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

[Barack O'Drama]

Hi people,

Been lurking on these forums for a few weeks and I finally made an account. Is there a Facebook group for this study group? If there isn't one, anyone interested?

Howdy! I don't think there is a FB group... Probably because people don't want to out themselves.

[Hennessy]

you're a better OP than I

[halcyon]

Hi people,

Been lurking on these forums for a few weeks and I finally made an account. Is there a Facebook group for this study group? If there isn't one, anyone interested?

Howdy! I don't think there is a FB group... Probably because people don't want to out themselves.

Makes sense.

[20170322]

PT 68:

Conditions: Taken in the library, 4-sections, using stopwatch.

RC: -3
LR1: -3
LR2: -0
LG: -1
Raw: 94
Scaled: 175


Somewhat pleased with the results, though I have no idea what happened with the first LR. If I could've just gone -0 on that, it would've been 178.

[Alexandros]

PT 68:

Conditions: Taken in the library, 4-sections, using stopwatch.

RC: -3
LR1: -3
LR2: -0
LG: -1
Raw: 94
Scaled: 175


Somewhat pleased with the results, though I have no idea what happened with the first LR. If I could've just gone -0 on that, it would've been 178.

Damn! Great job!

[Barack O'Drama]

PT 68:

Conditions: Taken in the library, 4-sections, using stopwatch.

RC: -3
LR1: -3
LR2: -0
LG: -1
Raw: 94
Scaled: 175


Somewhat pleased with the results, though I have no idea what happened with the first LR. If I could've just gone -0 on that, it would've been 178.

Good job! Can't be mad at a 175!

[Alexandros]

People on the June group are starting to get their scores now. Oh my sweet baby Jesus. /serious second-hand anxiety

[Justice4Birdperson]

I'm following the 4 month LSAT Trainer schedule strictly for now. Just took the 2nd PT in the schedule (PT 63 I think) and improved 14 points from the first PT. I'm pretty happy with that (although I thought the LG for this PT was on the easy side), so thank you LSAT Trainer. Still got a bit to go to get to the score I require. I find my attention getting strained after the first 2 sections. I also still run across LR problems that just bewilder me. I may need to get the LR Bible or something to help me with that.

I'm using the same schedule for the Trainer as you (29-71 version though with some lower PT drills mixed in). Regardless of where you start a 14 point increase in a month or so is impressive.

On to your point though. There are a lot of people who like the Bible, however, it will teach you a different way of doing things then what you have learned in the Trainer. An example is the stimulus first approach the Bible takes on LR. If you're looking for something that builds on the methods in the Trainer, Manhattan might be worth a look.

Manhattan comes very highly recommended on these forums.

I need no less than 175. And I don't have more than about 2 hours a day of time during weekdays. I do kind of feel like the Trainer's schedule is somewhat light especially compared to the hours I'm seeing here. But it seems to be working for me. I'll probably pick up Manhattan LR. Anything less than 175 I just grind out my current career for another 40 years and have nice mediocre retirement in whats left of Florida.

175 or bust! I like your attitude and willing to turn down LS if you can't get the LSAT you want. Very noble!

Where are you Pt'ing now? I really like the LSAT Trainer and am using it myself in conjunction with MLSAT/Tons of PTs/Cambridge Drills packets.

I do think it might be in your best interest to drop some money and get the MLSAT LR/LGs if you still feel like you need some more help in those areas. The MLSAT RC is good too, at least compared to the LG RCB. I've also heard some good things about Blueprint's RC strategy.

A 175 is no easy feat, but depending on where you are now, it is totally doable in 3 months. My first PT was about a 151 and I'm aiming for a 170. That's a nearly 20 point increase, which isn't easy, but with lots of drilling and Pt'ing, is very possible. 2 Hours a day on weekdays isn't a bad start, so long as you can supplement those hours with around 8 hours on Saturday and Sundays. Of course, this is all continent on where you are now, and how far you have to get to 175.

So my only advice would be to get through the Trainer and begin Pt'ing as soon as you have all the fundamentals of each game type down. 7Sage has great free LG videos for every game. It has been the biggest help as far as LGs go for me. If you still need some work with LR I really recommend the MLAT over the LR Bible. I have both and there is just no question in my mind that MLAT's approach is superior in almost every way. No gimmicks, just straight to the point strategies.

I took my 2nd PT on Saturday and got 170. The two issues I'm currently mindful of are LR and just getting mentally fatigued after a few sections. Now I'll definitely buy Manhattan LR but I'm also thinking I'll need to approach LR the way I approached the GMAT Math section a few years ago: absurd amounts of drilling. The difference is I found there was no true strategies for GMAT math whereas there are definitely real, effective strats for the LSAT. But with the GMAT I had to drill endlessly in order to get my mind to automatically tune into what's important. I think that's what I'm lacking right now for LR.

[Ques]

Started studying for the test a week ago, after taking first diagnostic and getting a 163. Felt I could improve with brute force, so took one full PT per day for the last week.

Diagnostic: 163
#2: 157
#3: 163
#4: 168
#5: 168
#6: 173 (today)

I've been scoring progressively better on LR as I take more PTs, going from -5 or -6 on average to -2 or -3 on average. RC is a solid -2 or -3. I can consistently do the LG correctly, I just go over the time on some of the tests.

At this point I'm not sure if it's worth investing in any study books or 'bibles'. I've only purchased PTs 52-61 and the book with PTs A, B, and C. My current plan of action is purchasing the remainder of the PTs and doing one per day until the test, unless anyone has a better idea.

[20170322]

Started studying for the test a week ago, after taking first diagnostic and getting a 163. Felt I could improve with brute force, so took one full PT per day for the last week.

Diagnostic: 163
#2: 157
#3: 163
#4: 168
#5: 168
#6: 173 (today)

I've been scoring progressively better on LR as I take more PTs, going from -5 or -6 on average to -2 or -3 on average. RC is a solid -2 or -3. I can consistently do the LG correctly, I just go over the time on some of the tests.

At this point I'm not sure if it's worth investing in any study books or 'bibles'. I've only purchased PTs 52-61 and the book with PTs A, B, and C. My current plan of action is purchasing the remainder of the PTs and doing one per day until the test, unless anyone has a better idea.

Congrats! That's some next level improvement.

And in my experience, once you pass 170 the best strategy is to drill baby drill.

[20170322]

Reading the June waiters thread is super scary. Like, the idea of severely underperforming your PTs... it keeps me up at night.

[proteinshake]

WE WELCOME ALL JUNE RETAKERS WITH OPEN ARMS

[20170322]

PT 68:

Conditions: Taken in the library, 4-sections, using stopwatch.

RC: -3
LR1: -3
LR2: -0
LG: -1
Raw: 94
Scaled: 175


Somewhat pleased with the results, though I have no idea what happened with the first LR. If I could've just gone -0 on that, it would've been 178.

Welp, I just ran my answer sheet through 7-sage and it turns out I missed an incorrect answer. So I got a 174, not a 175.

6 more points to go.

[Mikey]

Checking in. I hope everyone's studying is going well.

[Motivated]

So I took PT 56 yesterday. And I feel like I am barely seeing an improvement. I had -1 in LG (stupid mistake), -3 in RC ( I need to increase my speed just a bit more because I didn't have time to finish the last two questions). But my LR destroyed me. -5 and -6. And I have been drilling them for three weeks now.... I keep consistently having the same problem areas, MSS, Flaw, NA. I am not even finishing the sections on time. On one of them I didn't get to last 4 questions! and the other one 1 skipped one question in middle, and didn't have time to do last 2 questions. How can I improve my speed? How can I drill more efficiently? Anybody have any ideas specifically for LR? I don't even know at this point what can I do to make it better.

[Ferrisjso]

Just got my score of 156 for the June test. I guess I'm joining all of you now(just paid for the September LSAT)

[20170322]

So I took PT 56 yesterday. And I feel like I am barely seeing an improvement. I had -1 in LG (stupid mistake), -3 in RC ( I need to increase my speed just a bit more because I didn't have time to finish the last two questions). But my LR destroyed me. -5 and -6. And I have been drilling them for three weeks now.... I keep consistently having the same problem areas, MSS, Flaw, NA. I am not even finishing the sections on time. On one of them I didn't get to last 4 questions! and the other one 1 skipped one question in middle, and didn't have time to do last 2 questions. How can I improve my speed? How can I drill more efficiently? Anybody have any ideas specifically for LR? I don't even know at this point what can I do to make it better.

I've started typing out the questions, my answers, correct answers, and explanations for every LR PT question I get wrong. It's helped a decent bit.

[20170322]

Just got my score of 156 for the June test. I guess I'm joining all of you now(just paid for the September LSAT)

We have about 3 months. 3 months is a lifetime. We got this.

Good on you for retaking.

[luckycharmz]

checking in as well! I'm giving myself until Friday to recover from today's results and will be joining you all come this weekend. Here's hoping the third time truly is the charm!

Any advice from retakers on how to best study for a retake would be greatly appreciated!

[20170322]

I keep learning the same lesson over and over again;

my PT's won't get better until I fix RC.

DRILL. BABY. DRILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[Mikey]

checking in as well! I'm giving myself until Friday to recover from today's results and will be joining you all come this weekend. Here's hoping the third time truly is the charm!

Any advice from retakers on how to best study for a retake would be greatly appreciated!

THIS

[Motivated]

So I took PT 56 yesterday. And I feel like I am barely seeing an improvement. I had -1 in LG (stupid mistake), -3 in RC ( I need to increase my speed just a bit more because I didn't have time to finish the last two questions). But my LR destroyed me. -5 and -6. And I have been drilling them for three weeks now.... I keep consistently having the same problem areas, MSS, Flaw, NA. I am not even finishing the sections on time. On one of them I didn't get to last 4 questions! and the other one 1 skipped one question in middle, and didn't have time to do last 2 questions. How can I improve my speed? How can I drill more efficiently? Anybody have any ideas specifically for LR? I don't even know at this point what can I do to make it better.

I've started typing out the questions, my answers, correct answers, and explanations for every LR PT question I get wrong. It's helped a decent bit.

Thank you so much! I'll try that.

[proteinshake]

checking in as well! I'm giving myself until Friday to recover from today's results and will be joining you all come this weekend. Here's hoping the third time truly is the charm!

Any advice from retakers on how to best study for a retake would be greatly appreciated!

THIS

also my third take. I went through the Trainer in a month, went through Manhattan LG, and am going through Manhattan LR. drilling after every chapter. since you just took the exam you could just skip the Trainer and go straight to drilling and/or Manhattan. it's really not much different to approaching the test the first time.

[Mikey]

checking in as well! I'm giving myself until Friday to recover from today's results and will be joining you all come this weekend. Here's hoping the third time truly is the charm!

Any advice from retakers on how to best study for a retake would be greatly appreciated!

THIS

also my third take. I went through the Trainer in a month, went through Manhattan LG, and am going through Manhattan LR. drilling after every chapter. since you just took the exam you could just skip the Trainer and go straight to drilling and/or Manhattan. it's really not much different to approaching the test the first time.

Thanks for the advice, even though it was directed toward lucky lol. I was thinking of going into one of 7sage's curriculum's, I think it will help me for my second take!

[Barack O'Drama]

checking in as well! I'm giving myself until Friday to recover from today's results and will be joining you all come this weekend. Here's hoping the third time truly is the charm!

Any advice from retakers on how to best study for a retake would be greatly appreciated!

THIS

also my third take. I went through the Trainer in a month, went through Manhattan LG, and am going through Manhattan LR. drilling after every chapter. since you just took the exam you could just skip the Trainer and go straight to drilling and/or Manhattan. it's really not much different to approaching the test the first time.

Protein: Did you use MLSAT LG's way of diagramming? I find their grouping diagraming kind of weird? Should I just stick with it, or is there a better way? LGB also seemed sort of confusing...

ETA: When you went through the Trainer in a month, did you also have time to do all the drills and stuff in the book and from the PTs? I'm thinking of going through it again because I skipped a bunch of stuff last time.