The videos are down from youtube but they are still available on the 7sage website for free. Is this supposed to be the case? You don't have to pay for a course to get these explanations.

I’m sure this has been asked a thousand times, but I’m all desperate and antsy for advice on my particular situation

I’m taking the LSAT on Dec 5th (due to accommodations), and I just can’t seem to improve on LG. I haven’t studied too much for the other sections and tend to average -5 on RC and -10 on LR combined. Yet SOMEHOW, despite spending two months studying for LG, I’ve only managed to get through two of the games, and on my last two PT’s, I could only get through one. What throws me off is the game board setup. I am really, really bad at recognizing what kind of game it is (unless it’s super basic and obvious), and creating an efficient game board. Also, at making inferences. I know that LG is the section that can most be improved upon, and that’s part of what makes me feel so frustrated. I should be leaps and bounds beyond where I am now, given how much I’ve studied. I know there’s a handy PDF for mastering the LG’s, and I intend to drill drill drill the next two weeks, but I’m wondering if any of you sagers have any sage advice? Is there some magical PDF out there that lists every game type and the corresponding board? Once I get the board right, the questions (usually) come easy. The setup just kills me.

Thanks!

By far my worst section is LG. My performance is very inconsistent, sometimes -2/-4 other times -9/-11. I think part of the reason my PT scores have been low is because my anxiety about doing well in this section impacts my thought patterns. There's one week left before the November test, and I thought I'd spend this week working through the hardest (4- and 5-star rated) games to improve my confidence. Do you think this is a good strategy? Is there anything else you recommend I do to improve?

Hey everyone,

So I am taking the test in one week for the first time. I am happy with my LG and LR scores but I cannot seem to imrpove on RC. I thought by now, my score would have improved but it hasnt. It is very inconsistent. Any advise on how to improve or if it is even possible to improve in a week?

I am currently writing a “Why X?” Essay and was wondering how should I format the header. Also does anyone have any tips regarding this type of essay?

I’ve been to nearly every lsat tutor and training program there was, and I just haven’t given this test the effort it needs in order to improve. I’m hoping by taking a test a day and doing my best to practice all that I can, whilst being in my senior year at NYU can help!

If you have any tips, advice, or ANY comments at all please let me know below!

How should I study?

Too ambitious?

So previously I PTed using newer tests in the 60s and 70s, and logic games seemed to be one of my better sections. However, once I tried taking older tests in the 30s, logic games have become harder out of nowhere for me. Do the older tests just have a harder difficulty to them or something? Anyone else have the same problem?

I am back to discuss another cookie cutter argument form. Here is the link to the cost benefit argument structure that I posted about previously: https://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/21220

This one is known as Phenomenon Hypothesis. In this argument form, an observation about the world is made, followed by a proposed explanation. This post will discuss some common answer choice types LSAC uses to effect the strength of a hypothesis in explaining a phenomenon or observed occurrence.

1. Affirm/Deny Mechanism

Tells us exactly how the hypothesis would explain the phenomenon.

For example, if I say: there is a correlation between white blood cells and strong immune systems, therefore white blood cells cause strong immune systems.

A mechanism would be explaining a plausible way for white blood cells to improve immune systems. Like: white blood cells contain disease fighting chemicals that kill all bad bacteria. So this information strengthens our hypothesis by providing a plausible mechanism.

To deny the mechanism or weaken, we would show that white blood cells have nothing to do with the immune system.

2. Corroborating Data Set

This is when we bring in a new data set which corroborates or jives with the notion that our hypothesis explains our phenomenon.

For example, if I say: bees left a part of Florida that was experiencing a heat wave, so it probably was the heat which drove them out.

A corroborating data set could show that a heat wave happened recently in Nevada and the bees left as soon as it began. This corroborates our hypothesis and makes it stronger by showing that we introduced the purported cause and got the intended effect, right away. This does not make our hypothesis have to be true, but it does make it more plausible or strengthen it.

3. Competing Data Set

The opposite of a corroborating data set. So, a new set of info that makes our hypothesis a less attractive means of explaining the phenomenon.

To stick with the bee example, we could show that another state experienced a heat wave and the bees stayed put. This would show that we have our purported cause without the effect. This does not kill the argument entirely, but it does weaken or make it slightly less plausible.

4. Consequences

Science operates on eliminating hypotheses. We determine what would be necessary if a hypothesis were true. Such that:

Hypotheses true——> Consequences True

Next, we test those consequences. If they are not true, the hypotheses is not true. If they are true, our hypotheses does not need to be true but it lives to fight another day. We then find more additional consequences that would be true and test those. The hypothesis that survives this consequence testing is deemed best and closest to truth, until proven otherwise.

Example:

There was a UFO sighted over Nevada, close to Area 51, it must be aliens.

A consequence of this hypothesis being true would be that aliens exist, are able to travel, or can build things. If we find out any of these are untrue, the hypothesis is no longer possible.

This form is sort of like a Necessary Assumption for science.

5. Block/Introduce Alternative

This answer choice would either build up or break down a competing hypothesis.

In our Alien example, we could say that the US military was conducting weapons testing during the time the UFO was reported and in close proximity to the sighting.

This being true would explain the observed phenomenon without our hypothesis needing to be true. It also is more plausible than our hypothesis. So, our argument would be weakened.

To block out such an alternative, we would just say that the US military was on holiday the day of the sighting and conducted 0 activity in Nevada. Ruling out an alternative hypothesis, helps make our hypothesis slightly more likely.

6. Temporal Affirmation

If a hypothesis is going to explain a phenomenon, it needs to make sense time wise.

For example:

On Monday, it rained and the highway had 35 car accidents. Normally, there are only 10 accidents per day. I hypothesize the rain created poor driving conditions and thus more accidents.

For this to work, we need the additional accidents to have happened after the rain. To strengthen the hypothesis, we say that the day was average at first and the accidents piled up after the rain

To weaken this, we show that there were already 32 accidents that day, before the rain.

7. Irrelevant

Most Answer choices you see on phenomenon hypotheses questions will have nothing to do with how the hypothesis explains the phenomenon.

Always ask yourself: Does this piece of information have any bearing on how the hypothesis explains the observed phenomenon?

For our Alien example, some irrelevant answer choices might look like:

Aliens are more intelligent than Lizards.

Human beings do not have sophisticated enough means to communicate with Aliens

The UFO was sighted by 3 people with doctorate degrees

A similar sighting happened in Nebraska, in 1984.

These things are all great, but they do not address whether or not the object was in fact Aliens!

This list is not meant to be exhaustive and I am sure there are many other ways to strengthen or weaken such arguments. Feel free to share any others below :)

With the exception of my first, my PTs have been staggeringly low (150s) though my blind review hits the high 160s (one 170). My most inconsistent section is LG (I can be -2/3 or -10/11) and though I've tried foolproofing, I'm still not seeing much improvement. My LR is also somewhat crap, as I can score anywhere from -4 to -8/9. I'm beyond frustrated and crestfallen-- I'm putting in the work (I've been studying nearly full time since June) and am not anywhere near where I want to be.

Here's the problem: taking the January test would significantly reduce my chances of getting accepted this cycle because of the delayed review of my application. And yes, I'd lose $200 which sucks but that's the least of my problems.

Any advice you have here would be hugely helpful.

If you come across a MBT, for example, or if you have game boards that are completely filled in, do you automatically move on once you see your answer, or do you still check each AC to be sure?

I have a few times thought I made all the possible GBs, picked the first answer, then saw if I had kept going through the AC's that I would've noticed two possible correct choices, and realized an error.

If we are going for -0, should we trust the game boards and go on for speed, and hope an error hasn't been made, or do you still spend time checking each one?

Thanks so much!!

I know this is going to get a lot of flak by those here. But if someone already has a well established career in SW engineering that pays 6-figure income and opportunity cost of going to LS is only worth if HYS accept (due to academia goals), then:

is a 4th/5th reapplication worth it?

It already looks neurotic/superbad but other than the 3rd time (cycle which hit record applicants), other times all had issues with lowLSAT or late-app.

Is there no sense anymore and it's done?

I legitimately have near 100% accuracy on five star questions, but am constantly getting one and two stars wrong. I just did a PT and got 171, but I missed 4 1-star LR questions. It just doesn't make sense to me, how do I train myself to go for the obvious answers when necessary? For example PT66 S2 Q8. I spent 2.6 minutes on this question and got it wrong, meanwhile getting every single 4 and 5 star question correct in under 1.25 minutes.

I want to give a shout out to @hhhakobian for being my study buddy. He has really elevated my critical thinking and logical reasoning skills. Even though he is a lot more advanced than I, he still takes time for our weekly session. I recently saw a big score jump on my last PT and I know I wouldn't be where I am without his guidance and advice. I have also made the switch to studying for shorter periods of time 5 or 6 days a week, versus longer periods of time just a few days a week. I think that has also helped.

@hhhakobian good luck on the Nov. LSAT! You're a rockstar and are going to kill the test, I know it.

Kat

Please let me know your thoughts! I don't work for the LSAC, so I know that I'm not a professional. I thought writing a few questions would help my LR studies. If you have time, please let me know what you think, how hard it was, how easy it was, where I made a mistake, etc, thanks!

Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease,

is one of the leading causes of death in Country X.

Studies show that individuals who eat a diet high in

trans-fats have a higher chance of being diagnosed with

heart disease. Burritos, a popular Mexican entree commonly

consumed by in Country X, contain high calories. Therefore,

a person who consumes burritos regularly has a higher

chance of being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.

The argument relies on assuming which one of the following?

A) People of Country X generally know that burritos are unhealthy

B ) If all people eat burritos less, they would invariably be healthier

C) In country X, eating foods with high calories will raise one’s trans-fat

consumption by at least some amount

D) Eating any food with high calories will result in heart disease

E) Generally, refraining from a high fat diet is better than a diet that

includes a high amount of fat

On the real exam, can you change the timer countdown so that it counts up to 35 minutes rather than show how much time is remaining in the section?

I am not delaying a full cycle but I am taking the November LSAT which I did not plan on doing until that fateful 35 minute LG section in September (rip). Is there any real difference in applying now so the schools having my application and are waiting on my LSAT score, or waiting to apply when my score comes in? I don’t know if there would be any affect other than just appeasing my own anxiety about feeling behind on my applications lol.

Question:

How do you tell schools to not look at your file until you appear for the Jan 2020 LSAT i.e. ignore your scores so far ?

Seems like CAS will report every score after it is available but the school might not know you registered for a future LSAT and might give a decision without considering your future LSAT score.

Link:

https://www.lsac.org/applying-law-school/jd-application-process/credential-assembly-service-cas/law-school-reports

https://www.lsac.org/lsat/taking-lsat/lsat-scoring

.

I had assumed they would but now I am not all that certain. I was registered (and unprepared for Oct) so I cancelled, but I was also hoping to apply before Jan 1st for a number of scholarships and now I feel like I might have made a terrible mistake!

Edit: I just realised that LSAC is only closed on Dec 25th, maybe 26th, and Jan 1st. I thought they'd be out from the 21st to the 1st or something. If anyone knows any better I'd be happy to hear it thanks!

@"David.Busis"?

Any guesses?

Thanks!

Hi. Ignore the crappy title.

I am one of the lucky people who wrote the September 2019 test and I just can't forget the LG. If, I hope not, but if history repeats itself and a similar LG section comes up in November test, what will you do different to not fu.k up this time? Even if you did not write the September test, what would your strategy be to handle an unusually difficult LG section? Besides crying of course.

Thank you.

And good luck to my November people. I wish the best for you.

Ummm, the thing is that i have created a problem set from the question bank and have printed out its pdf edition.But how can i get my answers checked? I've found out that the sequence of the questions on my printed edition is different to it on the problem set took online. So does that mean i must do it again on the online based problem set?

LSAC has decided to release LSAT scores to schools even if the test-taker hasn't taken LSAT Writing. Here's the full text of a recent LSAC communique (though the emphasis is mine):

As you know, starting in June 2019, we separated the writing portion of the LSAT from the multiple-choice portion. After five months of experience with the writing portion (“LSAT Writing”), many of the benefits we expected – including a shorter test day and the ability for candidates to provide their writing sample in a more natural setting at a convenient time and place of their choosing, as well as a more legible and useful writing sample for admission consideration – have come to fruition. But we have also heard from a number of member schools that they are interested in receiving applicant scores as soon as they are available, even as candidates are still completing LSAT Writing.

Therefore, to help candidates and schools move expeditiously through the admission process, we will be releasing scores for the multiple-choice portion of the LSAT to candidates and to the law schools to which candidates apply (or have applied), as soon as scores are available, even if candidates have not yet completed their writing sample. This change applies to anyone who took or will take the multiple-choice portion of the LSAT in this testing cycle which began June 2019 and ends in April 2020.

This change does not mean that legal writing is any less important. Many law schools require a writing sample as an integral part of their admission decision, and therefore, candidates should take the writing sample immediately and to meet schools’ application deadlines. Writing samples will be shared with candidates and schools as soon as they are completed. LSAC includes the fee for the writing sample as part of the LSAT fee to encourage this prompt action. In case candidates are not applying in the current cycle, please note they have a maximum of a year to take LSAT Writing without an additional fee; after that it is a separate fee unless they take the entire LSAT again.

As mentioned in a recent communication, 97% of candidates applying for fall 2020 have completed a writing sample and 73% who have started but not finished a 2020 application have completed a writing sample. As a reminder, candidates need only one writing sample on file to be considered complete, even if they take the multiple-choice portion of the LSAT more than once.

We understand that this is an important decision and a shift in the way that schools have received LSAT scores and the writing sample. We considered many factors in making this decision – balancing candidate and school requests for speed in score release, the varying admission requirements that institutions have, and the need to communicate clear policies and procedures to candidates and institutions. We will continue to work with our community to explore options for how to best offer LSAT Writing in the next testing cycle and will share those decisions well in advance.

Hello,

I've been studying the LSAT since December 2018. I've gone through the PowerScore and Manhattan books with a diagnostic of around 158 with an ultimate goal of 175. I've been dedicating 20 hours per week, with a full-time job. I plan to take an April 2020 as well as June or July 2020 LSAT.

For a few months now, I've been focused on drilling question types from PT 7-25 untimed and also started doing some timed sections where I time myself per question in LR. Currently, my strongest section in the LSAT is probably LG, and am quite confident that with enough practice, I can consistently pull out -1 or -2 in the LG section. My weakest section is probably either RC or LR.

I haven't really gone through the entire core curriculum, as I think that PowerScore and Manhattan books covered the similar topics. In fact, I just recently shifted my focus toward taking PT sections timed, and will hopefully move onto full PT timed soon, at a 1 per week frequency with a full blind review. On my recent timed PT (sections were timed but I took long breaks per section), I noticed that my stamina suffered with brain fog toward the end.

The main question: let's imagine that I take the PT 43 fully timed tomorrow. I do a complete blind review, typing out why answers are correct or wrong for the entire week. I then score myself and watch the explanation videos. Then, this data is transferred over to 7Sage Analytics. I imagine the score will be between 158 - 165. What do I do afterward? Do I move straight onto PT44? Or do I identify the priority of question types in the analytics and try to drill them first? If so, how would I drill them (number of questions, how much time to spend, and etc...)? Should I go through the core-curriculum for a specific question type? And when would I really know to move onto a new fully timed PT exam?

Thank you very much for your time!

Hello everyone on this forum. So to make this story short, the November test would be my fourth write if I decide to sit the test. My last score was okay (163) which should enable me to get into my safety schools. But I need at least a 166 for my dream school and my average from the last 5 test is ~3 points below that. I did hit 166 and above several times, but I just don't feel any certainties of getting the score I want, and I am kinda against the idea to try my luck on the test day (since I already took it 3 times...)

I thought about postponing it to January, but I just checked and all the test centres in my region are unavailable. So in the case of withdrawing, I am also pushing back applying to next cycle. Right now I am torn on whether to withdraw and with the Nov. test approaching, I realy want to make the decision asap and redesign my study plan if I need to. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

I struggled with self-doubt for 2 years with this test and never thought I would make it here. A huge weight has lifted knowing that I've got at least one down. Thank you so much to this incredible community!!!!