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New to 7Sage discussions, but I love how everyone seems very helpful and genuine. I am currently studying for the Dec test, and wanted some opinions on what is going to be more beneficial in these last 2 months and a half.

I currently am PT'ing around 168-169 average, BR around 173-175. My goal for the exam is in the 170-172 range. I would probably not retake if I hit 170. But I also know people's average scores tend to drop 2-3 points, so I want to be at about a 174~ average by the end of my PTs.

I am wrapping up a Testmasters course and have gone through most of the LSAT starter kit to supplement areas where I felt TM lacked (a lot lol). As of now, my main focus is drilling problem areas and PT'ing. I currently have PT 29-38, and like 25 more modern PTs (52+range). I also have the Cambridge packets for all LG PT 1-38, and for Weaken, Flaw, and NA since those are my weak areas. I want to look into some sort of prep for RC, because I do tend to miss avg 5 for this section, but not sure which packet or prep method is best for this.

Now that I am more wise in terms of LSAT prep, I realize that doing PT's 38 and below can be good practice for timing and comfortability but because I am drilling with those older problems my scores are always inflated for the older tests. like 179-180 range haha, which is inconsistent with my scores for newer exams that I have taken through TM. So would it be worth it to buy a few more PT's to avoid having to PT with the older exams?

Is my time better spent drilling or taking more PTs? I currently have like 30 PTs scheduled between now and the Dec test date.

As far as my time available to devote to LSAT, I currently work about 25-30 hours a week and that will increase to 35+ around mid-October.

Opinions and thoughts, thanks!

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Wednesday, Sep 16, 2015

RC help!!

Hey guys,

So I've been following the RC memory method that JY talks about, and it's definitely helped me; however, I'm nowhere near where I want to be in my PT's when I grade my RC section. What are some of the alternative methods and ways that I can improve my RC score. Right now, I'm averaging -16 on my RC section *sighhh*. PLEASE HELP!!!!!

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The newest version of Apple's iPhone/iPad/iPod operating system, iOS 9, was just released earlier today. Upgrading to this new version may cause parts of the 7Sage app to stop working for some devices.

I've been running the app on my iPhone with iOS 9 (I got an early release) for about a week without seeing any problems on the app. But I've heard that there are problems with other people's devices, and I confirmed that the Grader and Course options stopped working on my iPad mini after upgrading.

Sorry if this iOS 9 problem affects your device! We already made a fix, and submitted it to Apple for approval just a minute ago. Hopefully they'll approve the update quickly, but they usually take a week, sometimes much longer.

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Planned test date: December 5th. Shooting for 170. Will be happy with 165.

I've been studying about 3 weeks now, and I'm only barely starting to see how the LSAT ticks. I've taken 4 PTs- J07,14,40,71 and scored 153,152,154,153.

My weakest area is Logic Games. I just need to grind them, I think. I'm slow as dirt and don't have the different setups for the game boards memorized (internalized?).

My strongest area is RC- in the 80% range, but I'm not really sure how to improve that except maybe by taking a lot of PTs and going over the missed questions.

LR seems to baffle me. I feel I do good on the questions, and then I see I am only getting around 60%. I have Nathan Fox's LR book. My main problem areas are Nec. Assumption, Flaw, and Most strongly supported. I'm not a complete dunce when it comes to logic (my minor is in Philosophy, so I have a bit of a background in syllogistic logic).

I have not BRd any of the tests. I will start doing so, and using the 7sage foolproof method for the logic games (god, thats going to be painful).

However, as far as LR and RC are concerned, what really makes a difference? Doing PTs or studying a method? Neither of them seem to lend themselves to a method like the LG section does.

Any advice or suggestions as to where I'm off base is appreciated.

Jim

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so i found a pack at work and after hearing so much about them I've decided to try them out; however the heat (NYC heat, ~85-95F) is making the black paint rubbery and peeling off, now I have black/gold paint stuck to the table and my backpack. this is pretty disappointing and i will definitely not use them on the test, just wondering if anyone else had similar experience?

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I remain unconvinced, and still think (C) is a better answer!

Answer (C) does not say that the nesting boxes are smaller, but just that they provide less space for eggs (because they get overcrowded). In my view, the given statements support this conclusion [that the boxes are smaller than the natural nests] because they seem to link the ducks' failed reproductive efforts to the fact that the boxes become overcrowded. If, by negating this conclusion, the natural nesting sites had just as much, or less, space for eggs, then this reproductive practice would seem to be disadvantageous from the start. Therefore, (C) seems to me to be the right answer.

Answer (D), on the other hand, makes less sense in my view. Why would the ducks' reproductive efforts be more successful when the boxes are hidden? Is the assumption that those nests, though hidden, could still be found by some and thus the practice would become less rare?

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Yo people

Had a request to move PT72 BR from Friday to THURSDAY (tomorrow).

So. Take PT72. Let me know if you wanna BR it with some fine folks (@pujals and @nye8870 , should be a lot of fun) and then plan to join at 7pm ET.

Again. THURSDAY is the day :D

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Wednesday, Sep 16, 2015

41.1.6

I don't really understand the argument, which is why I am having a tough time deciding between D and E. Can someone break the argument down and discuss those two answer choices?

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Has anyone received communication from "180 Watch" in the past two weeks?

I ordered a watch in May to take the June 2015 test, and as luck would have it, I'm taking the October 2015 test :)

Despite taking extra care of it (I kept it in the bubble wrap inside the package it came in at all times except when I took a PT), it malfunctioned in July. After contacting Matthew Thomas, I sent it back to him, and he said he would send the replacement quickly. He received it on August 24th at the latest. It is now September 15th, almost a month later. I've tried contacting him in the past few days, but have not received a response. I don't know if they are ignoring me because they ran out of watches (since the test is coming up soon). Either way, it is not okay. At least send me my malfunctioned watch back so I can get it fixed elsewhere!

Is anyone experiencing the same? Also, does anyone have a number for them?

I'd implore you guys to be extra careful with your 180 watches (although I can't imagine being more careful than I was). If it breaks, you're probably out of luck!!

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Tuesday, Sep 15, 2015

Pain

Can someone explain answer choice E for me and why it is not a good answer?

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LR LR LG RC Score Date

54 1 2 1 5 171 24th July

55 2 2 3 6 167 11th Aug

56 4 7 2 8 163 12th Aug

58 168 24th Aug

59 4 3 5 6 167 26th Aug

60 168 28th Aug

61 3 6 7 1 166 31st Aug

62 6 5 4 6 165 1st Sep

I am having a difficulty in adapting my study strategy to more recent PTs!

As you can see I think i am experiencing a drop in scores in recent prep tests.

(During PTs before 40s I was occasionally scoring 170+)

As a non-native speaker in English, I used to employ strategies in attacking LR questions by looking for answer choices through symbolic understanding of stimuli (for example, looking for specific keywords in conclusion and matching them in answer choices),

and i find it that i have to maintain more room for flexibility in attacking these questions.

Anyhow,

1.

is there anyone who has been stuck for 165~168 band for long time and finally broke above 170+?

I guess i am stuck in this score band over 2 months.

2. in consideration of the fact that i am running out of fresh PTs, would you recommend me to take older or used PTs instead if i want to score 170+ in longer term?

Thanks in advance!

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So basically.....when I wake up before my class to take a PT at 8 AM, I score 5-10 points lower than my PM tests around 2-4 PM. Does anyone else have this problem? I'm not sure how to overcome this difference because I drink coffee and get the sleep, but I don't want to face this on test day. I mean, how long am I supposed to be awake before PTing?

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Hi Guys,

I'm a very committed POE-er, but I was wondering if anyone has found any benefit in not doing it for specific scenarios. For example, say you've prephrased the exact flaw in a flaw question or know what the sufficient assumption has to be in a SA question. If you find the exact prephrase in answer choice A, would you mark it down and move on, or still read over the remaining answer choices?

Do you guys always do POE or are there exceptions? Obviously skimming the remaining choices doesn't take much time, but my skimming is really half-hearted when I feel that I've already found the correct answer. So in my case, it does end up being a poor use of time, if even 5 seconds.

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Writing this post in regards to the most efficient study practices. I know most of us are studying anywhere from 2-8 hours a day, I'm personally studying around 5-6. I take a 10 minute break for every 50 minutes of studying because I find I absorb more in 3, 50-minute intervals than 3 hours straight. Are you guys computing your total hours studied adjusting for breaks or just the entirety of time spent in the library, etc. thanks!

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Take a pt everday for like 5-6 consecutive days.

Also others take TWO pts a day.

I really need soemthing different in my routine since I'm noticing NO PROGRESS despite all my studying. Has anyone done something slightly extreme like this?

Also there's this guy on yt who teaches lsat prep and he said he took 2 a day as well!!

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I got this question correct, but I marked it for BR because I like analyzing parallel questions for practice. During BR, I am having a ton of trouble eliminating B.

Specifically, the flaw in the argument is your typical invalid argument form: A-->B. B. Therefore A. The argument invalidly uses the converse of the premise as the conclusion.

Answer choice A clearly does that, and this is the correct answer. However, doesn't answer choice B technically do this as well?

Here is my breakdown of B:

Discover something new-->Examined all possible solutions. Fran -Discover something new. Therefore, -Examine all possible solutions. This answer choice invalidly uses the inverse of the premise. Nevertheless, if you take the contrapositive of the conclusion, Examine all possible solutions-->Discover something new, isn't this logically identical to the flaw in the passage? In other words, am I misreading something in this answer choice, or is the "form" better than the "substance?"

Thanks.

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Hey guys,

Been on here and studying for the October LSAT since late July. It's been quite the journey to say the least! After completing all the material, and now taking 4-5 PT a week since late August, I have seen little improvement. Some days are tough. At times it's difficult to keep my chin up when I have an off day. However, I think it's really important at the end of each day to be positive.

I glance at my calendar…19 days left. 19 days to learn, improve, and focus. Although I have seen little progress in my scores and I am well below my target score, there are 19 days to get it together and make it happen. It is possible. The LSAT is challenging, yes. This entire admissions process is as well, yes. But, it is extremely important for all of us to remain positive and understand that this is simply part of the process. Since I first got on 7sage and started reading posts in the feed, I managed to find comfort in knowing I am not alone out there in my quest to tackle this exam and get into law school. Although this is obvious, a nice reminder here and there goes a long way.

I wish everyone the best for the exam on the 3rd. Remain positive, work hard, and be accountable for your work. Know that in the highs and lows of the next few weeks and months, there is someone right there with you chugging along. Improvements can be made, and life is good.

Cheers to 7sage, and cheers to all of us kicking ass.

8

TONIGHT! PT71 BR | 7pm ET

Did anyone else pick up on the fact that that one RC passage was TOTALLY about World of Warcraft/Diablo II, etc. ??????

Derp-a-derp.

Note on all groups

  • For the newbies: Add me on Skype, using handle nikkers625 .
  • For the regulars: Please let me know if you plan to join tonight's session and have not yet been added to the conversation.
  • For everyone: take the PT under timed conditions; BR as you are able; join us for all or part of the call—everyone is welcome.
  • Note: For the purposes of the call, we like to check our group blind review score together at the very end of the call :) So please do not check your answers beforehand :-) Or if you do, just try not to say things like "No, guys, I checked, it's D."
  • These groups work best when folks from ALL stages of prep and with all different goals join in! Not just for "super-preppers" and definitely not just for the casual LSATer (does such a person exist?).
  • PLEASE ... Ask questions !!!! In so doing you are giving others the opportunity to uncover weaknesses in their own understanding, review fundamentals, and ultimately improve their own score. And you're giving yourself the opportunity to do the same. Wow, such harmonious learning experience.
  • The only expectation anyone has for these calls is for you to have fun and ask questions as you desire. We are just a bunch of LSAT lovers who gather via Skype and intellectually slaughter each test.
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    Monday, Sep 14, 2015

    PT 55+

    Hey guys I would like you all to give me some insight into my situation. I've been taking full length pretests #39-45 beginning this month and my scored ranged from 165-172, 172 being the last of the set. Then this week I decided to switch over to the newer PT, 55-58 specifically and all of a sudden by score dropped to low 160's with me running out of time on almost every section. Any possible explanations for this? I feel like logical reasoning is kicking my butt on these newer exams. Planning to complete PT's 59-73 before the October exam. I hope I'm not burning out, been doing PT either everyday or every other day.

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    I've really come a long way, thanks to 7 sage.

    My first PT was 151 about 3-4 months ago.

    Nowadays I am constantly scoring in the low to mid 160s with BR scores always over 170.

    Now, I am usually -4 to -5 on each LR section.

    -2 to -3 on LG.

    But man.....my RC is constantly in the -10 to -9 range.

    I've read the LSAT trainer and tried the 7Sage method but not much improvement.

    Any advice on improving my RC?

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    I know this is probably a rookie question, but I require an expert answer. So how do we diagram since? I don't recall it in the lessons. I have reasoned it myself so I'll give my input first and tell me if I'm wrong.

    Since it's Raining, the soccer game is Cancelled

    R --> C (if it's raining, then the game is cancelled)

    It cannot be drawn as C --> R. (if the game is cancelled, how can we assume it was cancelled because of the rain? Maybe there was a terror plot or an earthquake)

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