Hello everyone!

I was hoping that someone could give me some advice on how to tackle the LSAT if you are a slow reader.

A little background: I wrote the LSAT this past september, scored 145, rewrote in December and scored 155. I am re-wrtiging again in two weeks, and I have been improving consistently. However, one thing I don't seem to improve on is my reading speed. I consistently don't get to answer the last 5 questions in arguments, and I always barely make it through 3 out of 4 passages. If I try to read faster, I start misunderstanding what I read and get lost. Overall this has been very frustrating. I would really appreciate if anyone could give me some points on how to fix this! I don't think I can handle writing this test more than 3 times :|

Okay so I’m stuck on what to do here.

Situation: one of my transcripts is getting updated and removing credit hours (but leaving the grades) for 20+ units of failed, and dropped, classes.

I have already applied to 16 schools.

What do I do? Do I call all 16 schools? Will this change my gpa? What does this even mean?

Is it worth pushing or should I leave the cards on the table as they are?

Bleh I don’t even understand what is happening! And I don’t know what to do...

I've had to email admissions about a couple of things, and I'm not sure how to address the people who respond. When it's not a Dean (say, "admissions officer"), do you reply with first name? Ms/Mr? My job is so crazy casual that I think I've lost judgment on what's appropriate haha.

Hello everyone!

A couple weeks ago I posted a discussion and many people thought it would be a great idea to have a thread dedicated to helpful tips for those who have to balance working full-time with their study routine. Well here's the thread! I've tapped @"Cant Get Right" and @LSATcantwin, two Sages who worked full time while studying and still managed to score 170+ on the LSAT, to give us some helpful tips on what we can do to beat this test all while working 40+ hour weeks, taking care of families, running errands and all around keeping our lives afloat. Below are their answers in a Q&A Format, and I gotta say, it's some GREAT advice. So if you're feeling overwhelmed with work and study, definitely take a few minutes to read. I've also included the recording from @"Accounts Playable" 's AMA from 1/8/18 below. Starting at ~42 min he gives some awesome tips to those who go to school full time and are studying as well. Happy Reading + Happy Studying!

Q&A with @LSATcantwin

Score Range

Diagnostic: 151, Attempt 1: 157, Attempt 2: 163; Attempt 3, 171

Length of study time

Year and a half (May 2016 - Dec 2017). From May 2017 until October 2017 I studied about 20 hours a week.

What successful study habits did you incorporate into your routine while working full time?

Lunch became dedicated LSAT time. It was an extra hour I got to throw into the mix each day. I would eat and review questions or do LG. Half my commute was spent on public trans, I would do LG or study LR on the train as well.

What was your ideal study schedule and how did that help you reach your goal score?

Monday - Friday; Get to work an hour early and study. Study during my hour lunch break, study 2 hours or so at night when I got home. (4 hours or so a day) (2 hours at night included blind review of my Sat PT); Saturday; Timed PT; Sunday; rest.

How did you find the time to juggle work with studying?

Basically just took any "free time" I could find and dedicated it to LSAT.

What concrete tips can you give those who are struggling working full time while studying part time?

Burnout is real and it isn't only the LSAT that can cause it. Remember to give yourself breaks, down time and sleep. Don't compare yourself to other people studying. Lots of people are going to be studying full time or only working part time. They might make faster progress than you, but you'll still make progress I promise. Time management is key. With 40 hours a week dedicated to our job free time is hard to come by. It is even more limited when you have other responsibility to worry about (children, dishes, cooking, cleaning, friends, family...) I gave up running and working out for more time. Because I love cheese I gained about 20lbs over the year and a half....Time to start running again! haha! Remember to be as open as you can with your employer/family/friends. I sent a massive text to all my friends explaining my situation. I apologized and told them I was not ignoring them or blowing them off. I made it clear that my goal was T-14 and I was working my butt off to get there. My friends understood and did not hold it against me. I did much the same with my family.

What were some mistakes you learned during your study process?

Don't do things that are unnatural for you. I tried waking up before work (at 4am) to study more. My body hated this, and in turn, I got nothing out of those hours of studying before work. Don't try and break yourself. Slow and steady will win the race. Don't be afraid to take extra time to study. Working full time will slow us down. Don't create a timeline. The LSAT isn't going anywhere, so make sure you are getting the score you want before you take the plunge.

Any other tips for success?

If you can't teach something to someone else, you probably don't understand it yourself. During my studying I spent a TON of time on 7Sage. My favorite posts were specific to questions. I would open them immediately and try and type out an answer that explained the question. In so doing I was able to spot many weaknesses because sometimes I couldn't explain why the right answer was correct. Other times I'd be able to explain it with relative ease and these were questions I knew I understood.

Q&A with @"Cant Get Right"

Score Range

Diagnostic: high 140's,

Officials: 163, 162, 170, 176

Length of study time

Two years+ (Summer 2015 - Sept 2017).

What successful study habits did you incorporate into your routine while working full time?

I set a very low daily minimum study time--one hour most days. One hour is manageable on the worst of days, and so it always got me started which was frequently the hardest part. I enjoyed studying and so I often found myself engaged and wanting to continue. Other days, I didn't. On those days, I fulfilled my minimum daily requirement and allowed myself to leave it at that without guilt. Studying for the LSAT requires high energy, and when the energy isn't there the returns on study time are going to be miniscule. Recharging and managing your energy is essential. In all seriousness, I learned to view taking one night off a week to eat pizza and catch up on TV as an essential part of my study routine.

What was your ideal study schedule and how did that help you reach your goal score?

Morning before work was always best. After work, there was very low chance of having the energy to study at a high level. I began going to bed earlier and earlier in order to create more and more study time before work. This allowed me to, in at least some small way, prioritize LSAT over work. Work took more of my time, but LSAT got me at my freshest.

How did you find the time to juggle work with studying?

Strict scheduling. Time management must be done proactively which was not something I was really used to. For the first time, I made a google calendar and began chopping my days into blocks. I accounted for as much as I could. Work went down first. Then sleep. Then LSAT. Then everything else. And the everything else is really important, so you have to leave space for it. I tried to be ambitious at first and devote every waking hour away from work to LSAT and that burned me out real fast. Flexibility is also important. Sometimes you just need to take a week off when you just can't stand to look at the test anymore. One time, I was taking a PT on my day off and I had a total meltdown. You can't let it get to that point.

What were some mistakes you learned during your study process?

I didn't adjust my timeline to my reality. I thought I could work full time and conquer the LSAT on the side in only a few months. This is a mistake many people make, but I think it's particularly destructive for those of us who work. My best score while still working was a 163. I came a long way in that time and that was a score that would open a world of possibilities to me. I had enough savings to leave my job and study full time, so I acknowledge that my advances after that are perhaps of questionable value for those who aren't able to quit work. However, I do think it's worth acknowledging that most of the mistakes I made were not corrected until after leaving my job, and leaving my job was not a part of those corrections. I didn't even find 7Sage until after I quit working. Looking back on it, I realize that it is much more important to study correctly than to study full time. It just takes longer. Had I continued working but made the same shift in my mentality, I am positive I would have been successful. On the other hand, I could have studied full time for a decade without changing my mentality, and I know I would have never improved.

Any other tips for success?

Seek understanding rather than a score--understanding of logic, understanding of language, understanding of testing strategy, understanding of every component of taking the LSAT. If you achieve a higher level of understanding, a higher score will follow. If you chase a score, you will always be trying to push beyond your understanding rather than advancing it.

AMA with 7Sager @"Accounts Playable" 1/8/18

Apparently, schools are aware of when you begin filling out an application for them. I began an application to a certain school but did not finish it, and just got an e-mail from them telling me that they know that I began an application to them and should get a move on finishing it by the end of the month!

LSAC just sent me a letter in the mail saying they made a mistake on my academic record and my GPA should be lower... This is annoying but in theory fine, since my LSAC calculated GPA gave me quite a bump. Still, in the new letter they listed my undergraduate GPA as .01 lower than what it actually is, so I want to make sure they're not penalizing me unnecessarily. Just sent them an email and got an auto-response saying it will take days to respond because of high email volume--- anyone else have experience emailing/calling them to fix some sort of error? Should I have my college's registrar office reach out? They're going to email all my law schools an update so I want to fix it ASAP.

Does this phrase introduce the sufficient or necessary condition? Ex. Tina will enter the pool, if and only if Mike enters.

T->M

or

M->T

Thanks!

PS, I'm thinking it is the latter of the two.

So I'm about to finish with the Core Curriculum (the reading comprehension section - not all PTs). I'll be finished by early next week. Immediately after, I plan on taking the preptest to assess where I am at, but after that I'm not so sure. As you can see I'm not Ultimate +, so LG bundle is not an option - BUT I plan on getting the bundle by the end of next month (funds don't currently allow). In the meantime should I purchase the LSAT Trainer and go through it to reinforce material? Should I go through all of the CC drills again? Both? I'm not entirely sure what route to take post CC, with a month before purchasing Ultimate +. Thanks!

Hi 7Sage Community, I took my first practice test, with no knowledge of the LSAT back in late June 2017 and got a 148. I've been studying since then, but not as much as I could, and last weekend my score was 158, and 160 BR. I'm wondering if anyone on here has started with a score under 150, and excelled past 170? Is it possible if I put the time in before the June 2018 exam?

I've always done horribly on standardized tests, and the LSAT is no exception, even though I understand the tricks of the test makers a lot more than I ever understood the SAT (which I put minor time into studying for because I lacked self-discipline and time management skills in high school, even though I got all A-s and As in my Honors and AP classes through hard work and cram studying). I also have ADHD so that really doesn't help with the challenging time constraints of the LSAT.

Thank you!!

Hey there, I am new in 7Sage l was wondering if there is a video explanation for the small problem sets we get after some lessons. Thank you!!!

...but I just received an email from Yale inviting me to apply. Under “know” illusions (as in, “I know that Yale is a wash”—not getting it twisted on that) as to its significance for an app but I’m curious as to how I should treat the information that they send me for my app.

I was already done with my materials for Yale, but I’m just wondering if I should carefully read through the packet that they sent in order to adjust my materials. Or do the materials just constitute some suggestions (that are really only suggestions) as to the sorts of things you might include in your application materials.—if they are more than that, then I’ll have to sit down with them more carefully than I would otherwise, given the stage I’m at. I’m sure it’s no biggie, but any advice would be appreciated. Many cheers—A.c.S

I completed the CC about a year ago and I took a while off due to some military obligations and now I'm gearing towards taking the June LSAT. I've begun to fool proof the LG and am wondering what should I do to improve RC and LR? Do I do the CC again or should I focus on the questions types I struggle with?

My diagnostic test was a 144, I've improved to a 156 but that is doing the test untimed. I average -12 LR -12 RC and -11LG. I'm seeing some improvement so far by fool proofing the LG but don't want to neglect the other sections that I also need to improve dramatically on.

Hi everyone,

I just received notification from Emory stating that my application has been deferred for consideration through the regular decision process. The email was very concise and did not include information on how to update or add to my application. It's also too late for me to take the February LSAT. Any recommendations on how best to proceed?

Thank you!!!

Hello all!

I purchased 7sage last summer with the intention of taking the September LSAT. I had a 158 diagnostic, BR of 174. Ending up kind of half-assing my way through the CC, never truly focusing on any particular strategy for any of the three sections or forcing myself to make sure I truly understood the logic. When September rolled around, I knew I wasn't ready but decided to take anyway (I made this big post about whether or not I should, I had to take it abroad in Paris) with the plan on taking again in September. I scored a 163, which was pretty much what I expected.

I continued studying through September/October and made incremental improvements - took three more PTs and got a 164, 166, and 167, with BRs from 175-177. I then came to the realization that December was not enough time to reach my potential. So I decided to postpone the whole cycle and now I'm shooting for June and I'm pretty pumped about this choice! Woo!

I've been re-doing the CC more meticulously this time. I am currently in the midst of fool proofing the LG bundle...I've made it to game 12 and for the last 5 games I've gotten 2-3 wrong the first time through timed. So I feel like I am on track for that section and am comfortable enough to do it alongside the CC, since some of the material is review.

For LR, the CC + the few PT's I've done have helped me identify weak areas, as there are definitely patterns in the questions I am missing. Particularly SA, NA, and Parallel Flaw questions. I seem to be on average missing 5 or so per section. My hope is that through question type drilling and returning to the CC I will be able to get this down to a consistent 2 or less over the next 4.5 months.

Reading comprehension is where I am a bit lost because I don't feel like I really know where to begin in terms of practicing. I miss around 4/5 per section ... but that has been as high as 7 and as low as 1. I think I'm a little bewildered as to how to approach this section due as I've always been very strong in RC in other standardized tests, but obviously LSAT RC is a whole different beast... I know some people do a lot of marking, underlining, etc. on the passage while others do none at all. Just curious about how y'all have approached the RC section from the get-go/how you figured out what strategy worked for you.

Just for some more details, if I got score of 174 I would be pretty thrilled. I realize I still have plenty of work ahead and just want to make an effective use of my time, as I'm sure we all do. I can devote 20-25 hours per week to the LSAT, I'm just working part-time. My undergrad GPA is a 3.76 with a degree in global policy and a couple random minors in biology and French for a small LA school. By the time I attend law school, I'll have been out of school for 4 years, 2 of which I spent teaching English in France and 2 spent in Iceland getting a MA in International Affairs (free tuition wooo!). I would love love love to go to Columbia or NYU, as I'm quite interested in International law but will definitely apply to a slew of schools.

Any input on RC would be much appreciated, as well as general feedback regarding how realistic my goal is. Thank you thank you !

I've been studying full time for a few months and on days like today (where I'm loopy and can't focus), I like to take a break and do something non-LSAT related for a bit. I'd love to use my breaks to spend time with friends but socializing has been tough lately because all of my friends either work full time or are still in school. I am usually studying by the time my friends finally get off work/end class, so my 'break' moments have consisted of me going to the gym and then putzing around until I feel like I can study again lol... I'm running out of ideas for things to do during the day that will keep me sane!

For those who study full-time, what do you like to do during the day when you take a break from the LSAT?

Hi,

Just to give some background: I have a high-160s score and plan on retaking in June. LR is my weakness. On my official test, I got -10 (combined) across the two sections. I have been retaking old tests, but am thinking about how best to reduce my misses in LR.

To those who have experience making this jump: should I do untimed sections of LR and really try to internalize the reasoning in each question OR do timed 35 minute sections with blind review (though I've seen these sections already)?

I'm torn because during my official test, I ran out of time to really digest certain questions so timing is an issue, but I also attribute my inability to complete a section to a general weakness in understanding the stimuli presented.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks in advance!

My study abroad grades would hurt my current cumulative GPA if taken into account by LSAC... and I'm already a splitter to begin with so I can't afford any hits to my GPA.

My school notes my abroad courses and grades on the transcript (with an "S" for satisfactory and my actual grades in parentheses), but does not calculate it for the cumulative undergrad GPA.

When I send my transcript to LSAC, will my abroad grades be taken into account for cumulative? If so, is that a hard rule or are there exceptions?

So I’ve been spending 3-4hrs BR’ing LGs using Pacifico’s method every night after my 8-5 job on weekdays and then 3-4 hours on Saturday and Sunday as well. I’ll work on one new game and then repeat a game from the day before and a game from the week before. I’ve only taken one day off. I’ve made it to LG 25 and i’ve improved a lot.

I’ve been fighting this flu for the past few days and it’s making me a lot slower at LGs. I’m struggling on games that were a breeze for me even on my first take. I’m still getting all the q’s right and not brute forcing my way thru it, I’m just a few min slower.

Would it be better to take a few days off and come back to it? or is it better to keep going and not stop practicing?

After a long process, a school I attended in 1996 is removing 2 grades of "E" and making them a regular withdrawal. I am ready to send in all applications today but thinking that might be a bad decision since LSAC takes about 3 weeks to process transcripts. My question is (which LSAC hasn't answered) will the schools I have already applied to receive an updated transcript? Should I warn them via email that a new gpa is coming? It's a big difference (3.2 vs 3.48) so I am afraid of receiving a denial based on current gpa before the new one arrives but also considering it is so late in the cycle. Any advice out there?

Hi all, I applied to UVA Law via their binding decision as of a few days ago. I am also currently registered to sit for the February 2018 LSAT. Currently my numbers are 167/3.67 which I know is a stretch for UVA.

I am currently stuck on what to do because UVA Adcomm wants me to make a decision on whether I want them to render a decision on my current application within 15 business days of when I submitted or wait until after I receive the Feb LSAT score. Based on the December 2017 LSAT score release starting the trend of beating the score release date I would imagine the Feb LSAT score would come out last week of February. Just to paint a more clear picture, I have been averaging around a 171 on my 30 most recent PTs but I have taken the LSAT twice now and have been unable to translate it on the test (scoring a 167 twice). So I think realistically I could improve my score to a 168/169 but not very confident to get any higher than that.

What would you guys do?

or

I was wondering if anyone knew if PreProBono was holding any more LSAT workshops? I was going through the website and the last workshop was in 2016 : (. I signed up for their newsletter but wanted to express my interest in case anyone here is working with JY on it. Thanks.

7 sagers or other experts...

Please help. I just received this email from one of the law schools I've applied to last month. I don't know what this means?

It's the first update I've heard back from a law school I've applied to.

The email said "this is a normal step" and "not a wait list" ?

What does this mean exactly? IF it's not a wait list, what is it exactly? Isn't being placed on "Hold" mean wait list? Why a second review? Please help!

"Your application for admission has been reviewed, however, a final decision cannot be made at this time. Your application has been placed on "Hold" pending a second review. This is a normal step in our process and not a Wait List.

Due to the number of worthy applications we receive each year, decisions do not always come easily. Your application will be re-evaluated at a later date for a decision. We will keep you posted on your status.

We appreciate your patience and the time you took to apply. You may continue to monitor the status of your application by logging on to our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office."

Should you skip and return after finishing the whole section (finish other games first) or should you return to it after completing other questions in THAT game?

We are all working hard as the feb exam is approaching. This is a thread for giving advice of any type to anyone writing the test. My number one advice, if it’s your first write, TAKE THE DAY BEFORE OFF. don’t do anything that will compromise the next day like get drunk the night before, but totally unwind. Do a baking soda detox bath and go to sleep on time!

This question is a “similar reasoning question”. It says “ the higher the altitude, the thinner the air. Since Mexico City’s altitude is higher than that of Panama City, the air must be thinner in Mexico City than in Panama City.” I have looked at the right answer but I am confused as to why one of the wrong answers (a) is incorrect. It says “as one gets older one gets wiser. Since Henrietta is older than her daughter, Henrietta must be wiser than her daughter”.

This to me is an attractive wrong answer. If it was posed as “the older you get, the wiser you are...” would that have made it right?

https://classic.7sage.com/lsat_explanations/lsat-35-section-4-question-23/