I have the LSAT starter, which has assigned for me PTs to take that are difficult to find (or find at reasonable prices. I have followed links provided, but it seems prices have become extraordinarily inflated, especially for those PTs in the 40s---I have managed to get a Manhattan book that has organized the 40s exams by q-type). I am also a re-taker, but the first time(s) I did not exhaust my PT's...I have the 70s, some 60s, some 50s, and some 30s available (about 28 exams total) fresh PTs left. Could/should I substitute those, instead of the suggested? I realize I miss out on video explanations though.
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Maybe I should just spill my case/experience thus far, and perhaps this community can cringe and provide advice/best procedures.
Ok, I took the LSAT twice. First time: canceled after taking the exam. Second time: entered the exam having slept 0 hours. Yes, I had insomnia and incredible anxiety because, in the depths of my being, I knew I was unprepared. But! I didn't cancel because I didn't want to "cancel twice." I exited with a 159 (oof, it hurts). This is after months of "studying." I have read through the LSAT Trainer 3x, Manhattan LG, LR books 3x, Powerscore LG, LR books 2x. I took PT's here and there, without real BR (so I can't reliably provide where I was scoring--I sadly didn't have much of a system except, try to do one at least twice a week or more, until the exam). I've technically been "studying" since the beginning of 2015. After the June exam, this past month, I finally made (what I believe, the good) decision to join 7SAGE. But not before making another mistake: I'm registered for the September exam.
So, quite a clusterF, as some would say. My greatest weakness is LR. With LG, I'm spotty, but I feel it's graspable with more practice, repetition, etc. I'm usually confident in RC, but it's not down to a hard science. I have my days. Is any of this useful? Gives me so much anxiety writing my failures down (and reading how hard I have failed).
Eek. Help!
Comments
You have approx 2 months until September test. Take it one step at a time and see how well you do. If you don't feel prepared simply postpone. Don't be too attached on a certain date and don't let the 2 previous attempts get to you. They're a thing in the past and law schools won't even look at them. It looks like you and I are both on out 3rd attempt for the LSAT so you aren't alone
As for the tests, 28 tests is more than enough. Use the 40s for drills and don’t even worry about it.
1) Absolutely postpone and don't use your last retake (or any take ever) until you are 100% you are ready. So until the average of your last 5-10 PTs are at or above your goal.
2) I think getting 7Sage was an excellent decision. In only a month I feel like I am on a completely new level with the LSAT in my understanding. Really take your time going through the core curriculum and doing all the problem sets. I think just seeing the process of doing logical reasoning questions in real time is such a big help. I also have the starter course, as far as getting a hold of those tests 36-44, I think I found them very reasonably priced on Ebay/Amazon? You could substitute them, but then you wouldn't be getting the full video explanations which is one of the biggest advantages. So let me see if I can find a link with reasonably priced tests.
3) I also have insomnia. I have some prescriptions that help when I really need sleep, but not to be used every night. My anxiety seems to have been at the root of my lack of sleeping also, and I have some medications for that as well. It may be worth going to the doctor and getting some help. Not sleeping is probably the worse thing for your brain and overall health when studying for a test like this. If you really have insomnia it isn't going to go away...
Thank you so much for your response. I truly appreciate the encouragement! Sincerely sincerely thankful. I had thought 7sage's stress was more in the LG department (idk why? Maybe TLS has ingrained this stereotype in me), but I'm glad to hear that my weaknesses will thoroughly be addressed!
@"Cant Get Right"
You are right in observing that I tried the "brute force quantity of studying." I find this advice very valuable, true, and I wish it weren't so novel to my studies! I will do so--and it makes me feel...so much better, haha.
@"Alex Divine"
Thank you for your reassurance and help! I have only experienced deep anxiety and insomnia several times in my life. I don't feel that I experience it enough to say it is chronic--I can count on one hand the times I've experienced true insomnia. I think the reason I couldn't sleep that test-day-night is due to my knowing that I was to-the-core not ready. I hope to never repeat that same mistake. I'm glad 7sage and its community is here to guide me!
If you want to get into more nitty-gritty analysis for RC, you can supplement with the LSAT Trainer book, which has (imho) the best approach of all the LSAT books out there when it comes to RC.
As for the prescribed PT's you can certainly substitute the PT's you have in the place of the recommended ones (with the loss of explanations for the sections outside of LG). But we're all here to help if you get really stuck on a question.
One word of caution if you decide to go the prescription/supplement way to alleviate insomnia and anxiety - make sure you are well used to taking whatever you'd be taking the night before the test. Everything you want to try for the test, try for at least several PT's to make sure you're not adversely affected.
And whatever you do, don't take the exam until you're ready. This is your third and last take for two years, so it has to be right. From where I'm sitting, doesn't seem like September will give you enough time to be properly prepared, just because the curriculum alone will take that long and you still need time for PT's. If you have to reschedule/withdraw, yes, that's going to sting financially, but not nearly as much as scoring well below your potential will, in terms of scholarship money and job prospects after school.
Also, don’t post your email. Bots scan through public forums for that, and you really don’t want them to have your email!