September 2014 Retakers Forum

[Learn_Live_Hope]

I just finished up RC Law packet

[Dipper]

Dipper-I miss you.

Where are you?

Right herr! Waiting for my Trainer to arrive before jumping into this again. Ugh, I feel so demoralized after that test...

[meowprah]

Dipper-I miss you.

Where are you?

Right herr! Waiting for my Trainer to arrive before jumping into this again. Ugh, I feel so demoralized after that test...

So is the Trainer the best thing to go with? Godd***it I'm just going to say screw it and join this thread. I've been wavering on the retake decision. For my June attempt I used Powerscore and 7sage videos and... that's about it. I was considering getting one of the paid 7sage packages, but reading this it sounds like people are all about the Trainer. I'm looking to bump my score a few points from a 172 to help increase my chances at the school I really want to go to, because my GPA blows.

Ok. Let's do this people!

[lawjag2015]

Hey Everyone,

Count me in too! I took the LSAT for the first time in June, 2014, and got a below par 163. I was PTing between 166 and 172, with the last PT being 172 as well.

I work full-time as an engineer, and thus could devote only so much time everyday to prepare. Due to this, I had a weak section even couple days out from the exam. In PTing, when I did badly in this section, I got a 166 or so, and when I did well, I got a 170+. To bring this section upto speed, I took couple days off before the weekend of the test, and drilled it ends on. I was drilling this section even two hours before the test. This made me shaky on my strong sections, as I am someone who needs to keep practicing to maintain confidence. This shakiness cost me atleast 5 points. Plus I was so tired taking the exam that it cost me atleast couple points.

I need a 172. I have used up all the PTs. Need a gameplan. Any suggestions are welcome.

[meowprah]

Hey Everyone,

Count me in too! I took the LSAT for the first time in June, 2014, and got a below par 163. I was PTing between 166 and 172, with the last PT being 172 as well.

I work full-time as an engineer, and thus could devote only so much time everyday to prepare. Due to this, I had a weak section even couple days out from the exam. In PTing, when I did badly in this section, I got a 166 or so, and when I did well, I got a 170+. To bring this section upto speed, I took couple days off before the weekend of the test, and drilled it ends on. I was drilling this section even two hours before the test. This made me shaky on my strong sections, as I am someone who needs to keep practicing to maintain confidence. This shakiness cost me atleast 5 points. Plus I was so tired taking the exam that it cost me atleast couple points.

I need a 172. I have used up all the PTs. Need a gameplan. Any suggestions are welcome.

I will say in my (limited to 1 test) personal experience, the notion that fatigue can affect your score is very real. My PTs started to plummet the week before I wrote... I dropped from a 175-176 to a 164-165. So I started pushing harder, studying a couple of hours a day and THEN writing a prep test. I was really freaking myself out. Only when I realized it was fatigue that was getting to me did I manage to pull it together. I took a couple days off and found it significantly helped my score. Though the Zen of 180 guy talks about writing back to back prep tests in order to improve his day-of endurance, and that seems worth trying.

Though if you've used up all the PTs... I dunno. Maybe someone else has some suggestions?

[Learn_Live_Hope]

Dipper-I miss you.

Where are you?

Right herr! Waiting for my Trainer to arrive before jumping into this again. Ugh, I feel so demoralized after that test...

No, no, no. Not allowed!

That was pretty difficult test. Some would argue one of the most difficulties ones ever…you can't allow this test to defeat you. Recoup, and lets get back to studying. We are less than three months away from another attempt at this test.

[Learn_Live_Hope]

Hey Everyone,

Count me in too! I took the LSAT for the first time in June, 2014, and got a below par 163. I was PTing between 166 and 172, with the last PT being 172 as well.

I work full-time as an engineer, and thus could devote only so much time everyday to prepare. Due to this, I had a weak section even couple days out from the exam. In PTing, when I did badly in this section, I got a 166 or so, and when I did well, I got a 170+. To bring this section upto speed, I took couple days off before the weekend of the test, and drilled it ends on. I was drilling this section even two hours before the test. This made me shaky on my strong sections, as I am someone who needs to keep practicing to maintain confidence. This shakiness cost me atleast 5 points. Plus I was so tired taking the exam that it cost me atleast couple points.

I need a 172. I have used up all the PTs. Need a gameplan. Any suggestions are welcome.

I will say in my (limited to 1 test) personal experience, the notion that fatigue can affect your score is very real. My PTs started to plummet the week before I wrote... I dropped from a 175-176 to a 164-165. So I started pushing harder, studying a couple of hours a day and THEN writing a prep test. I was really freaking myself out. Only when I realized it was fatigue that was getting to me did I manage to pull it together. I took a couple days off and found it significantly helped my score. Though the Zen of 180 guy talks about writing back to back prep tests in order to improve his day-of endurance, and that seems worth trying.

Though if you've used up all the PTs... I dunno. Maybe someone else has some suggestions?

Agree with you!

I've done PT's back to back, and that was extremely helpful, however you have to know yourself and recognize when you are fatiguing if you plan on adopting this approach because if you don't it will be counterproductive.

[lawjag2015]

Hey Everyone,

Count me in too! I took the LSAT for the first time in June, 2014, and got a below par 163. I was PTing between 166 and 172, with the last PT being 172 as well.

I work full-time as an engineer, and thus could devote only so much time everyday to prepare. Due to this, I had a weak section even couple days out from the exam. In PTing, when I did badly in this section, I got a 166 or so, and when I did well, I got a 170+. To bring this section upto speed, I took couple days off before the weekend of the test, and drilled it ends on. I was drilling this section even two hours before the test. This made me shaky on my strong sections, as I am someone who needs to keep practicing to maintain confidence. This shakiness cost me atleast 5 points. Plus I was so tired taking the exam that it cost me atleast couple points.

I need a 172. I have used up all the PTs. Need a gameplan. Any suggestions are welcome.

I will say in my (limited to 1 test) personal experience, the notion that fatigue can affect your score is very real. My PTs started to plummet the week before I wrote... I dropped from a 175-176 to a 164-165. So I started pushing harder, studying a couple of hours a day and THEN writing a prep test. I was really freaking myself out. Only when I realized it was fatigue that was getting to me did I manage to pull it together. I took a couple days off and found it significantly helped my score. Though the Zen of 180 guy talks about writing back to back prep tests in order to improve his day-of endurance, and that seems worth trying.

Though if you've used up all the PTs... I dunno. Maybe someone else has some suggestions?

Agree with you!

I've done PT's back to back, and that was extremely helpful, however you have to know yourself and recognize when you are fatiguing if you plan on adopting this approach because if you don't it will be counterproductive.

I am an extremely committed person. I will do two back to back tests. But, what about having taken almost every single PT out there?

[Dipper]

No, no, no. Not allowed!

That was pretty difficult test. Some would argue one of the most difficulties ones ever…you can't allow this test to defeat you. Recoup, and lets get back to studying. We are less than three months away from another attempt at this test.

Thanks for the encouragement, LLH! I know, I'm still in this. I just need to get my bearings and stop doubting myself.

So is the Trainer the best thing to go with? Godd***it I'm just going to say screw it and join this thread. I've been wavering on the retake decision. For my June attempt I used Powerscore and 7sage videos and... that's about it. I was considering getting one of the paid 7sage packages, but reading this it sounds like people are all about the Trainer. I'm looking to bump my score a few points from a 172 to help increase my chances at the school I really want to go to, because my GPA blows.

Ok. Let's do this people!

I support this decision. Splitters unite!

I have no idea how Trainer will be, I'm just looking for some new material/approaches/strategies, in case there's something I'm missing. My first go-round I only did Powerscore, then for June I used 7sage, Manhattan, and drilled Cambridge. I thought Manhattan LR was really, really good -- much better than Powerscore. I don't even remember Powerscore differentiating between Necessary Assumption and Sufficient Assumption questions, but I could be wrong (I didn't review LR Bible for June). I also got 7sage's lowest level package for June, and I'd say about 20% of it was really useful on a retake. I think he explains "lawgic" really well, so if you have problems with conditional statements (especially helpful for parallel reasoning/parallel flaw questions, and grouping games), it's a great resource. His game explanations are also really great. Plus, watching videos can be a nice break from trying to wade through tons of pages of text, if "visual learning" is your thing. Not sure whether I'd get it again, though.

I'll let you know what I think of Trainer once I'm working through it.

[elliefant]

New here! Checking in. Got a very disappointing 160 on the June test. My plan for studying for September is to use the LSAT Trainer and take as many practice tests as possible!

Good luck everyone! We got this

[Dipper]

But, what about having taken almost every single PT out there?

I posted this earlier, but here it is again if you didn't see it: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6&t=150072

Though it's true that you may not be able to get a truly accurate picture of what you're scoring, I think retaking old tests is still very valuable. After all, taking PTs is not about predicting how well you will do. It's about practice. Unless you have an absurd memory, you won't remember a lot of the questions, especially if you took the PT three months ago. And, what you're trying to do is not remember what answer was right, but attacking each answer choice and identifying the reasons why four of them are wrong and one is right.

Have you tried retaking a PT you took a long while back? Did you get a 180? My guess is probably not, which means there's still something to learn about where your reasoning was flawed.

Granted, old tests will be less useful for games, as you won't be caught off guard by tricky games for which you already know how to do the setup. I'm predicting another Forgotten Few game for Sept., so I'm all ears for anyone who has ideas for how to be able to tackle those weird games.

[meowprah]

I'm predicting another Forgotten Few game for Sept., so I'm all ears for anyone who has ideas for how to be able to tackle those weird games.

This is where I think I personally have room to improve. I spent 0 time on weird or uncommon games, so that game 4 in June was a bit bewildering and I really had to muscle my way through it. Dropped a point by guessing on one of the questions. Does anyone know of good examples of the circular games like the one I heard about on the Feb 2014 LSAT? I don't recall seeing one and I'd like to familiarize myself with those too.

I love this forum, it's where all the Type A people hang out. Haha. Such great advice, thanks already you guys.

[fra]

This is where I think I personally have room to improve. I spent 0 time on weird or uncommon games, so that game 4 in June was a bit bewildering and I really had to muscle my way through it. Dropped a point by guessing on one of the questions. Does anyone know of good examples of the circular games like the one I heard about on the Feb 2014 LSAT? I don't recall seeing one and I'd like to familiarize myself with those too.

I love this forum, it's where all the Type A people hang out. Haha. Such great advice, thanks already you guys.

There's one in the LG Bible, page 315. Its Game #1 from June 1991.
It's people sitting around a circular table.

Also (according to LG Bible) there is one in October of 2003.

Just think of them as linear games with periodic boundary conditions.

edit: I realized that my use of the word 'just' makes me sound like a butt hole. I just meant, use the same methods that you learn for linear games and remember that the ends connect!

[Dipper]

This is where I think I personally have room to improve. I spent 0 time on weird or uncommon games, so that game 4 in June was a bit bewildering and I really had to muscle my way through it. Dropped a point by guessing on one of the questions. Does anyone know of good examples of the circular games like the one I heard about on the Feb 2014 LSAT? I don't recall seeing one and I'd like to familiarize myself with those too.

I love this forum, it's where all the Type A people hang out. Haha. Such great advice, thanks already you guys.

There's one in the LG Bible, page 315. Its Game #1 from June 1991.
It's people sitting around a circular table.

Also (according to LG Bible) there is one in October of 2003.

Just think of them as linear games with periodic boundary conditions.

edit: I realized that my use of the word 'just' makes me sound like a butt hole. I just meant, use the same methods that you learn for linear games and remember that the ends connect!

Agreed on them being much like linear, and also easier to set up than pattern and mapping. I find pattern and mapping much harder.

[Learn_Live_Hope]

I'm predicting another Forgotten Few game for Sept., so I'm all ears for anyone who has ideas for how to be able to tackle those weird games.

This is where I think I personally have room to improve. I spent 0 time on weird or uncommon games, so that game 4 in June was a bit bewildering and I really had to muscle my way through it. Dropped a point by guessing on one of the questions. Does anyone know of good examples of the circular games like the one I heard about on the Feb 2014 LSAT? I don't recall seeing one and I'd like to familiarize myself with those too.

I love this forum, it's where all the Type A people hang out. Haha. Such great advice, thanks already you guys.

I have a list of all of those-"the forgotten few"

There are

10 pattern
6 mapping
4 circular

Games out there ...

[jmjm]

I ate it on LR 1. I don't know why. I haven't gotten up the gumption to look at the questions yet, but here's what I got:
RC: -3
LR1: -9
LR2: -3

I seriously need to strengthen my flaw game. I feel like there were so many flaw questions on this test, and I think I have a hard problem identifying the GREATEST flaw in the argument, versus any flaw.

Does anyone want to chat (maybe this weekend?) to go over the questions in LR1?

I'll be retaking. Didn't do as well as expected. Up for chat about how to improve but saving the questions for PT later.

That's solid performance on a very tough RC. rc is getting harder in the recent lsats and this one was no exception. Usually RC is the section that most find hard in comparison to LR.

[Clyde Frog]

My predictions for the Sep test are that it contains a pretty hard RC section, and an average LR and LG section, but they throw a merciless -8 curve.

[Learn_Live_Hope]

My predictions for the Sep test are that it contains a pretty hard RC section, and an average LR and LG section, but they throw a merciless -8 curve.

Oh thanks CF!

[Clyde Frog]

My predictions for the Sep test are that it contains a pretty hard RC section, and an average LR and LG section, but they throw a merciless -8 curve.

Oh thanks CF!

I still stand by my previous prediction of you getting a 178-180.

[givemea180]

In the retake game as well. Scored right at my pt average, just need to tighten things up a little for September so I can hit the 14 and cop some $$$.

Also gonna make a detailed schedule tomorrow from next Monday up to test day in order to keep myself focused and on task. Why does the next lsat have to be in the meat of the college football season...

[janwlee]

Is it a horrible idea to get a full time job while preparing for the LSAT?
I studied for the June LSAT and was getting 165(bad day)-169(good day).
-2~3 on LR (each), -1~2 on LG and -3~4 on RC usually.

The test day comes and the guy taking the test behind me starts coughing like he was going to pass out...through the entire first section of the exam. The proctor didnt do anything. I was so distracted during the first section and eventually cancelled the score.

I signed up for the September LSAT and was going to focus on studying only...
but then I just got a job offer that's a really sweet deal ($$$).

Now I dont really NEED the money. and I'm sure whatever salary I get must be smaller than scholarship I can get with 170++. Focusing on the LSAT seems like the right thing to do. It's not like I won't be able to find another job in Oct. (4yrs work experience).

On the other hand... it's driving me insane not doing anything other than studying for the LSAT. I've done that for 3 months and now it's just sad. I used to travel a lot from work and well.. life was exciting. Not so much now.

Would it be impossible to prepare for the LSAT and get 170+ while working? it's about 40 hrs/week and nothing too demanding (but that's what they always tell you). Advices/suggestions will be appreciated...

[meowprah]

Would it be impossible to prepare for the LSAT and get 170+ while working? it's about 40 hrs/week and nothing too demanding (but that's what they always tell you). Advices/suggestions will be appreciated...

Honestly I think it depends on the job. If it's largely social (like a sales job) and truly no more than 40 hours a week you could probably be ok, but if it's mentally taxing you'll feel exhausted and sluggish when you come home and try to crack the LSAT books.

[floridaxrose]

I put in 5 hours a day for 3 months and took a prep course. The June test contained a lot of flaw LR questions which I did not know was a weakness till now but it tanked my LR. I really do not want to jump into crazy studying again and I don't even know where to start. I have been told to retake though with a 163/3.95 GPA from most on the board and if there is really a chance for improvement I want to take it but I feel burned out. Not sure what to do and when to start.

[meowprah]

Dipper-I miss you.

Where are you?

Right herr! Waiting for my Trainer to arrive before jumping into this again. Ugh, I feel so demoralized after that test...

I just ordered my Trainer, read the reviews and it looks rad. Except it's gonna take 3-5 weeks to ship. Come onnnnnnnn.

[CFC1524]

I have a tendency to get the setup correct, but to make 1-2 stupid mistakes (misread a sub-diagram, misread an answer, etc) on a lot of the logic games I do. Exhibit A is the June LSAT, where I took a -5 on the games even though I got the last game completely correct and diagrammed the first 3 correctly as well. Anyone have experience eliminating stupid mistakes from his/her LG section? I didn't do a lot of LG prep, so I was thinking that doing a lot of un-timed and timed drilling would help. Thoughts?