The Official September 2014 Study Group Forum

[floridaxrose]

I took a testmasters course, I put the hours in my highest PT was 167- averaging 165.
I got a 163 on the June 2014 LSAT and my GPA is 3.95.
I have been reading and most don't jump two or three points unless they failed to study not my case.
Not sure if I have theoretically reached the "cap" each individual has or if I can get to 170+ range.
I also plan on attending UF and have more than the numbers I need to go there.
The only was I could consider my dream Columbia, NYU, or Harvard is with significant financial assistance.
I am hispanic not sure if that qualified as a URM? But I have read about 163's getting into these schools, one person out of a batch so just not sure.

Any advice- I am deciding whether to retake or not?

[longhorn65]

I took a testmasters course, I put the hours in my highest PT was 167- averaging 165.
I got a 163 on the June 2014 LSAT and my GPA is 3.95.
I have been reading and most don't jump two or three points unless they failed to study not my case.
Not sure if I have theoretically reached the "cap" each individual has or if I can get to 170+ range.
I also plan on attending UF and have more than the numbers I need to go there.
The only was I could consider my dream Columbia, NYU, or Harvard is with significant financial assistance.
I am hispanic not sure if that qualified as a URM? But I have read about 163's getting into these schools, one person out of a batch so just not sure.

Any advice- I am deciding whether to retake or not?

From what I've gathered and what my course teacher explained to me is although after 167 there isnt a huge difference in score because it is considered the end of the bell curve and thus less weight is placed to it, a difference of 163-167 would be quite a huge jump and thus would help you gain significantly more financial aid. If I were you I would apply to a couple of law schools higher up that maybe you werent so fond of attending. If you land one of those you have a major bargaining chip against FSU! and with a 167 i would try columbia for sure. Worst case scenario you lose the app. fee; best case you land an amazing school in an amazing location, with amazing opportunities. Best of luck!

[bound]

I took a testmasters course, I put the hours in my highest PT was 167- averaging 165.
I got a 163 on the June 2014 LSAT and my GPA is 3.95.
I have been reading and most don't jump two or three points unless they failed to study not my case.
Not sure if I have theoretically reached the "cap" each individual has or if I can get to 170+ range.
I also plan on attending UF and have more than the numbers I need to go there.
The only was I could consider my dream Columbia, NYU, or Harvard is with significant financial assistance.
I am hispanic not sure if that qualified as a URM? But I have read about 163's getting into these schools, one person out of a batch so just not sure.

Any advice- I am deciding whether to retake or not?

You can start by not using TestMasters. And yes, you can increase even if you studied before. I am living proof.

[Attax]

I took a testmasters course, I put the hours in my highest PT was 167- averaging 165.
I got a 163 on the June 2014 LSAT and my GPA is 3.95.
I have been reading and most don't jump two or three points unless they failed to study not my case.
Not sure if I have theoretically reached the "cap" each individual has or if I can get to 170+ range.
I also plan on attending UF and have more than the numbers I need to go there.
The only was I could consider my dream Columbia, NYU, or Harvard is with significant financial assistance.
I am hispanic not sure if that qualified as a URM? But I have read about 163's getting into these schools, one person out of a batch so just not sure.

Any advice- I am deciding whether to retake or not?

Retake. MYLSN says you're def in at UF but with only $10,000/year. UF isn't a school you should go to except near free.

[Attax]

From what I've gathered and what my course teacher explained to me is although after 167 there isnt a huge difference in score because it is considered the end of the bell curve and thus less weight is placed to it, a difference of 163-167 would be quite a huge jump and thus would help you gain significantly more financial aid. If I were you I would apply to a couple of law schools higher up that maybe you werent so fond of attending. If you land one of those you have a major bargaining chip against FSU! and with a 167 i would try columbia for sure. Worst case scenario you lose the app. fee; best case you land an amazing school in an amazing location, with amazing opportunities. Best of luck!

I take it you are a UT UG/grad? I'd like to have a word with that "teacher" of yours (and please, be a smart UT student and study on your own rather than hiring a super expensive teacher) about >167 not mattering. I had a 168 and 2 more points probably would've landed me Northwestern rather than my WL there. Every point matters, and I feel that in the upper end of the bell curve it really matters because, especially if you are KJD, you need something to give you a boost. The difference between a 166 and 168 this year means a rejection versus acceptance to UT Law, and a 168 to 170 is the difference between near sticker and a full ride. If you think those upper ends don't matter you are lying to yourself.

[bound]

From what I've gathered and what my course teacher explained to me is although after 167 there isnt a huge difference in score because it is considered the end of the bell curve and thus less weight is placed to it, a difference of 163-167 would be quite a huge jump and thus would help you gain significantly more financial aid. If I were you I would apply to a couple of law schools higher up that maybe you werent so fond of attending. If you land one of those you have a major bargaining chip against FSU! and with a 167 i would try columbia for sure. Worst case scenario you lose the app. fee; best case you land an amazing school in an amazing location, with amazing opportunities. Best of luck!

I take it you are a UT UG/grad? I'd like to have a word with that "teacher" of yours (and please, be a smart UT student and study on your own rather than hiring a super expensive teacher) about >167 not mattering. I had a 168 and 2 more points probably would've landed me Northwestern rather than my WL there. Every point matters, and I feel that in the upper end of the bell curve it really matters because, especially if you are KJD, you need something to give you a boost. The difference between a 166 and 168 this year means a rejection versus acceptance to UT Law, and a 168 to 170 is the difference between near sticker and a full ride. If you think those upper ends don't matter you are lying to yourself.

Yeah, gotta agree with Attax here after having applied last cycle. Have you even gone through the process before? Because it definitely sounds like you haven't lol.

[longhorn65]

From what I've gathered and what my course teacher explained to me is although after 167 there isnt a huge difference in score because it is considered the end of the bell curve and thus less weight is placed to it, a difference of 163-167 would be quite a huge jump and thus would help you gain significantly more financial aid. If I were you I would apply to a couple of law schools higher up that maybe you werent so fond of attending. If you land one of those you have a major bargaining chip against FSU! and with a 167 i would try columbia for sure. Worst case scenario you lose the app. fee; best case you land an amazing school in an amazing location, with amazing opportunities. Best of luck!

I take it you are a UT UG/grad? I'd like to have a word with that "teacher" of yours (and please, be a smart UT student and study on your own rather than hiring a super expensive teacher) about >167 not mattering. I had a 168 and 2 more points probably would've landed me Northwestern rather than my WL there. Every point matters, and I feel that in the upper end of the bell curve it really matters because, especially if you are KJD, you need something to give you a boost. The difference between a 166 and 168 this year means a rejection versus acceptance to UT Law, and a 168 to 170 is the difference between near sticker and a full ride. If you think those upper ends don't matter you are lying to yourself.

I never said they dont matter. All i was saying is that if you scored a 168 i wouldnt worry to much about a retake unless you were PT around 175. I am aware EVERY point matters as I hope to be a pretty big splitter. But with a GPA like his and a difference of 2 point on the upper end of the bell curve I dont believe that would be a game changer in admissions for me on the other hand it would be due to my awful gpa

[jk148706]

From what I've gathered and what my course teacher explained to me is although after 167 there isnt a huge difference in score because it is considered the end of the bell curve and thus less weight is placed to it, a difference of 163-167 would be quite a huge jump and thus would help you gain significantly more financial aid. If I were you I would apply to a couple of law schools higher up that maybe you werent so fond of attending. If you land one of those you have a major bargaining chip against FSU! and with a 167 i would try columbia for sure. Worst case scenario you lose the app. fee; best case you land an amazing school in an amazing location, with amazing opportunities. Best of luck!

I take it you are a UT UG/grad? I'd like to have a word with that "teacher" of yours (and please, be a smart UT student and study on your own rather than hiring a super expensive teacher) about >167 not mattering. I had a 168 and 2 more points probably would've landed me Northwestern rather than my WL there. Every point matters, and I feel that in the upper end of the bell curve it really matters because, especially if you are KJD, you need something to give you a boost. The difference between a 166 and 168 this year means a rejection versus acceptance to UT Law, and a 168 to 170 is the difference between near sticker and a full ride. If you think those upper ends don't matter you are lying to yourself.

As an anecdote.. I had a 170, retook to 171 and the next day got off a t14 WL. Every point counts, ESPECIALLY at the 168+ range

[longhorn65]

From what I've gathered and what my course teacher explained to me is although after 167 there isnt a huge difference in score because it is considered the end of the bell curve and thus less weight is placed to it, a difference of 163-167 would be quite a huge jump and thus would help you gain significantly more financial aid. If I were you I would apply to a couple of law schools higher up that maybe you werent so fond of attending. If you land one of those you have a major bargaining chip against FSU! and with a 167 i would try columbia for sure. Worst case scenario you lose the app. fee; best case you land an amazing school in an amazing location, with amazing opportunities. Best of luck!

I take it you are a UT UG/grad? I'd like to have a word with that "teacher" of yours (and please, be a smart UT student and study on your own rather than hiring a super expensive teacher) about >167 not mattering. I had a 168 and 2 more points probably would've landed me Northwestern rather than my WL there. Every point matters, and I feel that in the upper end of the bell curve it really matters because, especially if you are KJD, you need something to give you a boost. The difference between a 166 and 168 this year means a rejection versus acceptance to UT Law, and a 168 to 170 is the difference between near sticker and a full ride. If you think those upper ends don't matter you are lying to yourself.

As an anecdote.. I had a 170, retook to 171 and the next day got off a t14 WL. Every point counts, ESPECIALLY at the 168+ range

Well im glad to know this ha I took a mathematical approach at it and that was reinforced by my course instructor but thanks for sharing your life lesson wisdom lol!

[Attax]

Well im glad to know this ha I took a mathematical approach at it and that was reinforced by my course instructor but thanks for sharing your life lesson wisdom lol!

Seriously, if you actually want help there's a lot of flame around UT. I had tons of people ask me how I got into UT Law and when I told them LSAT they almost all asked if they thought they'd get in with like a 157-165 and I had to tell them know. If you want help, I'd be glad to help ocassionally with tips/advice on LSAT, applications, etc. I was in a similar situation, I was a chem major with a <3.0 GPA and I'm starting UT Law in the fall. IDK what or who your teacher is, but I'd rather offer some free help than see someone else screw things up by having a bad teacher.

The mathematical approach, while it makes sense also is misleading. When you're competing for about 200-300 spots at the top schools and everyone is in the high range, 1 point makes a huge difference. Whereas in the middle range 1 point means next to nothing because so many people have it. The rarity of that 1 extra point makes it worth so much more than those in the lower echelons.

With a GPA like his he is excluding himself from HYSCCN by not retaking. The amount of my friends who wasted a good GPA b/c they were too lazy to retake and are paying near $100,000 for schools like A&M, Houston, or Baylor is astoundingly terrifying to me who put no effort in during UG and will have <$100k debt for LS + UG.

[Attax]

As an anecdote.. I had a 170, retook to 171 and the next day got off a t14 WL. Every point counts, ESPECIALLY at the 168+ range

Although, tbf, you fucking deserved it too!

[longhorn65]

As an anecdote.. I had a 170, retook to 171 and the next day got off a t14 WL. Every point counts, ESPECIALLY at the 168+ range

Although, tbf, you fucking deserved it too!

ATTAX I pm'd ya I would a appreciate it if you would check out the PM

[bound]

As an anecdote.. I had a 170, retook to 171 and the next day got off a t14 WL. Every point counts, ESPECIALLY at the 168+ range

Although, tbf, you fucking deserved it too!

ATTAX I pm'd ya I would a appreciate it if you would check out the PM

thats a little redundant.

[longhorn65]

As an anecdote.. I had a 170, retook to 171 and the next day got off a t14 WL. Every point counts, ESPECIALLY at the 168+ range

Although, tbf, you fucking deserved it too!

ATTAX I pm'd ya I would a appreciate it if you would check out the PM

thats a little redundant.

agree

[Attax]

Checking it and replying now.

[mornincounselor]

Post removed.

[gnomgnomuch]

Took PT 39. First take - 158, with blind Review - 173.
First break down.

LG - 8, went 4/5, 1/6, 7/7, 2/5, second game KILLED me.
LR -9
RC - 5
LR-7

Second break down.

LG -2, 4/5, 5/6, 7/7, 5/5
LR -4
RC -3
LR -1.

Really need to work on timing for LG... its the biggest impediment i have to breaking out from my low 160's to upper 160's.

[Attax]

Took PT 39. First take - 158, with blind Review - 173.
First break down.

LG - 8, went 4/5, 1/6, 7/7, 2/5, second game KILLED me.
LR -9
RC - 5
LR-7

Second break down.

LG -2, 4/5, 5/6, 7/7, 5/5
LR -4
RC -3
LR -1.

Really need to work on timing for LG... its the biggest impediment i have to breaking out from my low 160's to upper 160's.

Work on LG accuracy then once you can consistently do -0/-1/-2 then worry about timing.

[gnomgnomuch]

Took PT 39. First take - 158, with blind Review - 173.
First break down.

LG - 8, went 4/5, 1/6, 7/7, 2/5, second game KILLED me.
LR -9
RC - 5
LR-7

Second break down.

LG -2, 4/5, 5/6, 7/7, 5/5
LR -4
RC -3
LR -1.

Really need to work on timing for LG... its the biggest impediment i have to breaking out from my low 160's to upper 160's.

Work on LG accuracy then once you can consistently do -0/-1/-2 then worry about timing.

That too =D. Unfortunately, i feel like ill be one of those people who'll never quite make it to the -0 land in LG. I've improved a lot since i started studying, my first PT i went 2/23 on LG, and now I'm doing 16-20/23, but it fluctuates wildly, and I've never gotten a perfect 23/23 on any 4 game section test. 7sage has been a true hero though lol.

[vracovino]

Took PT 39. First take - 158, with blind Review - 173.
First break down.

LG - 8, went 4/5, 1/6, 7/7, 2/5, second game KILLED me.
LR -9
RC - 5
LR-7

Second break down.

LG -2, 4/5, 5/6, 7/7, 5/5
LR -4
RC -3
LR -1.

Really need to work on timing for LG... its the biggest impediment i have to breaking out from my low 160's to upper 160's.

Work on LG accuracy then once you can consistently do -0/-1/-2 then worry about timing.

That too =D. Unfortunately, i feel like ill be one of those people who'll never quite make it to the -0 land in LG. I've improved a lot since i started studying, my first PT i went 2/23 on LG, and now I'm doing 16-20/23, but it fluctuates wildly, and I've never gotten a perfect 23/23 on any 4 game section test. 7sage has been a true hero though lol.

Just curious, how long have you been studying/drilling Logic Games? They're especially hard for me as well.

[gnomgnomuch]

Took PT 39. First take - 158, with blind Review - 173.
First break down.

LG - 8, went 4/5, 1/6, 7/7, 2/5, second game KILLED me.
LR -9
RC - 5
LR-7

Second break down.

LG -2, 4/5, 5/6, 7/7, 5/5
LR -4
RC -3
LR -1.

Really need to work on timing for LG... its the biggest impediment i have to breaking out from my low 160's to upper 160's.

Work on LG accuracy then once you can consistently do -0/-1/-2 then worry about timing.

That too =D. Unfortunately, i feel like ill be one of those people who'll never quite make it to the -0 land in LG. I've improved a lot since i started studying, my first PT i went 2/23 on LG, and now I'm doing 16-20/23, but it fluctuates wildly, and I've never gotten a perfect 23/23 on any 4 game section test. 7sage has been a true hero though lol.

Just curious, how long have you been studying/drilling Logic Games? They're especially hard for me as well.

Well i started studying the end of January. The thing is, i work 2 jobs + I intern, plus taking classes, so my studying is very haphazard because i don't have much consistency in it. I've went over around 70-80% of the games in prep tests 1-39 though, plus went over them on 7sage until i was able to get them right.

[Attax]

Just curious, how long have you been studying/drilling Logic Games? They're especially hard for me as well.

I studied about 3 months before my exam in October 2013 (I start LS in the fall). LG were super easy for me and I only took about 2 weeks to go to -1/-2ish. But I helped a lot of my friends with them. I recommend if you get one question on a game wrong, spend time rediagramming and reworking the entire game because the problem probably lies within your diagram somewhere.

[flash21]

gnmog thats a really good diagnostic

[Attax]

Well i started studying the end of January. The thing is, i work 2 jobs + I intern, plus taking classes, so my studying is very haphazard because i don't have much consistency in it. I've went over around 70-80% of the games in prep tests 1-39 though, plus went over them on 7sage until i was able to get them right.

I really recommend making the time. I was also working 2 jobs plus taking classes and running a business wile studying. I was often up by 4:30 AM to study b/c I Just needed time. It sucks, but being a hermit and scoring well and going to a good school with good $ beats having to do it all again.

[gnomgnomuch]

Well i started studying the end of January. The thing is, i work 2 jobs + I intern, plus taking classes, so my studying is very haphazard because i don't have much consistency in it. I've went over around 70-80% of the games in prep tests 1-39 though, plus went over them on 7sage until i was able to get them right.

I really recommend making the time. I was also working 2 jobs plus taking classes and running a business wile studying. I was often up by 4:30 AM to study b/c I Just needed time. It sucks, but being a hermit and scoring well and going to a good school with good $ beats having to do it all again.

My goals are any t-14 with minimal debt, or a school like Vandy close to free. My gpa is only a 3.7 so without the 173+ i dont think ill see that much money, so i really do need to study my ass off. Also, thank you for the advice on diagramming, ill be sure to keep it in mind. =)

Flash - that's not my diagnostic, I started with a 146. I've been studying for months now.