http://www.wsj.com/article_email/lsats-grip-on-law-school-admissions-loosens-1455964203-lMyQjAxMTA2NTI2MjYyMjI5Wj

Interesting article. Part of me does wish the LSAT was more similar to the GRE like offering the LSAT on a rolling basis and making it computer based so results can get back faster. To do that though, I think you'd have to get rid of the games section. As much as the games are "fun" and relatively "easy" points once you fool proof them, it is a useless section that should be replaced with a math section like on the GRE, but that's a totally separate discussion.

Also, many law schools are trying to find ways to combat the declining application problem. Getting rid of the LSAT barrier and accepting the GRE (which far more people take) might cause someone on the margin to decide to apply to law school (and boost revenue numbers via application fees and stuff). It's not that uncommon for people to wake up one day, decide to take the LSAT, and apply to law school (as weird as that sounds); making it easier for people to apply in general by accepting a broader test is just going to encourage those people more I think.

Lastly, LOL at this part: "The entirety of the LSAT was meant to mimic the law school experience..."

Looking for a LSAT tutor?

As you know, we have a number of folks in our community who are active LSAT tutors. All of them tutor virtually and several of them tutor in person as well. These are folks we know who we believe to be excellent tutors. While they don't work for 7sage, they're active members of our community and we want to identify them for you.

We wanted to introduce you to Allison Gill Sanford in particular. @allison.gill.sanford is located in Seattle, WA and does both in-person and online tutoring. Having gotten to know Allison over the past few months, I can speak specifically to her affability and commitment to hers students' improvement. Allison scored a 173 and specializes in LR and RC.

If you'd like to get a taste of what it might be like to work with Allison, be sure to attend her webinar on Tuesday 2/23 . She offers free consults and has a limited number of subsidized hours available through 7sage for those for whom cost is a concern.

PM @allison.gill.sanford if you'd like to inquire about rates and/or to set up a free 30 minute consult!

Looking for a LSAT tutor?

As you know, we have a number of folks in our community who are active LSAT tutors. All of them tutor virtually and several of them tutor in person as well. These are folks we know who we believe to be excellent tutors. While they don't work for 7sage, they're active members of our community and we want to identify them for you.

A man who probably needs no introduction, Corey Janson has been a Mentor, Sage, and all-around active leader in our community since the summer of 2015. @c.janson35 has led a bunch of webinars for us (you can see videos of his work at 7sage.com/webinar ) and has been tutoring for a while now. Also known as "The Logic Catcher," Corey scored a 176 on the October 2015 LSAT and teaches all three sections of the test. He's an exceptionally nice guy and has a deep knowledge of the LSAT.

Corey offers free consults and has a limited number of subsidized hours available through 7sage for those for whom cost is a concern.

PM @c.janson35 if you'd like to inquire about rates and/or to set up a free 30 minute consult!

Has anyone been put on hold by a law school after they finish their initial review? If so can you please share what your experience has been like & if you did anything to improve the chances of changing the hold to an accept? Thank you in advance.

Hey guys

I am registered for the Feb LSAT, it is taking place on 28th Feb in Asia. I have been studying for the test on and off for the past 6 months while I somehow juggled my seven day workweek of over 80 hours, it wasn't really "preparation". One month ago I took leave from work to study for the LSAT full time, I had completed the curriculum earlier so just went through some lessons again as a refresher. I have taken 6 prep tests (mix of pts in 40s, 50s and one from 70s) and I am averaging at 160 actual and a br score between 170-175(br-ing only the circled ones as recommended on 7sage) . I want to ideally score around 168 plus to have a chance at getting some scholarship at a decent law school and I am willing to put in the work and time, however, I was wondering if I should still take the LSAT to get a feel of it. I know I will not score in my target range if I take the test in Feb. In my limited knowledge most law schools consider only the highest LSAT score and having an experience of taking the test could only benefit. Or should I aim at nailing the June LSAT and take it when I am atleast feeling ready. Right now it is like I know I am not ready but I am registered so may be I should get the experience of writing the real exam but at the same time I am wondering if it will be waste of a take. This community has been super helpful and I will appreciate any thoughts and advice on this.

Anyone else experiencing a 504 error? I’ve been locked out for about 30 minutes. Really threw my groove off. Anything I can do to avoid this in the future or was that a 7Sage thing?

Before signing up with 7Sage, I took the LSAT twice and fell short. I began studying last July with a lesser study program and I just didn’t effectively prepare myself. While the LR and CR part of my prep wasn’t bad, the Games prep was totally insufficient. Worst of all though, I took a lot of PTs without Blind Reviewing. I wasted those PTs, and I wasted those LSATs. Now, with 7Sage in my corner, I realize just how badly I hurt myself. With only one more shot at it, I feel like there’s a higher threshold of confidence I need to clear before taking it than if it were my first or second attempt. My dilemma is this: I think I’m going to be just shy of 100% confidence for the June LSAT, but I don’t have enough PTs left to hold out for October. I think June is my better prospect. So, to accelerate my schedule to try and hit my 100% confidence level in time for June, I’m considering skipping some of the basic and intermediate LR and RC core curriculum. I really don’t want to, but I’ve spent a lot of time on it already; and even though it wasn’t quite to par with 7Sage, it was decent prep material and I perform well and consistently on those sections. I did the BR on the diagnostic, and I can really tell that that’s where the magic is going to happen for me; so if I’m going to compress my time on anything, I don’t want it to my on my BRs. I’m a little afraid I’ll miss some revolutionary insight that could radically improve my approach, but at this point I think I would benefit more by advancing my schedule so I’ll have more time for PT and BR. What y’all think?

Special Event! Using 7sage's Study Buddy Finder

Thursday, February 25th | 9pm ET

Many of you may be familiar with 7sage's unique Study Buddy Finder tool—but did you know you can use it to find study buddies both in person and virtually? That you can find more advanced users (we call them Sherpas) who can help guide you through the course—or that you can volunteer to be a Sherpa? Or that you can use it to set up special in-person studying opportunities (like taking proctored PT's with a group)? JY and I will be guiding a demonstration and discussion regarding the ways in which you can use this tool and also sharing some ideas about how working with others can really take your LSAT study experience to the next level.

To join this special event, please do the following:

Using 7sage's Study Buddy Finder Tool

Thu, Feb 25, 2016 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM CST

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

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/953478661

You can also dial in using your phone.

United States +1 (312) 757-3121

Access Code: 953-478-661

http://tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations

@"Dillon A. Wright"

Hey, I found a video that I couldn't get to play.

https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-34-section-1-passage-1-questions

Hi! Just wondering if anyone knows where that great list of 19 logical fallacies went? It was really good and comprehensive. Cheers.

I'm redoing some questions that I marked when I first went through the ciriculum, and I came across this tricky one. I fully see why answer D is correct, but I can't figure out what makes B incorrect. Doesn't answer B deny an alternate cause?

Link: https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-33-section-3-question-20

This is a strengthen question.

G is a protein in the brain. In an experiment, rats that preferred fatty foods over lean foods had a lot more G in the brain than did the rats that preferred lean foods over fatty foods. Therefore, G causes rats to crave fatty foods.

What I am looking for: This is a cookie cutter causal flaw. In my mind, a plausible weakener would be that eating fatty foods might cause an increase in G. We need to deny this.

Answer A: OK, so sometimes the rats choose lean foods. So what? Our facts say that the rats "consistently" choose fatty foods. Is this answer choice just sort of restatement of one of our facts? I think it is.

Answer B: This is hard to eliminate, and I think it's wrong because it just isn't relevant. We don't care about the fat in the brain, but rather, a protein in the brain. Part of me still thinks this denies an alternate cause though: the rats didn't prefer the fatty foods due to a fatty brain.

Answer C: So what? We only care about G in the brain, not the food. For this to work, I think you need to assume that the G in the food then goes up to the brain, but that's a weird assumption.

Answer D: This is perfect since it tells us that the rats that like fatty food had higher amounts of G in their brain before they ate the food. This denies that reverse cause scenario that I anticipated.

Answer E: So what? We don't know anything about the efficiency of metabolizing fat.

BR Group!!!! PT 48!

Talk to your heart’s content at Group BR

Saturday, Feb 20th at 8PM ET: PT48

Click here to join this conversation: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/219480381

June BR Group Schedule: http://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/6171/june-test-takers-group-br-schedule-updated

Please click the link and comment if you plan on participating.

You can also dial in to the BR call by using your phone.

United States +1 (571) 317-3112

Access Code: 219-480-381

Note:

Hey guys! Here's the official June LSAT Discussion Thread. Please keep all discussions of the June 2016 LSAT here!

Here's some ground rules, taken from my usual sticky:

We know that everyone will be excited to discuss what was on the June '16 LSAT, but mentioning specifics about the test (e.g., "I got B for question 6" or "the 3rd LG was sequencing") can get both us and you in a lot of trouble with LSAC. Saying that the test was hard/easy without going into detail is okay, but anything more specific is not okay. LSAC monitors this forum.

If you're unsure what may be too specific, feel free to PM me with what you'd like to post.

The only exception is you can say which sections were real or experimental. For example, the LG with "flowers" was experimental. That's okay.

TL;DR: PLEASE don't talk specifics about June's LSAT!

Here's where you can see the current Real/Experimental Sections:

https://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/6923/june-2016-lsat-real-experimental-sections-keywords

Have fun discussing!

I find myself having a very hard time understanding the causation strategy and i had a few questions about its use. first off, is this strategy for strengthening and weakening questions only or is it useful for other question types throughout the test? I do very well on the strengthening and weakening questions without the causation strategy and i find myself both struggling with the strategy and taking much longer than i would if i didnt use the method. Im basically unsure if i need to use this strategy for these types of questions but i need to know if they are useful in other parts of the test as well Thanks

I am wondering if anybody can give me their thoughts on the best or most-used admission coaches for applicants who want to do the JD/MBA dual program? I am wondering if each degree program would be a little leery of you because it may come off as not sufficiently committed, etc? I found some US News articles by Shawn O'Connor from Stratus Prep from 2012 but it looks like he does not work there anymore. Appreciate any help.

Hey gang,

I’ve been working through the Sufficient Assumption question bank, trying to turn my Level 3 and 2 questions into Level 1 questions (for terminology check this out this webinar: https://classic.7sage.com/webinar/timing-and-levels-of-certainty -- props to @c.janson35 and his brilliant Timing Webinar).

This question bothers the you-know-what out of me because the answer doesn’t seem to justify the conclusion. It just seems like it’s like it’s blocking other potential explanations, which would make it a good necessary assumption or strengthening answer. I’d love people’s input on this.

Hi there! I wanted to ask for tips from anyone who has studied for the LSAT with a baby around (or with a full time job that drains like a 4-month old). I took the LSAT in February and expect a score in the high160s (my last prep tests ranged from 167 to 172). My goal is 170+ on the actual exam. My husband is firmly behind me and my LSAT efforts (he used to be an LSAT tutor!) and helps whenever he can, but he has a full-time job, and the baby is my responsibility during the day (no relatives around). The problem is that once he comes back from work, I'm way too exhausted to do LSAT, and I feel like weekends are not enough at this point when I'm trying to break into the 170's. When I studied for the February LSAT, I went to coffee shops with the stroller, studied while the baby was napping during the day, and my husband took some time off to help with the baby towards the end. I now realize that while this was a productive time for me, I wasn't 100% focused and therefore made little progress after a certain point. What I really need is a 3-4 hours of quiet LSAT time every day, and the only way for me to get that is to take advantage of the evenings. How do you do quality LSAT work in the evenings/nights after a long day? Is it even possible? Any tips? I used to pull all-nighters in college all the time, but here I am at 24 and falling apart by 9pm.

Hey gang,

Any 7sagers going to this tomorrow? Here’s the PDF flyer: http://files.ctctcdn.com/92037273401/c984fd3a-a0bd-427e-8f0e-3e52efe1eff2.pdf

I’ll be there at 10am. Let me know if you want to meet up.

Hey everyone,

Want to get some thoughts on how to build up confidence and efficiency during RC. My recent PT scores are trending upwards from the low 160s to the 165/167 range. I think this spike is the result of embracing the skip on LR (the webinars have been enormously helpful). Recently, I've been averaging -2/-0 on LG, -6/-8 LR total but I'm stuck getting around -5/-8 on RC.

The best way I can describe how I feel during RC is anxious. Not sure how many football people are here, but think of it as a quarterback who feels under pressure in the pocket. Basically I try to put in a 3/3.5 minute read to get a good grasp on the passage, I can knock out the easy question fairly quickly, but panic on many of the more difficult ones. I basically read the ACs and have trouble eliminating noncontenders. I start to second guess myself and stumble through the passage, eventually just kind of guessing on an answer because I know that I need to avoid time sinks. I have tried implementing a new notation strategy, but I'm worried that it may cause me to drain more time on irrelevant steps.

June will be my second take. I have limited fresh material left, so should I just focus on drilling hard with old material to establish some better consistency? RC is the only section I feel like this during, so I'm fairly certain I lack confidence with it in particular. Really want that 170 in June, but I know I'll have to improve in RC to get there

Please commend below or Inbox if interested!

Plain and simple, should I write thank you emails upon receiving scholarship offers from schools? Would it be bad form if I did not? Any insight is appreciated.

Hey y'all!

You all know how awesome those epic mind maps JY uses in the Core Curriculum are. A lot of you have asked for printable versions of those. Well, we're excited to share the first two of three mind maps with you—available to everyone, for free! These mind maps show the content of the Grammar and Argument lessons in the Core Curriculum. I've included little boxes you can star or check off as a way to keep track of your progress in a standalone, tangible form. I know I always like to print things off and put them in my binders, and I bet a lot of you are the same way :)

To download the Arguments Mind Map, click here: https://classic.7sage.com/core-curriculum-lsat-arguments-mind-map/

Preview of the first page (4 pages total):

To download the Grammar Mind Map, click here: https://classic.7sage.com/lsat-grammar-mind-map/

Please share any feedback in the comments below. We'll also be releasing a multi-page mind map Logic sections of the course, so stay tuned for that!

Damn, PT52 has some pretty tough LR sections, and even after a retake, I missed many of the same question again (like this one). I don't see how answer A weakens the argument nor how B doesn't.

Link: https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-52-section-3-question-19

One theory that explains dinosaur extinction is that the dinos OD'd. Angiosperms have psychoactive agents in them. Most plant-eating mammals avoid them since they taste bitter. Mammals also have livers that detoxify the drugs. On the other hand, dinos couldn't taste the bitterness nor detoxify the plant. Lastly, this theory explains why so many dinosaurs were found in weird positions in the fossils.

What I am looking for: Did the dinosaurs actually eat the plants? What if some other theory (like an asteroid) explains the sudden extinction better? Also, we don't even know if the plants were bad for the dinosaurs; we know that angiosperms are bad for some mammals, but what if they were net healthy for dinosaurs? Sure, dinosaurs couldn't detoxify the psychoactive agent (which is bad), but what if the angiosperms provided such large amount of nutrients and other good stuff, that it was worth eating still? Also, we have no evidence that the comparison between the mammals and dinosaurs is even a good comparison; what if the two are so different physiologically any comparison doesn't hold? There is so much wrong with this argument.

Answer A: I just don't see how this weakens the argument. First, it's incredibly weak: we found 1 fossil of a large mammal in a contorted position. But so what? What does this have to do with dinosaurs? Even if you take this to the other extreme: 1 million large mammals were found in contorted positions, you still have the same issue. It doesn't shed any light on what happened to the dinosaurs. Second, the passage never even talks about "large mammals," and the comparison to the mammals in the passage is dubious already, so I don't see how adding this potential third group of mammals to the argument weakens anything.

Answer B: This is what I picked (and I chose this during both my takes of this exam, and kept it both times during BR). Doesn't this point out one of the things I anticipated? If angiosperms provide nutrition, then doesn't this mean they may have actually been GOOD for dinosaurs? In my mind, this not only weakens the argument, but it strongly does so.

Answer C: I think this strengthens the theory. This shows that not only vegetarian dinosaurs ate the angiosperms, but also the meat eating dinosaurs indirectly did as well (which could account for the fact that theory explains the extinction of ALL dinosaurs).

Answer D: OK, but we are talking about angiosperms only. So what if poison ivy doesn't have this stuff in it? This is entirely irrelevant.

Answer E: I think this also strengthens the argument. This shows us that it's possible that animals can actually die from eating angiosperms, so it strengthens the idea that maybe the dinosaurs died from the plant as well. This is a pretty weak strengthener, but it strengthens nonetheless.

Proctors: Really nice. Had spare pencils. Very accommodating to students. Fixed the classroom clock quickly before the Test began.

Facilities: A standard lecture room on a beautiful campus -Trent University.

What kind of room: Classroom lecture style, seats 100+.

How many in the room: 35-40.

Desks: 5 or 6 feet long desks, plenty of space. Standard plastic chairs.

Left-handed accommodation: Not applicable since these are desks.

Noise levels: Silent.

Parking: Yes, there is free parking on weekends. Right in front of the building.

Time elapsed from arrival to test: 20 minutes to sign in and put bags away, 5 minute walk to other building for the classroom, another 15-20 minutes to set up and adjust the broken clock.

Irregularities or mishaps: Yes. The doors to the building where the lecture room was LOCKED for the weekend. A group of us were standing outside around 7:40 trying to figure out how to get in. No one was around. Mini panic for sure. Eventually, an admin came to open the door - however, I see this happening again. What if someone came a little later and no one was there to open? There were no signs outside.

Other comments: Everything else went very well.

Would you take the test here again? Although the proctors and facilities were excellent, the door issue dissuades me. I would not take a test here again unless there are signs or other notice of where to enter the building.

Date[s] of Exam[s]: Oct 2015