Hey guys, I am posting this to share my experience on answer choice A.

After doing about 20 PTs or so, I have reached a level where I can sort of see what the LSAT writers are intending to do with our minds.

I must say that these guys truly are the masters of their domain.

They have all sorts of tricks up their sleeves, and they UNDERSTAND how our fragile minds work.

Specifically, I have had this weird feeling that they not only employ mind tricks with us with answer choice E, but also with A.

On early parts of LR sections, most answer choice As look very attractive, IF you do not have a full grasp of the stimulus.

The writers usually give you some useless information that disguises the true core of the argument and include specific words from that part of the stimulus in the answer choice.

On the other hand, for some really crazy convoluted questions, there is a surprisingly high frequency of A being the right answer.

I think the psychology behind this is that when people face a really confusing stimulus, most of them panic and try to rely on POE without really knowing what they are looking for.

But the problem with POE without a good understanding of the stimulus is that the writer can throw in even more confusing answer choices and virtually pull you apart in all directions, ultimately leaving you more confused, and precious time ticking away.

So my takeaway from this is to be suspicious of As for easier questions as they are likely to be wrong, and for the really hard ones later on, give more attention to A being a contender.

By the way, my experience is definitely not conclusive.

Try it out for yourselves :)

I took a PT last Saturday and based from the question stem analysis of the test grader (extremely helpful guys), flaw questions gave me the most trouble. What is the best way to approach them?

First of all, I'd like to apologize if this isn't the correct place to ask this, but in the lesson J.Y. said to ask someone who knows more than you, or your instructor so here I am.

I did the first LR section (section 1) of PT 7.

Actual timed go: 14/25

Blind Review: 20/25 (very happy! )

However, I got 5 where I spent a ton of time trying to figure it out, and got the wrong answer still. Some were I picked the wrong answer initially, and also picked a wrong answer to switch to.

They are: 3, 4 , 7 , 10 , 23.

Would be extremely happy if someone could help me through these questions - and how you figured them out.

Thanks everyone in advance!

Take care. KY

Was wondering because I am doing the course and also using LRB and LGB, but I want to make things simpler. What is your opinon J.Y., and others as well?

I have been frustrating all day to get on 7sage today. Finally after redirected 7sage to new IP address, I succeed!!!

Today I learn a big lesson that 7sage is so precious and We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.

Love 7sage!

Hello! I would love to hear any advice or recommendations you have for someone that has already sat for the LSAT. I took the LSAT in February after studying with Kaplan for a number of months. I was scoring in the upper 160's and my goal was/is to hit 174. I have no doubt about my ability to take the test but when I sat for the test, the anxiety was overwhelming and I completely blanked on the first section. I debated canceling my score but had spent so much time preparing that I decided to hope for the best. Needless to say, I was completely underwhelmed by my score of 160 and have decided to sit for the October exam so that I can apply to enter law school in the upcoming cycle.

In conclusion, what advice do you have for someone that is a returning student to the LSAT, especially someone that learned strategies from a different course? My biggest concern is stress and burning myself out because my score and mental health absolutely suffered in February from the pressure I put on myself. Additionally, I am now working full time and I was not previously. I would love to hear any recommendations on how to not burn out/overload/freak out this time around and/or any pointers in how to approach the LSAT with a renewed sense of vigor.

Thanks!

Laura

writing in october and i feel like i've made no real progress. i've just started doing LR fairly recently, mainly have been doing LG. hopefully blind review method along with memorizing the general rules for LR will help. can anyone give some words of advice?

Cut into my study plan for Friday night, I was forced to go out and actually have some fun. What was the issue? Will it happen again?

Perhaps I missed something as I do not remember a lesson on biconditionals (double arrows).

My understanding is that each term is both sufficient and necessary for the other.

Here are some indicators that I've noted:

A or B, but not both

A if, but only if B

A if and only if B

A when, only when B

If A, then B, vice versa

If A, then B, otherwise not

Except A, B

I have seen J.Y. mention "except" and "otherwise" in a video, but I am confused in regards to their usage as a biconditional indicator. In the past I've categorized "except" as a group 3 indicator, so that is causing issues in my thought processes.

Would someone elucidate these?

Also, list any other biconditions indicators/ tips that you've encountered.

Thanks,

JD

?

Hi everyone,

So yesterday I took the June exam. I was pretty prepared, had visited the classroom a week before, felt focused and ready. We checked in, entered the room and sat where we were assigned. And then...the construction started. Not just a few taps from a hammer, I'm talking full-on, constant, heavy machinery construction. Right on the walls of our classroom. So loud that we couldn't hear the proctor. Of course, students protested very strongly (I thought there was going to be a riot) but our proctors told us it was too late to withdraw, that LSAC would not refund or reschedule. The university wouldn't let us move classrooms, even though they made the mistake and scheduled the construction at the same time of the exam. So we took the first three sections with the construction. I tried very hard to not let this shake my concentration, but it was impossible to think!

I've decided not to cancel my scores, because I will be out of the country in October and won't be able to retake. I'm planning on lodging a complaint to LSAC, even though I know they won't do anything for us. Just thought I would vent a little here and see what people think...!

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum.

So I recently watched the "Foolproof Method" video for LGs and it seemed to me, that the 10 copies were supposed to be done back to back until memory kicked in for all inferences? I'm concerned with memorizing the answers and subconsciously not utilizing any inferences. In that case, should I, perhaps, wait 24 hours+ in between repeating the same Logic Game?

Thanks for the input, guys.

Hey guys, I was going over my old PT's and I still cannot get a full understanding of this question.

The stim basically says:

"if violation of explicit rules are routinely left unpunished, chaos results. Therefore, we ought never to allow any explicit rules to go unpunished."

Well, this is a typical

A->B

/B

-----

/A argument structure.

I can see that the author assumes that we do not want chaos, but I don't think LSAC is that crazy to think that it is a flaw.

The answer choice hints at us that the actual flaw of this stim is that there is a flawed jump from "routinely" to to "never," but I don't see how this works.

Any thoughts?

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-41-section-1-question-22/

Admin. Note (11/8/2019)

Edited to add: Please see the following update by @"David.Busis" (also in Comments)

"Hey everyone—I can speak for @"J.Y. Ping" when I tell you that this advice from six years ago is no longer valid.

The writing sample matters.

Some admissions officers read all writing samples as a rule; some only read it for certain applicants under certain circumstances. Regardless, it matters. If the admissions team might read it, you have no choice but to act as if they will read it."

It doesn't matter. It's not a part of your score. Do it according to instructions and you'll be fine. I'm not really convinced that admissions officers even read the samples. Seriously, who can still read handwriting?

The setup will ask you to make an argument, so make an argument. You will argue that out of the two options to pursue, one is better than the other. What metric do you use to argue for "better?" The setup gives you two goals, constraints, metrics, whatever you want to call it, that's how you argue for "better."

Make arguments for both sides. But, ultimately argue for just one side.

For example, we need to get off the island. We have two options: bridge or ferry. We have two constraints/goals/metrics: safety and speed.

Argument: We should take the bridge. The bridge is safer and faster. Some people think the ferry is safer and faster but they are idiots. They make arguments like X, but, come on. X, really? That's all you got? Come on. So, we're in agreement, yes? Off to the bridge!

The above satisfies the instructions, but is a very bad argument. Imagine if that's on an LR section. You'd tear that argument to pieces! So, make sure you don't make arguments like that one. Call out any assumptions you make, e.g., "I presume blah blah blah is the case." Don't make fallacies, e.g., attacking an argument with "Come on."

Anyway, by the time you get to this section, the test is pretty much over and you should feel overwhelming relief. So, try to have some fun with it! :)

I have been doing a good amount of practicing with logic games this past week or so and I been noticing that grouping games with more than two groups have been giving me a lot of trouble. Is there any way to approach them without having to resort to creating a sub-diagram for each question?

I have heard before that for except without until you are supposed to negate the necessary condition and the sufficient condition and turn it into the contra-positive. I often find this difficult and/ or confusing and I was wondering if there was a simpler way to do it. Examples would be appreciated :)

seem to be getting it a lot... I usually use Chrome as my browser, but I've had the same issue using IE and Android.

Help! I can't wrap my head around this one AT ALL. I'm not even sure what the conclusion is.

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-60-section-3-question-24/

For the logic games where the question asks you to replace a rule with another rule to maintain the same effect on the game...

I know that you can't replace it with a new rule that allows for a possibility that the old rules would not allow (wouldn't be the same effect). But, is it also true that you can't have a new rule that is a subset of the old rules? As in, the old rules allow for more possibilities than the new rule. That wouldn't be the same effect either, right? So you would have to find the same set of possibilities?

If that makes any sense..

If anyone wants to review PT 68 with me tomorrow (Friday) over google hangout/skype. private message me and we can get started. Logical reasoning, both sections.

When I am taking my practice tests I often come across questions (in LR sections, specifically) where I am certain that 3 of the answers are wrong, but am unable to clearly distinguish between the other two. For time's sake I usually put the answer that seems best and move on. Somehow, at a percentage that seems mathematically impossible for a 50/50 scenario, I miss almost every one of these questions. Is there any tricks, or specific things to look for in order determine the better of two decent answers?

Of course you are. You're about to take an important test. It's not the most important test though. That one you'll take in October (or December or next February). :)

I'm kidding! Most likely, this is the last LSAT you'll ever take. I'm just trying to say that for something as important as this, there are second chances. That's definitely not true for most important things, so you should feel good knowing that.

For most of you, you already know what you'll get on this June LSAT. Take your past three recent (i.e., 59-68) properly administered LSAT prep tests and average your score. You'll get plus or minus 3 points of your average. I suppose one assumption is that on Monday somewhere between the third or fourth announcement of "5 minutes remaining" you do not suffer a small heart attack... Anyway, ask yourself, will you accept your average as your official LSAT score?

If not, further ask yourself if you are willing to study more. Be honest and realistic. This test is crushingly difficult to study for. You know this. If you are masochistic enough to call yourself determined, then great, we will be determined right here with you.

If so, then congratulations. You are as prepared as you can be and there is nothing standing between you and that score. You've seen everything they'll throw at you, every attack, every ambush, every evasive maneuver. You've amply demonstrated your ability to respond. Monday will not be new day and the June LSAT will not be a new LSAT. LSAT 69 will be just like LSAT 65 and LSAT 64. People just like you took those LSATs and they're in law school now.

For Monday, this is the only thing I want you to remember: keep moving.

You will encounter curve breaker questions. Every LSAT has a couple. Every student who has ever taken the LSAT before you encountered them. You will too. I'm telling you this now, so you'll be prepared. Skip the curve breaker questions if they are too difficult. Don't let a couple questions break your rhythm.

Just keep moving. You got this.

P.S. If you're in NYC, come have a drink on us Monday evening!

http://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/56/nyc-open-bar-post-june-lsat-monday-evening

Over the past year I know that some people have mentioned seeing grouping games with elements reused. I know this isn't a recent trend (many of the older games have multiple groups 3+ with each group getting at least one or up to 3 items).

However, the game type I am referring to is your standard in out game (2 groups only) but just because one element is in the "in" column, it doesn't necessarily mean it can't be in the "out" column. Nowhere in the scenario does it say that "each element will be used exactly once." Basically, the elements can be "reused." Also, the number of elements aren't limited to just 3, but range from 5-7.

Some ppl have told me that the test put a twist by splitting the elements into 2 subgroups (i.e., women vs. men)... and adding in a weird rule (i.e., chairperson in group 1 can't be in group 2)...

What is the best way to prepare for this type of game? I recall seeing this type of game just once (PT25-S3-G1), but its a very straight fwd grouping game with a twist in which there must be at least one member shared...

Wow, I did everything on this question and got sucked into answer choice E but had no idea to interpret the word "that" the way JY explained it. Are there others words that indicate "and" or sufficiency that are worth knowing?

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-62-section-2-question-19/

Hi! Is anyone else looking at 10 Actual, Official LSAT Preptests, even though they are less relevant? Let's talk about them here!