I need a word of encouragement and/or advice. This is embarrassing to me. I passed reading comprehension in elementary school and I took a course in Humanities at both the high school and college levels whereby I passed both classes with ease. However, for both Humanities classes high school and college, reading comprehension was not tested like test questions on the LSAT. I talked to a librarian who informed me that reading comprehension is can be highly opinionated. Furthermore, for inference questions, the answer is usually something that I would have never thought of - way out there in left field. I've tried GRE reading comprehension study guides and have been able to go through the questions with ease all answers correct. However, on a different day in a different mood, I've tried other non-LSAT practice test from other sources whose name I will not mention by means of embarrassment and was not able to get a single answer right. What's happening and what needs to change besides my attitude toward LSAT reading comprehension. I feel totally embarrassed by this, but I am encouraged to know that in reading the discussions that I am not the only person totally upset, frustrated and having problems or issues with reading comprehension. Please help. In my opinion, the basic concept or idea of RC comes from the basic elementary school theory of RC, how well did you understand the material of what you read, "Reading for understanding". For a person who has been speaking and reading the English language for quite some time, several, many years; elementary, high school and college and has passed elementary school, high school and college; how can this be; difficult with wrong answers...??? !!! Again PLEASE HELP or explain.

Hello,

6ish months ago I took my diagnostic and got a 149. Slowly I made my way through the curriculum and last weekend's PT was a 163, BR was at 173. This has been pretty consistent for me (Only 5 PT in). LR was -5/-6 LG was -3 and RC was -8. I need close to if not a 170 to get into the school I am aiming for. I am pretty confident I can get LG down to -1 or 0, but I don't know how much improvement I can make in LR and RC because when I BR'd it took me anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes per question to arrive at the correct answers for questions I circled. Any strategies for LR and especially RC improvement would be appreciated. Looking to write either February or June of 2016.

With 2 months until February, I'm at low 160s(163) most recent. Want to hit 70. I know it's attainable. What's a good schedule to run while not getting burned out? Usually I study every day till i can no longer comprehend a stimulus without being like, "wtf did I just read?!"

Hello-JY mentioned these games are rare. Wondering if there have been any on the more recent administrations of the the LSAT. Thanks

Could anyone explain why D rather than C is correct?

P: (1) most of the new shows produced last year by WW were canceled;

(2) this year's new shows are all police dramas, and few police dramas have been popular in recent years

C: most of this year's new shows will be canceled

To strengthen, we want to make last year and this year more similar. So it is better to find sth like last year's police dramas were cancelled.

C： police drama --> cancelled

D: cancelled --> police drama

I feel both C and D could fulfill the gap.

Purpose of proving grounds: Designed to be so demanding that only those students most committed to being science majors will receive passing grades in these courses.

C: Designing introductory science courses to serve as proving grounds has not served its intended purpose

Premise: Studies show that some of the students in these very demanding intro courses who are least enthusiastic about science receive passing grades in these courses.

There is a gap here between "most committed to being majors" and "least enthusiastic about science."

What if those who are least enthusiastic are most committed to being science majors and passed the course? That would destroy the author's argument because the sole premise now becomes irrelevant.

However, I feel D is more like a sufficient assumption rather than necessary assumption. Let's negate D : some of the students who are least enthusiastic are among the students most committed to being science majors. However, with this negation, there are still two possibilities: (1) least enthusiastic +most committed + passed the course; (2) least enthusiastic + most committed+ not passed the course. So if all the students mentioned in D fall within the second the possibility, the conclusion still stands. So could anyone explain why D is a necessary one as it is broader than what we need.

Just curious figured someone has to know why.

Hi, I would appreciate if anyone could explain why E is correct as now I am confused when could we make assumption in the Lsat.

Admin note: edited title; please use the format of "PT#.S#.Q# - [brief description]"

Hello,

Can someone please explain to me what's wrong with this argument?

Con: The amount of sleep one gets has minimal correlation to the amount of anxiety and depression he or she feels

Prem: A study showed that the top 5% of sleepers have the same level of anxiety and depression as those who are the bottom 5%

Here's the passage:

A study recently published in a leading magazine showed that, surprisingly, those who are in the top 5 percent in terms of the amount of sleep they get daily, have on average, about the same level of anxiety and depression as those who are in the bottom 5%. This proves conclusively that the amount of sleep one gets has minimal correlation to the amount of anxiety and depression one feels?

What's wrong with this argument and or support?

For those 7Sagers taking the February LSAT, I just want to encourage you to stay strong and never let go of your dream. I'm 57 and will be retaking the LSAT in February as my prior performances in September and December were well below par, but in the meantime today I received my first law school acceptance ahead of the February re-re-take! I didn't even know that any law school would be reviewing my application prior to the February test score being available! Better still, UC Irvine is right up there among my top choices, so I'm thrilled. Perhaps with this acceptance in hand, nerves won't get the better of me on test day and I can help my chances of a healthy scholarship :-) Truly, fellow 7Sagers, if this dream can come true for me with persistence, it can happen for you too (and thanks to 7Sage for all that I've learned and enjoyed learning with you!).

Do any other LSAT retakers have a tale of encouragement to share?

For question 17, I can't differentiate between D and E. For question 18, I got the correct answer via POE, but I don't know what "merely in a matter of degree" means in answer choice C. Can someone translate what that is talking about? Does it mean "quantitatively?" That seems like a weird definition.

Question 17 essentially wants us to support Maritain using something in Passage A. In Passage B, Maritain thinks that animal communication is a conditional reflex and not conscious intent.

Answer D: I see how this answer supports him. Calling causes females to approach and males to retreat. There is no evidence that the frogs do it in order to rely the calling frog's desire/intent to mate nor influence the other frog's behavior. This seems to suggest it is pretty reflexive.

Answer E: But, doesn't this equally support Maritain? The primates don't adjust their call depending on who is there/rely knowledge. Thus, there appears to be no goal/conscious intent either. Doesn't this also suggest that the primate coos and calls as a reflex when it sees food or predators, respectively?

Hi all,

I hope someone may be able to clue me in as to what I'm doing wrong with this problem. This is a MBT.

Special kinds of cotton that grow fibers of green or brown have been around since the 1930s but only recently became commercially feasible when a long-fibered variety that can be spun by machine was finally bred. Since the cotton need not be dyed, processing plants avoid the expense of dyeing and the ecological hazards of getting rid of leftover dye and by-products.

So I understood how to diagram the stimulus. "Spun by machine --> commercially viable"

When I looked at answer choice (B): Green and brown cottons that can be spun only by hand are not commercially viable" I diagrammed it as "Spun by hand --> /commercially viable". In order to get to answer choice (B), you would need to negate the sufficient and necessary which gives "/Spun by machine --> /commercially viable" which is an invalid argument form (mistake in negation).

What am I doing wrong? I am having a hard time seeing how answer choice (B) can be diagrammed as "/commercially viable -->spun by hand" Thanks!

Hi all,

I've been studying since June, and have been scoring fairly consistently into the 170s within the last 3 months. My average is about a 173. Within the last 3 weeks, I've taken LSATs 72, 73, and 74, and I've seen my lowest scores yet (168, 169, and 167, respectively.)

I'm really freaking out about this, and I just can't believe this is a fluke since it's happened over the past 3 tests. My scores on LG for these tests was below average (at least -3) because I thought the games were unusual or tricky. However, I've also seen decreases in my RC (I usually get -2) and LR (I'm getting above -4 now.)

I can't tell if this is burn out, stress, or all of the above, but I need to decide whether I'm taking the test this Saturday. I already postponed taking the October test.

What do you all think?

December Test Takers, I give you Fallacy Ref. He keeps us in line!

Don’t go it alone! Group BR! :)

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Wednesday, Nov. 25th at 8PM ET: PT 74

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Hello,

I was wondering how i should continue studying for the December exam if I have already taken every recent prep-test? I have taken from 50-75 while I studied for the October lsats. Additionally, I used the earlier tests for drilling. I am currently retaking random recent prep-tests in hopes that this helps me prep for December.

Quick Breakdown: - Taking the LSAT next Saturday, Dec. 5th.

A. BIGGEST ISSUE i am having- Reading Comprehension: -as my RC scores on PT's high-50's & low-60's has improved, my Reading Comprehension section on PT's mid60's to early 70's has significantly dropped. I'm aware the RC got a little tougher, as it has been widely supported on this forum by most test takers. STUCK IN A SERIOUS PICKLE. Here is it

-I've tried 7sage's 'memory retention method' - didnt do much for me. Although I have attempted roughly 40 passages with this, and it has DEFINITELY improved my memory retention, it hasn't given me that edge I need to go -10 or -9

-I've tried the blueprint/testmasters method (tag the heck out of the passage.. box this, circle that, underline this, etc)- takes WAY too long and i get nothing done. I get way too caught up tagging up the passage that the reasoning structure and the change in directions completely blow passed me. It works for others, but it is simply not for me.

-I've tried a private tutor's method: Attempt only 2 or 3 Passages, go for accuracy, and hopefully you'll be -10 minimum -- I got the accuracy, however it is mathematically IMPOSSIBLE to hit a 160 while attempting only 2 or 3 passages. -What i've been trying to do: Read for reasoning structure, bracket each paragraph, and write a note if I see a main Point, big statement from the author, Conclusion, or hypothesis + if there's a hypothesis that is offered in support/against the first one.

*** Any insight towards anything will be much appreciated ***

B. The cute little twist in the LG section on the recent PT's changed my score from 159/160 to 156. (instead of going -3/-4 im at -7 [on average]. PT's: 67,68,69,70. --Any insight on how to master the cute little twists? i've done every games over until i have perfect them all; attempted each one until i went -0 for each game in under 8:30min.

Thus far, Most of the insight received on 7sage has been AMAZING. lets keep it going.

(Realistic) TARGET SCORE - 160.

breakdown of last PT -

Section1(LR)- -9

Section2(RC)- -14*** :'(

Section3(LG)- -6

Section4(LR2)- -7

Changed my answer during the exam from D to A, but only because of POE. I still don't really understand how D is a sufficient assumption.

This is a PSA question.

Although we have learned a lot, we are ignorant of a lot of things dealing with organisms. Allowing species that we are indifferent about to die would hurt the viability of other species. Therefore, if we have an interest in preserving any species, we should try to preserve the maximum number of species.

What I am looking for: If allowing a species that we are indifferent about to perish might undermine the viability of other species→we should preserve the max number of species.

Answer A: I fell for this bullshit answer. This just affirms the sufficient condition in the conclusion. It does nothing to address the relationship between the premise and conclusion.

Answer B: I think the passage implies the opposite. If we held action to this high of a standard, then how would prevent the death of a species that we are indifferent about?

Answer C: Human populations? Totally irrelevant.

Answer D: I was pretty iffy with this one, even when I changed it during BR. This states Allow change→Change won't jeopardize anything important to us. I am really having a tough time seeing how this paraphrases what I was looking for, though. How are these ideas relevant to the stimulus? Where is the idea of something being important mentioned in the stimulus?

Answer E: Best consequence for immediate future? Irrelevant idea.

Hi everyone!

I'm new here. I've been studying for the LSAT since August 2015 with the intension of taking October. I enrolled in a TestMasters course in August but I just couldn't get my score above 145 before October's exam. I decided to postpone and registered for December using The LSAT Trainer and Prep Tests 62-71.

Unfortunately, I only improved a few points (my highest score 152 and my average usually 148-149.) With a week away from the test, I am close to accepting that I have to swallow my pride and withdraw from December. Sitting out the cycle sucks but I know in the long haul a stronger score can get me into a top school with scholarship.

If I take this route, I will register for June and most likely enroll in 7sage's Ultimate package giving myself 5-6 months of prep. I am aiming for the early 160s and quite possibly the mid-160s.

Just to give a brief synopsis of my habits for the past four months. For the most part, I conceptually understand a good amount of the material. I understand conditional logic, quantifiers, etc. For LG, making deductions, overlapping rules, etc. However, I do think I have great test anxiety and preform poorly on my PTs by re-reading questions, losing focus and not being able to apply my skills under timed conditions. My strongest section is LG (-6 to -8) followed by LR (-10 to -12) and worst RC (-15 to -17).

If you can help me with some advice, that would be great!

1) Is it best if I withdraw next week and keep my record clean with no re-takes?

2) Is it possible to jump from 148-152 to 160-165 with 7sage in 5-6 months?

Please let me know what you think. Thank you!

Ethan

I am currently grading practice tests at 156 hoping to increase my score by 10 points wanted to hear what helped others. I plan to take the June 2016 test :)

Hi all:

I've noticed my LG score change from -3/-4 to -7 (on average) for PT's 67, 68, 70. Now, I know the more recent PT's are a tad different (some games have a cute little twist in them); nonetheless, this increase in incorrect answers just took me from a 159/160 to a 156 :(

The issue presented is that I DO NOT want to touch the games on the remaining PT's (71-75), Since i am taking those this week-

I've done the fool-proof method to perfect the questions missed on the games attempted in PT's 67-70, but i am looking for a better way to secure me mastering those 'cute little twists' the games got me on.

Any insight?

Taking the December LSAT.

Pretty clueless on this one. I narrowed the answer to B or C during the exam, and I couldn't do any better during BR. Turns out, the answer is E :/ Can someone break down all of the answer choices? Even though I got rid of A and D, I'm not convinced that I got rid of them with good reasoning.

Stranger is same age- MOST feel comfortable approaching that stranger. Long term friendship start MOST someone felt comfortable approaching a stranger. Therefore, long term friends probably the same age.

What I am looking for: No clue. I don't really understand the argument with this one. Can any of the diagrams link up (not that it really matters)? JY does it in the videos, but I don't see how the approaching the stranger ideas are the same thing. Here is the video: http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-61-section-4-question-24/

I missed this one during the timed exam, and I didn't change it during BR since I didn't see how A fully explained the facts.

Over the past five years, the number of car thefts has decreased while the likelihood of someone being convicted of stealing a car has increased.

What I am looking for: What if the technology to catch someone has increased so much that people are deterred from stealing a car and those that do get caught easily/have a lot of evidence against them? What if all of the "good" car thieves have been caught, and just a few really bad/easy to catch car thieves try to steal cars?

Answer A: The first part definitely explains the fact that the number of thefts have decreased: there are fewer thieves. I don't really see how the second part has anything to do with the conviction rate, though. So what if they abandon the car later? What does that have to do with conviction? Not sure about the LSAT's logic with this one...

Answer B: I picked this originally, but when I read it during BR, I really didn't like it all that much. Since I still didn't like A, I kept this during BR. The car alarm idea might explain the lack of car thefts superficially, but if people ignore them, why are there fewer thefts? The thieves probably wouldn't be dissuaded.

Answer C: This might make the situation weirder. If police resources are not used on car thefts, then how has the conviction rate increased? Wouldn't thieves try to steal more cars often if the police don't spend their time on such crimes?

Answer D: This also makes the situation weirder. This suggests that stealing cars is very profitable, so why would there be a decrease in the number of thefts?

Answer E: It's hard to see how there being more young car thieves helps explain the idea that car thefts have decreased in frequency. Also, the fact that they are given short sentences suggests that they will come right out and steal cars again.

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1 week away, people!!!!! Let’s do this!

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Good morning & Happy Thanksgiving everyone, I was wondering if anyone found a sources for getting the 180 watch? If not, does anyone have one that is in good working condition they would like to sell? Thanks in advance.