So I've been studying the LSAT for a little over a year now, and I've got LR and LG down (-0 to -2 on each section)

My real worry is RC. I've been getting -7 to -13 per RC section for PT 56 and above. But when I BR the RC section, I can usually get -0 to -3

When I did the RC for PT 40-56, I finished the RC in time and stayed within -3 to -7/8. Somehow for the new tests, this is a real problem and it's gone downhill. I'm currently working on doing RC from older tests for practice while I work my way up doing full length tests (I'm currently on PT 62... RC-13,LR-3,LG-1,LR-0 ). My time for reading passages varies from 3-5 mins and my timing for the questions also varies quite a bit; overall timing seems to be my real problem where I sometimes spend way too much time especially on the questions and don't even get to answer some of the questions at the end.

The RC section seems to be the main one stopping me from breaking the 170 bound so any advice would be highly appreciated!

All groups now meeting at 7pm ET. Folks with schedule restraints—please just join when you can. You won't miss much. Any serious objections, please PM me. Schedules can be changed but only if you let me know!!

Questions about upcoming weeks' schedules? Look at this. http://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/3490/october-15-group-br-calendar-now-available

BR Groups, Week of August 26th: Weds (PT65), Sat (PT66)

.... Oh, hi there! Yes I'm still on vacation. But you're not. So BR like crazy!

Wednesday, August 26th at 7PM ET: PT65

A BR session in the hand ...

LSATurday, August 29th at 7PM ET: PT66

Is worth two in the mind.

Or something like that.

Note on all groups

I know it might have been asked a billion times before in a billion different ways. Here goes a billion and one.

Can someone give me some insight on the logistics of test day? It's the only aspect I'm nervous about. I feel like something I expect won't be present on test day, or something I didn't expect will be present, and it will throw me way off. Here's a few specific concerns?

A) can I drink during the test?

B) can I pee in a bottle if necessary, as to not waste time traveling to the bathroom?

C) can I chew a small piece of rubber, makes no noise?

D) is scrap paper at all permissible? I tend to need lots of space for LG questions.

E) how much space does the test booklet give for each LG set up to allow me to diagram and what not?

F) how will the proctor indicate time intervals?

G) can I track my own time?

H) can I track my own time with my cellphone? A watch?

I) can I stretch, stand up, or otherwise do other body movements to get the blood flowing, while taking the test?

J) can I make loud noises, and exercise, during the short breaks?

K) can I bring food, or a snack?

L) can I bring an extra source of light, such as a small lamp?

I have other paranoias (what if the room is stuffy? what if it smells horrible? what if there's someone I know in the room with me?), but these here listed are my primary ones.

Hi All, I took my first lsat in December 2013 after 4 months of studying. I have a bad case of test anxiety and during the LSAT in December 2013 I freaked out and decided to cancel my score. To my horror, I received an email from LSAC three weeks later with a 145 test score. I thought it was a joke, but turns out my proctor didn't properly explain how we should fill in the cancellation bubbles and since it wasn't properly filled in LSAC counted the score. I took a year break since I had to plan my wedding and move overseas and now I am back in full swing on LSAT studying so I can retake the LSAT in October 2015. I think I have been able to suppress my anxiety, but I have been studying about 6-10 hours a day for the last month and a half (following 7sage and PTing religiously) and my highest PT score was only 153. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed and bummed with the reality of my scores and want to know if anyone has any suggestions on how to deal with this or if anyone has had similar experiences? With a month and a half to go before the exam I'm already thinking I need to take it in December -_-

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-64-section-1-question-22/

I completely understand the argument core and the correct answer. However, upon review, I am confused with the way a Manhattan expert eliminates (A).

https://www.manhattanprep.com/lsat/forums/q22-microbiologist-because-heavy-metals-t5572.html

(See the comment by rinagoldfield. Last post when I last checked. )

Is answer (A) strengthening the correlation between "metal resistance" and "antibacterial resistance" ? According to rinagoldfield, it is. She argued that (A) is incorrect because it strengthens correlation and not the causation. I am confused for two reasons:

1. I think that Mike Kim said somewhere in The Trainer that correlation, although can't prove causation, is perfectly okay to strengthen the causation. (I only glimpsed through the Trainer, let me know if I am daydreaming what this.)

2. I would have interpreted the correlation in (A) as between "not metal resistance" and "not antibacterial resistance" instead of between "metal resistance" and "antibacterial resistance" Am I missing something?

Thank you everyone in advance for trying to help!

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-64-section-1-question-22/

The following is my reasoning for why the answer to PT64S1Q22 is D, and is not B. The answer-sheet states that the answer is B, while online explanations for why the answer is B seem to me to be confusing, non sequitor, flawed, and specious. That being said, im likely wrong, and the LSAT writers and expert teachers are likely right, and I simply currently cant see why. PLEASE someone explain to me how my reasoning is flawed, and why B is correct. THANKS!!

....

Summary: The arguments conclusion incorrectly points to a cause (using the word "promoted"), based on a correlation. B indicates a correlation, not a cause, so B doesn't strengthen the argument. D, however, points to a cause (an indirect cause), helping to justify, and thus strengthen, the argument. D is therfore the correct answer.

Argument in Question Stem, presented in syllogistic format:

Sewage sludge concentrated with heavy metals = C

Surviving bacteria of C are resistant to heavy metal poisoning = Rh

Surviving bacteria of C are resistant to antibiotics = Ra

• C

• Rh

• (C --> Rh) (relationship is causal)

• Ra

☆ therfor, (C --> Ra) (relationship causal)

Flaw: The correlation of Ra, C, and (C --> Rh) does not mean there is a causation from C to Ra. The answer which strengthens this argument will show that (Rh --> Ra) (C causes Ra because it causes Rh which causes Ra) or directly that (C --> Ra) (C causes Ra) or some contrapositive to that effect (~Ra --> ~C) or (~Ra --> ~Rh)

Answer choices, presented in syllogistic format:

A) (~Ra --> ~Rh) with a correlative relationship, not causal. Also uses the word "most" further discrediting a potentially causal relationship. Wrong answer.

B) [(~C --> ~Rh) & (~C --> ~Ra)] with correlative relationships. Even if they were causal, it at most only proves the latter relationships contrapositive that (Ra --> C, relationship causal) which in no way strengthens the claim that (C --> Ra) for the existence of a causal relationship in one direction in no way indicates that such a relationship exists in the opposite direction. Wrong answer.

C) (Ra --> Rh), relationship causal. This doesn't tell us that (Rh --> Ra) for the existence of a causal relationship in one direction in no way indicates that such a relationship exists in the opposite direction. Wrong answer.

D) (C --> A), whereas the relationship is correlative and A = the presence of significant concentrations of antibiotics. This isn't the ideal answer, clearly. However, it introduces a new player (A), which in turn offers a prospective causal link. If (C --> A) then it's possible that (A --> Ra) which would obviously mean that (C --> A). Though we don't know to what degree it's possible that (A --> Ra), the existence of this new possibility is real; indeed, it makes sense from outside knowledge that higher levels of antibiotics in a medium likely means that the only bacteria who will survive are those that are resistant to antibiotics (duh). This renders the reasoning in the argument much stronger. Correct answer.

E) [(~Bs --> Rhp) & (~Bs --> Ra)] definitely wrong because it's completely changing the subject matter.

So what's my Achilles heal here?

Hi,

Every time I try to watch an explanation video (excluding LG ones hosted on YouTube), I get an error message about the video player being unable to load, and that the file can't be found. So I try the flash player too but that also says the video can't be found.

This happens for every video I try - I'm running on a Macbook Pro all up-to-date, and this error occurs in both Safari and Chrome. Tried it on a different laptop to double check it wasn't just mine and got the same results. Please help, this is so frustrating and I need to learn! :(

My average passage read time is 3:15.

My average passage question time is 5:15.

So, roughly 40% read time and 60% question time.

My average RC scores run from 17-21 correct answers.

I feel like I need to slow down a little on the read, because I find myself looking back for the "author would likely agree" and "what can we infer about author's attitude" type questions.

Is it reasonable to think that by slowing down on the read I can answer questions more quickly?

I'm just trying to figure out what conclusions I can draw with the info above to help me in my preparation.

Any help is appreciated.

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-19-section-2-question-23/

Can anyone kindly analyze this argument for me?

Can anyone recommend any sources I can read to help increase my comprehension for science RC passages?

I see people recommend Scientific American, but it's not free.

I also see people recommend SciCentral, but the site just links to a bunch of scientific journals. Am I just to assume the majority of the journals provide articles similar enough to the LSAT science passages, or. . . ?

Can we start a page within our LR discussion category similar to Manhattan's LR explanations page, or do you guys think it's redundant because of the videos? I only have the starter pkg, which doens't include all the LR questions and explanations, so if I still have questions I normally go to Manhattan's page or ask here in our forum. We could follow the same format as Manhattan: Questions listed in chronological order as they are posted; 32-4-17 (ex. Idk if that's actually an LR section). Thoughts? Of course, if this requires too much for the Admins then I think we're fine just how we are. @"Dillon A. Wright"

This might seem dumb, but is it allowed to chew gum while taking the LSAT? There is some pretty interesting research out there that says chewing gum helps one focus, make better and more rational decisions, avoid fight/flight mode, etc. etc. etc.

Thanks in advance!

Quick Question. I bought the starter coarse and it is set to expire let's say October 20th. If I upgrade to the next level to get more practice set's will it also extend my membership time past October 20th? And if it does add time onto my membership how much time is added?

Hi guys,

I am very nervous and depressed after taking 5 PTs and looking for advice for my October LSAT.

My diagnostic around early June was a 161. I have spent 7 weeks on 7sage and Manhatton, and also finished the Cambridge LSAT by category. I have taken 5 PTs in the past two week. However, it looks like I am plateauing at around 168-169 and my goal is to get a 170+ on test day.

As for LR, in the past 5 tests I went -7 (pt 70), -6 (pt57), -4 (pt 55), -4(pt73), -9(pt58). In light of question types, totally, I missed 5 for MSS, 5 NA, 5 Flaw, 2 PF, 3 Weaken, 3 Strengthen, 2 Resolve reconcile, 1 MBF, 1MC, 1Para, 1 Argument part and 1 Misc. I feel that 20% of these questions are really difficult that I could not figure out the correct answer by myself. Another 20% are really simple that I either misread the question stem (like misread weakening question as strengthen question) or overlook a key word. The remaining are the ones I am struggling between two choices and end up with the wrong one. Also, for the correct questions, I am also not certain for about 15% of the questions.

As for RC, I went -6 (pt 70), -4 (pt57), -2 (pt 55), -6(pt73), -4(pt58). I am bad at the questions with answers in abstract language, and the analogy question. And some times I have trouble with the difficult words.

As for LG, I went -0 (pt 70), -3 (pt57), -1 (pt 55), -0(pt73), -0(pt58).

Overall I'm having a really hard time making the marginal gains I need to get myself consistently above 170. This is almost my last chance to take LSAT, therefore, I really want to do well. Please do not hesitate to give me any advice you regard as helpful. Also, I am wondering if I need to hire a personal tutor since there is only 5 weeks left. Thank you guys.

Hello All,

My name is Erik Jimenez. I signed up for a free account just now. I’ve taken advantage of the YouTube material 7Sage provides for students seeking explanations for logic games and have found them extremely useful. Instead of reading the explanations from textbooks, I enjoy seeing the actual explanations.

I am writing this post because I am hoping someone out there will provide me some advise/recommendations for my LSAT Prep.

I started on this journey about 5 years ago. I was just finished with my junior year of undergrad and took a Blueprint summer LSAT course. Following Blueprint, I took a fall Kaplan LSAT course. I ended up not taking the LSAT and instead went to graduate school. Why you may ask? For one, I did not feel ready. Second, a great opportunity to teach while going to graduate school came up so I took it.

After I finished graduate school I took a repeat course through Kaplan. Again, I did not take the LSAT. I had just graduated with a master’s degree and was in dire need of a job. I finally landed my first real job out of college, and once again, I passed on the LSAT.

That same year I learned that I had been admitted to a fellowship, which provided an LSAT prep course, so once I finished the fellowship, I took TestMasters. Finally, I took the LSAT last October, but I cancelled my score. I paid a TestMasters tutor $500 for a few video chat tutorial sessions and prepared for the December exam. I took the December exam and scored a 145.

I applied to law school with that LSAT score. I was accepted to several law schools, which I would probably not have been accepted to if it weren’t for my GPA, personal statement, and extracurricular activities. Here is why I decided not to start law school this fall: I have a 3.93 undergrad GPA, 3.97 graduate GPA, I am an undocumented individual with a compelling personal narrative, and I really believe that despite the adversity I have gone through, which includes failing time and time again in my LSAT prep, I believe I can improve on the LSAT. I know I can.

I just scored an exam, which I took this evening and I am right where I left off in December. I scored a 146. It was my first exam since December. You might be asking, “What have you been doing this entire time and why did you just take your first practice test a month before the October LSAT?” Truth is, up until May of this year, I was still considering law school and had been applying for scholarships aggressively. Moreover, I work full-time and also mentor youth in my community so I am always busy. Also, my now ex-girlfriend who I broke up with less than a month ago is in graduate school so I spent most of this year helping her with graduate school, which included proof reading her papers, formatting papers according APA guidelines, and many other things.

I am hoping someone out there can help with the LSAT. Even if I could get up to the mid 150s, I would have better scholarship opportunities. As an undocumented student, I do not qualify for federal financial assistance, so it comes down to the LSAT if I want to receive merit scholarship awards. Please let me know if there is anything you can do to help me. That can be a package offered through 7Sage or some advise. I am determined, committed, and driven. I could have given up but will never give up on my dream of becoming an attorney. I also could have given up on the LSAT but I know I can do this. That is why I didn’t start law school this year. I wanted to give it one more try.

I will end this with the following quote: Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it. This quote speaks to me because I am know I need help and now have to courage to admit it and hopefully someone will relate to what I am experiencing and provide me with some help. Thank you all for your time.

Sincerely,

Erik

So I'm on my 15th PT now (just took PT50) and I've been noticing that the Logic Games section in the last like 8 tests I've taken PT43 - PT50 have all been listed on 7sage's score tracker as a difficulty of only 1/5. Is it typical for LSATs in later years also to consistently have easier logic games sections and more difficult LR and RC sections? Or is it pretty random and this has just been a crazy fluke streak of really easy logic games sections?

I'm just wondering because I used to do pretty spotty on logic games and would have a lot of variability in how many I missed in that section, but by the time I fixed it and was able to get much more consistent (I've thankfully gone -0 on the games for like 7 tests in a row now) I started to notice that the game sections themselves were actually easier too. Hoping that my skills haven't only been honed for the easier games or at least that what I've been practicing so far is representative of the typical relative difficulty of the section as a whole

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-67-section-2-question-13/

I've no idea where to begin on this. Twas the only question I missed in the section.

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-58-section-4-question-05/

OK. So I have a problem with this question. Sorry if this is a destructive mindset!

The conclusion states that because they are only interviewing people for the management consulting position from the top 1 percent of firms worldwide, then they can rest assured that their ultimate selection would be ONE OF THE BEST available.

To me that doesn't presume that ONLY THE BEST work at these firms. You can acknowledge that people who work at other firms are some of the best and even better that the ones who work at the firms in the top 1 percent but still rest assured that the ones who work at the top are one of the best at their job.

To me the flaw rested in the fact that they didn't specify what type of job the person had at one of the top firms. Maybe he could have been the janitor or something else completely unrelated to management consulting so that's why it can't be said that they are one of the best at that.

Any thoughts?

Quick question:

I've taken some PTs since finishing the curriculum and consistently score at 164 but BR in the low 170s. How do I translate this discrepancy into appropriate adjustments to my study habits?

I'm pretty good with LR, often getting only -2 or -3 and having time at the end of sections to look over tough questions. LG is my worst section.. usually score -7 but get between -3 and -0 on BR.

Basically, does my BR score indicate decent fundamentals but a need to focus on timing and staying cool under pressure- especially during LG? Want to be consistently around 170 timed before I sit for the exam.

Thanks!

I thought the conclusion should be the natural process study doesn't need plentiful of resources as the study and discoveries started under the condition of drought and hunger

I can't seem to get a grasp on necessary and sufficient assumption. It is consistently the worse category for me. I re-read and studied all the sections, paying close attention to assumption, but no change. I tried doing a test untimed, and yet again, assumption was the worst. I can do logic games and reading comprehension just fine, I just always get between 20-30 out of 50 in logical reasoning. What should I do?

I've been doing 3 PTs a week for the last month.

The goal was to go through 39-75 until the Oct test date.

(Currently at 57 )

I've been realizing that the progress is slow and I am feeling burnt out.

So I've decided to do 2 PTs/week instead even though I may not get through all the prep tests.

I will spend more time reviewing questions from old tests as well as thorough BRs.

Furthermore, if I have to retake in December, I may still have a few fresh prep tests left.

Does this sound like a solid plan?

Or should I stick to doing all PTs before the Oct exam?

Thanks!

Hi, guys, I am confused with the relationship between "causation" and conditional logic. Could anyone give me some help? According to the lessons, it seems that "A causes B" = A-->B. However, in PT25-S4-Q12, this rule does not seem to work. In the stimulus, "the school principle insisted that student failures are caused by bad teaching." Then, he concludes that since failing grades disappeared, the teaching had improved at the school. This is a parallel flaw question. I am wondering what is the flaw. Isn't it that bad teaching --> failure, here, /failure, therefore,/bad teaching? I also find several similar questions in the PTs. Therefore, I really need your help. Thank you so much.

Hi everyone,

I've been a 7Sager for quite sometime but just the quiet type. I've been studying on an off for this test for over 18 months now, juggling work and study just as many of you are. During this last stretch I've been performing my best: BRs in high 170s and timed PTs in the high 160s. but, I have a huge problem that i can't seem to control. During the course of preparing for this test I've noticed that as i pick up the pace with studying, i start to develop a situation where, I could read the same sentence ten times and not understand a word. It's almost as if someone turns of a switch in my brain and i go dark. when this happens, everything suffers: RC, LR, LG. I'm still able to BR pretty high but my timed PTs are horrible. I've tried reading hobby related material or something not LSAT involved but the trend follows.

This test surely brings out the best and worst of me.

If anyone out there could offer some advice i would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

PM

http://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-19-section-2-question-20/

Can someone break this down? I thought B was the least attractive answer, and it turned out to be correct. I am completely clueless on this one; I can't even make heads or tails of the argument. Is it saying that since TV caused music videos to exist, then those that think music videos are art should also think TV gave rise to a type of art? But how is B anything like this? There is no causal indicators in B and there is no comparison in the original passage (like there is in B).