I've browsed through some discussion forums on this passage, but wanted to see if my overall conditional logic thinking was correct. #help

Stim: Fear of retaliation --> deterrence

A) deterrence --> fear of retaliation (switches the logic)

B ) /fear --> deterrence (which also just makes no common sense)

C) deterrence --> fear of retaliation

D) I couldn't figure out a rough logic translation but the overall thought process tracked with that in the stimulus

E) deterrence --> need the best retaliation (which is just irrelevant)

Hi you legends,

Backstory: Cold diagnostic 161 in April. Then my dad almost died of a heart attack. Fortunately he made it through, but I spent May-Aug caring for him/my mom, working full-time, and studying on the side.

Did CC. Got down to -1/3 on LR, -1/2 on RC. Good enough there. Taken 6 PTs so far, have been scoring 168/9.

Sat the Aug LSAT bc in the haze of everything w my dad I forgot to cancel; scored a 165-- low for me.

LG is the problem. I started at like -11, did some of the early problem sets and then sets from PTs 40-63. Got it down to a pretty regular -4. But now things are trending in the wrong direction. For the past 5-10 sets, have been missing more questions... like back up to -7, not finishing sets on time, etc.

A few questions:

What timing strategies do you all use for Logic Games? Unlike RC and LR, I never finish sets early, and rarely even finish with enough time not to have to guess on the last (or, more recently, last 3-4) questions.

Are the LG in the 60s harder, and that's why I'm battling?

Is my regression burnout? (Caring for a sick parent + working more than full time + finishing a book with an academic press + studying for the LSAT has obviously made for quite the year.)

Did anyone have any experience with excellent LG tutoring? I am in my 30s/unmarried so obviously paying for this ~jOuRnEy~ myself, but at this point, I'd be willing to shell out maybe $200 for some excellent private tutoring that really brings my LG score consistently into the -3 range.

Thanks for all your feedback. 7sagers are the sole positive thing about this whole LSAT trash!

I took the LSAT back in September 2017 and completed a writing sample then, so it's four years old. I am taking the LSAT again this October, is it worth it to re-do the writing sample?

Hey everyone,

My PT scores have been varying wildly from low 160s to low 170s, with pretty much all of the variation coming from RC. I consistently get between -2 to -4 on LG and LR, but my RC scores vary from -2 to -10. It seems to have less to do with the question types and more to do with if I happen to be able to retain focus while reading the passages (which appears almost arbitrary). If anybody has any advice about how they stay focused on the passages while reading, I'd be grateful. I try to convince my brain I'm interested in the topics and actively work on a low res summary, but it seems to be hit or mess on whether it's successful.

I'll be taking my first preptest on 7sage tomorrow. Any user tips? I've taken a bunch of preptests on lawhub in the past.

Thanks.

As the October test is fast approaching, I have been focusing on what has now become my weakest section, reading comprehension. I miss at best -9 questions, and usually do not finish within the time restraints or end up overlooking details because I am rushing. I would like to reduce this number to at least -7, preferably -5. Does anyone have any tried and true techniques they use tackle the passages? I tried focusing on three passages, but I have seen very inconsistent results with that method (I did score 21/27 one time, probably lucky!)

Thoughts on it?

So LSAC is showing that my transcripts were processed on August 30th but there is still no GPA indicated on my account. How long does it usually take for them to calculate your GPA after receiving your transcripts? I just want to make sure that it usually does take this long and if not I will try and figure it out with them. Thanks for any replies!

Taking the OCT exam and currently PTing around 170. The best score I have gotten in PT so far is 174 (BR178)

This will be my last LSAT and my previous was 167. Any last minute studying tips? I am currently at -1-3 per section.

Hey all! Any idea if we should be taking the practice test of 4 sections or 3?

If we take it as 4, do all 4 sections get counted towards the score or just 3?

For people who do 3, do you worry you might not have the endurance to do all 4 on test day?

The LR was difficult on this test I went from -8 to -11 on this test.

I know this question may sound confusing but Im having trouble with knowing the difference with cbt vs mbt questions. When ever I do a could be true question I have a hard time finding my answer because I would mix it up MBT answers and the same for MBT answers I mix them with CBT answers. How can I improve on this to increase my score?

so i took some community college classes while in high school many years ago and did well on all except one class where i got a C because my aunt was having breast cancer surgery the week the final project was due so i wasn't able to finish it (i emailed the professor asking for an extension but she didn't allow one, and i emailed her years later saying it would affect my law school chances and she refused to retroactively withdraw the grade) and since i wasn't in college yet i didn't know what an "incomplete" was so i just took the L... but now its dropping my LSAC GPA by 0.04. how do i write about this in the addendum? i was thinking of just explaining the situation above but should i also write what my GPA without it would be since it's so much better? thanks for the help :)) and good luck to everyone else applying!!!!

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I feel like 7Sage would have the data on how long it takes perfect scorers to read the passage. I wish they would display this target time, especially given how crucial reading the passage (to understand it) is to going through the questions quickly.

I just finished the CC of the LR and want to further my understanding of the section. I don't think I am ready for timed practice just yet. My thinking of this is to just take the LR portions of old tests, or make my own mixed sets from the Problem Sets, but I've had a problem with the latter (making my own practice tests on 7sage). This was tedious and I couldn't save the practice tests I put together so I see that as a waste of time.

Let me know what you guys think I should do going forward because I could use the advise, thank you in advance.

https://lsat180.org/images/pt909192.png

I am registered for the October LSAT and was wondering if there is any difference between the test depending on which day you take it...I think the options are the 9th, 10th, and 12th.

Was there a pattern on the August LSAT, for example if you take it the first day your experimental section will appear last, or is it just totally random?

And are all of the scored sections of the test the exact same across the different testing days, or are there going to be 3 totally different tests?

I'd like to practice on LawHub to get familiar with the format. Am I able to input those results into 7Sage afterwards?

Hi Im taking my test in November and I just got done having an unreliable and disencourging tutor I wanted to know is there anyone that is willing to tutor me on LG because this is my weakest section? thank you!

I have been having trouble deciphering when I need to map, infer, or write out conditionally different stimulus' in LR. Is there a cookie cutter way of knowing when to or when not to? I'm thinking it's something that I will just have to teach my own intuition to pick out.

Hi everyone, looking for some tutoring here just for LG. I can typically nail the games untimed but need some help getting up to speed since my goal is to master. If you're a tutor or would like to try it out I'd love to hear from you and we can talk about rates! Also any suggestions for tutors are more than welcome (private and group tutoring are both okay). Thanks!!

Hi all,

Could anyone who has applied to Berkeley help me out with something? When they ask for extracurriculars and jobs since high school, do they mean EVERY JOB/ACTIVITY? I've been out of high school for 6 years and held a lot of short-duration jobs in college, I don't even remember them all, let alone hours. I also technically a part of more student orgs than I actually ever attended regularly. Basically, I do not want to hunt down every job and club I have ever been marginally attached to unless my admission would be contingent upon it. I have a good resume that has the jobs and clubs that I have actually had an impact on who I am today. I assume they are asking for a big list to put my GPA in context but it seems a little extreme.

Thanks in advance!

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.

Would anyone recommend the Powerscore bibbles for RC? it is by far my worst section and I am writing in October. I am scoring -2/-1 on LG and -4/-5 on LR - BUT -13/-9 on RC.

I am also open to any other suggestions!

HELP!

Thank you!