June 2011 Study Group Forum

[OhOkay]

Thanks for the advice, Eich It is super slow-going typing up explanations, but the pay-off will hopefully be more than worth it.

Congrats soj!! I sort of wasted PT 53... started it when I was way too tired, ended up ditching it mid-way, and finished it piecemeal over the course of three sittings, resulting in my lowest PT score ever. Major props to your -0 on RC and LR2! Those creamed me completely (-4 and -3!!). I'm about to review the PT right now and see what went wrong.

I've found a moderate running routine to aid in concentration and clarity. I don't know if this holds for anyone else, but it makes me wonder about what physiological stuff is going on between these two to create a noticeable difference.

Good for you! I was hoping for the same, but running in the mornings (only time I can) just made me sleepy afterwards, and screwed up my studying. I should have remembered this from my hyper-running/sports days, but I guess I figured a much more toned down version of my old routine would not make me so tired. Ah well.

[Strange]

Another 168, this time on PT48. Totally felt fatigued and lost focus on the last section, which was LR, so I need to work on that. Otherwise, I felt good for the most part, and got -10 but another tough curve landed me with the same PT average I've had for the past month. The positive out of this is that I scored a -2 on the RC, which fits into the average score I've gotten on the timed RC's for the older sections I've been doing.

Correct that, mismarked one of my answers wrong so it's a 169 Well it took me three weeks to get this one point bump, hopefully another three weeks will get me to my goal of 170

EDIT: Also got a -0 on the RC exp (PT24). I'm thinking my RC improvement is very real now, just gotta tighten up LR

For those of you who did PT48, how did you attack the final question for game 4? That tripped me up and was my only miss

[99.9luft]

I noticed an interesting correlation between my PT scores and exercise routine.

If I lift weights hard enough to get substantially sore, I totally feel grogged out and my concentration and reading comprehension sucks the next day (even after a great night's sleep). However, I've found a moderate running routine to aid in concentration and clarity. I don't know if this holds for anyone else, but it makes me wonder about what physiological stuff is going on between these two to create a noticeable difference.

I can't agree more.

Going hard leaves me braindead. Same with getting too much sleep (10 hours). However, running and doing 10-15 reps instead of maxing out, as well as swimming and yoga have helped me tremendously to overcome the psychological pressure.

We've got 21 days, and I'm not even nervous. Unlike the previous two times i've taken the LSAT, this time regular exercise is what boosts my spirit (aside from those 172s and 173s of course )

[Strange]

You guys mean exercising the day before or the day of PTing/taking the actual test?

[Eichörnchen]

I noticed an interesting correlation between my PT scores and exercise routine.

If I lift weights hard enough to get substantially sore, I totally feel grogged out and my concentration and reading comprehension sucks the next day (even after a great night's sleep). However, I've found a moderate running routine to aid in concentration and clarity. I don't know if this holds for anyone else, but it makes me wonder about what physiological stuff is going on between these two to create a noticeable difference.

Well this is 100% true. I can maybe contribute a few factoids about what's going on there to make you notice a difference -
Moderate exercise causes neurogenesis. The new neurons that are created during a moderate workout will survive for 4 weeks, unless you challenge your brain, in which case the neurons are wired to perform whatever challenging task you've taken on (and will live as long as you use 'em just like any other neuron). Another thing that happens is that when you exercise, your brain gets a protective effect over the hippocampus, which is where your short term memory is seated and also where short-term stored memories are transferred into long-term memories. This little "brain boost" in your memory center lasts up to 3 days after the exercise has been performed.

Yea, I read science books for fun and I remember random factoids

[99.9luft]

You guys mean exercising the day before or the day of PTing/taking the actual test?

I was speaking of the day before. I think exercising the morning of the PT will make me tired. Although, in the mornings, I do stretch briefly (since the whole rolling out of bed, eating and PTing right after thing didn't seem to work for me).

You have to have a strong back/neck muscles to sit in a 3+ hour nerve-wreck, so I recommend doing those FYI.

[theaether]

I noticed an interesting correlation between my PT scores and exercise routine.

If I lift weights hard enough to get substantially sore, I totally feel grogged out and my concentration and reading comprehension sucks the next day (even after a great night's sleep). However, I've found a moderate running routine to aid in concentration and clarity. I don't know if this holds for anyone else, but it makes me wonder about what physiological stuff is going on between these two to create a noticeable difference.

Well this is 100% true. I can maybe contribute a few factoids about what's going on there to make you notice a difference -
Moderate exercise causes neurogenesis. The new neurons that are created during a moderate workout will survive for 4 weeks, unless you challenge your brain, in which case the neurons are wired to perform whatever challenging task you've taken on (and will live as long as you use 'em just like any other neuron). Another thing that happens is that when you exercise, your brain gets a protective effect over the hippocampus, which is where your short term memory is seated and also where short-term stored memories are transferred into long-term memories. This little "brain boost" in your memory center lasts up to 3 days after the exercise has been performed.

Yea, I read science books for fun and I remember random factoids

oh damn that smells like one of those RC passages or really long LR stimulus. let's see, where is the necessary assumption... haha

[99.9luft]

I noticed an interesting correlation between my PT scores and exercise routine.

If I lift weights hard enough to get substantially sore, I totally feel grogged out and my concentration and reading comprehension sucks the next day (even after a great night's sleep). However, I've found a moderate running routine to aid in concentration and clarity. I don't know if this holds for anyone else, but it makes me wonder about what physiological stuff is going on between these two to create a noticeable difference.

Well this is 100% true. I can maybe contribute a few factoids about what's going on there to make you notice a difference -
Moderate exercise causes neurogenesis. The new neurons that are created during a moderate workout will survive for 4 weeks, unless you challenge your brain, in which case the neurons are wired to perform whatever challenging task you've taken on (and will live as long as you use 'em just like any other neuron). Another thing that happens is that when you exercise, your brain gets a protective effect over the hippocampus, which is where your short term memory is seated and also where short-term stored memories are transferred into long-term memories. This little "brain boost" in your memory center lasts up to 3 days after the exercise has been performed.

Yea, I read science books for fun and I remember random factoids

hey Eich, thanks, that was excellent on 2 levels because it was: a) enlightening b) reminded me of RC (I was anticipating a new paragraph with 'But some critics say...')

[Eichörnchen]

I noticed an interesting correlation between my PT scores and exercise routine.

If I lift weights hard enough to get substantially sore, I totally feel grogged out and my concentration and reading comprehension sucks the next day (even after a great night's sleep). However, I've found a moderate running routine to aid in concentration and clarity. I don't know if this holds for anyone else, but it makes me wonder about what physiological stuff is going on between these two to create a noticeable difference.

Well this is 100% true. I can maybe contribute a few factoids about what's going on there to make you notice a difference -
Moderate exercise causes neurogenesis. The new neurons that are created during a moderate workout will survive for 4 weeks, unless you challenge your brain, in which case the neurons are wired to perform whatever challenging task you've taken on (and will live as long as you use 'em just like any other neuron). Another thing that happens is that when you exercise, your brain gets a protective effect over the hippocampus, which is where your short term memory is seated and also where short-term stored memories are transferred into long-term memories. This little "brain boost" in your memory center lasts up to 3 days after the exercise has been performed.

Yea, I read science books for fun and I remember random factoids

hey Eich, thanks, that was excellent on 2 levels because it was: a) enlightening b) reminded me of RC (I was anticipating a new paragraph with 'But some critics say...')

Haha, you are welcome. I am a fount of random (mostly useless) knowledge. And I sometimes feel like I talk like the LSAT...

[OhOkay]

Well this is 100% true. I can maybe contribute a few factoids about what's going on there to make you notice a difference -
Moderate exercise causes neurogenesis. The new neurons that are created during a moderate workout will survive for 4 weeks, unless you challenge your brain, in which case the neurons are wired to perform whatever challenging task you've taken on (and will live as long as you use 'em just like any other neuron). Another thing that happens is that when you exercise, your brain gets a protective effect over the hippocampus, which is where your short term memory is seated and also where short-term stored memories are transferred into long-term memories. This little "brain boost" in your memory center lasts up to 3 days after the exercise has been performed.

Ok wow. This just convinced me to try to make time to run at night (and indoors, which i hate, since it's not safe after dark where I live). Haha, thanks Eich.

[soj]

How did u find game 2? did u have to make 4 diagrams?

I diagrammed rule 1 as P-M-L.
I diagrammed rule 2 like this:

Code: Select all

G-L
 \
  J

or

Code: Select all

J
 \
L-G

(edit: hmm, the spacing doesn't really work even in code mode. I think you get what I mean, though.)

I just had to remember that all sketches were going to obey one of these. And same with rule 3.

The rest of my diagramming was local (Q8, Q9), but in retrospect I didn't really need it any local diagrams either. For 11, I drew out hypotheticals for every AC until I managed to come up with one (B) or encountered a contradiction (A, C, D, E).

[MarineLaw]

I noticed an interesting correlation between my PT scores and exercise routine.

If I lift weights hard enough to get substantially sore, I totally feel grogged out and my concentration and reading comprehension sucks the next day (even after a great night's sleep). However, I've found a moderate running routine to aid in concentration and clarity. I don't know if this holds for anyone else, but it makes me wonder about what physiological stuff is going on between these two to create a noticeable difference.

Well this is 100% true. I can maybe contribute a few factoids about what's going on there to make you notice a difference -
Moderate exercise causes neurogenesis. The new neurons that are created during a moderate workout will survive for 4 weeks, unless you challenge your brain, in which case the neurons are wired to perform whatever challenging task you've taken on (and will live as long as you use 'em just like any other neuron). Another thing that happens is that when you exercise, your brain gets a protective effect over the hippocampus, which is where your short term memory is seated and also where short-term stored memories are transferred into long-term memories. This little "brain boost" in your memory center lasts up to 3 days after the exercise has been performed.

Yea, I read science books for fun and I remember random factoids

Wow, awesome factoids! And yes, braindead after a really tough workout is totally spot on. It sucks because you're done for both the rest of that day and the day after.

Also, definitely with you on the day before. Working out and then taking a PT is just a mental smoking. A decent run and a PT the next day seems to be the ticket. Don't notice a huge change in scores (still in mid 160s) but I definitely notice a speed increase and better focus.

[northwood]

Another 168, this time on PT48. Totally felt fatigued and lost focus on the last section, which was LR, so I need to work on that. Otherwise, I felt good for the most part, and got -10 but another tough curve landed me with the same PT average I've had for the past month. The positive out of this is that I scored a -2 on the RC, which fits into the average score I've gotten on the timed RC's for the older sections I've been doing.

If you are worried about fatigue/ endurance be prepared to do 3 sections of LR back to back to back. When I took the October 10 exam I had LR RC RC- and the first RC was experimental. While it sucked- the only thing that kept me from cancelling on the spot ( and i ended up scoring within my pt average) was the fact that I used to do back to back RC sections to work on endurance. If its always section 4 that hurts you make sure to be doing 3 sections then take a break and then do 2 sections ( so you get a 5 section test). I know that you have been doing pts for a while, but I havent been lurking in this thread for a while, so I havent follwed all of your progresses carefully. ( BTW Strange im not talking to you in general, but used your quote for other posters/ lurkers who have this issue).

Remember on the actual test day you will either get 3 LR sections out of the 5 sections you take
or 2 LG sections out of 5 or 2 RC sections- and they can be in whatever order/ sequence LSAC wants- so make sure you can do 3 LR sections back to back to back, or 2 LG sections back to back or 2 RC sections back to back. While it may not work out that way on game day- it could. LR and RC are super reading heavy, while LG you can rest your eyes for abit- as you are working with pencil more. IF that is a problem with you- its something you may want to fine tune.

[Strange]

Another 168, this time on PT48. Totally felt fatigued and lost focus on the last section, which was LR, so I need to work on that. Otherwise, I felt good for the most part, and got -10 but another tough curve landed me with the same PT average I've had for the past month. The positive out of this is that I scored a -2 on the RC, which fits into the average score I've gotten on the timed RC's for the older sections I've been doing.

If you are worried about fatigue/ endurance be prepared to do 3 sections of LR back to back to back. When I took the October 10 exam I had LR RC RC- and the first RC was experimental. While it sucked- the only thing that kept me from cancelling on the spot ( and i ended up scoring within my pt average) was the fact that I used to do back to back RC sections to work on endurance. If its always section 4 that hurts you make sure to be doing 3 sections then take a break and then do 2 sections ( so you get a 5 section test). I know that you have been doing pts for a while, but I havent been lurking in this thread for a while, so I havent follwed all of your progresses carefully. ( BTW Strange im not talking to you in general, but used your quote for other posters/ lurkers who have this issue).

Remember on the actual test day you will either get 3 LR sections out of the 5 sections you take
or 2 LG sections out of 5 or 2 RC sections- and they can be in whatever order/ sequence LSAC wants- so make sure you can do 3 LR sections back to back to back, or 2 LG sections back to back or 2 RC sections back to back. While it may not work out that way on game day- it could. LR and RC are super reading heavy, while LG you can rest your eyes for abit- as you are working with pencil more. IF that is a problem with you- its something you may want to fine tune.

Thanks for the tips! This is the 8th PT I've done since the beginning of April (have done 9 overall including diagnostic), order for me was RC (exp), LR, LG, RC, LR. RC and LR are equally taxing on my brain so I thought this was an order I might have trouble with toward the end. The RC section (after the break) wasn't a big deal but I definitely started to lose it in the LR section - two questions at the end I should have gotten but just had trouble focusing with little time left. Going to use your suggestion on my future PT's, stick LG near the front and push the LR's to the back

[Eichörnchen]

Well this is 100% true. I can maybe contribute a few factoids about what's going on there to make you notice a difference -
Moderate exercise causes neurogenesis. The new neurons that are created during a moderate workout will survive for 4 weeks, unless you challenge your brain, in which case the neurons are wired to perform whatever challenging task you've taken on (and will live as long as you use 'em just like any other neuron). Another thing that happens is that when you exercise, your brain gets a protective effect over the hippocampus, which is where your short term memory is seated and also where short-term stored memories are transferred into long-term memories. This little "brain boost" in your memory center lasts up to 3 days after the exercise has been performed.

Ok wow. This just convinced me to try to make time to run at night (and indoors, which i hate, since it's not safe after dark where I live). Haha, thanks Eich.

Haha I'm glad to inspire your running. Keep it safe in your sketchy 'hood and get those neurons growing

[coldshoulder]

Thought I was going to hit my first 180 today, instead, this happened.
PT 48
LR: -1
LG: -0
RC: -1
LR: -1
98/101, -3 total
177

WHAT?! This is my highest score yet, but I honestly thought that a -3 would be a 179 or a 180. What the hell, curves.

[theaether]

Thought I was going to hit my first 180 today, instead, this happened.
LR: -1
LG: -0
RC: -1
LR: -1
98/101, -3 total
177

WHAT?! This is my highest score yet, but I honestly thought that a -3 would be a 179 or a 180. What the hell, curves.

wat?? so a 180 was 101 raw score? or was there no 179 on this test

[coldshoulder]

There was no 179. It was 101 or 100 for a 180, only a -1 being possible.
Then a -2 was a 178, and a -3 was a 177.
PT 48 btw.

[theaether]

There was no 179. It was 101 or 100 for a 180, only a -1 being possible.
Then a -2 was a 178, and a -3 was a 177.
PT 48 btw.

f me i'm taking that one this week. nooooooOo

[coldshoulder]

There was no 179. It was 101 or 100 for a 180, only a -1 being possible.
Then a -2 was a 178, and a -3 was a 177.
PT 48 btw.

f me i'm taking that one this week. nooooooOo

Haha, you better not miss any then.

[Strange]

There was no 179. It was 101 or 100 for a 180, only a -1 being possible.
Then a -2 was a 178, and a -3 was a 177.
PT 48 btw.

f me i'm taking that one this week. nooooooOo

Haha, you better not miss any then.

I took that one today, how'd you attack the last question on Game 4?

[Strange]

I'm happy I got the tough curves out of the way - PT51.5 and PT48 scored a 90 and 92 on respectively (missed -10 and -9) and still didn't get the 170 Hopefully the curves are more forgiving when I take 49 and 50 next weekend.

[coldshoulder]

There was no 179. It was 101 or 100 for a 180, only a -1 being possible.
Then a -2 was a 178, and a -3 was a 177.
PT 48 btw.

f me i'm taking that one this week. nooooooOo

Haha, you better not miss any then.

I took that one today, how'd you attack the last question on Game 4?

Pay close attention to the G before H rule as well as the P and rock band at 10 rules. Should become more apparent if you pay special attention to those.

[Strange]

Pay close attention to the G before H rule as well as the P and rock band at 10 rules. Should become more apparent if you pay special attention to those.

Got it now, think I must have just choked on that question. Only one I got wrong. D'oh!

[jim-green]

Moderate exercise causes neurogenesis. The new neurons that are created during a moderate workout will survive for 4 weeks, unless you challenge your brain, in which case the neurons are wired to perform whatever challenging task you've taken on (and will live as long as you use 'em just like any other neuron). Another thing that happens is that when you exercise, your brain gets a protective effect over the hippocampus, which is where your short term memory is seated and also where short-term stored memories are transferred into long-term memories. This little "brain boost" in your memory center lasts up to 3 days after the exercise has been performed.

Is this the science passage from PT42? I remember they used canaries as this experiment becuase of their long life spans.
Will walking help? I tried running for the first time in my life last year, and my feet, hips hurt a lot. I had 3-year old sneakers. So I threw them away and bought those Vibram 5-fingers (kinda like barefoot running). Didn't help. This year i have new sneakers, but my feet hurt again, so am thinking of just going for walks.