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Rather than regale you with a narrative about personal triumph through adversity i thought it would be more worthy of your time to explain how i increased my lsat score by 13 points.

Started with a 157 3 years ago, re wrote the lsat last November and got a 161. Discovered 7 sage shortly after and subsequently got a 166 and a 170 on the following lsats.

How did i get here?

I viewed jy's videos religiously. Not just for lg but for LR and occasionally RC. I tried to understand Jy's thought process , how he approached questions and how eliminated wrong answer choices. I did all the pts past pt50 as well. If you are not an ultimate member, think about upgrading. It is a worthy investment

I kept a log of all the lr questions I got wrong and audited my thought process after every PT. (Shout out to @hawaiihi for this idea) The value of a thorough BR is priceless. Do not just concentrate on why answer choices are right, look at the wrong answer choices and figure out why they are wrong. I also reviewed every question , even those i got right. Just in case i hit on a false positive where i got the right answer through improper methods. Process not results matter

I started to BR with others.

The best way to iron out your reasoning is to say it out loud to others, and no one is more discerning of reasoning than other sagers. I started a br group and we br'd pts on a weekly basis. This really helped fill in the gaps in my thinking process, br'ing with others shone a light on my heuristical blind-spots and gave me the edge i needed to transition from the 160's to the 170's. If you are aiming for a 97th percentile score I highly suggest you br with others.

I started a group chat and vowed to answer every question that came my way. I figured if I could not teach a concept , I did not know it well enough. This let me randomly review concepts as at any given moment questions would appear, the lsat was always on my mind. More importantly the group chat kept me sane as i knew there were other people out there going through the same struggles. I love my group chat, they are lovely people and seeing their success after the March results came in made me happier than any individual achievement ever could.

I hate to plug a competing product but the lsat trainer is magical, if you do not have it buy it right now.

The group chat is still going as there are still folks on there who are writing in june and july you can join us here.

https://chat.whatsapp.com/HEr9S37YrIFBZNN6w4pFpZ

I also still join the june BR sessions (https://classic.7sage.com/discussion/#/discussion/19448/june-2019-br-study-group-updated)

I've also committed to hosting a br of pt 41 on sunday (the post is on the first page of the webforum)

I'm going to stick around for awhile to pay it forward. This site has been life changing

14

Hi everyone! I feel like I've been around 7sage forever at this point, and want to say thank you so much to everyone here. From help with LSAT studying to listening to my rants in the admissions process, the 7sage fam has made an incredibly long and difficult process so much more bearable and enjoyable. :) It's totally terrifying to say I'm actually done with everything, but here we are.

As many of you know, this was my 2nd application cycle. I applied late last year and got shut out a lot of places. Despite getting a couple of tempting offers, I decided to push back a year. I am 100% happy with my results and confident that it was indeed the best choice for me. I attempted to increase my LSAT score between cycles but that backfired, haha. Scored 4 points lower on my 1 re-take. Despite that, I had a much better cycle and am so excited to say that I am headed to Northwestern this fall!! I still feel like at any second they are going to realize they made a clerical error and I was never supposed to be accepted haha. When I began studying, I never would have thought I'd be accepted at any T14, let alone 2 of them, let alone get a scholarship large enough to make it financially possible. I owe so so so much to 7sage, JY, the admins, and everyone on the board here. Thanks to 7sage, I brought my LSAT up 13 points and am headed to an incredible school. Unbelievable.

For anyone else considering delaying, my biggest advice is that you should only do it if you have a specific reason that you think you underperformed, and it is something you can correct for the next time. Maybe that's a low LSAT, or you applied late, or something else. If you can't narrow it down to a specific reason or you actually performed on par with your numbers, I don't think rolling the dice is always the best plan. It worked out for me, but I'm sure it doesn't for everyone. I got in to 3 schools that WL'd me the first time, but WUSTL gave me less scholarship. Many increased their medians this year, so at a lot of schools where I had a median LSAT the year before, I was 1 point under this time. I think my 2nd cycle played out about like you would expect for my numbers, but it's significantly better than last year.

Here's some data on my cycles...

Stats: 168 / 3.85, non-traditional, 12+ years of work experience

2017-2018

Michigan: WL

Berkeley: Rejected

Northwestern: WL

Cornell: WL

UCLA: In w/$90k --> $105k

USC: WL

WUSTL: In w/full tuition

UCI: WL

UIUC: In w/full tuition

U Washington: In w/$36k

Seattle U: In w/$105k

2018-2019

Michigan: WL

Berkeley: Rejected

Northwestern: In w/$120k

Cornell: In w/$84k --> $135k

UCLA: In w/$93k

USC: WL

WUSTL: In w/$105k --> $150k

UCI: In w/$120k

U Washington: In (didn't apply for $$)

Lewis & Clark: In w/$120k

U Oregon: In w/$114k

Seattle U: In w/$120k

28

So I got my score today from the March 30th administration. Long story short I'm not satisfied with my results and I'm preparing to take the July 15th test. I'm to the point in my prep where its practice, practice, practice with proper blind review. My blind review scores are on point with my target score but my actual is still behind. Before I make a mistake and continue practicing the way I have been, with timed sections/blind review, preptest/blind review, is there any advice or suggestions I should consider? Is there something more I could be doing? I just want to make sure I'm making the most of my study time before the next administration. Thanks!

0

I was talking to an LSAT tutor on instagram and they told me that there is no meaningful difference between having an LSAT between the 25th and 50th percentile and having an LSAT that is at or below the 25th. In their opinion, the only thing that matters is that you have an LSAT that is at or above median.

To me, that doesn't seem to make sense mathematically. But, also, I am bad at math, so very little makes sense to me mathematically.

Lets say there's a law school with this LSAT breakdown.

25th percentile: 160

50th percentile: 165

75th percentile: 167

In the view of the tutor, there is no difference between a 164 and a 160 because both are below median -- but is that really the case?

1

I just got my March score and received a 169. I'm definitely happy with my score - I've studied for this dang thing for over a year but I'm considering maybe... possibly... retaking.

This is my situation. I have a 4.0 GPA - graduated about a year and a half ago. I'm interested in T14 schools - particularly lower T14 schools with a scholarship. I also had some other tier one schools in mind - like Boston University and UT Austin.

The thing with a 169 is that just a point or two more would put me at or above median at a lot of the T14. The night before the exam, I had a massive panic attack and did not sleep. Literally went into the exam on 0 hours of sleep, convinced I was gonna bomb it. I had been receiving PT scores in the lower170s in the months leading up to the test, so I think maybe I underperformed or lack of sleep contributed to the drop. Or the drop was just a natural test day drop, who knows.

But, I also just don't want to keep studying for this test. I know that sounds lazy and lame, but I've studied for 16 months, 3-4 hours a day, 5 days a week, with virtually no breaks. I'm emotionally drained. But I could muster up the energy if retaking was worthwhile - I don't know definitively that I'll do better and I don't want to go through the process if I'm gonna end up with the same or a lower score. But I also don't want to pass up the chance to retake and live with myself knowing that I might've gotten a scholarship or gotten accepted to a better school had I just put in a couple more months of preparation.

Thoughts?

0

Hello 7sagers,

Just looking for opinions on the most efficient way you all have full proof logic games with a full time job and studying lay daily. I take a timed section almost everyday so I'm trying to figure out that balance. I am focusing on getting through the set up and understanding how to make inferences more than the questions right now. I dont really know if doing it 8 to 10 times is the most efficient way to master the games. Sounds like a lot of printing. Any advice on systems or should I just do it ?

0

I’m not so sure if I’m doing the right thing. I study full time.

Day 1: Full timed PT + RC and LG drills

Day 2: BR every question + Videos for RC and LG after each passage and game.

Day 3: Review missed questions from both PT and BR.

LR: After 3rd try, I compare the answers with PT and BR after doing one question.

If I made changes, I write down why I made the change, initial reasoning for choosing and eliminating that AC.

Then I watch JY’s video and write down the difference between his approach and mine.

With different color pen I write out where it went wrong, and what I should work on.

Review CC and books, search discussion board for ways to solve that problem. + do 20Q on that question type,

which is NA most of the cases.

I repeat it twice a week, and BR every question part is a bit time consuming. What can I change/do more in the BR process to make it more effective? How should I review 3rd try, if I got it three times wrong?

0

Hi I have taken LSAT twice so far..

First last November, I scored 163

This March I received 168..

I am hoping for another 5 point score improvement in my third and final LSAT score

I will apply to law schools this cycle

I am not studying LSAT right now because of uni and will resume when the semester is over in late June..

When do you recommend I take my next test?

Would September be too early/late?

Any advice would be appreciated.

0

Hey Everyone!

Two questions:

1.) Is there a way to erase all of my notes without going in to each one and deleting them? I am wanting to start from scratch.

2.) Have you ever just restarted the core curriculum from scratch? I am 24% into it, the furthest I have gotten to date. I've also restarted it 2 times. I am terrified of going to the practice exams without FULLY completely understanding the core curriculum. I've also been back and forth on whether to take the LSAT, but I keep coming back to it because I think I ultimately want to do it but just get scared.

All advice is welcome and appreciated.

Thanks!

Lindsey

0

One of the biggest issues I'm having at breaking the 173 barrier is that my LR scores haven't improved in like 6 months. I am still stuck at a –3 section average, though of course I fluctuate, sometimes I get –5s and sometimes I score –1s. However, I notice that the majority of mistakes I make are ones where I was either careless and lost focus, or where I was down to 2 ACs and chose the wrong one. Technically, if I could eliminate those errors I think I could consistently score -1 per section.

I've tried a bunch of things to eliminate these mistakes (e.g., doing untimed LR sections, BRing almost every question, slowing down on tough questions, skipping questions, even meditating to be in a clearer state of mind, etc.) but none of them have worked to consistently improve scores.

I was wondering how some of your were able to overcome a plateau in LR. What should I do? Any advice would be welcome, and thank you to anyone who responds!

3

I just noticed that Berkeley claims to have had 6,039 Fall 2018 applicants, and they claim to have accepted 314 of them. This seems like it would result in a roughly 5% acceptance rate, rather than the 20% listed on the predictor page. Can anyone explain this apparent disparity? Does this mean they actually accepted around 1,200 applicants and 900 didn't accept their offers of admission?

0

Hello,

I am currently working full-time as a conflicts analyst at a well-known law firm and studying for the LSAT. I started my LSAT study last July and took the September exam. I scored horribly (138). I completely under-estimated the time and hard work it takes to really master the LSAT. After taking a 4 month break from studying, I began to study again in January of this year. I am currently scoring in the high 140's now and would like to get to the low 160's if possible. I signed up for the June test, anticipating that I would be ready, however, I, once again, under-estimated the time frame to study for the LSAT. I am now almost one month away from the June LSAT and I know I cannot improve 15+ points within 4-6 weeks, all while working full-time. Given this, I was considering taking the September LSAT, and I wanted to know if this seems like a good time frame? I am currently taking about 1-2 PT's a week and going over ways to improve on my LR/RC sections. I have improved on my LG's section (from -10 to -3). I have the hardest time with LR/RC.

All in all, I just want to know if the September test would be a good time for me to take the LSAT. I do not want to take the exam again, my gpa is decent, and I'm not stern on getting into a T14 school, I just want to make sure I get into a decent school with as much of an opportunity for scholarship.

0

I was averaging 3 points higher than what I actually scored, but I felt really uncomfortable with the March 2019 LG and I think that's what messed me up. Does anyone have any advice for retaking a third time/how to approach studying this time around? I'm signed up for the June test because I know I'm right where I want to be, I just didn't execute on test day.

0

Hey guys so I just took a Diagnostic (PT30) at a proctoring site and it was under real timed conditions and scored a 145 after taking 2 years off from the lsat. So brief history I took a FALL (Sep- Dec) blueprint course in NYC but at that time it was not suited for me. it was just too comical and very fast paced for me! But I decided to sit in on the Feb Lsat and I jokingly took it because I was naive and just wanted to get it over and done with and scored a 154 but again I didn't really study outside of the course. I would never blame Blueprint though for my low score- that was 10000% on my laziness.

Fast Forward to now, I plan on sitting in on either October 28th-December ( one of those dates). I have just began the CC at 7sage and feel great about the community and just overall understanding the fundamentals of it all seem so simple.Im actually looking forward to studying. Currently Im studying anywhere from 20-25 hours a week, taking weekly/ to bi-weekly PT's at the free proctoring sites and then doing the Blind Review, and just reviewing on my phone concepts from the 7sage app or Quizlet.

My top choices are {Boston U, Fordham, BC, Cornell- reaching, Georgetown} so I am aiming for 167-170s. I have a 3.6 GPA at UG, and 3.9 in Grad School (MA Program).

I know 20+ point jumps are like unheard of and mostly everyone says its impossible but given I have over 6 months of studying and when I say I'm treating it like my job- I AM! Strength is LG and RC with the blind review I average at -3/4 and weakness is LR & !

Is this realistic timing for my goal score? Any recommendation/ study tips.

I am using 7sage then reviewing the Trainer but since I started with 7sage, I want to learn the basics and use the trainer for any further clearing in LR. I have the Bibles as well although, LR really confused me which is what prompted me to 7sage. I am saving later PT's for after the CC course and doing drills with PT 20-40s. Also been using khan Academy articles and videos for RC. Do you think its possible timing wise? Anything else I should be doing.

0

I have the whole summer to study for this and I am determined. Aiming to write the Sept test. I'm only working a part time job with minimal hours throughout the summer. I need to get a score of at least 167. Which course should I pick? If I don't feel ready by Sept or if my score isn't high enough, I'll definitely take a later test. Please advice!

0

Is there any way I can upgrade to Ultimate+, pay the difference and get the extra time? This has been so amazing and I wasted my time before using Powerscore. I had no idea the course would be THIS effective for me compared to others in just a matter of a week (I've been studying for about a month and my score has already drastically improved on the games)

0

Hello 7Sagers! I've finally finished the core curriculum. I'm torn as to what I should do next. Should I A.) start taking full length PTs and BR them, B.) Work through some drilling materials to refresh materials like LR I haven't touched in a few months, then start taking timed PTs and BR, C.) a combo of both establishing a baseline with a post core curriculum PT score and working with drilling materials in weak areas, or D.) full proof for the next month on games before beginning full length PTs? Thoughts and advice on this would be much appreciated.

2

Hi there-

I'm looking for as much feedback as possible, and after having a great experience with LSAT prep on 7sage a couple years ago, I figured I would post about my predicament here.

I was accepted to Georgetown Law this cycle and it's the only school I applied to this cycle. I have a 168/3.2. Between personal savings, college fund savings, and a small $30k total scholarship, my total debt at graduation would be $215k (including interest in all these numbers).

Goals are Big Law in NYC, or any east coast city at least initially. Long term, maybe in-house somewhere.

My option is either go to Georgetown this fall, or re-apply next cycle to other schools. Last cycle I had acceptances to Fordham, BC, BU and WUSTL. All four would've costed around $120-135k. Like a lot of us, I think I've gotten fixated on prestige. My question is, is Georgetown worth an additional $90k compared to these schools?

Added a poll to make it easy

Edit: Those numbers are total COA, so including living as well in that. Just clarifying in case. Also, I should note I have a job in NYC currently at a mid-size professional services/consulting firm and I'm two years out of undergrad. So, I'm not on my couch collecting dust if I wait, but also don't love what I do by any means.

0

So I’ve done four PTs since April 1st, 52, 53,54,56.

The scores are way too consistent and I’m not seeing much improvement.

Even compared to the cold diagnostic, aside from LG, it seems stagnant. Ok there were improvements but not what I expected after almost a year...

These are my PT scores so far. I’ve stopped PT for a week to do question type drills and took PT56, but BR score actually went down! I regret not doing BR for the cold diagnostic and having no comparable basis for my initial understanding.

Cold May 2018

PTJ [RC -13/LR -7/LR -14/LG -21] 142

After CC Sept. 2018

41 [RC -15/LR -15/LR -17/LG -13] 140

Did’t BR because I thought there was no point with only finishing half of each section in time…

PT from April 1st 2019

52 [RC -7/LR -8/LR -9/ LG -0] 160

BR [RC -4/LR -6/LR -5/LG -0] 166

53 [RC -12/LR -8/LR -6/LG -0] 159

BR [RC -7/LR -3/LR -0/LG -0] 171

54 [RC -11/LR -5/LR -8/LG -0] 159

BR [RC -3/LR -3/LR -4/LG -0] 170

56 [RC -9/LR -8/LR -5/LG -0] 162

BR [RC -5/LR -3/LR -5/LG -0] 168

I never finish LR and RC on time. So I usually skip 2~3 questions per section.

From PT53 I decided to skip Q12~Q19 for Q20+ so I can finish the ones I actually get right.

For RC, I never finish P4. I spend way too much time on P1&2.(Half of my time spent on the two…) I get to read P4, and try one or two relatively short questions. But that’s about it. I’m not so sure what I can do to improve on RC than practice timed.

What frustrates me the most is that I actually did worse after CC. I see that I made some improvements since the after CC PT, but nowhere near my expectations.(Thought I’d hit LR-3~4 by now… and get much better with RC… or at least be able to do all the questions!) My speed improved, but seems like at the cost of accuracy.

Should I go back to CC to focus on fundamentals and Q type drills or focus on timed PT? With the current BR score, I think there are definitely some basic things I don’t fully understand.

I study full time, so have been doing two PTs per week with untimed RC, Q type, and LG.

However, I’ve been thinking maybe doing PT40’s timed after every newer PTs (50’s+) could be beneficial in that I’d be able to practice timing. Or should I focus on fundamentals?

Also, is there alternatives to coffee that won’t make me want to go to restroom every hour? I can’t stay awake without coffee, but I don’t want to use restroom during the test. Using the restroom just before the test won’t do...

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