If I can master this exam (while 7 months pregnant, working full-time, & parenting a toddler), you can too.

Scored a 146 on a diagnostic back in 2018. Took the November 2019 LSAT and scored a 153. Took it again and scored even lower. Worked my ass off (used Khan Academy —> BluePrint —> LSAT Hacks —> 7sage) and scored 180 in August. I almost canceled my score.

I’m very tired. Need a nap and maybe some chocolate.

Update: ** see below for the topics I covered in the comments.

** In the comments, I added tips around each of the following topics:**

Note: found my diagnostic score and it was actually 2 points lower! (updated accordingly).

I was originally scheduled to take the January lsat next week with hopes to go to law school this 2024 cycle. I have now changed my lsat date to June 2024 with intentions to going to law school in the 2025 cycle. My goal is to get in the 160-165 range. I am locked in these next 6 months.

So phenomenon - El Niño - is expected to increase in coming years and this thing causes HEAVY WINTER RAINFALL in T.

Conclusion: Average rodent population in T will increase in the coming years.

WHY: Because rodent populations normally increase during LONG periods of suatainsmd rain.

Hope this layout helps you see that the author is probably either assuming that long periods of rain will occur with heavy winter rainfall or that heavy winter rainfall will cause these long periods of rain.

A. UM ok? this doesn't really appear to do anything to the argument

B. Ok but we know there is going to be heavy rain doesn't really hurt the argument.

C. Ok so I think you can't take other situations which are clearly not the same as T to be indicative of what is going to happen in T. Maybe to have more rodents you need the perfect variables which T is going to have thus our argument still stands.

D*. In T winters marked by HEAVY rainfall (the one that's going to be caused by El Niño normally does not mean that LONG periods of rain occur. This hurts the argument a lot, because it pretty much says "yea we are going to see a lot of heavy rain with this phenomenon but it actually rarely occurs for long periods meaning it probably (rains and stops....) which means we probably won't see an increase of rodents.

E. (Was very confused with this one) But this just requires to many assumptions

The global warming caused by air pollution (the same sufficient conditions for El Niño) is going to produce a large number of effects that could affect rodent populations.

Ok for E to weaken you need to assume that these effects are going to affect our rodents in T, also you need to assume they are going to be bad effects and not let them increase the average of rodents. What if the effects make them super human NYC type rodents, what if its a positive affect for rodents and actually increases them more.

Ok so pretty much X 50 ppl

Y has 100 ppl

X 1 person hospitalized

Y has 4 ppl hospitalized

So initially I thought this doesn't really seem like a paradox but wtv, lets just explain why Y has more hospital patients.

A. Ok if preventive health programs are more common X than in Y that'll explain why Y has more people in hospitals.

B. (I was between this and D just because I couldn't eliminate D) This actually explains the phenomena though. If city X is a leader in outpatient treatment whenever possible that explains why they have less hospitalizations they just send everyone home.

C. Perfect the drinking water of Y has DANGEROUSLY high toxins compared to that of X so that could cause more people to be sick and end up in hospitals

D*: (Read carefully) The hospitals in Y are of high quality and X ppl are sent there for treatment. Ok just because X people are sent there let's say to get the pain medication that wouldn't explain why Y has more hospital patients. They could just go get the medication and leave.

E. Fair assumption to make that if stress is correlated with higher hospitalizations

Does anyone know why B is not right for q11? Thanks :)

Hey everyone, while filling out my law school applications some are asking to list the volutneer worked we have done but theres a part that says hours/weeks im not sure how to fill out that section and when i tried inserting numbers it came up as invalid. does anyone know how to resolve this issue?

I'm having so much trouble with finding flaws in LR. I feel like my NA and Flaw questions are suffering because of it. Can anyone explain to me their process when trying to find flaws?

Who reviews the explanations for LR questions that you get correct? I'd like to do it. I've read that it helps cement good reasoning. But there's just so many that it takes up tons of time. I always review the explanations for the questions that I get incorrect.

Taking the Feb LSAT and I don't know if I am on a good track.

I can do the questions pretty well (untimed) but with time I am rushing and getting the questions wrong or I am not able to complete all the questions without guessing. My main issue is just time. Idk how to approach the MBF/MBT questions without freaking out which causes me to lose more time.

I posted this as a comment on my post "146 —> 180 (Thank you 7sage!) Very tired Mom edition": https://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/30244. But it has become difficult for people to find amidst the other comments on there, so I am posting it separately here. See the original post for my schedule, RC tips, and LG tips.

Comment below with your favorite books; would love to get some more ideas of books to read now that I'm in the midst of finally applying to law school!

My 15 favorite books that I read while studying for the LSAT

“The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds…”- Rene Descartes

Books on Habits, Exercise, Mindset, and Psychology

James Clear - Atomic Habits: start here! This book inspires and has tons of practical resources on how to build routines, schedules, and habits that will allow you to thrive while juggling multiple priorities.

Dr. Ratey - Spark: From Dr. Ratey, I learned that exercise may be the most effective way we can combat depression and improve our brain functioning each day. Exercise has actually been shown to be one of the most effective treatments for depression. Research has shown that 3 days of exercise per week is as effective as regular doses of the antidepressant Zoloft.

Dr. Dweck - Mindset: From Dr. Dweck, I learned the importance of a growth mindset, which is the belief that our “inherent” traits ARE shapeable (including intelligence, personality) and how to cultivate one with practice. I learned how destructive LABELING is: both positive and negative labels are destructive. When we label ourselves and others we tend act consistently with those labels instead of growing in our ideals. They become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Books on Process, Mindfulness, and the Brain:

Dr. Daniel Siegel - Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation: From a pioneer in the field of mental health comes a groundbreaking book on the healing power of "mindsight," the potent skill that allows you to make positive changes in your brain–and in your life.

Thomas Sterner -The Practicing Mind: really honed in why focusing on the process is necessary. In order to achieve the goals we are striving for, we need to let go of the result, so we do not become impatient with the process. I learned from the stoics not to label what happens (the outcome), and this book affirmed this. “Failure” in the outcome is learning. Learning something new requires practice and involves mistakes. We will make mistakes when we are doing hard things and challenging ourselves.

Thomas Sterner - Fully Engaged: Better Results and Less Stress through Proven Techniques: To be fully engaged in life means that we have clear goals as well as the focus and skills to accomplish those goals with ease and a sense of calm awareness. This book explores specific techniques, such as thought awareness training and setting goals with accurate data, and demonstrates how using these techniques will not only help you reach your objectives, but will keep you engaged in each moment of your life, throughout the process of accomplishing those goals. Being thus engaged will result in less stress and more satisfaction in every aspect of life.

Dr. Ian McGilchrist - Ways of Attending: Attention is not just receptive, but actively creative of the world we inhabit. How we attend makes all the difference to the world we experience. And nowadays in the West we generally attend in a rather unusual way: governed by the narrowly focussed, target-driven left hemisphere of the brain.

Books on How to Study and Learn More Effectively

Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning: this book has given me a new strategy for studying for the LSAT that incorporates the latest research on the most effective ways to learn new subject matter. The focus of the book is memory and how to best promote long term retention of subject matter. It details the research behind the most effective study strategies we can employ to promote our memory. It offers many strategies all based in robust research. Each chapter is packed with studies and stories that capture real-life applications of the strategies. I highly recommend this book to anyone committed to lifelong learning. Even if you are beyond the years of formal study, you stand to benefit from learning better ways to retain information.

Cal Newport’s How to be a Straight A student:

Connection to other concepts: this aligns with what I’ve read about Growth Mindset - we are truly shapeable and if we want to be good students, we can hone the habits of good students. I love that this book allows for us to shape ourselves, with practice, into being good students. This book offers STRATEGIES that can help us be better students of life.

A big realization I had while reading this book was that the LSAT is a TECHNICAL exam, so my approach should be as such. So I am treating the test as this. There are a set of LOGIC rules that underlie the test. It is not a philosophy test, although there is theory behind the rules, it is really more of a MATH test. So my study approach should reflect this.

Books on Stoicism

Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations: I was deeply inspired by this book! This book is a collection of meditations that Marcus wrote to himself. He was encouraging himself and reminding himself to stay grounded. Each point could have been reflected on for 15 minutes or so. They reflected what Marcus was struggling with at the time or needed to remind himself of. It was a helpful reminder that no matter what we are doing, we need these reminders of what we are called to do in our lives. Thousands of years ago, Marcus Aurelius needed to remind himself that what other people think doesn’t matter.

Ryan Holiday -The Obstacle is the Way: What I learned from this book is about the philosophy of stoicism; this book is a modern day take on stoicism. There is an incredibly long tradition of stoicism dating back to the founding fathers and before that to ancient Greece and Rome. Ryan Holiday gives many examples of stoics in his books, much like James Clear does in his Atomic Habits. I was struck that Abraham Lincoln struggled with depression and was forced to manage it over the years. Ryan Holiday made the point that Lincoln’s depression gave him a unique perspective on his own mortality. He read voraciously which helped him manage his depression. It reminded me that nothing happens to us that we can’t endure. I enjoyed reading this book in conjunction with Marcus Aurelius, one of the original stoics.

Favorite Memoirs

Tara Westover - Educated: an incredible book. Something I learned from this book is that it is important to acknowledge the power that old ideas and ways of thinking have over us. They are passed down from generation to generation. To grow, we need to leave old ways behind and keep pushing before. A part of growing is leaving aside ideas that were passed down from our parents and grandparents. I think one of the most important lessons we can learn from the book is that we are shapeable. Our past does not define us. With effort we can grow and become capable of more in our lives.

Tori Murden - A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean: Was struck by how much this woman had a heart for the vulnerable and how much that drove her to do what she did. She protected her mentally handicapped brother from bullies. This is a true story of Tori Murden McClure, the first woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean. McClure’s memoir is more than a woman-against-the-elements adventure tale; it is a story of courage, adventure, and personal discovery that will appeal to women and men of all ages. Beautiful, breathtaking, moving, and inspiring. I read this book in 24 hours.

Other Favorites

Digital Minimalism - Cal Newport: Minimalism is the art of knowing how much is just enough. Digital minimalism applies this idea to our personal technology. It's the key to living a focused life in an increasingly noisy world. In this timely and enlightening book, Newport introduces a philosophy for technology use that has already improved countless lives.Digital minimalists are all around us. They're the calm, happy people who can hold long conversations without furtive glances at their phones. They can get lost in a good book, a woodworking project, or a leisurely morning run. They can have fun with friends and family without the obsessive urge to document the experience. They stay informed about the news of the day, but don't feel overwhelmed by it. They don't experience "fear of missing out" because they already know which activities provide them meaning and satisfaction.

Set Boundaries, Find Peace - Nedra Glover Tawwab: Learning to set boundaries is an acquired skill that we can master through practice. Boundaries allow for healthy relationships with our spouses, children, family, friends, work, volunteer efforts, and ourselves. This book offers practical advice on how to identify when boundaries are needed in various aspects of life and how we can go about setting assertive boundaries. What I learned from Nedra Glover Tawwab is that actually “feelings of guilt” are inevitable when you’re setting boundaries in areas you haven’t before, but where boundaries are desperately needed. It won’t feel “good” to set much-needed boundaries but it will allow for a more joy-filled, balanced life.

In a 4 question LG drill I’m -2 easy. Throw an in out game and I’m useless.

Can someone point to the exact LR lessons I need to complete the in out games? Eventually I need to complete all of LR but I just want to knock out LG fully and just drill daily to keep the skills.

Hello, I posted a comment on someone's previous post on this question, but because it was from 3 months ago, I wanted to bump with my own post.

I got the answer correct, and I can explain why I thought C was correct, but I couldn't fully prove why A was incorrect. I could eliminate B, D, and E, because the stimulus does not mention what conditions would determine whether someone deserves praise or is worthy of it. The stimulus only mentions whether which treatment is more worthy.

In regards to C) Only what is subject to a person's choice should be used in measuring the praiseworthiness of that person, the stimulus mentions that a person cannot choose to have feelings. Therefore, the ethicist's argument that one's treatment is more worthy of praise if it is at least partially motivated by feelings of compassion means they did not have choice in the matter of having those feelings. So C cannot be true.

For A, the reason why I personally did not choose this answer, is because the stimulus states that treatment that is entirely motivated by cold and dispassionate concern for moral obligation is less worthy of praise- I was unsure if 'cold and dispassionate concern' could still be categorized as feelings, even if it is slightly described as lack thereof. Still, I couldn't completely eliminate this answer.

I'm not sure if my reasoning is correct- could someone confirm? Thank you so much!

Can someone explain the reasoning of this prompt? I chose A) - wrong asnwer but blind reviewing it, I understand it as being partially agreeable to the to the overall argument.

LR- PTB.S1.Q1

Misread the question and u was stuck between two answer choices that I thought would be correct. I need to understand the main point for this question because it can lead to tricky answer choices.

Admin Note: Edited title. For LR questions, please use the format: "PT#.S#.Q# - brief description of the question."

I noticed that the v2 curriculum is MUCH shorter than v1, partly due to fewer practice tests. I know that's because there probably aren't that many tests that have two sets of LR, but will the lack of practice tests be a detriment to my preparation for exams Aug 2024 onward?

Hey What can I do? I bought the LIVE 7Sage subscription but I can't do anything with it because I do not have the upgraded Law Hub account. I'm registered for the Feb LSAT and I'm losing time. I applied for the Fee waiver and was denied. I do not know what else to do.

Hi! I am in need of some advice regarding taking a gap year.

I have applied for the 2024 cycle to 6 schools. My resume, LOR's, personal statement & GPA is strong but my LSAT score is not where I know it could be. I was rushed into applying but now I feel like a gap year may be more beneficial to me. I would take the year off, live at home, study for the LSAT, save money and work at a law firm where I am working now. Overall just take time off from school but get to where my LSAT score can help me get more financial aid. However, I have already applied. I am waiting for decision emails to come back and I am wondering if there would be a way to postpone admissions? Or if after applying then taking a gap year looks bad come 2025 admissions cycle? I don't know if there is a way to do this or if anyone has done this before.

Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated :) ! Thank you!

Basically title. I don't want to go into the LSAT overconfident on my scoring. I recently hit minus 8 BR on preptest 71, but that seems a little high for missing 8 questions raw. Checked recent scalings for later preptest and it seems the margin of error is much lower for missed questions to get a 170+.

Does anybody have tips on how to improve on RC? I typically get like -14 or -16 on this section and doing low res has helped but when the passage is difficult / under timed conditions, it does not seem to help me at all. I would greatly appreciate any help!

Thank you everyone for your input

Just started with 7Sage! Is it recommend to go through the coursework in chronological order first before utilizing the live classes? Can anyone share how they go about using this as a tool?

Started with a diagnostic of 139, feeling really hopeless that I wouldn't be able to get into any law school. Just took a few PTs throughout the week and I'm ranging from 168-170s. Just writing this discussion post to give hope to anyone studying. You guys can do this. Let's all not give up and crush our actual tests!

Hi, I recently paid for the live course and I found that there are many tools for studying including proctored tests and office hours. Could anyone explain how to use two of them? Proctored tests and office hours.

One more question, since this is my first time for taking live classes and I am not sure how to properly use this incredible system. Any tips? Thanks!

Hi All, good evening!

Does anyone have any information on resources that I can use to get my law school personal statement reviewed? I'm currently looking for some help.

Thank you!

Hey,

I am relatively new to 7sage, have been liking it a lot so far. I was curious to know about these difficulty levels I see after drills. Is the actual lsat generally more 4 and 5 level difficulty questions or is it more dispersed between difficulty levels.