So I retook the June 2015 LSAT and got a 163. Now this is much better than my first actual test score which was a 153 (did not study in the right way or right amount of time), however, I was scoring between a 165-169 before I took the June test. I'm planning on applying to schools of different tiers but my top three T14 schools are Berkeley, Michigan, and Northwestern, which I plan to apply to early binding. What I'm debating is whether to take the October test for probably a max increase of 5 points. I have a 3.81 from Michigan and have been working as a paralegal for a little over a year now. What I'm wondering is if I have a shot at Northwestern and Michigan with these credentials (I'm not a URM). I know a higher score would definitely make me a stronger candidate but I also don't know if it's worth risking getting a lower score than the one I have now. I'm working full-time right now and am planning on applying for the Fall 2016 cycle so I don't know how much intense studying I can do between now and October. The thing is that I feel like it's just a few small differences that caused my lower score so I think I'd need to focus on tweaking certain areas of the test if I did decide to retake for the last time. I know I'm thinking out loud here but I'm really going back and forth on this one. Any sage advice is much appreciated!

I have noticed that there don't seem to be any recent responses from J.Y. or his team on any of the comments after any of the lectures for many, many months. Does anybody know if they are still being checked? No sense leaving questions for the authors of this study guide if the comments are not proctored.

For those of us waiting to take the October or December, does anyone know when the June LSAT will be released?

Thanks

Hey 7Sagers,

Had someone write in with a question I thought you could help out with! Here it is:

I was just wondering if you could let me know a list of your recommended formal logic textbooks that might help me with LSAT study. Just to give you a little background, I have read LR Bible once and watched all your lectures and have done all the LSAT prep tests once. I plan to take an official LSAT exam 2015 December.

My problem is that my brain stops thinking for moments and try to re-read stimulus over again and again to process the pasdage or stimulus especially when I encounter convoluted sentences or difficult logics. Especially when I feel pressured by time limit, it gets worse.

I heard from some of my attorney friends that reading law school text books and studying and analyzing actual cases may help. I just wanted to get your opinion on this if it would really helps. I feel only studying with LSAT prep tests is not sufficient at my level.

I would so much appreciate it if you could provide some tips.

Thanks!

So I've been siting at the library for approximately 2 hours and I am still on the same video lesson :/ for some reason my wi-fi is acting up. I am connected to the public library's network but it keeps saying "Looking for Networks.." So I cannot watch the video I'm on because it literally stops every 5 seconds and doesn't want to come back. But everything else works perfectly fine except the video lessons. Does anyone with a Mac ever experience this? Any steps on what to do?

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-19-section-4-question-09/

Can someone explain why D is not the right answer? I was struggling between B and D but eventually chose D.

Edit: LOL much date confusion.

Well, I missed the Friday call because vacation and now I have sad feels. BR withdrawal feels. So let's get back on our proverbial ponies and kick the LSAT in the face.

Note: We've got several West Coasters now, so Weekday (Weds/Fri) calls now starting at 8:30PM ET **unless** there are very serious objections. We'll dial in a few minutes ahead of 8:30 to let us get all out chatterings out of the way so that we can start BR'ing at 8:30pm sharrrrrrrp

Wednesday, July 8th at 8:30pm ET: PT52

Finally, we get some comparative passages!

Friday, July 10th at 8:30pm ET: PT70

Wowww! Lucky number 70.

Note on the Friday group: If you want to join, let me know on Skype (nikkers625) and I will add you to this one—all are welcome.

LSATurday, July 11th at 8pm ET: PT53

Go team go!

Note on all groups

I read an article on LSAT HACKS making the case to re-read the rules 4 times as per the below guidelines:

1] To understand the game.

2] To draw.

3] To check for mistakes and look for deductions.

4] To eliminate answers on the first question. (if it’s an “acceptable order” question)

Just curious what everyone here thinks of this advice? This isn't JY's method of course (and I definitely prefer JY's method) but I'm curious as to the merit behind the concept of rereading. I personally read through and diagram at the same time, and I don't check for errors (I also don't edit my essays because I like to live life on the edge LOL) but seriously what are your thoughts on rereading rules? Do you do it? Why or why not?

Hi All,

While I'm trying to get pumped (in the mood?) for the October LSAT, I keep ruminating about part-time versus full-time enrollment. I'd love to hear your thoughts regarding the difference and any feedback regarding my thought process:

Full-time Pros

*Full immersion in the classroom & ancillary activities

*Perhaps better scholarships

*Perhaps better connections & experiences

*Perhaps better job prospects

*Perhaps a faster track to the JD (e.g. NU has an accelerated JD)

Full-time Cons

*Little-to-no income (therefore, much reliance on my partner, assuming that he still likes me by then)

*Less time for personal/work/study balance

*Sticker price (aka potential for massive student debt)

*Blow to confidence if I attempt admission with a lower LSAT score (think under 170), even with solid uGPA

Part-time Pros

*Balance life/work/study potentially better

*Continue to work on-call/contractor to help with tuition (to provide an idea, I make roughly $50/hr on-call and $85-100/home visit as a healthcare provider)

*Perhaps feel less rushed in school

*Perhaps easier chance of enrollment with lower LSAT score (think: under 170, including solid uGPA)

*Perhaps easier to make & feed/water a baby, if that's what we want to do (I'm 32 next year. Dude will be 35)

Part-time Cons

*Perhaps less/no scholarships

*Perhaps poor-to-no job prospects

*Perhaps poor connections & experiences

*Perhaps less recognition/respect

*4ish years to get to the JD

Side note on why I'm even considering part-time app/enrollment:

I spent nearly $100k (including scholarships/loans) on my master's from NU in allied health. My bachelor's cost me much less, as I earned an associate's first and then took advantage of transfer scholarships. Mommy & Daddy didn't pay for college, unless you count my birthday & Xmas cash as student loan payback.

Although I currently make six figs, one of the reasons why I'm pursuing law school is that I've concluded that I no longer find my career path fulfilling, for multiple reasons. I've attempted a few times making changes to my path, but I always come to the same conclusion...I'm bored, incredibly unhappy, and miss using my brain in ways that I feel that the legal field will fulfill.

If I can continue to work as a clinician while going to law school part-time, I feel that I may have more stability in reducing income stress & tuition payments, rather than going into more massive debt. However, my biggest fear is that enrolling part-time will absolutely crush career prospects.

These are just my initial thoughts that keep swimming around in my head (tormenting me as I twist my mind around LR). Thoughts, ruminations, and arguments welcome.

Thanks!

I took the June LSAT and scored 150. Needless to say, I would like to do better next time around. I had a pretty demanding job this past year (as many of you here know, it is very difficult to work/study), but I followed through with the Premium 7sage course + many PT's + the Trainer. However, I am committed to retaking the test with the best possible strategy in mind. I am currently in a time of transition with work and here are my two options, which I am hoping to get your advice on:

1) I could try to stay in the city I live in currently and get a part time/full time (less demanding than my previous) job + take a BluePrint class and see if my issue all along studying was that I am not very good at self-study.

OR

2) I could go back to my hometown (the suburbs) and dedicate all of August and September to not working and only self-study for the LSAT (there are no BluePrint classes...or any good LSAT prep classes) whatsoever in my hometown. This would also mean that I would most likely extend my 7sage package and work through Cambridge Packets, Logical Games Bible, PT's, etc.

I am 22 years old and I definitely want to come back to the current city I live in for law school (which means option 1 would be good for establishing residency in this state). However, I would need a 165ish to get into law schools around here. So overall, what seems like the better study plan to help me get the best score possible for October? Thanks in advance for any feedback.

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-24-section-2-question-09/

Can someone walk through the Lawgic of the answer choices?

Does anyone BR the entire PT, or just the ones that were circled? I'm just now starting PT and I just want to make sure that I'm understanding each question type. I only circled those that I wasn't 100% but I guess I just want to solidfy that I know this question type and why I chose the answer. My plan is to BR the entire PT in the beginning of my BR studies then only BR those that I've circled once I've gained more confidence. I just took my first PT and for some reason I feel like I just took the training wheels off my bike! Does anyone see any issues with BR the entire PT? Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Printer - I purchased the Samsung 2020 laser printer someone recommended. I know the ink should last longer with the laser printer but I think I'll still be using lots of paper with LG. I have been using wide ruled notebook paper. It's much cheaper than printing paper, especially this time of year because of back to school sales. Most times you can get it for about .25 per pack for about 150 sheets, $1 for 600 sheets. The printer paper I buy is about $3 - $4 for 500 sheets. Can anyone think of any issues using this paper could create? I haven't been able to come up with anything. I'm just trying to figure out the cheapest way without screwing myself over in some way. Thoughts?

So I just signed up for the Premium package, and I'm confused as to what my plan of attack should be. I took the June LSAT and scored a 164. I missed -1 in logic games, and -2 in one of the LR sections. The Reading comprehension section and other LR section made up the other misses, about -8 for both. I started doing the 7sage methods for studying before taking the lsat, specifically blind review and the method for LG. Im curious if I should go back through all the lessons, or if I should just get the practice test books again, and start going through the questions using the 7sage methods while for the most part ignoring the teaching materials. I had originally used powerscore method up until I finished the books, then I discovered 7sage's methods about 3 weeks before the LSAT, which is when I applied their methods. Thank you for the help

Hello everyone,

While my PT score has increased little by little, it seems like my BR score has hit a plateau in the low to mid 170s. I've been studying for the LSAT for quite some time and am feeling frustrated that my BR score isn't consistently 175+. Anyone have advice on how to improve the BR? What tactics did you use? What I'm doing right now is going over all of the questions again after taking a PT. However, I still make confidence errors and am having trouble spotting them in advance. Any advice/tips you might have would be greatly appreciated.

Hey guys,

I was just looking for some advice on improving my LR scores.

I'm studying for the October test and just found out about 7Sage about a week ago. I've already gone through a few of the LG video explanations and found them really helpful, but I'm more worried about my scores on LR. I started studying with the Trainer about a month and a half ago and I've done a few PTs but my LR scores are barely improving (whereas I feel as though I'm getting a pretty good grasp on RC and LG between the Trainer and the 7Sage LG videos I've seen so far). To anyone who has used both the Trainer and 7Sage for LR, would you recommend 7Sage for LR? I've gone through the curriculum for the Starter course and it seems really thorough, but I'm just wondering whether it covers pretty much the same information as the Trainer - do I just need to spend more time with the strategies I've learned from the Trainer, or does 7Sage teach different methods for LR that can help me?

Thanks in advance for your help!

I have been studying for the LSAT for roughly 1 year, and I recently re-took the June administration of the LSAT (canceled first exam). For June, I scored 5 points below my monthly PT average leading up to the exam. This definitely put my numbers off target for the group of schools I was hoping to apply to.

I have taken, all told, 43 fresh practice exams, complete with BR (all but 4 exams taken after PT 36). I have also gone through the entire 7sage curriculum, plus powerscore curriculum I started with. I simulate conditions on practice PTs (usually take tests after hours in my office with timed proctor), and deliberately go through every question on my BRs. One frustrating aspect of my practice was consistency. I saw wild 10 point fluctuations in score on fresh PT exams, even adjusting for relative difficulty of exams over time.

I am wondering if there is value in further study and a retake. Given the amount of material I have covered, is more study going to amount to banging my head against the wall? Are there new ways I can try to study that, at this point, make further study a good idea?

I value your opinions, 7sagers, thanks in advance if you have any advice!

Alright! I have completed the Premium package of 7Sage twice now, I started taking prep tests at the end of May and, so far, my average for PTs is 164 and my BR average is 170. My highest score so far is a 168 with a BR of 172. Obviously I need work in both my PT score and my BR score.

I am shooting to take the October LSAT and would like my PT mark to consistently sit in the low 170s before I write, so when I factor in nerves, etc, I can score in the high 160s/very low 170s. I think this is a realistic goal for me, but of course, I will always shoot to score beyond just in the low 170s!

I'm wondering where I should go with my study methods. My LG are near 0 wrong each time, so I maintain just completing 1 timed LG a day to keep my skills up, with BR/drilling on my PTs.

For Reading Comprehension, I find I'm struggling there the most as of right now. What do you suggest? I do have all the Cambridge packages, and I drill 2 in the AM every day from those. Should I be drilling a full 4 a day? I have read the LSAT Trainer section for RC, so my approach is to read for structure and what-not. Obviously I need to refine my skills in this section, but I guess I'm at a loss of where to go from here.

For my LG, I do miss an average 2-5 per section, so that needs work as well. I have started by printing the PT from 36 and above, and I am now drilling full sections under timed conditions and supplementing that with Cambridge packages untimed. Does that look like a good plan?

So far, I PT only on Saturdays. I only do a 4 section for now, to retain materials, but I have gotten into a good rhythm of waking up, hitting the gym, eating, drinking my coffee, and diving into a PT - keeping my test day schedule consistent. I am going to introduce a 5th section come August and maybe start taking 1 PT during the week, but I am debating that because of major mental fatigue after being at work all day.... not sure it would be worth it if it'll just be a bruise to my ego.

Any advice would be appreciated!

I am not having much luck getting any responses to my study buddy inquiries using the beta program, perhaps because I am still at least two test cycles away from taking the test. So, I thought I would try a discussion post to see if anyone out there is starting their LSAT prep now for one of the 2016 test dates (perhaps June or October, 2016) and would like to get an early start on a study buddy partner?

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-20-section-1-question-06/

I understand why the answer (D) is correct, but not sure why the answer choice (C) is incorrect. Is it because the answer choice makes an assumption that natural nesting sites will be less crowded than the nesting boxes? I thought this can be a logical conclusion from the passage rather than just assumption. Please explain me why (D) is a better answer choice than (C).

I've got a copy of Manhattan LR in the house. Ordered it a few months ago but didn't touch it.

Does anyone recommend it? I've gone through 7Sage twice as well as the Trainer, but always open to new perspective.

This has been on my mind a lot lately--I've been studying Mandarin on and off for about 4 years, and recently became quite serious about it. It's rather sad to know that once I go to law school I'll essentially be unable to proceed in my language study to any meaningful degree, so my goal is to apply to a few programs and live in China for at least a year (State Department or teaching most likely).

I'm not really sure if it would be wise for me to send out applications this fall and then request a gap year if accepted (from what I've read, only 5-10 requests are granted per year), or if I should simply wait and apply upon my return. If the latter, is there a way for me to somehow save or store recommendation letters from my current professors? I imagine it would be unwise to take advantage of that resource, especially if forgoing it means resorting to non-native English speakers writing them instead.

If anyone has experience with anything remotely related, I would be very glad to hear your thoughts. :)

Do you have questions about personal statements, diversity statements or other law school essays? Post them here. I'm writing an F.A.Q. for the personal statement course, and I want to know what's got you confused. If someone else has already asked your question, please "like" the question, even if I've already answered it. That information will help me make the F.A.Q. more useful.

I'll do my best to answer each question within a day or two.

I'm familiar with question types and general approaches to different questions from previous study. I wonder if it makes more sense to do PT 1-35 as timed 4-section tests, instead of using them as drills on specific topics, as I'm going through JY's video curriculum. I just feel the drills wasted the full length tests 1-35. Please let me know if I'm missing something.

Can someone please explain the difference between these two concepts? I'd guess that association is generally weaker than correlation, but is there some hard and fast rule that separates the two concept? Is correlation always linear? I feel like I've heard the phrase, "non-linear correlation" ...

I'm not sure the specifics really matter, I'm just asking for my own edification. I'm reviewing PT69, S1, Q24 if that makes any difference.

Thanks!

I reposted this comment of mine from @blah170blah 's great thread to those who are disappointed. I thought my story would help some of you realize you're not alone:

- Very first PT 149

- Studied my but off and eventually PTed in the 170s

- Planned for a 170 plus!

But...

- Oct 14 LSAT 162 (85th Pctl)

- Dec 14 LSAT 165 (91st Pctl)

- June 15 LSAT 173 (99th Pctl)!

There are two kinds of people in this world - those that fall and those that get back up. I know there are people on this board who are disappointed right now. I know you'll get back up.

Don't get me wrong, you can have time to be down. I hit the nachos and in-n-out pretty hard the first couple days after getting my first test score. But then I hit the weights and then I hit the books and 7Sage material. I know you all have it in you too.