The Official September 2016 Study Group - WAKE ME UP WHEN SEPTEMBER ENDS Forum

[34iplaw]

All these recent 170+ and 179 [cough tort cough] make me think of one thing...

[youtube]gZEdDMQZaCU[/youtube]



Had my first Testmasters class today. It was a bit basic, but I find having the stuff explained in person a bit helpful and the slower pace of the class forces me to really pay attention. I did about 6 games before the class. I'll probably check out the homework tomorrow, and I'll keep working on my games on the side.

The one thing I really liked learning today [although, I think it's something I kind of knew] but having it reaffirmed may give me the confidence to rely on it perhaps...

If you have something like...

L, M, and N are before O
P is after O but before Q
R is after Q
S is after T
U is before T
V is after L

In any question without local conditions or in which the local conditions would not bind M and N, anything with M or N can never be a MBT answer... it has to be a CBT, CBF, MBF. This can be a bit of a useful shortcut on a MBT, MBT except, MBF, or MBF except prompt, but I have a feeling it is probably not all that useful. Could be useful if you are running out of time to actually work through a question I suppose. I'll keep an eye out for it to see if it comes up.

[Barack O'Drama]

All these recent 170+ and 179 [cough tort cough] make me think of one thing...

[youtube]gZEdDMQZaCU[/youtube]



Had my first Testmasters class today. It was a bit basic, but I find having the stuff explained in person a bit helpful and the slower pace of the class forces me to really pay attention. I did about 6 games before the class. I'll probably check out the homework tomorrow, and I'll keep working on my games on the side.

The one thing I really liked learning today [although, I think it's something I kind of knew] but having it reaffirmed may give me the confidence to rely on it perhaps...

If you have something like...

L, M, and N are before O
P is after O but before Q
R is after Q
S is after T
U is before T
V is after L

In any question without local conditions or in which the local conditions would not bind M and N, anything with M or N can never be a MBT answer... it has to be a CBT, CBF, MBF. This can be a bit of a useful shortcut on a MBT, MBT except, MBF, or MBF except prompt, but I have a feeling it is probably not all that useful. Could be useful if you are running out of time to actually work through a question I suppose. I'll keep an eye out for it to see if it comes up.

Haha! I'm glad to hear your first class went well. I appreciate the tip, I am going to keep that in mind. I have actually been curious about little tips and tricks like this. Every little bit will be helpful come test day! Thank you

[20170322]

All these recent 170+ and 179 [cough tort cough] make me think of one thing...

[youtube]gZEdDMQZaCU[/youtube]



Had my first Testmasters class today. It was a bit basic, but I find having the stuff explained in person a bit helpful and the slower pace of the class forces me to really pay attention. I did about 6 games before the class. I'll probably check out the homework tomorrow, and I'll keep working on my games on the side.

The one thing I really liked learning today [although, I think it's something I kind of knew] but having it reaffirmed may give me the confidence to rely on it perhaps...

If you have something like...

L, M, and N are before O
P is after O but before Q
R is after Q
S is after T
U is before T
V is after L

In any question without local conditions or in which the local conditions would not bind M and N, anything with M or N can never be a MBT answer... it has to be a CBT, CBF, MBF. This can be a bit of a useful shortcut on a MBT, MBT except, MBF, or MBF except prompt, but I have a feeling it is probably not all that useful. Could be useful if you are running out of time to actually work through a question I suppose. I'll keep an eye out for it to see if it comes up.

Hahahahaha, I started laughing obnoxiously after watching the clip.

[34iplaw]

Slow start today... going to do a few games just to get the juices going and then look into this Testmasters homework.

[Barack O'Drama]

Slow start today... going to do a few games just to get the juices going and then look into this Testmasters homework.

What games are types are you working on IP?

I am doing more of the same today (minus the testmasters, I sort of wish I could have afforded a course) Still trying to get my relative ordering/Advanced ordering games down cold and within time.

[20170322]

Slowly coming to the realization that I'm going to run out of PT's. Which is fine, I guess. I think I'll just cycle back through them once I run out.

[Archer@Law]

So I did my first timed "lukewarm" diagnostic on Saturday. It certainly was a real kick in the pants to do a full-timed test. The bad part is, I am pretty confident that I would have scored 140ish if I actually took it cold. Felt really shitty about my score afterwards. However, upon doing some actual analysis of it, I can see where I left 5-10 possible points on the table. All in all, the test provided me with a lot of needed perspective and a reality check. It also made me realize it is very humbling to be in this thread with guys like Tort and Protein banging 170+ scores.

Anyway I'll do some recap of this turd of a test below.

Score - 149 June 07' 7sage app proctored
Did not finish any of the sections on time. Purposely did not guess when I knew I was almost out.

Section 1 - LG
-12
5 total left unanswered
Games 1 and 3 I went -1 total. These flowed and went well.
Games 2 and 4 I went -11 total. Failing. I completely misunderstood the rules on both and realized this about half way through each. I knew I was screwed. Scrambled to try and go back and fix them, but just ran out of time. Left Game 2 completely unanswered. Just need more LG experience under my belt.

Section 2 - LR
-9
2 total left unanswered
Struggled to pull out the argument and flaw in a lot of these. Spent way too long trying to figure out some of the questions.

Section 3 - LR
-6
2 left unanswered.
Same issue as before. However, I settled down somewhat and was actually surprised at how well I did.

Section 4 - RC
-16. WTF.
5 left unanswered
Honestly, this surprised the hell out of me. Certainly did not feel like I was sucking when I did it. Though I have done next to nothing on RC prep so far. Did not miss any on the first passage. It rapidly deteriorated after that and I did not even get to the last passage's questions. I am really going to have bring this up. Especially the speed of my reading.

In summation, I have a shit ton of work to do...

I've got confidence in you - you've got plenty of time!

Yeah I think there is time to make significant improvement. However, I am currently making peace with the fact that if I'm not ready in time for September, I'm not ready. This test is just too important to rush on.

I think you'll be fine. Just focus on LG. I had a similar diagnostic. I did a little better on RC, but that's literally it. Start reading a page out of WS Journal or NYT, The Economist everyday to work on your reading speed while you work on LG. Once you get logic games down you'll easily be in the high 150s. Then LR/RC will be what you need to focus on to get your score where you need to be.

And I couldn't agree more about going to terms with not being ready. I really want more than anything to score high in September, but if for some reason I'm not ready and or don't score high enough, I'll retake in December. Even sit out another cycle if necessary. I think Harvard is worth waiting another year for

Thanks for the support! I'm going to make small incremental goals for myself. Next PT my target is 155. What matters is not whether you met your goals by September, but whether you met your goals period!

Aiming for H? I'm impressed. That will be a hell of an accomplishment!

[34iplaw]

Slow start today... going to do a few games just to get the juices going and then look into this Testmasters homework.

What games are types are you working on IP?

I am doing more of the same today (minus the testmasters, I sort of wish I could have afforded a course) Still trying to get my relative ordering/Advanced ordering games down cold and within time.

Got kind of held up, so I'm just going to have lunch and do one harder ordering game and watch the Singh videos. I actually find relative ordering a good deal easier than simple ordering, as there isn't really the concern of hashing out every possibility, but, I suppose, one could do that too. I'm pretty comfortable with ordering... it's just a bit of a timing thing. With 3D/Complex/Advanced Ordering, I think I will naturally get much better with these as I learn other game types, as many of these games incorporate elements of other game types which are what hangs me up. That said, I do have a fairly good memory for random nonsense, so, for the games that did take me a little longer, I tend to remember the critical inference [or problematic question] which doesn't really give me that much benefit when I now solve it two minutes faster than previous.

If you're interested in a course, you can see if a friend has a code and have them Venmo you the referral fee. For an online course, it'd be $100 back [$50/$50] or $200 for in person [$100/$100]. Blueprint has a similar discount. Either way, you can always sit in on one for free. Hell, you could, in theory, pick the lessons that are focused on what you struggle with . I have a friend from college I gave my code in case she uses Testmasters for GMAT under said condition since she's a bit up against it with medical stuff.

[34iplaw]

So I did my first timed "lukewarm" diagnostic on Saturday. It certainly was a real kick in the pants to do a full-timed test. The bad part is, I am pretty confident that I would have scored 140ish if I actually took it cold. Felt really shitty about my score afterwards. However, upon doing some actual analysis of it, I can see where I left 5-10 possible points on the table. All in all, the test provided me with a lot of needed perspective and a reality check. It also made me realize it is very humbling to be in this thread with guys like Tort and Protein banging 170+ scores.

Anyway I'll do some recap of this turd of a test below.

Score - 149 June 07' 7sage app proctored
Did not finish any of the sections on time. Purposely did not guess when I knew I was almost out.

Section 1 - LG
-12
5 total left unanswered
Games 1 and 3 I went -1 total. These flowed and went well.
Games 2 and 4 I went -11 total. Failing. I completely misunderstood the rules on both and realized this about half way through each. I knew I was screwed. Scrambled to try and go back and fix them, but just ran out of time. Left Game 2 completely unanswered. Just need more LG experience under my belt.

Section 2 - LR
-9
2 total left unanswered
Struggled to pull out the argument and flaw in a lot of these. Spent way too long trying to figure out some of the questions.

Section 3 - LR
-6
2 left unanswered.
Same issue as before. However, I settled down somewhat and was actually surprised at how well I did.

Section 4 - RC
-16. WTF.
5 left unanswered
Honestly, this surprised the hell out of me. Certainly did not feel like I was sucking when I did it. Though I have done next to nothing on RC prep so far. Did not miss any on the first passage. It rapidly deteriorated after that and I did not even get to the last passage's questions. I am really going to have bring this up. Especially the speed of my reading.

In summation, I have a shit ton of work to do...

I've got confidence in you - you've got plenty of time!

Yeah I think there is time to make significant improvement. However, I am currently making peace with the fact that if I'm not ready in time for September, I'm not ready. This test is just too important to rush on.

I think you'll be fine. Just focus on LG. I had a similar diagnostic. I did a little better on RC, but that's literally it. Start reading a page out of WS Journal or NYT, The Economist everyday to work on your reading speed while you work on LG. Once you get logic games down you'll easily be in the high 150s. Then LR/RC will be what you need to focus on to get your score where you need to be.

And I couldn't agree more about going to terms with not being ready. I really want more than anything to score high in September, but if for some reason I'm not ready and or don't score high enough, I'll retake in December. Even sit out another cycle if necessary. I think Harvard is worth waiting another year for

Thanks for the support! I'm going to make small incremental goals for myself. Next PT my target is 155. What matters is not whether you met your goals by September, but whether you met your goals period!

Aiming for H? I'm impressed. That will be a hell of an accomplishment!

[youtube]pkdmu2M7qFo[/youtube]

I'm aiming for T10 [168-170+ probably needed at least]; T6 preferably [172-174+ probably needed at least]. Damned 3.4... why you no care about undergrad institution LSAC?

[Barack O'Drama]

So I did my first timed "lukewarm" diagnostic on Saturday. It certainly was a real kick in the pants to do a full-timed test. The bad part is, I am pretty confident that I would have scored 140ish if I actually took it cold. Felt really shitty about my score afterwards. However, upon doing some actual analysis of it, I can see where I left 5-10 possible points on the table. All in all, the test provided me with a lot of needed perspective and a reality check. It also made me realize it is very humbling to be in this thread with guys like Tort and Protein banging 170+ scores.

Anyway I'll do some recap of this turd of a test below.

Score - 149 June 07' 7sage app proctored
Did not finish any of the sections on time. Purposely did not guess when I knew I was almost out.

Section 1 - LG
-12
5 total left unanswered
Games 1 and 3 I went -1 total. These flowed and went well.
Games 2 and 4 I went -11 total. Failing. I completely misunderstood the rules on both and realized this about half way through each. I knew I was screwed. Scrambled to try and go back and fix them, but just ran out of time. Left Game 2 completely unanswered. Just need more LG experience under my belt.

Section 2 - LR
-9
2 total left unanswered
Struggled to pull out the argument and flaw in a lot of these. Spent way too long trying to figure out some of the questions.

Section 3 - LR
-6
2 left unanswered.
Same issue as before. However, I settled down somewhat and was actually surprised at how well I did.

Section 4 - RC
-16. WTF.
5 left unanswered
Honestly, this surprised the hell out of me. Certainly did not feel like I was sucking when I did it. Though I have done next to nothing on RC prep so far. Did not miss any on the first passage. It rapidly deteriorated after that and I did not even get to the last passage's questions. I am really going to have bring this up. Especially the speed of my reading.

In summation, I have a shit ton of work to do...

I've got confidence in you - you've got plenty of time!

Yeah I think there is time to make significant improvement. However, I am currently making peace with the fact that if I'm not ready in time for September, I'm not ready. This test is just too important to rush on.

I think you'll be fine. Just focus on LG. I had a similar diagnostic. I did a little better on RC, but that's literally it. Start reading a page out of WS Journal or NYT, The Economist everyday to work on your reading speed while you work on LG. Once you get logic games down you'll easily be in the high 150s. Then LR/RC will be what you need to focus on to get your score where you need to be.

And I couldn't agree more about going to terms with not being ready. I really want more than anything to score high in September, but if for some reason I'm not ready and or don't score high enough, I'll retake in December. Even sit out another cycle if necessary. I think Harvard is worth waiting another year for

Thanks for the support! I'm going to make small incremental goals for myself. Next PT my target is 155. What matters is not whether you met your goals by September, but whether you met your goals period!

Aiming for H? I'm impressed. That will be a hell of an accomplishment!

[youtube]pkdmu2M7qFo[/youtube]

I'm aiming for T10 [168-170+ probably needed at least]; T6 preferably [172-174+ probably needed at least]. Damned 3.4... why you no care about undergrad institution LSAC?

I'm officially inspired! I love that scene and that movie

You'll definitely have great shots at getting T10-T6. And yeah, UG can be a great soft, but they can hurt GPA a bit. 3.4 isn't terrible though, just kill the LSAT and T6 is yours!! Realistically being a URM I might be able to snag H with a 160s score, but I don't want to start thinking that way and let it make me complacent as I'm studying. I'm definitely retaking if I hit below 165.

Man, now i wanna watch that movie!!

[20170322]

Anyone have any tips to sustain long-term prep? Sort of worried I'm just going to slowly get worse on this test until September.

[34iplaw]

Anyone have any tips to sustain long-term prep? Sort of worried I'm just going to slowly get worse on this test until September.

This is the primary reason I signed up for a class. I'm not testing at where you are, but I still think the majority of it will be remedial and repetitive.

Maybe find someone that is a study buddy and agree to maybe review a test together every week or something like that or a tutor for two hours once every other week or something if your concern is not keeping on your prep schedule. Based on what you write here, I would think your primary concern should be burnout. If you are actually capable of prepping at the level you have been for three months, go for it. I'd be cautious though.

[proteinshake]

on break for PT 40. third game in the section was KILLER. also, the second LR section left me with no time remaining when I usually have at least 2 minutes left . gonna do the last section (RC) then get some lunch before BR'ing.

[Alexandros]

Slowly coming to the realization that I'm going to run out of PT's. Which is fine, I guess. I think I'll just cycle back through them once I run out.

A bit concerned about this too. How many PTs have you been doing per week so far?

[Alexandros]

Gonna to try to really get RC and LR in the hoop these next few weeks. Got -1 and -2 on RC last night, but still can't hit -0. If I could get to a consistent -1 or -0 on those, and very rarely worse than -2, that in itself would be a major boost to my scores.

[Doubting Law]

Really slow start today. Watching MBT, MBF videos on 7sage. On that note, do people actually translate the stimulus into symbolic logic like JY does in the videos? Or do ya'll just answer the questions based on intuition?

[proteinshake]

Really slow start today. Watching MBT, MBF videos on 7sage. On that note, do people actually translate the stimulus into symbolic logic like JY does in the videos? Or do ya'll just answer the questions based on intuition?

I've only ever done it twice, when there was a lot of conditional logic.

[Alexandros]

Really slow start today. Watching MBT, MBF videos on 7sage. On that note, do people actually translate the stimulus into symbolic logic like JY does in the videos? Or do ya'll just answer the questions based on intuition?

Assuming this is LR - haven't seen any 7sage vids for LR but no, I don't generally, unless it's got a long chain of conditionals and is particularly confusing, in which case I'll jot something down.

[34iplaw]

Really slow start today. Watching MBT, MBF videos on 7sage. On that note, do people actually translate the stimulus into symbolic logic like JY does in the videos? Or do ya'll just answer the questions based on intuition?

To echo others' opinions with the caveat that I haven't focused on LR, the general consensus is not to. You won't really have time to do it for every question on the test and/or it won't necessarily be beneficial, I think. Based on the class last night, it's a technique to employ when there is time left and you can't get a question or the question has a lot of conditionals in it. Overall, many answers are far more apparent than needed from that.

Personally, I can't picture myself doing it all that much, but I could see the benefit in it bringing in an extra point or two.

Just finished the Testmasters '15 LR Question Types' intro and drill [25/25; 24/25; last one was silly]. None of it is that new, but I think the structure of it is a little more clear than it was in the Trainer. Then again, that could very well because this is my second time seeing some of it in one presentation or another.

Going to take a brief break/drive to get myself an oversized and overpriced 30 oz coffee at Starbucks. Maybe one of those dope pirouline's or, as the uninitiated refer to them, 'cookie straws.'

[20170322]

Slowly coming to the realization that I'm going to run out of PT's. Which is fine, I guess. I think I'll just cycle back through them once I run out.

A bit concerned about this too. How many PTs have you been doing per week so far?

1 a week so far, think I may increase that to two a week until August. Other than that, just drilling LG and RC.

[Doubting Law]

Just finished a set of LR inference questions, 16/20. Slowly getting better it seems.

[WWhitman]

Hello everyone,

Just finished school and now starting to study for the LSAT in Sep. I have two questions and welcome all inputs:

1. What study plan should I follow? (I have PowerScore 3 month plan now, is it good?) My goal is at least 175+ and I will be studying full time this summer (no job).
2. At the moment I have LRB, LGB, SuperPrep II, and the three latest 10 New/Actual/Next Preps. What other books are good or must haves?

Much appreciated,

WW

[Pozzo]

.

[WWhitman]

Hello everyone,

Just finished school and now starting to study for the LSAT in Sep. I have two questions and welcome all inputs:

1. What study plan should I follow? (I have PowerScore 3 month plan now, is it good?) My goal is at least 175+ and I will be studying full time this summer (no job).
2. At the moment I have LRB, LGB, SuperPrep II, and the three latest 10 New/Actual/Next Preps. What other books are good or must haves?

Much appreciated,

WW

Hi Walt, your first step should be taking a full-length timed prep test to see how far you have to go. 175+ is ambitious for anyone, but just how ambitious depends on where you're starting. From there, I'd recommend you consult the threads here on courses and strategies to see which ones best fit your needs:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6&t=200917
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6&t=151670

Welcome aboard!

Will be taking it soon today or tomorrow. But diagnostic won't really matter to me, I'm going for it regardless. That said, I've seen those threads, my worry is "How relevant are they, given they were from people prepped and took the test in 2008 or earlier?" I know that the test has significantly changed over time. Are they just as relevant?

[34iplaw]

Hello everyone,

Just finished school and now starting to study for the LSAT in Sep. I have two questions and welcome all inputs:

1. What study plan should I follow? (I have PowerScore 3 month plan now, is it good?) My goal is at least 175+ and I will be studying full time this summer (no job).
2. At the moment I have LRB, LGB, SuperPrep II, and the three latest 10 New/Actual/Next Preps. What other books are good or must haves?

Much appreciated,

WW

Hi Walt, your first step should be taking a full-length timed prep test to see how far you have to go. 175+ is ambitious for anyone, but just how ambitious depends on where you're starting. From there, I'd recommend you consult the threads here on courses and strategies to see which ones best fit your needs:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6&t=200917
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6&t=151670

Welcome aboard!

Will be taking it soon today or tomorrow. But diagnostic won't really matter to me, I'm going for it regardless. That said, I've seen those threads, my worry is "How relevant are they, given they were from people prepped and took the test in 2008 or earlier?" I know that the test has significantly changed over time. Are they just as relevant?

That's a good attitude to have... but... It does matter, as it will show your weaknesses to a certain extent. Make sure to take it timed and score it strictly as if it was a test. I made the mistake of not timing myself, but, based on my actual diagnostic from Testmasters session, it wasn't a gross over exaggeration of my skills/ability.

The test has changed over time. IIRC, the change in 08 was the comparative reading which isn't really a big deal IMO. The main change, IIRC, is that games have become easier than they were a decade or two ago. 2007 June is more than adequate for a cold diagnostic IMO.