June 2014 Retakers Forum

[DaRascal]

What do you guys think the key to RC is? I'm not naturally a fast reader, but, whenever I do an RC section, I try to read fast with a keen eye while understanding everything and underlining only the seemingly important information and then when I get to the questions, I treat each one like an LR question with 1 correct answer (except for the "what can be inferred about [this person/group's] position" and "what would this author most likely believe" questions). With that approach, I usually only get 1 wrong at most on any given passage and can finish the passage in under 8 minutes, but, it's when I take my time reading and over notating that I end up not only taking a long time (9 or 10 minutes for a whole passage) but I end up getting 2 or 3 wrong on the passage.

I hate to allocate so much time to RC in these final 10 or so days but I feel like getting anything more than 4 wrong on it on the actual exam would be disastrous.


Anyone have any good advice???

[BaberhamLincoln]

I was at 164 too and RC was my problem I know exactly how you feel! How many are you missing in RC? Because for me sometimes what worked was to do the 3 longest sections in 10min and then speed-read/guess on the short section (one usually has only 5/6 questions). This might be your savior if you are missing 10+ questions on RC.

I know we PM'ed a little, but someone else asked so here are my breakdowns lately:

From oldest to most recent PT/timed drills -- worst section of the test bolded:
PT 59 (164): -4 LG, -6 LR, -3 RC, -8 LR
PT 60 (167): -2 LG, -5 LR, -5 RC, -6 LR
PT 67 (161): -3 LG, -6 LR, -9 RC, -5 LR
PT 68 (163): -5 LG, -3 LR, -10 RC, -4 LR
PT 69 (166): -0 LG, -3 LR, -8 RC, -6 LR
PT 65 (165): -5 LG, -1 LR, -10 RC, -5 LR
PT 70 (163): -2 LG, -5 LR, -8 RC, -7 LR

For background, I got 161 last June, which was EXACTLY my PT average then; averaging 164 now. I have completed PowerScore LG and LR bibles and am now working through the Manhattan RC book, which I like.

I really need help. I am super worried at this point.

[jk148706]

.

[BaberhamLincoln]

What materials have u used so far

Powerscore LG and LR Bibles and now Manhattan RC book. And a ton of PT's. Last year and this year.

[jk148706]

.

[90convoy]

I was at 164 too and RC was my problem I know exactly how you feel! How many are you missing in RC? Because for me sometimes what worked was to do the 3 longest sections in 10min and then speed-read/guess on the short section (one usually has only 5/6 questions). This might be your savior if you are missing 10+ questions on RC.

I know we PM'ed a little, but someone else asked so here are my breakdowns lately:

From oldest to most recent PT/timed drills -- worst section of the test bolded:
PT 59 (164): -4 LG, -6 LR, -3 RC, -8 LR
PT 60 (167): -2 LG, -5 LR, -5 RC, -6 LR
PT 67 (161): -3 LG, -6 LR, -9 RC, -5 LR
PT 68 (163): -5 LG, -3 LR, -10 RC, -4 LR
PT 69 (166): -0 LG, -3 LR, -8 RC, -6 LR
PT 65 (165): -5 LG, -1 LR, -10 RC, -5 LR
PT 70 (163): -2 LG, -5 LR, -8 RC, -7 LR

For background, I got 161 last June, which was EXACTLY my PT average then; averaging 164 now. I have completed PowerScore LG and LR bibles and am now working through the Manhattan RC book, which I like.

I really need help. I am super worried at this point.

Hmmm. If I were you I would work on LR. One thing that you can do with LR is to practice getting the first 15 questions done very quickly. This brought me from missing 8/10 to missing between 0 and 5. I think that the confidence boost you get from doing the first 15 in 15 minutes or less cannot go understated. As far as RC goes, at this point all you can do is continue to practice and hope for some easy passages on the June test!

But seriously...I think it goes without much debate that LR is what is really holding you back. Yeah, your RC could be better, but lots of 167-170 scorers miss 8+ in RC (myself included).

Stay calm and motivated! There is still time and I'm assuming Sep. is always an option!

[90convoy]

Just saw that you didn't do the MLSAT LR book...idk how the LR bible is but the MLSAT LR book SAVED MY LIFE. The way it teaches you how to attack the "core" argument in LR questions is amazing.

[BaberhamLincoln]

What materials have u used so far

Powerscore LG and LR Bibles and now Manhattan RC book. And a ton of PT's. Last year and this year.

I would absolutely get the Manhattan LR book and LSAT Trainer. Both were crucial for me on LR

Sounds like two votes for MLSAT.
Not sure I can do that and the trainer in time?

[90convoy]

What materials have u used so far

Powerscore LG and LR Bibles and now Manhattan RC book. And a ton of PT's. Last year and this year.

I would absolutely get the Manhattan LR book and LSAT Trainer. Both were crucial for me on LR

Sounds like two votes for MLSAT.
Not sure I can do that and the trainer in time?

If you can at least look at the chapter on assumption questions in the MLSAT LR book. imo the Manhattan LR book is the most credited book out there

[BaberhamLincoln]

Ok I can get the MLSAT book today.

Again, not sure about buying trainer because not sure I can get that done in time with MLSAT?

Also, MLSAT book is 560 pgs....any specific areas I should focus on?

[90convoy]

Focus on the assumption questions...necessary/sufficient/flaw/weaken/strengthen/etc. I think that will do the most for you.

[sashafierce]

Ok I can get the MLSAT book today.

Again, not sure about buying trainer because not sure I can get that done in time with MLSAT?

Also, MLSAT book is 560 pgs....any specific areas I should focus on?

The first 6 Chapters are a "must read" IMHO.

[sashafierce]

Should I create a retakers thread for September? What if no one joins me

[BaberhamLincoln]

Focus on the assumption questions...necessary/sufficient/flaw/weaken/strengthen/etc. I think that will do the most for you.

Thanks for all your help! And to the others in this thread. Time to get to work.

It's pretty awesome that I'm taking this LSAT to try and get off WL's, planning on quitting my full-time job while working my full-time job, buying a condo today and renovating it this summer, and trying to still breathe ALL. AT. ONCE.
Hey, when it rains it pours.

[dasani13]

What do you guys think the key to RC is? I'm not naturally a fast reader, but, whenever I do an RC section, I try to read fast with a keen eye while understanding everything and underlining only the seemingly important information and then when I get to the questions, I treat each one like an LR question with 1 correct answer (except for the "what can be inferred about [this person/group's] position" and "what would this author most likely believe" questions). With that approach, I usually only get 1 wrong at most on any given passage and can finish the passage in under 8 minutes, but, it's when I take my time reading and over notating that I end up not only taking a long time (9 or 10 minutes for a whole passage) but I end up getting 2 or 3 wrong on the passage.

I hate to allocate so much time to RC in these final 10 or so days but I feel like getting anything more than 4 wrong on it on the actual exam would be disastrous.


Anyone have any good advice???

It would be so great if someone from Manhattan or someone else who's really good at teaching the LSAT to give us some general RC tips.

[dasani13]

My schedule for the last 10 days:

Today: OFF
Saturday: 66 + Review
Sunday: 67 + Review
Monday: Drill LR + LG
Tuesday: 68 + Review
Wednesday: 69 + Review
Thursday: OFF
Friday: Drill LR + LG
Saturday: Retake 70 + light review
Sunday: Retake 71 + light review

[sashafierce]

My schedule for the last 10 days:

Today: OFF
Saturday: 66 + Review
Sunday: 67 + Review
Monday: Drill LR + LG
Tuesday: 68 + Review
Wednesday: 69 + Review
Thursday: OFF
Friday: Drill LR + LG
Saturday: Retake 70 + light review
Sunday: Retake 71 + light review

No RC drilling?

[dasani13]

My schedule for the last 10 days:

Today: OFF
Saturday: 66 + Review
Sunday: 67 + Review
Monday: Drill LR + LG
Tuesday: 68 + Review
Wednesday: 69 + Review
Thursday: OFF
Friday: Drill LR + LG
Saturday: Retake 70 + light review
Sunday: Retake 71 + light review

No RC drilling?

Nope, but all the experimentals I'm gonna do with the PTs left are gonna be recent RC sections.

[BaberhamLincoln]

Focus on the assumption questions...necessary/sufficient/flaw/weaken/strengthen/etc. I think that will do the most for you.

Just did first 76 pages, it's good. Hoping I can crank the book out in about 4 days total and then 1 PT and a ton of drilling after

[Learn_Live_Hope]

..

[DaRascal]

RC's still kicking my ass. Going anywhere from -4 to -7 in each timed section I do. Spending all weekend on it and maybe every day until test day studying RC.

[rebexness]

I might have to pull out of June test

Why?

[Learn_Live_Hope]

...

[90convoy]

My schedule for the last 10 days:

Today: OFF
Saturday: 66 + Review
Sunday: 67 + Review
Monday: Drill LR + LG
Tuesday: 68 + Review
Wednesday: 69 + Review
Thursday: OFF
Friday: Drill LR + LG
Saturday: Retake 70 + light review
Sunday: Retake 71 + light review

ohh I like I like

[dasani13]

I might have to pull out of June test

Why?

I infected my eye ...it's all swollen ...sensitive to the ligh etc., so I don't know if I will be able to take the test... I'm trying to push myself to prep but I can't handle it for long period of time because my eye gets all watery, and forces to close. My optomistrist gave me eye drops but is not certain it will heel in time so bummed right now.

Omg you got pink eye?? Why don't you take the weekend off and just rest as much as possible? You can't let this ruin it for you! A few days off shouldn't hurt you so much, especially since you've been studying so much for soo long. Stay positive!!