I am sure you can get a used one for even cheaper. 3) there is endless free information online. 7Sage has videos of every single logic game on every LSAT, for free.

Third, there are programs that are designed for people exactly like you that are offered by law schools (usually during the summer). How do I know this? I was apart of one. UCLA has one. UC Davis has one. Several other schools have them, look for them. They are free, and are specifically for under-represented, or poor aspiring law school students.

While I strongly sympathize and relate with your situation, I do not agree with your analysis of the outcome of it. Indeed, you might have to work harder than some people that are privileged with money or connections. But many of us do it because we want to go to law school. I would encourage you to look beyond the problem, as you will never find the solutions in it.

"than festering about relative financial positions to everyone else out there in the world" ya, I'm good on your reply. This community is rude as fuck lol I can't wait to delete my profile.

If you truly grew up poor, "looking beyond" poverty, something that has afflicted the entirety of your life, is laughable. Thanks tho

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I can truly empathize with you @ as I was raised by my single grandmother who passed away my junior year of high school. I was fortunate enough to be taken in by a family friend. Needless to say I was very poor for those years... I realized quickly that the way to money wasn't in liberal arts degrees so I worked hard, studied finance, and was able to get a decent job out of college. No luck or easy break for me... Just went out and got it. Started off changing ink and paper at where I would eventually work. If it's money you think makes life easier, I can assure you it doesn't. Those people you think are rich are only rich in money. They have just as many problems, albeit different problems, problems they are...

I agree with everything you've written, but be careful against developing a mindset of victimhood and learned helplessness. Don't become a victim or feel bad for yourself. And certainly don't waste any amount of time worry about what other people have that you don't. If you want something in life and you're smart and hardworking, conscientious and patient, you can get it.

I think @ and @ hit the nail on the head. It's part of life, it kinda sucks, the rich are probably going to have some advantages... So what? Wealth doesn't buy hard work, IQ points, or your ability to achieve your dreams.

Don't feel bad about what is out of your control. Focus on doing you and you only! Who cares what pencils people use, what resources they have .... Just worry about you. I promise you will be much happier.

7Sage's entire philosophy is built around providing an affordable way to prep for the LSAT. So I'm happy you found us :)

Good luck!

I mean, thanks for your reply. It is a bit naive to believe money doesn't make your life easier because that is simply not true in any sense. Wealthy people don't worry about the same problems or issues, and never are forced to, as those living under the poverty line.

"Victimhood" "Learned helplessness" are a bit offensive as well. It's apart of my identity, doesn't mean I'm ashamed.

Well, it's not a belief ... I used to be poor and now I have a very good job where money is no longer an issue. My life is not any easier than it was. I don't worry about paying my bills on time or having to worry about my next meal, but the money doesn't come for free, you know? The work is incredibly long and stressful. I've lost the love of my life. I've lost friends. I've probably taken 5-10 years off of my life. Developed an anxiety disorder..... I've made incredible sacrifices to get to any level of success. Point being that pain and suffering are pain and suffering no matter where you go in life. The sun won't bleach it, the tide won't wash it away, and no amount of money can solve ALL your problems.

Also, I'm sorry if I offended you. I wasn't saying you are those things. I'm just saying be wary of developing a mindset that infects you with those things. I was honestly just trying to help and I hope you consider what I've written and focus on doing you.

Your story is interesting to me and I really appreciate you commenting. I'm sorry I sounded confrontational or just simply rude at first. I just forget the majority of people (even on here) will not relate to what I'm trying to explain. Stress, pain, and suffering are always there, and I suppose how you experience or react to such doesn't change much with how much money you have.

If it's not too personal of a question, did you mention any of the hardships in your life during your application process, or personal statement? It's something I'm conflicted about because of how you mentioned "victimhood" like, I don't want to sound like a pity party, just self-aware of the circumstances that have lead my life to here and how they differ me from others.

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I can truly empathize with you @ as I was raised by my single grandmother who passed away my junior year of high school. I was fortunate enough to be taken in by a family friend. Needless to say I was very poor for those years... I realized quickly that the way to money wasn't in liberal arts degrees so I worked hard, studied finance, and was able to get a decent job out of college. No luck or easy break for me... Just went out and got it. Started off changing ink and paper at where I would eventually work. If it's money you think makes life easier, I can assure you it doesn't. Those people you think are rich are only rich in money. They have just as many problems, albeit different problems, problems they are...

I agree with everything you've written, but be careful against developing a mindset of victimhood and learned helplessness. Don't become a victim or feel bad for yourself. And certainly don't waste any amount of time worry about what other people have that you don't. If you want something in life and you're smart and hardworking, conscientious and patient, you can get it.

I think @ and @ hit the nail on the head. It's part of life, it kinda sucks, the rich are probably going to have some advantages... So what? Wealth doesn't buy hard work, IQ points, or your ability to achieve your dreams.

Don't feel bad about what is out of your control. Focus on doing you and you only! Who cares what pencils people use, what resources they have .... Just worry about you. I promise you will be much happier.

7Sage's entire philosophy is built around providing an affordable way to prep for the LSAT. So I'm happy you found us :)

Good luck!

I mean, thanks for your reply. It is a bit naive to believe money doesn't make your life easier because that is simply not true in any sense. Wealthy people don't worry about the same problems or issues, and never are forced to, as those living under the poverty line.

"Victimhood" "Learned helplessness" are a bit offensive as well. It's apart of my identity, doesn't mean I'm ashamed.

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I meant it seriously, but if you want to answer with snide remarks and the like, 7Sage is not the place for you. Try TLS.

Suck it up.

Don't bother commenting on my post when you have nothing substantial to add other then, "Aw, that's life" Thanks!

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Yes, it's very unfortunate, but law school and law prep is not much different than other areas of life: The rich have more opportunities and an easier time at a whole bunch of things.

Thanks for such insight, wow

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@ I'm sorry to hear your computer froze. That must be frustrating.

We'll think about how to these editing raffles as fair as possible if we hold them again.

Oh no, it's definitely okay! I found it amusing more than anything that everyone was trying to type and send a guess in at once haha. Just wanted to give you a heads up, in case it happened for other people as well. Thanks again for the webinar, found it very useful!

If so, can you try a different method for selecting, like just picking out a name? My computer froze for the entirety of people submitting guesses so I didn't even get a chance at it.

Aaaaaand this is why I study alone lol. These things fill up too quickly. Oh well. Good luck ya'll

Hi David,

a.) I'm 23 years old and graduated in 2015 from a private, liberal arts college and majored in History. I was a first generation college student, having grown up in a small, unincorporated town in West Virginia. Since graduation, I have been working in the child care field, transitioning from a lead teacher at a child care center to private care, working now as a nanny.

b.) My biggest worry is my low GPA score compared to the average law school applicant and other graduates from my college. I had a few hardships throughout my college career, including two close friends dying which had an effect on my mental health, but no vacation terms. I would be considered an extreme splitter, for I have a low GPA but have been practice scoring in the 170's.

c.) I'm pretty clueless on the personal statement. My main idea would be focusing on how my background (coming from WV, 50th in adults with post-secondary degrees, cultural environment that doesn't promote academic success) has shaped me, for better and for worse.

d.) I have no attended a lightning consultation lesson before.

MINE IS GREY HOLY SHIT

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I checked and they close at 445 on weekdays

they're open until 8pm EST thru the fall/winter months

Hey, I'm taking the Feb LSAT too! I found myself in the same boat as you for a long time honestly. I found RC to be the most challenging section I believe because I majored in history, where I spent four years learning to quickly read large bodies of texts while simultaneously memorizing all the information (well this is formal education as a whole honestly).

But, that's not what the LSAT is testing us on.. it's not the context of the passage or our ability to memorize the details of the passages presented, it's the structure of the passages themselves which the LSAT is concerned on. I ramble about this because this was my kind of "oooooh FUCK" moment for me. I essentially had to re-teach myself the approach I was taking for RC, against all the preconditioning schooling had taught me.

So, what I started doing is going over some of the older PTs that I had already taken and reading & answering the RC sections again. I find that the 2nd read through so much more beneficial, for you already know most of the details of the particular story from the previous read, yet this time you're relaxed, able to focus on the structure of the passage & the important words/themes & such as a whole. Every word present in a RC passage has it's purpose, whether it's absolutely crucial to answer that one question or just meaningless list of details to try and clutter your brain.

I find highlighting/underlying important indicators (but,some,however,because, etc.) & also the subjects of the RC passages helpful. It's easy to go back to the passage on harder questions and skim thru what you underlined vs. trying to keep all the details in your head and/or reread the passage.

I've also found that knowing the different type of RC questions extremely helpful. Other than the Passage A vs Passage B ones, I feel as if there is always a reoccurring bit of question stems: main point question, what's the purpose of a certain sentence/paragraph, MSS bc passage/Most likely to agree, pulling a word or phrase (with where it is listed) and asking the meaning/why it's included....

Also! I can't remember where I saw, but another tip is to have a passage in front of you, Read the first paragraph, flip to the back of the page, and right a VERY brief sentence or two about what the paragraph is about/the purpose of it. If you find yourself after reading a RC passage thinking, "now what was that about?" then this studying technique will REALLY help you, I promise. I know it seems time consuming, but repetition is a hell of a studying tool. It helped me with being able to recall structuring of the paragraphs, the relationships between all said paragraphs, and the passage as a whole, SO much better.

It's a pain in the ass, but repeat, repeat, repeat. At this point of the game, I would be doing many RC drills. We're getting so close to the Feb LSAT, but I didn't find my -8RC jump to -1to-3 until this month. Learning the LSAT is a long process.....but I Hope this helps!

still waiting..........................................

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY GRAY

I honestly took a break from studying. I didn't pick up any LSAT material for a few weeks, didn't stress or think about the awful thing. I had gotten to the point where I was just so frustrated with my plateau so I just gave myself a breather.

When I returned to do PT's it seemed to have....clicked. Consistently started scoring throughout the 170's, even one 180! I think there is real merit in taking a break from studying, giving your brain time to process all the information you are continuously shoving into it.

MY ANXIETY IS THROUGH THE ROOF