The Official June 2014 Study Group Forum

[WaltGrace83]

Since so many of you have helped me, I thought I would share one thing that has taken me a month to realize that I think will help at least someone posting/lurking.

While the Manhattan Forum explanations are truly awesome (I use them for LR and RC, but mainly LR), when you miss a problem, DO NOT GO STRAIGHT TO THE EXPLANATIONS.

Instead, write out why the answer you chose was incorrect BEFORE you see the explanations from one of the experts and write out why the correct answer (that you didn't choose the first time around) is correct, once again before you look at the explanations form one of the experts.

What I have found is I can actually write out a correct explanation (yes-even though I missed the question the first time) and I think I learn way more by doing this than by just immediately looking up an explanation that I couldn't come to on my own and just saying "Oh yeah, that makes sense" in my head.

I wish I had a time machine that I could go back and do this from the beginning of my drilling. Luckily, I have only been drilling LR for like 2 weeks.

Just something I thought I would share that I have learned since so many of you have helped me already, far more than you probably think.

Keep up the good work everyone!

THIS! I wish I could "like" this comment. THIS is how you learn to avoid trap answers. It has helped me immensely. I am still not a LR superstar but I am falling for those traps and "vague" answer choices less and less lately.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be ready for the June exam.

No harm done. You have the rest of your life to take this exam. If you aren't ready by June, take in September! Also, don't get in this mindset yet. Wait until the day of the withdrawal date. We still got a lonnnnnng way to go boys.

[Straw_Mandible]

Also, don't get in this mindset yet. Wait until the day of the withdrawal date. We still got a lonnnnnng way to go boys.

Really just want to second the bolded. Seriously, you're shooting yourself in the foot if you start thinking this way more than four months prior to the test. Yes, you will need to work diligently and efficiently if you want you reach your target by June, but it can be done. Belief is a powerful force. Don't sabotage your progress by believing that progress is impossible.

[suitsfan]

I completed the powerscore and manhattan books recently and I'm about to start drilling cambridge. I am kinda confused on how to drill the questions. Any tips and suggestions?

[penncon]

I completed the powerscore and manhattan books recently and I'm about to start drilling cambridge. I am kinda confused on how to drill the questions. Any tips and suggestions?

Check out Mike Kim's Notebook Organizer from the LSAT Trainer. Google it. It's very convenient. The pages are setup in a way for you to easily review questions you missed or were not 100% sure on. There's a section for answers ABCDE and then a line for you to explain why each answer is wrong or right. There's also a way for you to keep track of questions you need to review until you can check them off once you fully understand them.

Also if I might add, using lsatqa to keep track of preptests and sections will identify weaknesses in question types that you can target.

Officially checking into the thread. Can't wait to kill it in June!

[10052014]

.

[WaltGrace83]

louie is feeling defeated







.......
we are all screwed .


seriously though, let's own this test. I am TIRED of how stupid the LSAT is with all of these flaws and such

[WaltGrace83]

I am going to commiserate with you guys a bit.

You know what I really REALLY hate? When I properly identify the flaw, pre-phrase it in my head, I'm confident, and good to go.....then I look at the answers. I find nothing but a bunch of abstract, vague crap. I get stumped. I review. I find that THE correct answer matches up PERFECTLY with the flaw I had in my head.....I just couldn't understand what the hell it was saying! Most frustrating thing ever.

[zhenders]

Tagging in for a moment from the February takers thread.


Louie, some folks on here have given you some seriously awesome, really thorough advice. Dude, you need to take a step back, breathe, and evaluate this shit.

The only score that matters -- the ONLY one -- is the score you get when you sit for the LSATin June.


You seem to be just waiting to see a big shiny -0, and honestly, from reading the past bunch of pages from this forum, it's totally killing your chances.

There is a right way and a wrong way to study and drill. The right way leads to better scores on test day; the wrong way leads to some seriously crazy frustration.

If I were you, I would stop PTing completely. Don't even LOOK at another PT. Don't worry about time, either. It is too early for you to be worrying about that.

The only thing you Should be doing right now is slowly, methodically answering questions, and being as close to 100% sure about your answers as you can get before moving on. The only way to get -0 or close to it is to UNDERSTAND every single question, completely. Incidentally, this is also the only way to get faster.

You have all of April and May free? Shit son, you can do it. But start studying right. Listen to these folks on here -- some of them have made some serious score gains, and it's because they're studying for long-term success, not short-term personal affirmation.

Harsh but with love. It's your future.

[gnomgnomuch]

Took a PT today, and while the grade itself was pretty bad (151) I'm pretty happy to see that my worst section was LG.

-14 LR
-18 LG
-6 RC
-7 LR

Any advice on what I should concentrate on, I'm torn between opening up my BP LG book and going over it (-18 is terribllllle) or going through my BP course lesson by lesson.
Also, if anyone can give me advice on this. Im reviewing my sections right now, and I get answers right and wrong in bursts. I had 1-8 correct, then #9 wrong, next 3 were right, and then I had like 5 in a row wrong. this was in both LR sections, any insights would be appreciated!

How are the rest of you guys faring in terms of your prep?

[suitsfan]

When drilling with cambridge, do you guys mix up question types and difficulty levels?

Also, I'm able to do great on logic games but sometimes run out of time for the last question. When I do logic games untimed, I can get 100% accuracy most of the time. Any suggestions?

I also started working on blind review like you guys have told me to earlier and it's helping me out a lot. Especially for LR.

Man, I don't think this test would be half as bad it if it wasn't timed.

[WaltGrace83]

Took a PT today, and while the grade itself was pretty bad (151) I'm pretty happy to see that my worst section was LG.

-14 LR
-18 LG
-6 RC
-7 LR

Any advice on what I should concentrate on, I'm torn between opening up my BP LG book and going over it (-18 is terribllllle) or going through my BP course lesson by lesson.
Also, if anyone can give me advice on this. Im reviewing my sections right now, and I get answers right and wrong in bursts. I had 1-8 correct, then #9 wrong, next 3 were right, and then I had like 5 in a row wrong. this was in both LR sections, any insights would be appreciated!

How are the rest of you guys faring in terms of your prep?

I have no idea because I won't be taking PTs until about 2 months from now. However, what prep have you done so far? If it's early, you actually aren't in bad shape. You get that -18 LG to -0 and you are looking at a score around 160, your RC score is promising, and your LR will improve with a solid understanding of fundamentals.

[gnomgnomuch]

Took a PT today, and while the grade itself was pretty bad (151) I'm pretty happy to see that my worst section was LG.

-14 LR
-18 LG
-6 RC
-7 LR

Any advice on what I should concentrate on, I'm torn between opening up my BP LG book and going over it (-18 is terribllllle) or going through my BP course lesson by lesson.
Also, if anyone can give me advice on this. Im reviewing my sections right now, and I get answers right and wrong in bursts. I had 1-8 correct, then #9 wrong, next 3 were right, and then I had like 5 in a row wrong. this was in both LR sections, any insights would be appreciated!

How are the rest of you guys faring in terms of your prep?

I have no idea because I won't be taking PTs until about 2 months from now. However, what prep have you done so far? If it's early, you actually aren't in bad shape. You get that -18 LG to -0 and you are looking at a score around 160, your RC score is promising, and your LR will improve with a solid understanding of fundamentals.

I've been studying for about 3 weeks, not too much prep tbh, the last couple of weeks at work have been hectic and I've been called in a bunch of times - in the middle of studying no less. I have a solid understanding of implication type questions (the only questions I've covered so far, got 80% of those right on the PT). LG - I've had very little prep, only 1 to 1 ordering games (which I answered except for 1 question, correct), the other types overbook/under book I've just barely started looking at, and I have no idea on grouping games yet. As for RC, I've done basically nothing - I've always been pretty good with RC, though ill be aiming to get that down to as close a -0 as possible.

Thanks for the reply, and also what are you going to be doing the next two months? just drilling?

[WaltGrace83]

Took a PT today, and while the grade itself was pretty bad (151) I'm pretty happy to see that my worst section was LG.

-14 LR
-18 LG
-6 RC
-7 LR

Any advice on what I should concentrate on, I'm torn between opening up my BP LG book and going over it (-18 is terribllllle) or going through my BP course lesson by lesson.
Also, if anyone can give me advice on this. Im reviewing my sections right now, and I get answers right and wrong in bursts. I had 1-8 correct, then #9 wrong, next 3 were right, and then I had like 5 in a row wrong. this was in both LR sections, any insights would be appreciated!

How are the rest of you guys faring in terms of your prep?

I have no idea because I won't be taking PTs until about 2 months from now. However, what prep have you done so far? If it's early, you actually aren't in bad shape. You get that -18 LG to -0 and you are looking at a score around 160, your RC score is promising, and your LR will improve with a solid understanding of fundamentals.

I've been studying for about 3 weeks, not too much prep tbh, the last couple of weeks at work have been hectic and I've been called in a bunch of times - in the middle of studying no less. I have a solid understanding of implication type questions (the only questions I've covered so far, got 80% of those right on the PT). LG - I've had very little prep, only 1 to 1 ordering games (which I answered except for 1 question, correct), the other types overbook/under book I've just barely started looking at, and I have no idea on grouping games yet. As for RC, I've done basically nothing - I've always been pretty good with RC, though ill be aiming to get that down to as close a -0 as possible.

Well consider yourself lucky! You are starting at the LSAT test-taker's average (granted, there are too many completely ignorant people that take the LSAT). Good job. Now I don't claim to be an LSAT genius - far from it - but I believe I am setting myself up for success.

Here is what I recommend:
-Order the LSAT trainer. It is a great tool to prime your brain to the LSAT. This should be your baseline guide.
-Order the Manhattan strategy guides and start reading those once you get to the individual question type chapters
-Order Cambridge 1-40 drilling sets. They are a godsend (the PDF version is best). Use these to supplement the Trainer and Manhattan.
-Supplement LG studying with the Logic Games Bible if you wish. I personally don't but many really like it.

EDIT: sign up for the Manhattan forums. They are AWESOME. I was lucky because I took a Manhattan class last summer (couldn't devote much time to it so I didn't get much out of it ) but the one thing it DID give me is unlimited access to the forums with as many posts a day as I want. In a few weeks, I have already posted 100+ with questions, analysis, etc.

Let the Trainer determine your schedule. Your improvement will come with drilling and REVIEW. Review is the most important thing. You are much better doing 10 problems with thorough review then doing 100 problems just looking at the answers. As I said before, practice is for PTs - not drilling

Good luck. We are happy to have you here.

Thanks for the reply, and also what are you going to be doing the next two months? just drilling?

Kinda. I finished the first 15-16 chapters of the LSAT trainer. I am up to the point of individual question types. So I am drilling the hell out of Flaw questions now, getting a solid grasp of LSAT flaws. Then I will read corresponding chapters and do drilling. I plan to be done with drilling in about 1-2 months. Plus, I will start RC somewhere in there. PT's will follow that.

[gnomgnomuch]

Took a PT today, and while the grade itself was pretty bad (151) I'm pretty happy to see that my worst section was LG.

-14 LR
-18 LG
-6 RC
-7 LR

Any advice on what I should concentrate on, I'm torn between opening up my BP LG book and going over it (-18 is terribllllle) or going through my BP course lesson by lesson.
Also, if anyone can give me advice on this. Im reviewing my sections right now, and I get answers right and wrong in bursts. I had 1-8 correct, then #9 wrong, next 3 were right, and then I had like 5 in a row wrong. this was in both LR sections, any insights would be appreciated!

How are the rest of you guys faring in terms of your prep?

I have no idea because I won't be taking PTs until about 2 months from now. However, what prep have you done so far? If it's early, you actually aren't in bad shape. You get that -18 LG to -0 and you are looking at a score around 160, your RC score is promising, and your LR will improve with a solid understanding of fundamentals.

I've been studying for about 3 weeks, not too much prep tbh, the last couple of weeks at work have been hectic and I've been called in a bunch of times - in the middle of studying no less. I have a solid understanding of implication type questions (the only questions I've covered so far, got 80% of those right on the PT). LG - I've had very little prep, only 1 to 1 ordering games (which I answered except for 1 question, correct), the other types overbook/under book I've just barely started looking at, and I have no idea on grouping games yet. As for RC, I've done basically nothing - I've always been pretty good with RC, though ill be aiming to get that down to as close a -0 as possible.

Well consider yourself lucky! You are starting at the LSAT test-taker's average (granted, there are too many completely ignorant people that take the LSAT). Good job. Now I don't claim to be an LSAT genius - far from it - but I believe I am setting myself up for success.

Here is what I recommend:
-Order the LSAT trainer. It is a great tool to prime your brain to the LSAT. This should be your baseline guide.
-Order the Manhattan strategy guides and start reading those once you get to the individual question type chapters
-Order Cambridge 1-40 drilling sets. They are a godsend (the PDF version is best). Use these to supplement the Trainer and Manhattan.
-Supplement LG studying with the Logic Games Bible if you wish. I personally don't but many really like it.

EDIT: sign up for the Manhattan forums. They are AWESOME. I was lucky because I took a Manhattan class last summer (couldn't devote much time to it so I didn't get much out of it ) but the one thing it DID give me is unlimited access to the forums with as many posts a day as I want. In a few weeks, I have already posted 100+ with questions, analysis, etc.

Let the Trainer determine your schedule. Your improvement will come with drilling and REVIEW. Review is the most important thing. You are much better doing 10 problems with thorough review then doing 100 problems just looking at the answers. As I said before, practice is for PTs - not drilling

Good luck. We are happy to have you here.

Thanks for the reply, and also what are you going to be doing the next two months? just drilling?

Kinda. I finished the first 15-16 chapters of the LSAT trainer. I am up to the point of individual question types. So I am drilling the hell out of Flaw questions now, getting a solid grasp of LSAT flaws. Then I will read corresponding chapters and do drilling. I plan to be done with drilling in about 1-2 months. Plus, I will start RC somewhere in there. PT's will follow that.

Thanks so much for this really informative response! Ill have to see how much those cost (school basically takes up most of what I make) but ill be sure to order them within a month or two - since I already have blueprint lsat (and really like it). Ill be sure to check in on this forum every week, you all seem like a great group of people!

[Nicolena.]

I am going to commiserate with you guys a bit.

You know what I really REALLY hate? When I properly identify the flaw, pre-phrase it in my head, I'm confident, and good to go.....then I look at the answers. I find nothing but a bunch of abstract, vague crap. I get stumped. I review. I find that THE correct answer matches up PERFECTLY with the flaw I had in my head.....I just couldn't understand what the hell it was saying! Most frustrating thing ever.

Review the MLSAT abstract Flaw chart - Pg.165

[MrsHuxtable]

Greetings June 2014 Study Group! I've been lurking for a long time, but decided to officially make my presence known. I can't wait to destroy the LSAT in June. I've been working on studying for the LSAT on and off for about a year and a half. I took my first LSAT in 2012 essentially blind and scored a 146 and have been waiting for a chance at redemption ever since. I kick myself every day knowing that that 146 wasn't just a diagnostic score, but an actually recorded LSAT It hurts. A lot. But I'm dedicated to being an LSAT success story. On my last practice test I scored a 160, so I'm making progress. LG is by far my weakest section, but I'm beginning to see a lot of improvement with each practice problem I do. I'm currently working my way through the Blueprint: The Movie course and it's been a huge help. I actually look forward to working on the LSAT when I get off work knowing that I'm getting closer each study session to my goal. I look forward to getting to know everyone and learning some new tricks along the way. May a 180 be ever in our favor!

[10052014]

.

[MrsHuxtable]

Took a PT today, and while the grade itself was pretty bad (151) I'm pretty happy to see that my worst section was LG.

-14 LR
-18 LG
-6 RC
-7 LR

Any advice on what I should concentrate on, I'm torn between opening up my BP LG book and going over it (-18 is terribllllle) or going through my BP course lesson by lesson.
Also, if anyone can give me advice on this. Im reviewing my sections right now, and I get answers right and wrong in bursts. I had 1-8 correct, then #9 wrong, next 3 were right, and then I had like 5 in a row wrong. this was in both LR sections, any insights would be appreciated!

How are the rest of you guys faring in terms of your prep?

Hey! I'm also doing the BP course, well the movie course. I personally was in the same boat regarding where to start when I began and at first focused on LG, but found I was neglecting the other sections and eventually getting burned out on LG. I recommend doing the BP lessons since they do an excellent job of guiding you so that you're studying for all sections is balanced. Once you've gone through a lesson and done the hw if something is still a little fuzzy or you feel you need more practice then I'd focus exclusively on that area. That's just my $0.2

[iiibbystar]

Since so many of you have helped me, I thought I would share one thing that has taken me a month to realize that I think will help at least someone posting/lurking.

While the Manhattan Forum explanations are truly awesome (I use them for LR and RC, but mainly LR), when you miss a problem, DO NOT GO STRAIGHT TO THE EXPLANATIONS.

Instead, write out why the answer you chose was incorrect BEFORE you see the explanations from one of the experts and write out why the correct answer (that you didn't choose the first time around) is correct, once again before you look at the explanations form one of the experts.

What I have found is I can actually write out a correct explanation (yes-even though I missed the question the first time) and I think I learn way more by doing this than by just immediately looking up an explanation that I couldn't come to on my own and just saying "Oh yeah, that makes sense" in my head.

I wish I had a time machine that I could go back and do this from the beginning of my drilling. Luckily, I have only been drilling LR for like 2 weeks.

Just something I thought I would share that I have learned since so many of you have helped me already, far more than you probably think.

Keep up the good work everyone!

THIS! I wish I could "like" this comment. THIS is how you learn to avoid trap answers. It has helped me immensely. I am still not a LR superstar but I am falling for those traps and "vague" answer choices less and less lately.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be ready for the June exam.

No harm done. You have the rest of your life to take this exam. If you aren't ready by June, take in September! Also, don't get in this mindset yet. Wait until the day of the withdrawal date. We still got a lonnnnnng way to go boys.

Do you write out the explanation next to the problem or do you type it in a Word document?

[10052014]

.

[Louis1127]

Took a PT today, and while the grade itself was pretty bad (151) I'm pretty happy to see that my worst section was LG.

-14 LR
-18 LG
-6 RC
-7 LR

Any advice on what I should concentrate on, I'm torn between opening up my BP LG book and going over it (-18 is terribllllle) or going through my BP course lesson by lesson.
Also, if anyone can give me advice on this. Im reviewing my sections right now, and I get answers right and wrong in bursts. I had 1-8 correct, then #9 wrong, next 3 were right, and then I had like 5 in a row wrong. this was in both LR sections, any insights would be appreciated!

How are the rest of you guys faring in terms of your prep?

Pithypike that shit. Seriously, on my LG diag, I went like -15 because I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I have made three copies of every game and can go at a medium speed on most of them and I have been drilling LG for like three weeks. And I keep getting better every day. Watch 7sage explanations.

I am just starting to drill LR and RC so I can't provide any insight there. I will say, given the distribution of your score on your diag, you seem to be poised for a huge score increase, if you work hard: only -6 RC and -18 LG, I can't think of a more promising distribution considering LG is the most learnable and RC is the least.

[alexrodriguez]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EGWEUf9Xr8

I will not lose and neither will you.

[alexrodriguez]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMm6tDavSXg

So I ask you- what do you intend to do now?

[alexrodriguez]

Lots of law school graduates in this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hed1nP9X7pI

I wonder what Obama scored on the LSAT.

Biden went to Syracuse? That's interesting.

[WaltGrace83]

Do you write out the explanation next to the problem or do you type it in a Word document?

I do some chicken scratch on the actual sheet itself. For example....

Our business did not make revenue --> Our business did not make profit revenue -/-> profit

What is the flaw blah blah? flaw question
(A) blah blah blah scope
(B) blah blah blah mistaken reversal
(C) blah blah blah "even if" conundrum
(D) blah blah blah Yep! *Little explanation for why its right - circle words that make it right pointing to the stimulus*
(E) blah blah blah scope

What is in bold is what I write on the sheet

http://www.manhattanlsat.com/forums/q7- ... 8dbbbb233f here is a forum post where I ask a question

http://www.manhattanlsat.com/forums/q1- ... 8dbbbb233f here is a post where I analyze a specific answer choice that I thought about for more than a few seconds (literally, just thinking about a wrong answer choice for that long is enough for me to think about it some more ). If I truly know why the answer choice sucks, I shouldn't really do that much thinking - it should be very automatic. It should pop out at me. Through explanations of individual answer choices, I stop myself for trap answers of the future.

http://www.manhattanlsat.com/forums/pos ... 726#p29776 Here is a post where I analyze the WHOLE question, including one specific answer choice in a lot of depth


This is how I review. I am WaltGrace1983 on the Manhattan forums obviously

EDIT: I think it is very important to mark up the whole LR sheet. Why? Because it simulates real testing conditions. For some people, they think differently writing on the computer than they do looking at the page. If you train yourself to first revisit questions while looking at the page and circling key words ("most"/"all"/"if") etc. that will get your closer to understanding why answer choices are right and wrong, I think it will condition you.

Once again, I am not an LSAT guru. I am just beginning. However, I really feel that I am getting better and I feel that I am doing so out of this process. My mistakes typically come from the questions in which I simply don't get the correct flaw, not nearly as much about the answer choices themselves (although it definitely still does happen!)