Hi 7sagers!

I'm back for some of your never-ending help. I'm based in Dallas, TX and will be writing my first LSAT in June 2018, I've read that the testing locations fill up rather quickly - specially the "best" ones - so I was wondering if you guys could point me in the right direction.

The closest testing centers to me are the Bill J Priest Center for Economic Development, and the Collin County Higher Education Center in McKinney. I'd like your input on either or both of these locations if you've tested in them, what are your thoughts? What's my best option? My aim is to register by the end of the week.

Thanks again!

Hey guys! Had a 7Sager email in with a question that I thought you guys could help out with. Note that any iterations of "you" are referencing J.Y.

I have a question for you regarding reading comprehension, specifically the comparison passages.

I noticed that in several older videos/tests with the comparison passages, you read both passages first and then went straight to the questions. In the newer tests though, I saw that you did one comparison passage first, then went to the questions and answered them or eliminated answer choices, and then read the second passage and returned to the questions afterwards. When I do this second approach of reading one passage, going to the questions, and then reading the second passage VERSUS reading both passages before the questions, I end up spending more time on the questions.

Would it be wiser for me to stick to reading both passages first and then heading over to the questions, OR should I retrain myself to the method that you have been doing in newer tests of reading one passage and then going to the questions before reading the second passage?

Also, I'm curious what your view is on marking/notating the passages while reading the passage. Your videos focus on the memory method. For me personally, I have to underline and circle words in order to stay focused and engaged with the reading. I've seen different methods regarding notating such as the Powerscore book and Nicole Hopkins' methods of Reading Comp. From your experience, do most of the high test takers whom you have worked with heavily mark the passage or not as they read?

Thanks!

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!

After realizing that I've been following a poor study plan, I now think I need to go back to fundamentals. As a side point, I am also going to fool proof games 1-35 while returning to cc because I have a bad habit of focusing on one area and neglecting others. I was wondering how others go about reviewing the cc for a second go. Chronologically, or by jumping around? Do you also do all of the drills within the lessons over again?

I got a 149 and have 3.63 gpa and my top school is Rutgers. I have 1 year paralegal experience, great recommendations and should have a good personal statement as well. I am only aiming for 5 points more. My best section is RC but I am only able to finish 3 passages and for logic games- linear and not too complex grouping is good for me but LR even though I get most of the concepts, I feel as though I am slow and so any tips on speed? OR SHOULD I JUST APPLY AND HOPE FOR THE BEST

Hey guys, I'm not sure if I'm considered a URM. My father is South Asian and my mother is African American. Are South Asian's URM?

I'm applying to NYU, UPenn, NW, BU, UCLA, and Georgetown.

So I did it! I got a great LSAT score. And now I am completely lost on what to do.

Before I got my Dec score back I had a planned list of schools I was going to apply to and I had a decent personal statement written out. Now with this higher score I'm having to adjust the schools I am applying to and I feel like my personal statement needs to be completely re-done. I'm also a super splitter with some amazing softs but I'm not sure which schools will even consider that. Part of me wants to blanket the T-14 schools with applications and hope for the best. Another part of me wants to be more surgical with my applications and target schools that are more friendly to my situation.

Basically, without the LSAT, I am now completely lost...

Any suggestions?

Stats:

LSAT: 171

cGPA: 2.8

Degree GPA: 4.0 (64 units straight)

Non-traditional with a 5 year gap between bad grades and 4.0.

Softs: Marine Corps, Working for a higher level court for a year, Internship at a state court for a year and a couple more.

What would you do? What do I do? I am feeling pretty lost.

Redacted

Hi guys,

After much delay, finally took the lsat and my Dec score wasn't what i wanted (164), have a 3.76 gpa from a top 15 for ug, think i have a relatively strong personal statement. what are my options for this admission cycle? cannot fathom (for my own mental stability) punting going back to law school for another year so that's really just off the table for me, unfortunately.

Two questions:

Hi guys. I’ve made a stupid mistake in my applications. I’ve already completed and send in most of my applications; however, I recently got my driving record and found out one of the two speeding tickets I got was 20+ and it counts a reckless driving which is considered a misdemeanor in the state I’m from. Is there anyway I could update this information on my application that I’ve already submitted by notifying the schools? It happened several years ago and honestly didn’t even realize it was so serious until I got my record. Should I just email or call the admissions office for each school I applied it?

Happy Holidays to everyone done studying, still studying and just starting! :-D

I had a quick question regarding the character and fitness sections for a few specific schools. I know most of the schools in the T14 add a stipulation to their character and fitness questions that reads something along the lines of "excluding minor traffic infractions." However, there's a few that I've seen (Cornell, NYU, Penn) that don't include this proviso and ask for . I was ticketed for failing to completely stop at a stop sign about 2 years ago and although it turned out to be a parking ticket in the end, is this included as something I should disclose/explain?

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays everyone!

I got a 170 on the December test but think I'm capable of more (my recent PT avg was around 172). If I were to be wait listed at a T6, could sending a higher Feb score get me accepted? Are there any drawbacks to taking Feb (other than having to study more)?

Question, I received a 143 on my lsat and the school I'm looking at 25th percentile is a 145. However, my gpa is well over their 75th percentile. I have already submitted my applications, do I ask the school to hold the application until I take February's test? Also if i retake the February test and get a higher score, do they consider that for scholarships?

Just wondering ... ;-)

On December 26, 2015, I decided to take the LSAT. I bought a book from Barnes and Noble, immediately registered to take the test February 6th 2016. My first practice test I ever took, I got a 139. When I took the test, I got a 155. After I got my score, I signed up for 7Sage. I'm a mom of 3 (my kids are 7, 5, & 3), and I work full-time, so while I wasn't able to study as much as I would've liked, I put in my best effort, and I was able to pull a 164 out of the December LSAT. While not a 170, I'm still really proud of myself for hitting the 90th percentile. I just want to encourage anybody that feels like they're never going to improve their score, or like their starting score is "too low" to see a big improvement! Stick with it, and trust the process, even when it sucks. Happy Holidays, 7sagers!

:warning: **This post contains spoilers to PT80.S4.Q15** :warning:

I had trouble parsing out the stimulus of PT80.S4.Q15 (which is supposed to be an easy MSS question) because I did not understand what "... than otherwise would be" was referring to at first.

I was advised that I should make a post to practice using "otherwise" as appeared in the stimulus.

• During this holiday season, I gained more weight than I otherwise would, since studying for the LSAT stressed me out.

:star: Comparison: weight gain during the holiday season with the LSAT v. weight gain during holiday seasons without the LSAT

https://media.giphy.com/media/uPRX2fS9wVVx6/giphy.gif

• The increase in my LSAT score is more than it otherwise would be, since I have the best LSAT teacher.

:star: Comparison: The increase in LSAT score with @"J.Y. Ping" v. The increase in LSAT score without @"J.Y. Ping"

https://media.giphy.com/media/sJMDOVSvKlXMs/giphy.gif

• I am less worried about the law school application process than I otherwise would be, since I have the 7Sage Admission Course.

:star: Comparison: Me with 7Sage v. Me without 7Sage

https://media.giphy.com/media/l2JhtY8TXJVPIAenS/giphy.gif

I need to come up with more, but I can't seem to get my mind off of LSAT/law school apps.

Happy holidays, everyone! ☃️

I have a hypothetical situation-question:

I'm waiting to hear back from a bunch of schools, but let's say that I get waitlisted at some of them. Do waitlist reviews by the schools still go on at at the end of June/during July? Would taking a June 2018 LSAT and scoring higher than my current highest score help me get off the waitlist? If anyone has experienced something like this or knows more about the waitlist process during the summer, please chime in! This is all a "maybe" for me and I hate the thought of retaking the LSAT but I'd like to prepare for different scenarios. I don't want to take the February LSAT because I heard weird stories about those and undisclosed tests scare me.

Thank you~

I'm taking the Feb 2018 LSAT. Why is the Feb test so dreaded? Just because they report the score? Is that paranoia or is there some evidence that it is harder? Also, who takes the Feb test? June seems like overachievers. Sept/Oct obviously most popular. December has many retakes. I didn't think much of this until I googled it (a regret).

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.

I'm taking the Feb 2018 LSAT. Why is the Feb test so dreaded? Just because they report the score? Is that paranoia or is there some evidence that it is harder? Also, who takes the Feb test? June seems like overachievers. Sept/Oct obviously most popular. December has many retakes. I didn't think much of this until I googled it (a regret).

Hey, all. I was recently having a convo with someone else studying for the test. The convo was regarding timed and untimed scores. I said that if one scores the same on a timed PT as on an untimed PT that indicates a lack in knowledge and fundamentals because untimed you have time to think out strategy and whatever else to get the correct answer but you still didn’t. The other person didn’t agree. What are your thoughts?

Hey, guys. Why is there talk of three M here when the rules say exactly two M? JY mentions three M and others also mentioned in the comments section. What am I missing here? Three M was never an option for me becatse of that rule.

Hi everyone,

I have a bit of a weird problem... Over my preparation for the LSAT, I have made HUGE improvements but I have one thing in LR still holding me back and I am really not sure what I should/can do to fix this. Whenever I am doing an LR section, I am not sure if I get nervous or anxious but I read a stimulus and have trouble remembering what I read, which sometimes requires me to have to reread the stimuli a second or a third time before moving to the AC. Interestingly, as SOON as I am done the section and the 35 minutes have passed, I read through the section again and I have no problem with recall. It is as if timing resulted in me having trouble remembering the stimuli. Also, this only happens in the LR section and usually at the beginning. I think by question 4 I am fine. Even with this problem, however, I am still under -9 for both LR combined.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? Will it go away as I just do more timed sections? Any advice would be appreciated!

I am really struggling with these questions. As soon as I hit the medium level questions I have hit a wall. Any tips?