June 2014 Retakers Forum

[Nonconsecutive]

Best of luck all.

[DivineJustice]

Thanks for the tips guys...I think I'll start off with doing LG in January. I went -2 for LG on the December exam but shooting for a -0 and I think it will be best to ease back into prep.

[thejerseykid]

So, a question regarding prep materials. I currently have all PTs from 40-70 (some are in pdf format and others are physical booklets). I've been looking through the Cambridge LSAT site, though, and I've noticed that they sell 5-section and even 6-section books. I know that the additional sections are simply taken from earlier tests and I'm not looking to spend another $160 buying prep books I already have if I don't need to. Does anyone have experience using these books and, if so, do you think it's worth re-buying the 5 or 6-section versions of these prep tests?

[I<3soulcrushingdebt]

Checking in. Was scoring 168-172 range leading up to December... Scored a 159. Need a completely different strategy for the LR and RC because the methods taught in Powerscore Bibles were not very good for these two sections. Even when I was scoring well on PTs, I was always at a -8 range in LR. If any of you need any help with the Logic Games, I am actually pretty good at those (practicing at a -0/-1, scored a -2 on the exam after misreading one of the rules), but other than that I will not be a very good reference. My problem is that I can thoroughly understand passages very easily, I just struggle with the questions in RC, which I know seems very odd, and is a problem I am working extremely hard to overcome. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

(Disclaimer--- I've read Noodley's guide and will attempt it).

[inlovewithpiper]

I thought you guys might find this story slightly humorous...

I was at the casino with my mom for my sister's birthday last night and everyone was gathered around the huge screen watching the Chiefs game. My mom made the statement that if Kansas City won, she would put on her Chiefs shirt that she brought. After they lost, I asked if she would still put it on in good spirit to celebrate their wonderful season, and she said no because that would make her dishonest.

LSAT mode kicked in and I started to explain how a conditional statement can only be false when the antecedent is true and the consequent false; thus, she could still put on the Chiefs shirt without lying because, even though her sufficient condition for doing so wasn't met, logic dictates that it doesn't have to.

She told me to shut up and play some slots.

[candlelight18]

Checking in...after my very first timed diagnostic being a 168 and PTing between 168 and 173 the month leading up to the December test I was far from pleased to get my score of a 161. I wasn't too surprised because I had quite the freak out during the test and knew that I'd done really poorly but it still sucks to get your worst score by far on the actual test. Oh well, guess it's time to really buckle down and prep for June.

[dasani13]

Checking in. This is like the 4th study group thread I join lol, hopefully it'll be the last. Actually, it's kinda 170+ in June or bust for me so it really is gonna be the last study group thread that I join. I'm technically not a retaker because I withdrew the night before but I've taken almost every PT and drilled all of the Cambridge packets. I decided to withdraw because I was scoring in the low-mid 160s the weeks before the test.

Is anyone on the same or similar boat? I'd like to get some of us together and study together on Skype/google. I'm doing the LSAT Trainer with additional PT. Just let me know on here or shoot me a PM if interested.

[DivineJustice]

Checking in. This is like the 4th study group thread I join lol, hopefully it'll be the last. Actually, it's kinda 170+ in June or bust for me so it really is gonna be the last study group thread that I join. I'm technically not a retaker because I withdrew the night before but I've taken almost every PT and drilled all of the Cambridge packets. I decided to withdraw because I was scoring in the low-mid 160s the weeks before the test.

Is anyone on the same or similar boat? I'd like to get some of us together and study together on Skype/google. I'm doing the LSAT Trainer with additional PT. Just let me know on here or shoot me a PM if interested.

I've taken a majority of the PT's, and drilled the cambridge book 1-20, but I didn't do it like how TLS recommends. I might be in a similar boat as you as I was scoring 160-168 on the PT's.

Also is setting a calendar of how youre going to prep worth the effort? I say this because 6 months is a lot of time to prep considering the prep I've done for December, and I don't want to rush myself into PTing until april/may.

[dasani13]

Checking in. This is like the 4th study group thread I join lol, hopefully it'll be the last. Actually, it's kinda 170+ in June or bust for me so it really is gonna be the last study group thread that I join. I'm technically not a retaker because I withdrew the night before but I've taken almost every PT and drilled all of the Cambridge packets. I decided to withdraw because I was scoring in the low-mid 160s the weeks before the test.

Is anyone on the same or similar boat? I'd like to get some of us together and study together on Skype/google. I'm doing the LSAT Trainer with additional PT. Just let me know on here or shoot me a PM if interested.

I've taken a majority of the PT's, and drilled the cambridge book 1-20, but I didn't do it like how TLS recommends. I might be in a similar boat as you as I was scoring 160-168 on the PT's.

Also is setting a calendar of how youre going to prep worth the effort? I say this because 6 months is a lot of time to prep considering the prep I've done for December, and I don't want to rush myself into PTing until april/may.

I think we're closer to 5 months now but I wouldn't recommend setting a calendar for more than 2 weeks ahead. You should, however, have an idea of what general materials you're going to be using and have an idea of when you'll stop drilling and start PTing, for example. When I was studying to take it in October '13, I made a calendar for like 3 months and had to change it every week. You run into things that need extra review and also end up skipping some. I had made a PT calendar but had to change it around when I decided to incorporate Blind Review into my studying. Are you using the LSAT Trainer? I think MikeKim also recommends on his website that we should set a calendar for no more than 2 weeks ahead of time.

[WaltGrace83]

I have to ask you guys....I am studying for June '14 as well but I am a first time taker. I will be dedicating my heart and soul to this test and I graduated early and took off work so I can study as much as I need for this test. I started with a diagnostic of 151 many years ago and haven't taken a full PT since but I think I would probably get around a 160 after a few weeks with the trainer, and some light study of Manhattan last summer. Anyway, it really freaks me out that some people here have consistently done so well on PT's and then got ~10 off from their average or something. How do we avoid this?! I am so scared of PT'ing really well and then just bombing the test. I don't ever really have too much test anxiety as I am usually quite prepared and confident.....then again I have never taken an LSAT.

[DivineJustice]

I think we're closer to 5 months now but I wouldn't recommend setting a calendar for more than 2 weeks ahead. You should, however, have an idea of what general materials you're going to be using and have an idea of when you'll stop drilling and start PTing, for example. When I was studying to take it in October '13, I made a calendar for like 3 months and had to change it every week. You run into things that need extra review and also end up skipping some. I had made a PT calendar but had to change it around when I decided to incorporate Blind Review into my studying. Are you using the LSAT Trainer? I think MikeKim also recommends on his website that we should set a calendar for no more than 2 weeks ahead of time.

Thanks! That makes a lot of sense. I am using the LSAT Trainer for RC and LR. I am using the PS bible for LG as it has done me wonders. And you're right, it is 5 months -- just miscalculated it in my mind wrong. My only concern is not exonerating the packets till near april end. I think a month or a little over of solely lsat prep time is enough for PTing given it's a retake.

I have to ask you guys....I am studying for June '14 as well but I am a first time taker. I will be dedicating my heart and soul to this test and I graduated early and took off work so I can study as much as I need for this test. I started with a diagnostic of 151 many years ago and haven't taken a full PT since but I think I would probably get around a 160 after a few weeks with the trainer, and some light study of Manhattan last summer. Anyway, it really freaks me out that some people here have consistently done so well on PT's and then got ~10 off from their average or something. How do we avoid this?! I am so scared of PT'ing really well and then just bombing the test. I don't ever really have too much test anxiety as I am usually quite prepared and confident.....then again I have never taken an LSAT.

Personally, for me, I need to be away from school/working in order to do well. When I took it in December, I was highly stressed about school (and the people at school) that affected my performance. I think you just need to be calm through all of this like I plan to and think I will given that ill be out for a complete month before the exam.



Thank god for this thread. I'm more motivated than ever to destroy my old score.

[dasani13]

I agree with the above. I need to be part-time at work and devote most of my time to studying (while being careful not to overdo it by becoming a hermit). I'm planning on devoting at least 30 hours/week but also having a social life to get my mind off of the LSAT now and then.

[thejerseykid]

I have to ask you guys....I am studying for June '14 as well but I am a first time taker. I will be dedicating my heart and soul to this test and I graduated early and took off work so I can study as much as I need for this test. I started with a diagnostic of 151 many years ago and haven't taken a full PT since but I think I would probably get around a 160 after a few weeks with the trainer, and some light study of Manhattan last summer. Anyway, it really freaks me out that some people here have consistently done so well on PT's and then got ~10 off from their average or something. How do we avoid this?! I am so scared of PT'ing really well and then just bombing the test. I don't ever really have too much test anxiety as I am usually quite prepared and confident.....then again I have never taken an LSAT.

Having taken the exam twice already, I would say that a lot of this has to do with how you respond to pressure. In my experience, for example, I tend to respond very well to the actual exam. In fact, I tend to feel calmer during the actual exam than during the PTs. I think the reason for this is that, for the actual exam, I know I've done all I can to prepare and can do nothing more than focus in putting in my best effort whereas with PTs I constantly feel pressured to score at or higher than my previous PT score. In NoodleyOne's guide, he suggests practicing under different conditions. If there's any way to "train" your response to the actual exam, I would say that would be it.

I agree with the above. I need to be part-time at work and devote most of my time to studying (while being careful not to overdo it by becoming a hermit). I'm planning on devoting at least 30 hours/week but also having a social life to get my mind off of the LSAT now and then.

This.

Dedicating time to practice and making good use of your time is important but so is keeping your stress at a minimum. I think that sometimes taking a a day or two break can contribute to your improvement by clearing your mind and allowing you to return to your prep with a fresh mind.

[wsparker]

Oops, I posted in the other June study group, but I am retaker as well. I took it in Feb 2013, and then signed up for June and December, but ended up unregistering because I was never motivated enough. I really need to stay committed and take it in June, anyone want to partner up to make sure we stay on track??

[dasani13]

Oops, I posted in the other June study group, but I am retaker as well. I took it in Feb 2013, and then signed up for June and December, but ended up unregistering because I was never motivated enough. I really need to stay committed and take it in June, anyone want to partner up to make sure we stay on track??

The other June thread sucks lol

I'm looking for study partners/groups if you're interested. We could all get together in a chat room and come up with a schedule/plan.

[bbkk]

Just stop by and say GL guys. Don't give up. I went from a 167 to 176. You can do it too!

[wsparker]

Oops, I posted in the other June study group, but I am retaker as well. I took it in Feb 2013, and then signed up for June and December, but ended up unregistering because I was never motivated enough. I really need to stay committed and take it in June, anyone want to partner up to make sure we stay on track??

The other June thread sucks lol

I'm looking for study partners/groups if you're interested. We could all get together in a chat room and come up with a schedule/plan.

I would definitely be down to do that, it would be nice to have some structure and support!

[Mr.Esquire]

anyone get Cambridge's "LSAT Challenge" packet?

[dasani13]

Oops, I posted in the other June study group, but I am retaker as well. I took it in Feb 2013, and then signed up for June and December, but ended up unregistering because I was never motivated enough. I really need to stay committed and take it in June, anyone want to partner up to make sure we stay on track??

The other June thread sucks lol

I'm looking for study partners/groups if you're interested. We could all get together in a chat room and come up with a schedule/plan.

I would definitely be down to do that, it would be nice to have some structure and support!

Great! Lets set a time and day for everyone interested to get together and chat. I can set up a chat room on tinychat for us. I'm available every day after 5pm EST.

[rebexness]

Hullo retaker friends.
Other thread is too herpderpderp for me.

[FlyingNorth]

Hullo retaker friends.
Other thread is too herpderpderp for me.

reb, did you apply this cycle?

[rebexness]

Hullo retaker friends.
Other thread is too herpderpderp for me.

reb, did you apply this cycle?

Negative ghostrider.

[dasani13]

Hullo retaker friends.
Other thread is too herpderpderp for me.

herpderpderp Lol! I agree.

[sashafierce]

Hullo retaker friends.
Other thread is too herpderpderp for me.

What does herpderpderp mean?

[sashafierce]

Oops, I posted in the other June study group, but I am retaker as well. I took it in Feb 2013, and then signed up for June and December, but ended up unregistering because I was never motivated enough. I really need to stay committed and take it in June, anyone want to partner up to make sure we stay on track??

The other June thread sucks lol

I'm looking for study partners/groups if you're interested. We could all get together in a chat room and come up with a schedule/plan.

Interested in this. I am available at night and weekends.