The Official June 2014 Study Group Forum

[10052014]

.

[ZVBXRPL]

Looking for a study partner/group in NYC area? We already have two. Looking to add 1-2 more. PM or see link below.
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 9#p7434159

[WaltGrace83]

Damn those level 4 flaws can be tough! Just did 12 Level IV flaw questions in 15 minutes. I want so badly to check the answers and validate myself......


But I won't.



Here is to the next few hours of intense review!

[MDJ2588]

Hey everyone, I need some advice on time management on PT's. Ive been seriously struggling so far with keeping a 8min 45sec time scale per LG, and also with the rest of the test too. Ive been intently studying since January 9th, I began with a score of 129 PT June 2007 (timed) raw diagnostic, the following week I took a PT February 1994 (un-timed) and scored 148. I have completed up to Chapter 4 in the Powerscore LGB. I feel much stronger in the Basic/Advanced Linear Games, but my timing is extremely slow, approximately i have average Basic: 12-20 minutes per game, and Advanced: 20-40 minutes per game. This is extremely slow, I understand its the beginning and I've got a lot of time, as we all, but I could really use a concise strategy in time management. The Powerscore LGB really informs you a solid foundation on how to tackle these games, but perhaps there is a more consolidated method for attacking the games within the 32minutes per section. In addition I already posted this before, but anyone looking to do a study group once a week or so please let me know, I decided to consolidate more knowledge and tactics, so I was more secure about my abilities within the LSAT.

[Louis1127]

Hey everyone, I need some advice on time management on PT's. Ive been seriously struggling so far with keeping a 8min 45sec time scale per LG, and also with the rest of the test too. Ive been intently studying since January 9th, I began with a score of 129 PT June 2007 (timed) raw diagnostic, the following week I took a PT February 1994 (un-timed) and scored 148. I have completed up to Chapter 4 in the Powerscore LGB. I feel much stronger in the Basic/Advanced Linear Games, but my timing is extremely slow, approximately i have average Basic: 12-20 minutes per game, and Advanced: 20-40 minutes per game. This is extremely slow, I understand its the beginning and I've got a lot of time, as we all, but I could really use a concise strategy in time management. The Powerscore LGB really informs you a solid foundation on how to tackle these games, but perhaps there is a more consolidated method for attacking the games within the 32minutes per section. In addition I already posted this before, but anyone looking to do a study group once a week or so please let me know, I decided to consolidate more knowledge and tactics, so I was more secure about my abilities within the LSAT.

Check out that Pithypike method, it would be perfect for you. You know what to do, you just need to get faster. Perfect time for you to pithypike that shit.

[rebexness]

When I first started games I was slow too- its not so much time management as developing great diagramming skills and really understanding the best ways to approach question types. If you are on your first trip through the LGB, I wouldn't worry at all about timing.

When you drill individual games, I would time yourself but not worry about the time too much. Some games are naturally set up to take only 4-5 minutes, others take much longer, esp if your setup isn't rock solid.

[mist4bison]

.

[famousblueraincoat]

Ugh. I'm feeling burnt out. :/ I think it's mainly because I'm burnt out at work (11 hour days be killin' my soul). After today, I've officially not studied for a week (minus two Trainer chapters this last weekend and like 20 flaw problems). I need to figure out how to get myself back on track. I'm hoping this weekend will be very focused. Maybe a trip to a coffee shop will help.
/vent

Exact same! Sort of been avoiding the thread because I've fallen behind. You are not alone .

[mist4bison]

.

[famousblueraincoat]

Ugh. I'm feeling burnt out. :/ I think it's mainly because I'm burnt out at work (11 hour days be killin' my soul). After today, I've officially not studied for a week (minus two Trainer chapters this last weekend and like 20 flaw problems). I need to figure out how to get myself back on track. I'm hoping this weekend will be very focused. Maybe a trip to a coffee shop will help.
/vent

Exact same! Sort of been avoiding the thread because I've fallen behind. You are not alone .

This actually makes me feel a lot better! I'm glad I'm not alone haha. I'm gonna really try to get back into the grind starting tomorrow. I'm officially caught up on The Bachelor, so that should be easier now

Haha! Yeah I'll definitely be studying more after American Horror Story ends tonight.

[eagleslive]

Personal update, I went 13/14 on The Trainer's lesson 20 logical reasoning review and assess section, in twenty minutes. The only question I answered wrong was one that I totally understood the flaw, but failed to recognize the word "some."

The reasoning for posting this is not to boast (as it is an extremely small sample size and I need to improve on my timing), but to encourage others. I have been going through The Trainer consistently, with little progress until tonight, but kept going and had a mini-breakthrough. I saw the conclusions clearly, support clearly, and answers clearly. Then I went through blind review and did not change an answer. Thus, put substantial work in and I promise you will see the results. Plenty of time left everyone!

[alexrodriguez]

I want to hear from you all on this matter.

I need advice.

I'm about to get off active duty in about a month through the Early Career Transition Program. I'd be 80% eligible for the GI bill. If I stay in the military and decide to cancel this transition I'd have to stay for another 3 years. Should I stay in the Navy? Is 100% eligibility and the yellow ribbon program worth another 3 years of my life? Or should I get out now, start law school with 80% benefits and consider it a bargain.

Law school would essentially be free if I stayed in.

If I get out now I'd basically have something like 15-20k a year towards school and a reasonable amount of money for an apartment.

[rebexness]

how old are you?

[iiibbystar]

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!)

Hey!

Thanks a lot for that thorough response to my question! =) It's funny because I also use the Manhattan forums for the LR explanations, and I knew I recognized your username from there. You're quite the active member! (oh my, I hope I don't sound stalkerish).

I've been just stating why answers are right or wrong in my head or out loud, but it still takes me soooo long to review or analyze a set of 25 problems, so I've been lazy about writing out the explanations---but, I'm going to try it now based on your suggestion. Thanks, again!

[alexrodriguez]

how old are you?

I'll be 24 soon.

[WaltGrace83]

Hey!

Thanks a lot for that thorough response to my question! =) It's funny because I also use the Manhattan forums for the LR explanations, and I knew I recognized your username from there. You're quite the active member! (oh my, I hope I don't sound stalkerish).

I've been just stating why answers are right or wrong in my head or out loud, but it still takes me soooo long to review or analyze a set of 25 problems, so I've been lazy about writing out the explanations---but, I'm going to try it now based on your suggestion. Thanks, again!

I'm telling ya, it is one thing to talk about it in your head and rationalize answer choices. However, teaching someone else is really the best way. The Manhattan forums is basically writing out a way to teach someone else.

Once again, it is INCREDIBLY helpful with answer choices. The LSAT has a funny way of making you fall for trap answers by using vague language or abstract ideas. Writing out explanations with really detailed choices on why answers choices are wrong or right has helped me to see past the bullshit. I've improved a lot in this manner.

[WaltGrace83]

I want to hear from you all on this matter.

I need advice.

I'm about to get off active duty in about a month through the Early Career Transition Program. I'd be 80% eligible for the GI bill. If I stay in the military and decide to cancel this transition I'd have to stay for another 3 years. Should I stay in the Navy? Is 100% eligibility and the yellow ribbon program worth another 3 years of my life? Or should I get out now, start law school with 80% benefits and consider it a bargain.

Law school would essentially be free if I stayed in.

If I get out now I'd basically have something like 15-20k a year towards school and a reasonable amount of money for an apartment.

That is an incredibly personal decision that I cannot really help to answer. I would think less about the money and more about the life commitment. We are talking about 3 more years committed to something. The real question is - do you like what you do?

[Louis1127]

Hey!

Thanks a lot for that thorough response to my question! =) It's funny because I also use the Manhattan forums for the LR explanations, and I knew I recognized your username from there. You're quite the active member! (oh my, I hope I don't sound stalkerish).

I've been just stating why answers are right or wrong in my head or out loud, but it still takes me soooo long to review or analyze a set of 25 problems, so I've been lazy about writing out the explanations---but, I'm going to try it now based on your suggestion. Thanks, again!

I'm telling ya, it is one thing to talk about it in your head and rationalize answer choices. However, teaching someone else is really the best way. The Manhattan forums is basically writing out a way to teach someone else.

Once again, it is INCREDIBLY helpful with answer choices. The LSAT has a funny way of making you fall for trap answers by using vague language or abstract ideas. Writing out explanations with really detailed choices on why answers choices are wrong or right has helped me to see past the bullshit. I've improved a lot in this manner.

I want to tack on to what Walt said. I do what Walt is talking about, except I teach it to myself (I know, so sad ) and I do this by physically writing out responses similar to what Walt has given you above.

I was going to post this anyway today, so I'll just do it here: I feel, after drilling most of the flaw questions from PT 1-40 (flaw questions, not the entire assumption family yet), I am starting to recognize trap answers.

For example, one trap answer will say "the author assumes" and then they will throw in a bunch of terms that are in the stimulus and because of time/not understanding the argument/whatever reason, I pick that answer! But guess what! The author doesn't actually assume that in his/her argument! That's not the flaw! I fell for a trap answer.

My timing is still atrocious, though, for whatever that's worth.

TL;DR explanations like Walt is saying will help you identify trap answers better and avoid them. I am in the process of getting much better at recognizing trap answers by doing what Walt is saying.

[Louis1127]

My cheap little pencil sharpener broke and I haven't had a chance to get another one yet so I am drilling with mechanical pencils and it feels so unnatural. It also feels kinda TTT. Lol.

[Straw_Mandible]

Almost through my first week of the very regimented schedule I've resolved to keep for the next four months. Up at 6:30, run for 30-45 mins, work 9 - 5, LSAT 6 - 11. Saturdays: LSAT 9 - 6, Sundays: LSAT 12 - 6. I have the feeling that this will be challenging, but not unsustainable. Health and progress are mutually necessary and inextricably linked.

Gearing up to take PT 39 on Saturday morning. I don't know where I expect my score to fall, but I am making a public promise that I will not let my positivity waver. This is just a second diagnostic, to see how far I've come in the last 5 months of (comparatively light) studying. February through May is where I intend to break into my peak stride.

In strength and malleability,

-SM

[WaltGrace83]

Just finished a huge packet of flaw questions that I made. About 100 questions in total from PT 20 onwards, all levels. I must say that I feel progress being made. 100% on Level 1 questions, about a 90% on Level 2s, about a 90% on Level 3s, and an average of about an 85% on Level 4s.

Now if I can take these mistakes and learn as much as I can from them I am going to be gold. However, I need to get back to games. I haven't done a game in a few days as I have been obsessing over these damn flaws. Hopefully though, success in flaws will translate to better success in other question types - I think it will. After all, it only makes sense that it does.

[mist4bison]

.

[WaltGrace83]

I want to hear from you all on this matter.

I need advice.

I'm about to get off active duty in about a month through the Early Career Transition Program. I'd be 80% eligible for the GI bill. If I stay in the military and decide to cancel this transition I'd have to stay for another 3 years. Should I stay in the Navy? Is 100% eligibility and the yellow ribbon program worth another 3 years of my life? Or should I get out now, start law school with 80% benefits and consider it a bargain.

Law school would essentially be free if I stayed in.

If I get out now I'd basically have something like 15-20k a year towards school and a reasonable amount of money for an apartment.

That is an incredibly personal decision that I cannot really help to answer. I would think less about the money and more about the life commitment. We are talking about 3 more years committed to something. The real question is - do you like what you do?

I agree with the above. Do you like what you do or is it the absolute bane of your existence? Are you itching to get out? Where would you be happier?

Getting law school for a better price is not worth 3 years of unhappiness. If you are asking us for advice, I think you should probably just leave.

[MDJ2588]

Hey everyone, I need some advice on time management on PT's. Ive been seriously struggling so far with keeping a 8min 45sec time scale per LG, and also with the rest of the test too. Ive been intently studying since January 9th, I began with a score of 129 PT June 2007 (timed) raw diagnostic, the following week I took a PT February 1994 (un-timed) and scored 148. I have completed up to Chapter 4 in the Powerscore LGB. I feel much stronger in the Basic/Advanced Linear Games, but my timing is extremely slow, approximately i have average Basic: 12-20 minutes per game, and Advanced: 20-40 minutes per game. This is extremely slow, I understand its the beginning and I've got a lot of time, as we all, but I could really use a concise strategy in time management. The Powerscore LGB really informs you a solid foundation on how to tackle these games, but perhaps there is a more consolidated method for attacking the games within the 32minutes per section. In addition I already posted this before, but anyone looking to do a study group once a week or so please let me know, I decided to consolidate more knowledge and tactics, so I was more secure about my abilities within the LSAT.

When I first started games I was slow too- its not so much time management as developing great diagramming skills and really understanding the best ways to approach question types. If you are on your first trip through the LGB, I wouldn't worry at all about timing.

When you drill individual games, I would time yourself but not worry about the time too much. Some games are naturally set up to take only 4-5 minutes, others take much longer, esp if your setup isn't rock solid.

Rebexness thanks a lot for the advice I will certainly take that into account, I truly enjoy the LSATS, but I just want to be the best and anxiously studying to get there.

Louis1127 I know Pithypikes Guide is incredible, and is currently hanging on my wall with several other 180'ers, as well as other guides. Pithypikes is top of the line though.

[MDJ2588]

Almost through my first week of the very regimented schedule I've resolved to keep for the next four months. Up at 6:30, run for 30-45 mins, work 9 - 5, LSAT 6 - 11. Saturdays: LSAT 9 - 6, Sundays: LSAT 12 - 6. I have the feeling that this will be challenging, but not unsustainable. Health and progress are mutually necessary and inextricably linked.

Gearing up to take PT 39 on Saturday morning. I don't know where I expect my score to fall, but I am making a public promise that I will not let my positivity waver. This is just a second diagnostic, to see how far I've come in the last 5 months of (comparatively light) studying. February through May is where I intend to break into my peak stride.

In strength and malleability,

-SM

Hey I've tried several times creating a schedule, even a detailed on Excel. I am in my Senior Year, and have class all day. My wife is working to support us, so I can be completely dedicated to school (GPA) and LSAT Prep, for some reason I am constantly busy still, and I am finding that at times I put LSAT Prep before school (ex: reading assignments). Let me know if your schedule is able to work for you, if you have any advice on sticking to a regimented schedule please let me know. It seems that I always have constant things that I must do, I have been working out but even last week I was only able to go one time!