December 2013 LSAT Study Group Forum

[amb89]

Are you talking about buying the bundles here?

http://www.cambridgelsat.com/bundles/#l ... es-by-type

[kmc]

Are you talking about buying the bundles here?

http://www.cambridgelsat.com/bundles/#l ... es-by-type

yeah. when people talk about drilling, they're usually using the cambridge "by type" bundles. someone somewhere definitely made a list, but attempting to put together drill packets by yourself is a) painful and b) time better spent on just about anything else. so it's definitely worth it to buy the bundles.

[amb89]

Thanks for the info

[Tsalagi2020]

New to thread starting to study for December test. Very intimidated on taking the test I already feel like a idiot when looking at the prep material.

[raindrop]

Took my timed cold diagnostic on Monday and scored a 150 (first test in the SuperPrep). Without having studied at all, or having looked at question samples before, I feel pretty good about a 150 starting point. I'm hoping to score in the high 160s, low 170s on test day in December (looking at Boston legal market in particular, so BC/BU, some lower t14). LR was 30/50, RC was 19/27, and LG was 9/24 . Started hitting the LG Bible immediately after, and will definitely be looking into the Cambridge drills. I've heard LG is the "easiest" section to improve one's score on... I won't accept anything else but absolute destruction of the LSAT on test day.

[amb89]

Has anyone taken any of those classes. My school has one for 600, but im not sure if its going to beneficial or not.

[062914123]

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[Clairvoyance]

Prepping for December and I am using the Manhattan books. Should I go through each book and then drill, or supplement each chapter with drilling? Any advice would be great!

[paglababa]

Prepping for December and I am using the Manhattan books. Should I go through each book and then drill, or supplement each chapter with drilling? Any advice would be great!

I think it's better to do the drilling right after the chapter. It would suck to do all of the drilling at the end of the book because 1) you'll have read without reinforcing what you were learning 2) Drilling takes a toll. Better to split it up.

[ManoftheHour]

Prepping for December and I am using the Manhattan books. Should I go through each book and then drill, or supplement each chapter with drilling? Any advice would be great!

I think it's better to do the drilling right after the chapter. It would suck to do all of the drilling at the end of the book because 1) you'll have read without reinforcing what you were learning 2) Drilling takes a toll. Better to split it up.

Agreed. If you're using the Manhattan book and the Cambridge packets, you should drill each packet after reading the corresponding chapter. If you're not sure which packet(s) to use after each chapter, you can use my list.

The name of the chapters (Keep in mind I have the Manhattan LR 2nd edition, not the 3rd) are on the left and the corresponding packets that I drill after that chapter are on the right after the colon:

Analyze Argument Structure: Main conclusion, Method (Argument), Method (Statement), Point
Assumption: Necessary Assumption and Sufficient Assumption
Conditional Logic: Cannot Be True, Must Be True
Explain a Result: Paradox
Identify a Flaw: Flaw
Inference: Complete the Passage, Most Strongly Supported
Matching: Parallel (Flaw), Parallel (Reasoning)
Principle Example: Principle (Identify)
Principle Support: Principle (Apply)
Strengthen and Weaken: Strengthen, Weaken, Evaluate***

***I am not entirely sure where "Evaluate" goes. I have it under Strengthen and Weaken. Someone want to chime in?

Also, feel free to correct me if you believe that a certain packet should be used for a different chapter.

[Clairvoyance]

Thanks for the advice! I'm assuming the same method should be applied for LG as well? Or I could make copies of the games in each chapter and do something like the 7sage approach? I'm worried I might remember some of the answer choices that way though

[paglababa]

Thanks for the advice! I'm assuming the same method should be applied for LG as well? Or I could make copies of the games in each chapter and do something like the 7sage approach? I'm worried I might remember some of the answer choices that way though

Yes, 7sage is good. I normally would do the game (and time myself just to see how long it took me). In the beginning I had very long times (11-14 mins) and would sometimes get stuck/get some questions wrong. For the ones I did bad on, I would then watch 7sage. I would reprint the game and do it again. I would do the problem again a week later too. I kept track of how much time it took me, always striving to get it quicker. If you do this, you'll be going -0 in games after a while.

You won't remember the answer choices. Especially if you are doing so many games a day and looking at it a week later. Even if you do, the point is to set up the diagram and work it all out again. Your body gets used to doing the set up and making the inferences. That is pretty much what you are training to do. Those skills then carry on to any game that is similar (aka games you have not seen yet).

[ManoftheHour]

Thanks for the advice! I'm assuming the same method should be applied for LG as well? Or I could make copies of the games in each chapter and do something like the 7sage approach? I'm worried I might remember some of the answer choices that way though

Same applies to LG.

I'm not sure about 7Sage because I've never used them. In general, I'd use anything from PTs 1-38 as cannon fodder. You've got to learn the basics and the best way to learn is with actual LSAT questions. I'd drill the hell out of those and I'd reuse if I have to. The Cambridge packets are the best for such drilling. Get a laser printer and you can print and reprint anytime for fast and cheap. It's been said on TLS that there's a lot of value in reusing. The important thing to take away is WHY a certain setup is good and WHY certain answers are wrong. On each LR question, you should know exactly why each correct answer is correct and why each incorrect answer is 100% incorrect. No need to worry about time while drilling. Have to get the fundamentals down first before you get fast. After you near 100% accuracy, then it's time for PTs.

I'd then do PTs 39-69 and do blind review after each exam.

[Nicolena.]

Would anyone be interested in joining a study group? Usually drill a couple times a week and review via google voice. Please PM me if you are interested.

Thanks!

[amb89]

Has anyone taken any of those classes. My school has one for 600, but im not sure if its going to beneficial or not.

I took Blueprint and really liked it. TLS has plenty of opinions on courses: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6&t=151670

If it's not one of the rec'd courses, I'd say don't take it and spend your $ on self study, unless you can make it to a rec'd course in your area.

My school does the princeton one i believe. Have you taken the lsat after blueprint yet?

[tanes25]

Has anyone taken any of those classes. My school has one for 600, but im not sure if its going to beneficial or not.

I like 7Sage. I'm taking their cheapest course now and I think it's helping a lot. Check out their site. It's pretty much self study though, if you're interested in that. Some ppl prefer going to a class. I feel like I get the same info via online courses. Plus you can play the videos over and over until you understand and you can also email the instructors. I've never had a problem with them replying. Other students also offer help.

[062914123]

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[amb89]

Has anyone taken any of those classes. My school has one for 600, but im not sure if its going to beneficial or not.

I took Blueprint and really liked it. TLS has plenty of opinions on courses: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6&t=151670

If it's not one of the rec'd courses, I'd say don't take it and spend your $ on self study, unless you can make it to a rec'd course in your area.

My school does the princeton one i believe. Have you taken the lsat after blueprint yet?

Nope, not yet, I postponed from June to Oct due to my work schedule, so I guess you should take my rec with a grain of salt, but I really think BP got me to a point where I have a very firm grasp on 95% of the test. The remaining 5% no course can help you with--it's all about your dedication to spending hours drilling and PTing.

Thanks for the info. Did you do the classroom blueprint or online one? Dishing out $400-$800 is definitely not something i want to do but i will if its truly beneficial. Ive been self studying prep test. I bought some of Greame blakes books that explain the answers from the prep test which im finding helpful.

[062914123]

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[amb89]

I havent really taken a full test in one sitting timed so idk what im PTing at. Im going to go another week with some of these drills and then take a full pt. So ill def get back to you

[apollo13]

Hey guys,
Just checking in...

I was originally planning to take it in Oct. but ended up signing up for the December one.

My cold, diagnostic was 145 in March. I started studying in June and I took my first test two weeks ago and I got 155. On the cold diagnostic test, I had 5 wrong on LG, but I totally suffered on my first real practice test, having 9 wrong on LG. LR for me is getting better, but LG is really bad. Sometimes I would go 3,4 wrong and couple of days later, I would have 7,8 wrong. What's wrong with me? I do have a clear grasp of these games, but sometimes I would just get stuck and not figure things out... This has been really frustrating as of late. Anyone experiencing what I am going thru?

[alpha kenny body]

When is everyone starting strictly timed 5 section preptests?

[Tsalagi2020]

Hi Everyone! I am new to this forum I am planning on taking the LSAT in December. I am hoping I will be ready around this time but we will see. I have a few books from LSAC such as two different books 10 more Actual Official LSAT Preptests 2 different The official Superprep, Master the LSAT by Nova, and 2 Real LSATS explained by Kaplan. I am not sure if many people are using these books. I am looking for a study buddy if anyone interested please let me know.

[raindrop]

When is everyone starting strictly timed 5 section preptests?

I'm planning on 5 section tests, with review, every day of November. Before then it will be bibles, drilling question types/difficulty (with review), and un/timed sections (with review).

[modernista]

Didn't find a thread.

Anyone else prepping for December?

4th time taker here looking to dominate.

Largely ignored drilling on my past LSATs. I studied hard, not smart. Hoping for redemption this time.

In for December. I was going to take it in October but applying for fellowships is now consuming the bulk of my time with it being so close to the campus and external deadlines. I'm going to be a first-time test taker and haven't cracked open a book yet. If any seasoned test-takers have any advice to share, I'd be glad to hear it.

I know finding motivation to study is half the battle. So, does anyone have any tips on making studying more fun and exciting?