The Official October 2015 Study Group Forum

RZ5646 · Post by **RZ5646** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 11:42 am

thatlawlkid wrote:
RZ5646 wrote:
thatlawlkid wrote:
RZ5646 wrote:I have no idea what to write for a PS either.
cant agree with this more. I've def had obstacles to overcome in life, but I'm worried my PS will just become a depressing list of things.
I just really think I'm not an interesting person. Like someone said above, I've never backpacked across Europe or founded an orphanage or anything like that. I'm just a poor(ish) suburban white guy who's really good with language and logic.
Haha we might be the same person. I havent decided if overcoming financial struggle is a decent topic. My mom raised our family and she never finished HS, but like I'm the youngest and my siblings went to college so i cant pull the "first person in college" card.

I'm actually the first in my family to go to college, so I have that going for me, at least.

The Abyss · Post by **The Abyss** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:15 pm

I have a medical condition that's been a pain the ass to deal with, so I will probably write about that. Also the first in my immediate family to graduate from college.

Zel · Post by **Zel** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:16 pm

Alright guys...help me understand this.

I've taken 5 full PTs after a diagnostic. Before today I've scored between 166-168....and then...

Today --- 179 (PT66) WUT.

Conditions were all the same (strict timing, 5 sections), except I was more well rested as I took it this morning instead of after work. Movers came at one point so I did pause my timer in the middle of logic games for about 3 minutes because they were so loud. I finished 5 minutes early on the section regardless, and felt as though all the games were a breeze.

Obviously all I can do is keep doing PTs and hope my new averages are in the 170s but...I'm seriously confused lol.

Anyone else ever have any jumps like this? If so, did they hold up? Or were they crazy outliers? Thanks!

Edited: Also I'm early 20s, KJD...and have not started my PS yet or resume update, though have secured LORs. I keep thinking I have themes for a PS but they all end up sounding dumb to me. Hopefully I can construct something genuine eventually.

Sera Numquam · Post by **Sera Numquam** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:20 pm

kbrizz wrote:Has anyone ever been personally offended by a LR question? Shocked to say it happened today haha.

No, but I did come across one that annoyed me because it dealt with a fatal medical condition I was worried about getting so there's that. What was yours?

SirArthurDayne · Post by **SirArthurDayne** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:57 pm

Post removed.

The Abyss · Post by **The Abyss** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 1:13 pm

The Mogwai pandora station is the best for studying at a noisy location. Today I'm doing about 75 weaken questions, 5 or so in/out games and some law passages.

RZ5646 · Post by **RZ5646** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 1:39 pm

Zel wrote:Alright guys...help me understand this.

I've taken 5 full PTs after a diagnostic. Before today I've scored between 166-168....and then...

Today --- 179 (PT66) WUT.

Conditions were all the same (strict timing, 5 sections), except I was more well rested as I took it this morning instead of after work. Movers came at one point so I did pause my timer in the middle of logic games for about 3 minutes because they were so loud. I finished 5 minutes early on the section regardless, and felt as though all the games were a breeze.

Obviously all I can do is keep doing PTs and hope my new averages are in the 170s but...I'm seriously confused lol.

Anyone else ever have any jumps like this? If so, did they hold up? Or were they crazy outliers? Thanks!

Edited: Also I'm early 20s, KJD...and have not started my PS yet or resume update, though have secured LORs. I keep thinking I have themes for a PS but they all end up sounding dumb to me. Hopefully I can construct something genuine eventually.

Outliers are not unknown. A regular poster in this forum (can't remember his name) said he got his highest score on one of his first PTs and then never reached it again (he still ended up with a great official score though). I think consistency is actually a big deal and why you need to take a ton of PTs. Many of us can do well under ideal conditions, but what if your official test day has terrible conditions? You almost have to prepare to accept your worst possible score. Personally, I got a 180 on my last PT (caveat: I took short breaks between sections) and I wouldn't be surprised if my next one is 170.

Zel · Post by **Zel** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 2:04 pm

RZ5646 wrote:
Zel wrote:Alright guys...help me understand this.

I've taken 5 full PTs after a diagnostic. Before today I've scored between 166-168....and then...

Today --- 179 (PT66) WUT.

Conditions were all the same (strict timing, 5 sections), except I was more well rested as I took it this morning instead of after work. Movers came at one point so I did pause my timer in the middle of logic games for about 3 minutes because they were so loud. I finished 5 minutes early on the section regardless, and felt as though all the games were a breeze.

Obviously all I can do is keep doing PTs and hope my new averages are in the 170s but...I'm seriously confused lol.

Anyone else ever have any jumps like this? If so, did they hold up? Or were they crazy outliers? Thanks!

Edited: Also I'm early 20s, KJD...and have not started my PS yet or resume update, though have secured LORs. I keep thinking I have themes for a PS but they all end up sounding dumb to me. Hopefully I can construct something genuine eventually.
Outliers are not unknown. A regular poster in this forum (can't remember his name) said he got his highest score on one of his first PTs and then never reached it again (he still ended up with a great official score though). I think consistency is actually a big deal and why you need to take a ton of PTs. Many of us can do well under ideal conditions, but what if your official test day has terrible conditions? You almost have to prepare to accept your worst possible score. Personally, I got a 180 on my last PT (caveat: I took short breaks between sections) and I wouldn't be surprised if my next one is 170.

Very much agree -- thanks for the reply which puts it into context. I plan on doing 30 pts under varying conditions so I'll definitely get to see how the scores evolve. Congrats on the 180!

pittsburghpirates · Post by **pittsburghpirates** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 2:08 pm

Post removed.

Zel · Post by **Zel** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 2:10 pm

SirArthurDayne wrote:
Zel wrote:Alright guys...help me understand this.

I've taken 5 full PTs after a diagnostic. Before today I've scored between 166-168....and then...

Today --- 179 (PT66) WUT.

Conditions were all the same (strict timing, 5 sections), except I was more well rested as I took it this morning instead of after work. Movers came at one point so I did pause my timer in the middle of logic games for about 3 minutes because they were so loud. I finished 5 minutes early on the section regardless, and felt as though all the games were a breeze.

Obviously all I can do is keep doing PTs and hope my new averages are in the 170s but...I'm seriously confused lol.

Anyone else ever have any jumps like this? If so, did they hold up? Or were they crazy outliers? Thanks!

Edited: Also I'm early 20s, KJD...and have not started my PS yet or resume update, though have secured LORs. I keep thinking I have themes for a PS but they all end up sounding dumb to me. Hopefully I can construct something genuine eventually.
You channeled your inner beast mode. That's awesome!

Haha thank you

Upon reflection I think it was a matter of an easy games section and an RC which played to my strengths in terms of subject matter and question types. At least it makes my ultimate goal of ~173 seem a bit more attainable.

RZ5646 · Post by **RZ5646** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 3:52 pm

Seriously sucking at LG today

TheProdigal · Post by **TheProdigal** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 4:00 pm

The Abyss wrote:I have a medical condition that's been a pain the ass to deal with, so I will probably write about that.

This was my academic addendum last cycle. The $300/month treatment (that's with insurance, and still can't afford) continues to be a pretty good motivator for studying.

dominicanguy12 · Post by **dominicanguy12** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 9:40 pm

If looking to get a 173+ in October, around what score should we be PTing right now?

I am still in the 150s mainly due to timing problems and not drilling enough fml.

The Abyss · Post by **The Abyss** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 10:03 pm

dominicanguy12 wrote:If looking to get a 173+ in October, around what score should we be PTing right now?

I am still in the 150s mainly due to timing problems and not drilling enough fml.

Not to be a downer, but I've been pretty consistently scoring around 168-169 and I feel like 173+ is a huge, but doable, goal. From the 150s is a enormous gain, but can maybe happen with the proper studying. Keep at it and reevaluate whether you want to take the October test about 3 weeks out.

TheProdigal · Post by **TheProdigal** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 10:38 pm

[+] Spoiler

dominicanguy12 wrote:If looking to get a 173+ in October, around what score should we be PTing right now?

I am still in the 150s mainly due to timing problems and not drilling enough fml.

What are your blind review scores like?

The Abyss · Post by **The Abyss** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 10:43 pm

Anyone considering EDing anywhere? UPenn and NW are the two that I would consider depending on my score.

bigv · Post by **bigv** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 10:46 pm

The Abyss wrote:Anyone considering EDing anywhere? UPenn and NW are the two that I would consider depending on my score.

I've never understood how schollies work with ED, anyone care to explain?

The Abyss · Post by **The Abyss** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 10:51 pm

bigv wrote:
The Abyss wrote:Anyone considering EDing anywhere? UPenn and NW are the two that I would consider depending on my score.
I've never understood how schollies work with ED, anyone care to explain?

Depends on the school. NW comes will a full merit scholarship (so does GW). It's not advisable to many schools because you lose all leverage to negotiate scholarships. I would ED UPenn, though, with the right score because of that insane big firm score and from what I've seen on my lsn, most folks got about 50-60k.

PatriotP74 · Post by **PatriotP74** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 11:22 pm

Post removed...

PodPeople · Post by **PodPeople** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 11:29 pm

I'm acing LG but my LR has not improved for over a month. Getting a bit worried as October gets closer and closer...

RZ5646 · Post by **RZ5646** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 11:35 pm

When you're on track to go -0 on a section and then after much painful deliberation change one of your answers...

The Abyss · Post by **The Abyss** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 11:38 pm

PodPeople wrote:I'm acing LG but my LR has not improved for over a month. Getting a bit worried as October gets closer and closer...

Sounds like me. LG and RC have been consistently great for me, but LR is holding me back from my 173+.

SirArthurDayne · Post by **SirArthurDayne** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 11:43 pm

Post removed.

Dexter97 · Post by **Dexter97** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 11:49 pm

Did PT 52 today and finally matched my high score so far: 173

For me it all depends on the RC, especially the science passage. Im going -0 on the games and Im usually -5 to -8 on LR. But for RC sometimes Ill go -2 and other times Ill go -7.

The Abyss · Post by **The Abyss** » Sat Aug 01, 2015 11:49 pm

I'm taking PT65 tomorrow under full hungover mode. I was already celebrating tonight and I figure hangovers at my age are much more than any common illness or restlessness, so if I can perform tomorrow I shouldn't worry too much about getting sick or being tired. Maybe I'm just drunk though.