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Last comment sunday, aug 27 2017

RC troubles

Hi all.

So I took PT 70 today and got -15 on the RC. I am normally pretty bad at RC but recently I've done better once I realized exactly how I should be reading the passage and approaching questions (thank you infinitely @"Alex Divine" ).

Nonetheless, pretty bummed on today's RC. I knew it was hard but thought I had tackled it appropriately. However, I used PT 56 RC as my experimental section and I only got -7 wrong!!!! (ugh!) I'd be happy with chilling around -7 max for RC.

Any suggestions on how to appropriately adjust to the more recent difficulty in RC for the most 70s and what to expect on September?

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Last comment sunday, aug 27 2017

Question

Hello!

Do you guys think that the LSAT for September will be similar to Preptest 81?! Or preptest 80? Or is it too hard to tell?

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Hello fellow sagers,

I'm looking for advice from people who have been on the same boat and who have ideally gotten out of it successfully by doing (x).

I am consistently scoring +70-72 which is anywhere from 157-159. I am aiming to break 160 but I know on test day there's a high possibility to miss a few more points vs during PT's at home... Thus, I want to be consistently earning 80 points per practice test.

I have been BR'ing very intensely and the only thing I seem to be consistent in is LG's. For some tests my RC is very low (-12) while the other sections make up for it, in other tests, I get -3 on one LR section and -11 on another LR. I attribute the discrepancies in LR to unfamiliar stimulus vs the cookie cutter ones I get correct and have seen time and time again. My RC usually never exceeds (-7) therefore, I know this is something I should be doing more timed sections in.

I am reaching out for advice because I don't really know how to best utilize the last couple weeks before test day. Maybe investing in a private tutor would help? If any of you have seen one or have a good method of how to go about what I've discussed, I'd really appreciate any feedback!

Thank you,

Stephanie

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Last comment saturday, aug 26 2017

165 to 170 by December LSAT

Hi all,

I hope all of your studies are going well! I'm writing to ask about any tips for the final climb (presumably the hardest one) from a 165 to 170+. I'm still registered for the September LSAT, but I'm thinking of either taking it and canceling it OR just taking it again come December.

My LSAT journey has been long and turbulent, and I'm ready to just MOVE ON with my life come December. That said, I'm almost there. I've been consistently scoring 165 with the occasional 170 or so, which have been rare but also on the "easier" tests with a more generous curve, or I get lucky with a really easy LG/RC section. My BR scores are nearly perfect -- almost always a 180, and a few 177-178s. Any ideas on how to close the gap?

My score breakdown is as follows:

LR (-3 to -5 per section)

LG (-0 to -2)

RC (-2 to -8)

As you can see, my range for RC is ridiculous. On a good day, I can score -1 or -2, but on a bad day, I can miss as many as 8. I am STILL running out of time for some RC sections -- at the 5 minute mark, I'm either halfway through the last passage, or just starting it and rush through the questions. So any tips on STABILIZING RC scores would be much appreciated.

I've also been studying part-time, so the sheer fact of not being able to dedicate 8 hours a day to studying may be a factor. I have the option of taking off of work for two months starting in September. It would be good to know if this would be a worthwhile endeavor.

If you know of any tips to really gain those last few points, please share! I'd be eternally grateful.

Thank you in advance!

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Hi All,

I remember being able to print off prep tests on 7sage the last time I logged in (about 2 months ago) under Course - Syllabus but I can't seem to find them anymore. Are they taken off from the website now? If not, where can I go to find them? Thanks for your help in advance!!

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Last comment saturday, aug 26 2017

Drop in score? Sleep!

Hi guys!

I wanted to share an experience I had and a realization!

I had a really good month and my score was going closer and closer to where I wanted it. (Yay!) Then this week, I noticed I felt stressed, and was getting a score drop. When I sat down to look at my mistakes from both tests, I realized something: I didn't sleep enough both of the nights before the practice test. As a result, I was making some really silly mistakes that I already had learned how to avoid. I know, I know. I totally should have seen this coming. But I think that goes to show my point. So many of us completely forget to take care of ourselves. Especially fellow double majors, perfectionists and part time or full time employees.

I decided to take a hiatus for a full day and do drills this week before doing another test. And honestly, I think my mind is already thanking me.

I know I've been doing alot of self care posts lately but we prospective and entering lawyers honestly need it.

I hope this speaks to you guys and helps any of you who might be worried.

Peace out,

Shireen.

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Last comment friday, aug 25 2017

Is it me or....

Do the early LR sections (PTs 10 - 20) seem a little more difficult than the sections in the later PTs? I find the language in the stimulus for many questions to be a little convoluted. Is that just me?

I am using the early PTs for drilling but I'm getting more questions wrong per section than for the most recent tests. I really want to write in December and I have limited time to study, so trying to figure out if I should keep going or ditch the early PTs.

Thanks!

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Last comment friday, aug 25 2017

LSAT Average

Hi All,

Quick question--we routinely refer to our current "PT average." I know J.Y. must have addressed this somewhere in the CC (I went and looked for the video and could not find it, so maybe I'm making that up), but what constitutes our "average"? Most recent 5 PTs? 10? All of them?

Also, what's the standard outcome regarding performance on test day? I vaguely remember someone (J.Y. maybe?) saying that you can expect to score +3 or -3, depending on how you personally handle pressure and nerves.

Just want to get a realistic range of what I can expect come September. Thanks in advance!

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Hi All,

As the title states, I'm torn on whether or not to take the February or June LSAT. I'm out of undergrad and working full time, planning on applying to schools in 2018-19 and enrolling Fall '19.

That said, I've been studying a decent amount (comparable to a light jog) for the past few weeks with the idea of ramping up to a full sprint for about 3-4 months.

I've taken a blind diagnostic and got a 150, and then took a prep test after studying for a few weeks and got a 155.

Any insight on when to take the test would be greatly appreciated!

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When I go to print PT 81 out, the cover says "Sept 2017". While it would be amazing to see the entire Sept test before I take it, I think we have a clerical error here.

@"Dillon A. Wright"

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For months now I have been scoring virtually perfectly on logical reasoning, missing 1 to 3 questions on reading and endeavoring to avoid all out disaster on logic games.

I have been progressing through the tests and took PT's 70 and 71 this morning. I recieved a 175 and 176 respectively. The overall score was fine. I'm retaking a 172 and a 175 or 176 is about the neighborhood of score that I am hoping for.

The strange part was that on both tests I was perfect on Games and Reading. All my mistakes came on LR. I just had my best ever logic games and reading comp combination on a test and then sat down and did it again. But both times I ended up right in my normal range overall because I had my worst logical reasoning test in months twice in a row.

Anyways, I caught most of the logical reasoning mistakes in blind review. But, at this point I'm suddenly no longer confident of a couple point increase over my 172. It feels like I could get anything from a score lower than a 170 up to a 180. After all, my LR's could return to their norm and the logic games could maintain this new level or my games could return to their norm and my LR sections could stay in their slump from today.

Maybe tests 70 and 71 were different? Maybe I was in the mood for games? I'll see what it's like tommorow.

I was really planning to cram in as many PT's as I can through this weekend and just prep by reviewing them while I'm in school which starts next week for me. So there isn't much time for much of a fix other than to review all of the LR problems with even more attention.

Has anyone else experienced such a flip in which sections are their strengths? How did you settle it if you did?

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Last comment friday, aug 25 2017

Trusting your game board

Hey everyone,

Any tips on reviewing game boards? I'm finding I'm either missing a rule, or overthinking the game board (i.e. thinking of all of the options and/or missing an option.)

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...I haven't asked for advice on here yet (but always derive some good suggestions from others' questions), but I was wondering if anyone had any study tips for breaking past a last hurdle concerning the scoring on new PTs.

I originally didn't have any particular scoring goal in mind, but just had a kind of floor--that I didn't want to drop below--of 167-168. However, I'm now at a point where I'm trying to decide whether to take the September test or to cancel and take it in December (but at this point, I think I'll probably stick with the former) and am currently hovering around on the recent PTs (later than 65) at 172-173 (I admit that I have not BR'd these tests--right now, a terrible habit). As for the breakdowns, I usually get LR -1 to -4 total, RC -1 to -3, and LG -2 to -4, with the total amount wrong for any given (recent) test being around 8. Granted, these are better scores than I had in mind when starting out. However, it seems that it would be worthwhile to try to push beyond this final little plateau (to scores of 175 and above) if at all possible.

Now I know that I should foolproof the LG, and have really been just doing games the past 3 weeks while not studying the other sections, but I was just wondering if anyone had any knowledge of a plan of attack that would, over the course of 2 weeks or so, consistently yield a two or three point improvement?

I know that this is hard, since I would assume that it requires making a diffuse range of skills incrementally better and that there is no silver bullet to breaking this plateau. It is also not lost on me that this might sound like complaining about a score that I've no right to ask for. However, I still felt that asking was worth a shot from those who have broken a similar plateau or those who are aware of this strategies with this particular barrier.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

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So i sparingly take PTs, i see a huge benefit in taking timed sections bc of the ability to BR directly after and to work on skipping, implementing section strategies, and a multitude of other reasons. I take a PT every 1.5 to 2 weeks.

I was wondering if it is indicative of my score if i were to calculate my overall score for those individual timed sections?

My average on the timed sections is a 172.

I would just calculate my PT scores, but i dont really have enough tests to properly average. Iv taken 5 PTs in the past 2 months but they are so spaced out my first was a 160,166,174,173,169 (165 which im not counting due to circumstances) . The most recent was 3 weeks ago bc i took some time off and am working on a perfected skipping strategy.

Thoughts on split up sections vs timed PTs?

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Hi all,

I'm in a bit of a conundrum. I will preface this post by saying for most of my life race/ethnicity was not a big part of my identity, nor did I really research or probe my parents about my ancestry. My parents are both from the Philippines, so naturally in Undergrad admissions I merely put "Asian" as my race.

However, throughout college my ethnic background and ancestry has become more important to me. In fact, my personal statement will be about how my family's immigrant history pushed me to pursue law.

I found out that my ethnic background isn't just purely Filipino. I always sort of knew this, my dad doesn't look Filipino at all and my mom is more pale-skinned.

My dad is what Filipinos call a "mestizo-pinoy" - 1/2 Spanish (from Spain), 1/2 Filipino. My mom is 1/2 Chinese, 1/2 Filipino.

I mean my dad literally gets mistaken for purely Hispanic (he has really really curly hair and pale white skin). Our mixed genetics has made all my brothers look very different - one looks Mexican, one like a Hapa, one like an Italian, and then me - the most Chinese looking one.

To mark my application as just Asian - Filipino/Chinese feels wrong. It's not an accurate portrayal of what my ethnicity really is, nor is it what I identify as.

But how do I mark "Spanish?" Caucasian? Hispanic? Also, while the U.S. Census Bureau's understanding of the definition of "Hispanic" is those Latin American countries or other countries that speak Spanish, others define it as those countries that were colonized by Spain and had resulting Spanish influence. The Philippines, a country that was colonized by the Spaniards, has pretty evident Spanish influence (a high level of Catholocism, the food, even people's names (dad's name is Alberto, mom's is Trinidad (Spanish for Trinity)), and is grouped in as being a Hispanic nation according to non-Census standards.

Because of that, I personally identify as having come from a Hispanic country, but this is currently incongruous with the U.S. Census Bureau's definition.

If it were up to what I personally identify as, I would 100% put Hispanic. However, I'm worried this will look disingenuous to the admission's officers or the LSAC in general. I'm contemplating sending an e-mail directly to the LSAC to lay all my cards on the table and get a decision with some finality.

But what do you all think? What should I mark my ethnicity as? Especially mentors/people working for 7Sage. I could really use the advice!

Thanks in advance.

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Hello 7sagers - good luck to those taking the upcoming September LSAT! I'm having some trouble coming up with a personal statement topic. Does talking about my college athletic career and the characteristics/traits its developed in me an overused topic? I've thought about taking the angle of how I went into college with an idea of how my career would turn out, how it didn't, and what I learned from that and how it lead me to pursue a legal career. Thoughts?

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Same deal as Oldies but Goodies - just different title!

RC got you like this?

https://m.popkey.co/621615/MYrv7.gif

Thanks to Josh (a.k.a @"Cant Get Right" ), we're going to work on changing that!

While Josh will continue to handle (primarily) LR from the old PTs, I'll now be hosting an RC-focused Oldies but Goodies, following Josh's PT schedule along the way. Eye-roll-inducing, artsy fartsy passages? Obnoxiously dull and dizzying science passages? Inference Questions? Obligatory GIFs?? Yes to all!!

If you're able, swing by after having already done the RC section of the week. We'll breakdown one or two passages, the respective answer choices, and strategies for expertly and efficiently moving through the section. Our sessions will always be best with input, so don't be afraid to chime in!

Let's make RC something to look forward to!

Oldies but Goodies - PT 35

Thursday, August 24, 8:30 PM EDT

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

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/853312053

You can also dial in using your phone.

United States: +1 (872) 240-3212

Access Code: 853-312-053

First GoToMeeting? Try a test session: https://care.citrixonline.com/g2m/getready

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In my tenure on 7Sage and TLS it has always seemed like a 160 is seen as the minimum respectable score. I receive many messages a month about people asking me what it takes to hit the 160 mark. I get that it's not a 180, but it seems to be a score a lot of people are chasing. Perhaps they will continue to improve, but it still seems to be this benchmark that people generally strive to hit.

I thought it might be a good idea to start a thread where those who have scored a 160+ can give tips and advice on what skills, materials, and practices one should focus on to reach that score.

Disclaimer: I believe everyone should aim for a 180. Period. However, there are tons of people out there just aiming for a 160-165 range and I think it would be helpful to put together a thread with tips advice geared towards hitting that range.

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Hello fellow 7sagers!

I have been just finished some of the problem sets for Weakening questions and have done 5 problem sets so far. I have gotten them all correct so far except for a total of three questions wrong.

I also did fairly well on the Most Strongly Supported questions, however again, I only completed up to problem set 8.

I was just wondering if the problem sets get harder as you go on? Since I have been getting the first couple problem sets correct so far, I feel like I can go on to the next question type but I don't want to do this if I have only exposed myself to the 'easier' problem sets. I plan on saving the rest of the problem sets to as I go on with the Core curriculum just so I can refresh my memory and keep the strategy for each question type "fresh."

Is this a good strategy so far?

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I really need a strategy that works in terms of doing logic games. I did exceptionally well on logic games a year ago, however I basically have plummeted and now need to re-learn everything since I didn't end up writing the LSAT due to personal reasons.

Is there a strategy people have found that works for them?

So far this is what I have been doing in terms of the Fool-proof method:

Do a timed game.

BR.

Watch video explanation.

Do timed game again.

Repeat steps 2-3 if needed.

Do the same game again the next day and once again a week after to see if I still got it.

I found this shortened method in a previous discussion post, but can't seem to find the link.

I was just wondering how many games I should do a day, since I am still doing the CC so I can't focus entirely on logic games right now but still want to keep the strategies fresh since I have already completed the Powerscore LG Bible workbook and it helped a lot!!!

Totally recommend it to anyone who is struggling with LG.

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I've heard repeatedly on this forum and others that someone should expect to drop 3 or 4 points from their Testing average on the actual test day (because of nerves, new environment, etc).

I just want to suggest that this is a really self-defeating thought to have in your mind. I'm not saying don't be prepared to potentially do worse, but also don't go in assuming a 3 to 4 point drop in score. I've met at least 5 people that have told me they PEAKED on test day. That is, they scored their highest on test day, sometimes 2 or 3 points over their normal prep test score.

I'm not saying you should go in assuming you will score 2-3 points higher on test day, but I would suggest orienting oneself around a goal of peak performance instead of an assumption of dropping points.

The mind is a powerful thing.

Consider an Olympic athlete. Many athletes have "Peak" performance on the actual day of the Olympics, getting better and faster times than they ever did in practice. Some get nervous and do worse. Point is, it can go either way. I'd aim for thinking about Test Day as your peak day.

Of course work hard and get the best average score you can before test day, and be prepared for anything, but go into the test aiming to peak.

Just my 2 cents.

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