Hi everyone,

I was hoping to get some of your guys' sage advice on timing and accuracy. Recently, I've been doing a lot of focused drilling on LR. I took a PT yesterday, and I found my accuracy has improved. However, I'm finding it a little bit harder to complete all the questions ( I feel myself scrambling at times on the last five questions). Has this happened to anyone else? I used to be able to finish all 25 or 26 questions, but now I find myself leaving one or two blank. Is there a way to improve my timing while ensuring that my accuracy doesn't increase? At this point, should I continue drilling, or should I start doing timed section? Both?

Thanks in advance!

Hey all,

I thought I'd share this discovery.

7Sage advocates doing what works best for you, but to be honest my "works best for me" patterns were heavily influenced by the first prep-materials I used: PowerScore. From what I remember, PowerScore heavily advocates diagramming RC passages. Of course then, I have been diagramming the heck out of RC passages since forever. But consequently, RC has always been my slowest section.

But I didn't care! I was doing really well on RC, at least in the earlier exams. But then RC changed. Starting in the mid-2000s RC became a lot more "big picture" and less "fact-test-y." I started missing a lot of questions (from -1 or -2 in early PTs to -5 or -6 on later PTs), usually because of rushing with timing, but also because diagramming for these didn't really help! The modern PTs were a lot less about "can you remember this specific word usage in this specific part" to "What statements would the author agree with?"

AKA - RC went more from specific to big picture.

Being stubborn, I didn't change my RC methods. And consequently, RC was consistently my worst section.

Coming back to PrepTesting after a months break (since Sept. exam), I tried a new method of approaching RC: just reading.

That's right. Just reading.

Underline stuff here or there, but no real marking of viewpoints, no circling indicator words, no writing "CC" or "Quest" beside certain passages. I just read. I focused less on the little details, and more on internalizing the text and really understanding what I was reading.

What has this given me? -0 to -1 on modern RC. (3 modern PTs so far!)

I thought I'd share this with you all; maybe it will help some of you!

TL;DR - Modern RC is less nitpicky about certain word usage, and will ask more questions that do not pertain directly to the text (the author would agree with which statement?). Consequently, just reading the passage, and not trying to diagram everything, could prove much more helpful.

Best,

Paul

Hi all,

I noticed in some recent videos JY recommends checking the MBT question answer choices as you make inferences so you don't do extra work. And in principle that makes sense. But it doesn't seem like that rule is consistently followed? Sometimes the videos go significantly further in making inferences before going to the answer choices, even going as far as to draw out multiple boards for a single question rather than checking the answers after an inference, then, if that's not there, going further down the inference chain. And sometimes the videos end up with the ultimate inference and then checks the answer choices for that ultimate inference even though there are multiple MBT inferences along the way. Is that process just skipped for time reasons in the videos? Or because checking in between each inference is sometimes counterproductive (makes you lose your train of thought)? Is there an element of hindsight when explaining knowing when to stop with a certain inference and when to go further?

The explanation for #21 in the PT82 game 4 is a good example (at ~14:00 minute mark):

The first MBT inference is that W gets S. The second MBT inference is that R doesn't get S. The third MBT inference is that R doesn't get M. The fourth MBT inference is that R gets J. Should we be checking the answers after every inference?

Hellos all,

so i have been experimenting with using the pomodoro technique for 35 min time slabs gearing up for the LSAT....really helpful with focussed study and deep work....and training the brain...

have downloaded tomighty and marinara as chrome extensions on my devices....thought might share the collated list of effective apps to try out....

APPS THAT MAY HELP YOU?

Forest: You can plant a seed in Forest. In the following time, this seed will gradually grow into a tree. However, if you cannot resist the temptation and leave this app to check Facebook or play a game, your tree will wither away. It’s available for both Android and iOS.Link

Tide: It combines the most popular time management method Pomodoro Technique with peaceful White Noise, Tide makes your time more productive and enjoyful. I personally use this app and I love it. It’s available for both Android and iOS.

Tomighty: A free desktop timer for the Pomodoro Technique. It’s not available for your smartphones rather its for your PC or Mac. If you have to study or work on your computer, in such case you can use it as focus agent.

Marinara: No this is not sauce, its Marinara Timer. A Pomodoro-style timer you can tailor to fit your productivity needs. You can set time segments that fit your workflow, reduce distractions and share your productivity timer with teammates to complete tasks more efficiently.

Hey guys! Fiesta here again.

So I have come across some points of confusion with PSA question types on my last PT runs. Usually, I found success with PSA questions by thinking about them like SA questions. Find the conditional that triggers P and concludes C. However, there have been a couple PSA questions that I have had trouble with because they do not fit this mold (68.2.5/68.2.13/68.2.16). I can't remember the specific video, but J.Y mentioned that PSA questions can be treated like STRENGTHEN questions under certain circumstances. I can see how that is helpful, but I was wondering what tactics yall have for attacking these PSA types that do not conform to the usual SA structure?

I understand why answer choice C is correct, but I can't seem to be able to rule answer choice B out. Can someone explain why answer choice B isn't the answer/ why answer choice C is better?

The way I see it answer choice B does significantly weaken the argument because it's showing that people are in fact motivated by money in their job choices, especially if they're identical in all other aspects.

https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-60-section-1-question-13

https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-19-section-1-game-2/

For this game I misunderstood the rule. Can someone explain what consecutive would translate to in logic games? I assumed consecutive could mean two L's are placed on the same day as well. Also having trouble in general with games that have more slots than characters. Any advice?

Why are the Tri Conderoga’s so freaking hard to sharpen!

I think I want to use this pencil for test day but can’t seem to get a good point. Anyone have any suggestions?

Also, I’ve been digging the Staedler Wopex. But the tip keeps breaking.

Any other pencils out there people recommend?

Hi everyone,

My biggest issue right now is not freaking out while taking timed prep tests and I'm stuck on how to get over this feeling. I'm BRing in the 170s, so I know that I know the curriculum and that's not the issue. But every time I sit down to take a prep test and I start the timer, I feel my heart racing, I start panicking and I just fly through the questions to get to the end, and it's really impacting how well I'm doing on the timed sections.

I'm not sure what to do to calm my nerves. I've tried doing breathing exercises before sitting down to take a test but it doesn't seem to help.

Any advice would be helpful!

https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-43-section-2-question-20/

I find this to be the most interesting LR question I've come across, because I'm pretty darn sure it requires you to make an inference leap based on common sense. Rule #1 about LSAT logical reasoning -- common sense inferences are thrown out the window unless they're supported by the passage.

Answer choice D is the credited answer. Answer choice D requires you to make an assumption that's not in LSAT world. What's your thoughts?

I chose B.

What are some tactful responses you have given to friends and family about this? Thanks!

I do not see any in the CC

When you attach an addendum to an application, it asks you to describe it. Should you just write "Character and Fitness Addendum" for example or should you include your LSAC number? Similarly, when you save the file with the addendum what should you title it as?

Hi all,

Will there be any BR calls planned for the September 2017 exam?

Hey guys,

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Redacted

Hello all,

I've completed my PS but have a problem. When I double space the essay manually, I get around 900 words and can fit everything I want to say so badly in the two pages i am given. But when I use the double space function on microsoft word, it shoots me to 2 full pages and a paragraph in the third page. Im trying to cut things out that might be a little redundant but Im hardly getting 700 words and dont think this is appropriate.

Can I get by just double spacing manually?

(P1) A recent study shows that there is a correlation between refusing to think about your problems and getting gum disease.

(P2) Stress causes suppression of the immune system.

(C) The recent study shows that suppression of the immune system causes higher levels of gum disease

(NA) Refusing to think about your problems increases a person's level of stress.

Why do we have to assume that refusing to think about your problems CAUSES increased levels of stress? To me, it just seems that we are only required to assume that those who refuse to think about there problems are more stressed. Maybe it is the stress that causes them not to think about their problems... Who knows! I don't see why we have to assume a causal relationship between the two for the argument to work.

https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-70-section-4-question-10/

Is it necessary to account for semester breaks during my undergraduate studies? Do I need to provide an explanation?

Do I need to explain my cancelled LSAT test?

I have really bad anxiety but I haven't seen a doctor about it. Do I need to mention this is why I cancelled the score.

Hey guys!

So I have consistently been getting a BR Score that is on average close to my Target score nonetheless getting questions correct and completing them all within the time allotted has proven to be difficult for me.

I would still like to aim for higher than my target score though I only have so much time until the December test so I feel like it's wise to start working on timing now.

I have one month until Test Day. What has worked for you guys in terms of timing for each section?

As for trying to still get those harder LR questions. I plan on drilling down specific question types, however I find that near the end of each LR section is when I start having trouble with questions.

I could not detect the conclusion in the stimulus, therefore initially chose answer choice (A).

After reviewing, I just want to confirm if the conclusion is the sentence that starts with "Increasing the number of electric cars on the road..."

The AMA train continues!

Join me on Wednesday for a great discussion with JY about how I worked my way up to scoring a 177 on the September LSAT.

The short answer: the 7Sage community. It truly kept me engaged and motivated to do my best. We will talk about my LSAT journey, the section strategies that worked best for me, studying phases, and more. It turns out that I actually enjoy this test, and I hope this will be a fun and informative conversation.

I hope to see you there!

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/945314133

You can also dial in using your phone.

United States: +1 (669) 224-3412

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Hi guys, so I’m currently studying for the December LSAT & finishing up my essays for the application.

Since the test is in December and I won’t know my score until January, does it make a difference whether I submit my application in December (without knowing my store) vs. in January, once I have received my LSAT score.

Hi @"Alan Cheuk" and @"Dillon A. Wright",

Would it be possible to see answers for LR questions in PT1-17 in the Question Bank?

I know there are no explanations available, so there are only Discussion buttons. But it would be great if we can see the answers quickly. (I have to go to e-docs to see the answers.)

https://imgur.com/kL5PZkR

Hi everyone!

I was going over the questions I got wrong and I really do not understand what C is saying. I understand why all of the other AC are incorrect, I also understand why D is correct; however, I am having trouble understanding what C is saying. From what I understand: is C saying that only one cause can have one effect? But isn’t Ray saying that the effect (trunk popping) could be caused by anything other than a pothole? Or maybe I’m not understanding the logic of this question? It was shocking that I got this question wrong because I have usually only been getting questions near the end wrong. I really don’t understand why C is wrong. Can someone please clarify?

Thank you!

https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-54-section-4-question-04/