Dear 7sagers,

So here's my thoughts on my first online format take for the LSAT:

I loved it for LR! It just felt like the process went way smoother and more efficiently. I don't know if it was because I've been drilling and reviewing LR like mad over the past couple of weeks, but nonetheless, the online LR has some evident advantage in my view. First of all, it helps so much that the clock is on your screen. Checking for the time on my analog watch was just a plain damn nuisance for me. Also, not having to transfer your answers on the scan-tron gives me an extra 2-3 minutes to do more questions. Lastly, the online format in terms of pencil vs. mouse/tablet pen, doesn't allow much time to be fixated on labeling. This indirectly forces you to focus on the structure of the argument instead of circling/underling each and every major detail, which was a bad habit for me.

Now for on the contrary, the online format is a freakin' NIGHTMARE for Games! Having to look up and down at the screen between my setup on scratch paper and the test itself on the monitor was unforgiving for me! Right now I usually get through about 3 games; but this time I could barley do ONE! Uggh, I wish LSAC would allow for having a clean paper version of the games to write on, and then transfer your answers on the computer/tablet. How do you all handle Games online? I folded my scratch paper horizontally, with one bigger side for the diagram, and the smaller side for questions. However this didn't help me at all, so I would dearly welcome any and all suggestion on this for me.

For Reading Comp., I still slightly prefer paper, but I believe I'll be able to adjust for online reading. I also believe that the online version, like LR, doesn't allow much time for obsession over labeling, so it forces you to comprehend the structure of the passage, which is what RC is pretty much all about.

PS: I'm registered for the July test, which seems like a WTF that I just now did an online test. However I'm most likely going to cancel and take advantage of the later free test unless I score a 155 or better. So I'd really like those online LG suggestions please!

Don’t wait to hit the 70s in January! Be prepared!

Friday, Nov 27th at 8PM ET: PT74

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What do you guys think of this approach?

I posted a question but have now edited it to this as I don't know how to delete it.

Hi! I'm in Charlotte NC and don't know anyone else applying so would love someone to study with. I plan on taking the test in October 2014.

Most Authoritarian Rulers passage:

Hey guys after watching Nicole Hopkins' webinar on RC Methods and Jimmy Quicksilver's webinar on RC Question Types and Tips I thought it would be helpful to start sharing our notes/annotations for each passage because each of us reads a different way and we all see different things. I want to be clear that I’m no expert by any means and this is just the way I personally annotate that is a combination of Nicole Hopkins’s “Toolbox” method and JY’s Memory Method. Also note that I’m doing RC a slightly similar way to Pacifico’s Fool Proof method in that I’m doing the passage 2x one after the other and then once again the following day. While time consuming this definitely is allowing me to read more efficiently for structure and see the similarities in each passage which I know will help me in the long run. This is part one which will just include my annotations for the passage (Most Authoritarian Rulers) and I'll post one that has analysis of the questions immediately afterwards.

I hope this helps you guys and I look forward to seeing what you guys see in each passage!

Notation Breakdown:

Who: Important Nouns

• Box it along with the quantifier

What: Term or phrase that’s defined or has relevant information afterwards

• Box with a tail

When: Date or time

• Circle it

Where: In what context

• Put brackets around it

Pivots: Switching between viewpoints

• Marked with >

• Also may help if you distinguish which opinions each are

Questions: Questions someone raised that could be answered in the passage

• Mark with a Q or a ? In the margins

Time Breakdown of reading/annotating before going to the questions

• 4:05

Paragraph 1:

I boxed with tail “Most authoritarian rulers” who undertook democratic reforms (The quantifier “most” was important because an answer choice could have said “all authoritarian rulers and would have been out of the scope of the stimulus”)

Underlined “they” for referential phrasing

I put a pivot after the “but” to show that annotate that the real reason why the author believes that many authoritarian rulers undertake democratic reform is because they see that they can’t hold onto their power unless they do so

Boxed changes and mobilizations because I anticipated that was where the passage was going from here

What is the function of this paragraph:

This paragraph is introducing the author’s main point: “Due to the various changes and mobilizations in civil society it makes it impossible for authoritarian rulers to hold onto their power indefinitely so they undertake democratic reform.”

Where do we think the passage is heading from here?

Well the first paragraph mentions “changes and mobilizations but we don’t exactly know what exactly they’re referring to so that might be an indicator of where we’re heading from here

Paragraph 2:

Immediately Box “Three types of changes” because this lets you know that more than likely the author is going to talk about what the 3 changes are.

• Also note that these “Changes” are the changes and mobilizations in civil society that we annotated earlier

Box with a tail “values and norms in the society alter over time” until the end of that sentence. I wanted to box this with a tail because I wanted to get the first type of change along with showing how it changed civil society.

• Also I put a 1 in the margin so that I could quickly see where the values were when I needed to refer back to the passage

In the next sentence I put a bracket along with “Ex” in the margins so that if it asked about that specific example I could find it

• Also I circled 1970’s and 1980’s so if they had other dates as an answer choice I could quickly eliminate it

I underlined the last sentence in the paragraph because it shows another way that the changing of values and norms in society impact an authoritarian rulers’ power

What is the purpose of this paragraph:

This paragraph gives us the first type of changes in civil society that make it impossible for rulers to hold onto their power

• A change in norms and values

How does the change in norms and values contribute?

• Reduces people’s tolerance and stimulates concentration of power thus stimulating their demands for freedom (11-13)

• As people place more value on political freedom and civil liberties they become more inclined to speak out, protest, and organize for democracy, frequently beginning with the denunciation of human rights abuses (17-22)

Do you have an example of either of these points:

• Latin America in the 1970’s, 1980’s (13-17)

Where are we going from here:

We talked about the first value that contributes to society’s no longer condoning the continuation of authoritarian rule so my anticipation would be that the next paragraph would talk about the second change

Paragraph 3:

Box alignment of economic interests in society can shift: This is the second change the author gives

Box scholar: Let’s us know who is saying this

Box with tail and brackets from privileged people to long-term interests:

• We want to box privileged people so we know who we’re talking about and you want to make sure that you read with and without the internal context of who the privileged people were

• All of this is important information because it gives us a way how the economic interests shifting could impact the regime

Box “such a large-scale shift”: This is just so you can remember what type of shift we’re talking about the shifting of changing norms and values

Bracketed and put “Ex” in the margin for the Philippines example, for the exact same reason we did the Latin America example, if we’re asked about it we can easily find it

What is the purpose of this paragraph:

This paragraph gives us the second change that can contribute to a society no longer condoning the continuation of authoritarian rule

• Economic interests in a society can shift

How do the shifting of economic interests in a society contribute to the author’s main point

• A turning point is created when privileged people in society come to the conclusion that the authoritarian regime is dispensable and that its continuation might damage their long-term interests.

• (26-31)

Is there an example of this:

• Transition to democracy in the Philippines

Paragraph 4:

Box “expanding resources, autonomy, and self-confidence of various segments of society and of newly formed organizations both formal and informal”

• This is showing the 3rd and final change that contributes to the author’s main point

Bracket the next 2 sentences and put Ex in the margins

• This gives you visually a clearer point to see two examples of this change

Box this profound development: Referential phrasing to the example above

What is the purpose of this paragraph:

This paragraph gives us the 3rd change that contributes to the shifting from authoritarian society to a democracy

• Expanding resources, autonomy, and self-confidence of various segments of society and of newly formed organizations both formal and informal

Are there any examples of this:

• Students marching in the streets demanding change

• Workers paralyze key industries

• Lawyers refuse to cooperate any longer

• Alternative sources of information pierce and shatter the veil of secrecy

Paragraph 5:

Box “authoritarian rule tends in the long run to generate all 3 types of change

• This helps us understand that we have to deal with all of these problems not just 1 or 2

Box with tail “Ironically” until the end of that sentence: Could be asked about the author’s attitude towards this situation and this gives a glimpse into their tone

Bracket the last sentence of the passage

• Gives lasting thoughts to what the author believes (If you don’t convert to a democratic society then you won’t be able to retain any of your power)

What is the purpose of this paragraph:

This paragraph brings together all of the ideas and hints at the authors tone throughout the passage along with his thoughts moving forward regarding this issue

Overall Analysis:

This passage is pretty straight forward it introduces the issue (Authoritarian rulers are unable hold on to their power indefinitely unless the switch to a democratic society), then uses the following 3 paragraphs to go into detail about each change that contributes to this issue, then the author brings everything together and leaves you with his lasting thought.

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?

I am having problem with LR, If anyone wants to get together to study for it. I would appreciate it.

On drills, I usually go -2 on RC, -2 on LG, and anywhere from -1 to -3 on LR. But when I take PTs, my mistakes double. This has been going on for several months now.

Most recently, I split PTs 63, 64, and 65 into four individual drills. After adding up the score from each drill, my totals were 170, 173, and 171, respectively.

I just took PT 65 as a full practice test and got slammed with a 165.

It hasn't always been like this. In July last year, I was hitting the 170s with relative ease on full PTs. I took a break from hardcore studying because of work, but I made it a point to keep up with drilling. So why am I doing so poorly on PTs? Any wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Are there tips for practicing identifying this? Like a list of potential things each paragraph could be? the vocab always trips me up. thanks! @"Juliet - 7Sage"

Delete

PrepTest 94:

I'm confused on how this was the correct answer choice (B) because Zobel's claim that Peterson’s analytic concepts are wrong and should be rejected was established, as he directly stated that in the first sentence. What makes a claim "established"?

Admin Note: Edited title. For LR questions, please use the format: "PT#.S#.Q# - brief description of the question." Please also do not post the entire question and answer choices for the LSAC question; this is copyrighted content and is against the Forum Rules.

I am a week into LSAT studying, about halfway through the “Causation and Phenomenon-Hypothesis Questions” section, and am wondering when I should start seeing close to 5/5 with BR on drills and quizzes? For the most part, I do well on the videos J.Y. goes over with us as part of the curriculum, but am being absolutely wrecked during drills, even with BR. I have months before taking my first official LSAT (June probably), but am curious whether I should be absolutely nailing these sections before moving on any further, or if I should continue through the syllabus as it will all fall together later on. Thanks in advance!

Is anyone having issues with Lawhub today? I know testing is going on right now but it's moving so slowwwwwww and I'm trying to get some last min studying in.

I took my first diagnostic LSAT around April of 2020 and scored a 161, with LG as my weakest section by far (only got all the way through one game). During the school year I work and go to school full time, and I have the summers off. I used last summer to take the Test Masters course, but by the end I had only improved my score by two points, mostly because I am really slow at LG and I’m not able to get through the games in time, though my other sections are generally good (normally miss about 3 on RC, 3-6 on LR). I got a 7Sage subscription and I have been studying on and off since then, and I just took my first practice test since the fall and scored a 160 :( My highest practice test to date is a 164 with a 174 blind review score, and I’m discouraged I dropped from that point. I mainly am just really struggling with Logic Games, and even though I’ve done a million of them I am still very slow, which is the main thing holding my score back.

I also had some bad things happen in my personal life during undergraduate that resulted in a low undergraduate GPA (though I’m currently enrolled in a Master program at an Ivy with a 3.9 GPA, and I have good softs like published research in a prestigious journal, lots of leadership positions etc.), so I feel pretty discouraged because I know I need to knock the LSAT out of the park to compensate, and because my diagnostic was relatively high I thought I could do it but now I'm losing hope. I’m also discouraged because I seem stuck so stubbornly around 160 and I just feel like I am not getting any faster at LG. Any advice/encouragement is welcome. Thanks in advance!

I don't know if this is common knowledge but I just wanted to share if it isn't. I take digital notes and I didn't like writing down all the sentences when taking a quiz. For example, while doing the logic group 1 and group 2 translations quizzes. So I downloaded an extension called Web Paint that allows me to underline, draw, paint, etc. the examples on the web page instead of physically writing all of the sentences and working through them on paper. I think this has saved me a lot of time. If this sounds confusing then let me know and I'll further explain what I mean.

Feb 2000 Passage 1, question 7

Admin Note: Edited title. Please use the format: "PT#.S#.Q# (P#)"

In the analytics section for PTs sections are given ratings of easy, medium, difficult. I've found out that these are averaged based on the extent to which 7sagers struggle with a given section. However, isn't this meaningless since the test is designed to be standard? The range of difficulty should change much because there is no curve...thoughts?

I am looking for someone I could meet up with around once a week to thoroughly discuss and breakdown Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension Questions. Sometimes the explanation videos just aren't enough or, for the older prep tests, there aren't any videos, so I'd like to have someone to struggle through these questions together. I do have requirements so please look through them carefully:

1.) Goal score must be 170+

2.) Must be scoring 164+

3.) *Open and honest about abilities and score

4.) 1-1 format only through Zoom

My ultimate purpose is to establish a mutually beneficial relationship, where we can pull each other up. These sessions will be basically be talk through blind review sessions so no timed exercises or doing Prep Tests together or looking at online explanations. Sessions will be focused on the older Prep Tests (1-16) due to the lack of explanations available and questions in the Core Curriculum to strengthen concepts.

Message me privately if you are interested. I don't mind when you are taking the exam so long as you meet ALL of these requirements.

Hello, is the January 2022 LSAT is too late for this cycle to be considered competitive? Thank you in advance for everyone's answers.

I truly believe I can score a 180 (-0) on this test and want to find a study partner with similar delusions.

Necessary Conditions:

currently in the 170s

looking for a study partner

perfection as your goal

can commit to two zoom meetings a week and honor that commitment

taking the October LSAT

If this is you, send me a pm.

Hey guys, I just took PT62, which is about my 7th PT I have taken so far, and I scored a 159 (-4 LG, -9 RC, -11 LR) after my diagnostic two months ago of 148. I know that I tanked the LR pretty bad, but just curious as to what everyone's thoughts are on the difficulty level of this test?

160 is where I want to be for the August LSAT next week, so should I be happy about this, or is it considered an easier PT?

Cheers guys!! :)

I've been struggling with Inference (Inf, InfOP, InfAP, InfAA) questions on PTs and need some advice on how to approach/how to practice them/which videos and lessons specifically may be helpful. I generally perform pretty well in RC but inferences have been really a bad area consistently. Would appreciate any advice!!

Any thoughts on the Revised Pay as You Earn Plan (RPYE )?

Pros and Cons ??

Do you think the govt could afford it for the next 25 years?

What happens when you make too much money ?

How does it work with taxes? Do you pay your regular income taxes ... and then pay a fixed amount every year in taxes based on the loans forgiven?

Hello,

Myself and elle.sat.woods180

Are looking to add two members to our study group.

Our goal is to reach +170 scores for the 2021-2022 academic year.

The highest score I have received on the LSAT was a 167. I have scored 165 multiple times and my most recent LSAT scores have been varied from 160 to 167. I have taken approximately 80 LSAT Preptests. I only have 10 more. I took these tests in numerical order but also decided to take LSAT 89 and 88 because of their difficulty in order to prepare myself for the November/January LSAT. It did not work.

Our method of study is to pick LR/LG/RC questions/passages and blind review them. We general pick questions and passages based on their difficulty.

We are both on the East Coast but are willing to be flexible for those who are not.

Send me a direct message if you are interested in joining our group.

Thanks,