February 2014 LSAT Study Group Forum

[RobertGolddust]

Big problem folks. My last 2 PT's I've been nailing 160's with -5 to 7 in LR -5 in RC and -10 in games ( ). I have done the bibles a couple times, done pretty much all the 1-40's, many games multiple times. I just can't seem to lock the section down, any suggestions? my suspicion is I haven't adapted to the new style in the 50's and 60's. Maybe being in idiot in the games is my cross to bear in life

[FlyingNorth]

Big problem folks. My last 2 PT's I've been nailing 160's with -5 to 7 in LR -5 in RC and -10 in games ( ). I have done the bibles a couple times, done pretty much all the 1-40's, many games multiple times. I just can't seem to lock the section down, any suggestions? my suspicion is I haven't adapted to the new style in the 50's and 60's. Maybe being in idiot in the games is my cross to bear in life

Make 6-10 copies of the games that you're struggling on, watch the 7sage explanation, redo the game. If you can't finish it quickly, if you miss any inferences, or if you get something wrong, then you repeat this process until you nail the game. Rotate games out between days so familiarity doesn't play a huge factor.

You'll see massssssive gains!

ETA: I was in the same boat about 3 weeks before December and ended up -3 on LG. Not perfect and I'm retaking in June, but it made a noticeable difference on test day.

[cloy26]

Big problem folks. My last 2 PT's I've been nailing 160's with -5 to 7 in LR -5 in RC and -10 in games ( ). I have done the bibles a couple times, done pretty much all the 1-40's, many games multiple times. I just can't seem to lock the section down, any suggestions? my suspicion is I haven't adapted to the new style in the 50's and 60's. Maybe being in idiot in the games is my cross to bear in life

same. here.

[xylocarp]

Just reviewed yesterday's PT, turns out I accidentally erased/rebubbled two separate questions in section two when I meant to erase/rebubble in section 3. As a result, I went -3 -2 LR instead of the -1 -0 I would have gone had I bubbled correctly (and then I would have gotten my first PT with two -0s!). This is bittersweet because test skills-wise I actually did much better than I previously thought, but I'm also way more of an idiot than I previously thought...

[90convoy]

Big problem folks. My last 2 PT's I've been nailing 160's with -5 to 7 in LR -5 in RC and -10 in games ( ). I have done the bibles a couple times, done pretty much all the 1-40's, many games multiple times. I just can't seem to lock the section down, any suggestions? my suspicion is I haven't adapted to the new style in the 50's and 60's. Maybe being in idiot in the games is my cross to bear in life

same. here.

The games in the late 50s and 60s are definitely different than early 50s and 40s. You just need to account for this by doing a lot of the new style games and repeating them.

[cloy26]

Big problem folks. My last 2 PT's I've been nailing 160's with -5 to 7 in LR -5 in RC and -10 in games ( ). I have done the bibles a couple times, done pretty much all the 1-40's, many games multiple times. I just can't seem to lock the section down, any suggestions? my suspicion is I haven't adapted to the new style in the 50's and 60's. Maybe being in idiot in the games is my cross to bear in life

same. here.

The games in the late 50s and 60s are definitely different than early 50s and 40s. You just need to account for this by doing a lot of the new style games and repeating them.

I took PT56 this morning and I will be going through 3 tests a week (working to most recent). I don't want to burn up games ahead of time... Should I just redo the games of the PTs I take over and over instead of working ahead and spoiling new material?

[unodostres]

PT57

LG: -7
LR1: -6
LR2:- 5
RC: -5

Raw: 78
Scaled: 162

What is the general consensus about PT57 besides the dinosaur game?

[90convoy]

Big problem folks. My last 2 PT's I've been nailing 160's with -5 to 7 in LR -5 in RC and -10 in games ( ). I have done the bibles a couple times, done pretty much all the 1-40's, many games multiple times. I just can't seem to lock the section down, any suggestions? my suspicion is I haven't adapted to the new style in the 50's and 60's. Maybe being in idiot in the games is my cross to bear in life

same. here.

The games in the late 50s and 60s are definitely different than early 50s and 40s. You just need to account for this by doing a lot of the new style games and repeating them.

I took PT56 this morning and I will be going through 3 tests a week (working to most recent). I don't want to burn up games ahead of time... Should I just redo the games of the PTs I take over and over instead of working ahead and spoiling new material?

I don't think working ahead on LG is a big deal. The only problem is that you won't get the full endurance training when Pt'ing because you would have already done the LG section and your brain would work slightly less. If you do work ahead in LG id at least save 3/4 tests with virgin games.

[90convoy]

PT57

LG: -7
LR1: -6
LR2:- 5
RC: -5

Raw: 78
Scaled: 162

What is the general consensus about PT57 besides the dinosaur game?

Seemed like an average difficulty test besides the games. Whats up with your LR tho? Endurance maybe?

[scandk]

Hmm. That's strange. If anything, the newer games almost seem easier.

[unodostres]

PT57

LG: -7
LR1: -6
LR2:- 5
RC: -5

Raw: 78
Scaled: 162

What is the general consensus about PT57 besides the dinosaur game?

Seemed like an average difficulty test besides the games. Whats up with your LR tho? Endurance maybe?

Ya, that's what I'm saying. I didn't think it was too bad. Yea, endurance is part of it. But it's mostly because I get caught up in the middle of the section making sure I get those right and not getting enough time in the end? Not that I feel tired but just wanting to make sure I get those Q's right.

All of my incorrect choices are bunched up at the end of my section (20-26 usually).

[unodostres]

Hmm. That's strange. If anything, the newer games almost seem easier.

I like you.

[cloy26]

Hmm. That's strange. If anything, the newer games almost seem easier.

I sat for October '13... I remember finishing at least 3 minutes early and saying that it was almost *too* easy. I think it's hit or miss maybe?

[xylocarp]

Hmm. That's strange. If anything, the newer games almost seem easier.

I sat for October '13... I remember finishing at least 3 minutes early and saying that it was almost *too* easy. I think it's hit or miss maybe?

I am going to be SO happy if we get easy games in February.

[90convoy]

PT57

LG: -7
LR1: -6
LR2:- 5
RC: -5

Raw: 78
Scaled: 162

What is the general consensus about PT57 besides the dinosaur game?

Seemed like an average difficulty test besides the games. Whats up with your LR tho? Endurance maybe?

Ya, that's what I'm saying. I didn't think it was too bad. Yea, endurance is part of it. But it's mostly because I get caught up in the middle of the section making sure I get those right and not getting enough time in the end? Not that I feel tired but just wanting to make sure I get those Q's right.

All of my incorrect choices are bunched up at the end of my section (20-26 usually).

I think you should work on doing the first 12-15 questions a lot faster. Those are the easiest questions so you'll have more time for the harder ones. I started doing this and instantly saw a decrease in missed questions.

[unodostres]

Ya, I know that's my weak point. I'm starting to get more comfortable. I will def try that. Do you aim to be at 15 questions in 15 min?

[RobertGolddust]

Just printed out the games for all the tests in the 40-60's that I've already taken. I'm going to spend the next couple days drilling new games, maybe 12 a day, reviewing difficult LR questions I've cut out, and drilling RC. Maybe try a double RC just in case I get it on test day.

[RobertGolddust]

Hmm. That's strange. If anything, the newer games almost seem easier.

I consider this a provocation of a worthy challenge.

[90convoy]

Ya, I know that's my weak point. I'm starting to get more comfortable. I will def try that. Do you aim to be at 15 questions in 15 min?

Yeah thats exactly what I do. Eventually it'll become easy. The more and more LR questions you see the easier it is to recognize correct answers. I swear sometimes I can even predict the right answers without even reading the prompt lol. But anyway, yeah aim for that then you will have more time on the last 10/11 questions.

[unodostres]

Ya, I know that's my weak point. I'm starting to get more comfortable. I will def try that. Do you aim to be at 15 questions in 15 min?

Yeah thats exactly what I do. Eventually it'll become easy. The more and more LR questions you see the easier it is to recognize correct answers. I swear sometimes I can even predict the right answers without even reading the prompt lol. But anyway, yeah aim for that then you will have more time on the last 10/11 questions.

Thanks man. Going to learn to trust myself. Safe to say that the end of the section is usually easier too. So that should be my goal.

Speaking of dinosaurs. It wasn't that tough thinking through it. I figured the scenarios would be played due to the in out rule. But sub groups of scenarios of more than 4 really scares me. I had like 5 minutes on this game and ya.

[zhenders]

Something about LR that I don't know if we've talked about yet: I think for most people, certain question types get us. I know that for a while, 95% of my missed LR were from 4 question types.

7sage has the best test grader ever; it rates questions, rates, sections, is easy to input, and tells you exactly what each question type is. Further, it has incredibly useful graphs which tell you which percentages of which types of questions you're getting right; seriously the best "smarter not harder" study aid.

If you aren't using this, check it out -- it can be really revealing to discover that you're missing loads of a particular q type -- and gives you great study direction.

I test again on Monday (PT59); this weekend I'm going to take it easy and knock out two tests worth of sections casually and untimed to stay in the game but relax and recoup a bit.

[eliztudorr]

just posting to give you guys some cheers!! took my last LSAT last oct and threw out all my books the day of im currently waiting for my decisions from LS so im over at the other threads.

im sure all of you are doing great!! because you guys are working your ass off. with that said, sometimes you are going to feel like shit because this test really ain't easy. but don't let it get you down too long. a friend said this to me the week before my test and it really helped me get through the test without a panic attack (i had to cancel my score before the oct one because i had a panic attack during the 4th section and that happened to be counted)

she said, "it took a lot of courage for you to decide on this path and you took it. there's only 2 outcomes to this: first, things work out the way you thought it would be. great. you go through with it. or, things didn't go the way you thought. but that doesn't mean its a bad thing. it just means you get another chance to figure out what you want to do."

so guys, it doesn't matter what happens. the outcomes are both positive.

work hard! and good luck! take necessary breaks and eat plenty.

[zhenders]

just posting to give you guys some cheers!! took my last LSAT last oct and threw out all my books the day of im currently waiting for my decisions from LS so im over at the other threads.

im sure all of you are doing great!! because you guys are working your ass off. with that said, sometimes you are going to feel like shit because this test really ain't easy. but don't let it get you down too long. a friend said this to me the week before my test and it really helped me get through the test without a panic attack (i had to cancel my score before the oct one because i had a panic attack during the 4th section and that happened to be counted)

she said, "it took a lot of courage for you to decide on this path and you took it. there's only 2 outcomes to this: first, things work out the way you thought it would be. great. you go through with it. or, things didn't go the way you thought. but that doesn't mean its a bad thing. it just means you get another chance to figure out what you want to do."

so guys, it doesn't matter what happens. the outcomes are both positive.

work hard! and good luck! take necessary breaks and eat plenty.

Maggie Smith, you're totally way nicer IRL than in Downton Abbey. You rock.

[Miracle]

just posting to give you guys some cheers!! took my last LSAT last oct and threw out all my books the day of im currently waiting for my decisions from LS so im over at the other threads.

im sure all of you are doing great!! because you guys are working your ass off. with that said, sometimes you are going to feel like shit because this test really ain't easy. but don't let it get you down too long. a friend said this to me the week before my test and it really helped me get through the test without a panic attack (i had to cancel my score before the oct one because i had a panic attack during the 4th section and that happened to be counted)

she said, "it took a lot of courage for you to decide on this path and you took it. there's only 2 outcomes to this: first, things work out the way you thought it would be. great. you go through with it. or, things didn't go the way you thought. but that doesn't mean its a bad thing. it just means you get another chance to figure out what you want to do."

so guys, it doesn't matter what happens. the outcomes are both positive.

work hard! and good luck! take necessary breaks and eat plenty.

What if you don't need another chance to figure out what you want to do, because you already know?

[withoutapaddle]

^ I agree with you about certain LR questions that I get wrong. Strengthen, assumption, weaken, parallel, Point at issue come really easy for me.

Flaw and Method get me because of the damn verbiage but I can get the answers to the two that make sense.

Also, I kinda embarrassing, but it took me a lot of wrong flaw questions to finally look up the meaning of granted. Needless to say LSAT granted and the way we use it in every day life is a little different