The Official September 2014 Study Group Forum

[Valamar]

Any September takers in the Toronto/GTA area? I have a pretty steady study group going with one or two other people, but new blood/fresh perspectives are always welcome!

in MTL but good luck! Curious where the test centres are? I'm nosy and have a love/hate thing with my old hometown.

Also - Canadian or US schools?

I'm always weirdly excited to see other Canadians here, sorry...

Edit: mostly hate.

Haha all good, MTL is nice but too European for my taste, but to each their own!

I'm taking it at UofT, which is convenient because I'll be living on res anyways come September.

Aiming at T3 with UofT/UBC as fallbacks.

Yeah I figured the main one would be at Uof T the ONLY test centre here was McGill, which is fine because I'm still familiar with the campus.

I assume you've been properly warned that if you want to stay in Canada to work, UofT is a better outcome than any of HYS?

Yup, my eventual goal is to live and work in Asia (Hong Kong or Beijing/Shanghai), actually, and the "prestige" of HYS is rather highly regarded there.

And in your case? Canada or the US?

[Gray]

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[flash21]

hey guys, for some reason I'm finding unbalanced basic linear games hard (some of them are taking me a long time to finish) although I usually get the questions right. going to make sure I have the all down pat after this weekend - I am better at all grouping and advanced linear than these, funny enough. I skipped them initially cause I thought they were going to be too easy! guess I was wrong.

[h3jk5h]

Any September takers in the Toronto/GTA area? I have a pretty steady study group going with one or two other people, but new blood/fresh perspectives are always welcome!

Me. I go to U of T, but I don't move back into residence until start of start of September

How can we make group study work? I always wonder. Let's say we have different PT schedules, you are taking PT45 and I'm taking PT50. We review our LR mistakes by explaining our thought process etc.. If I were to explain a question I got wrong on PT50, then wouldn't you be spoiled of the question?

But I can see why making a LSAT study group can provide moral support for the weak-minded, i.e. myself.

[h3jk5h]

Pretty much struggling with timing on every section to some extent (except LG). Usually just a question or two. Does anyone who had this problem shortly after making the jump to full PTs have any suggestions for improvement? Outside of aim for first 15 in 15 minutes on LR?

What's helped me with timing in all sections is developing a sixth sense of knowing when you know a question and knowing when you should double check and slow down. There's really no magic bullet to make everything fit perfectly, you got to practice a lot and recognize this kind of stuff, but with enough practice you get to the point where you can read a question stem, know what the answer is, then move on in a blaze of an instant. I think you may be like me a month or so ago, when LG timing was solid, but LR and RC were consistently rocky. Think about LG for a moment - aren't there a ton of questions once you set up your game and diagram the rules that you just instant KNOW is the right answer? That's at least how it is for me, and what allowed me to start finishing on time consistently. The same goes for LR and RC; you have to develop that knowledge base to pick up time on certain questions which are easy and you know. And honestly, if you hit 15 in 15 you should have no time finishing the rest of LR on time.

You are hitting the high 160s in the newer PTs - you are way out of my league.

I think I'm the lowest PT scoring Canadian on this American dominated forum.

[ilikebaseball]

On LR, timing myself do to 10 in 10 and then 15 in 15 as helped me SO MUCH. However, I still need to figure out to to speed up my RC

[Valamar]

Any September takers in the Toronto/GTA area? I have a pretty steady study group going with one or two other people, but new blood/fresh perspectives are always welcome!

Me. I go to U of T, but I don't move back into residence until start of start of September

How can we make group study work? I always wonder. Let's say we have different PT schedules, you are taking PT45 and I'm taking PT50. We review our LR mistakes by explaining our thought process etc.. If I were to explain a question I got wrong on PT50, then wouldn't you be spoiled of the question?

But I can see why making a LSAT study group can provide moral support for the weak-minded, i.e. myself.

I'm actually in the same boat as you, currently living in Markham and commuting downtown every day, bit of a hassle but I'm also swimming at Hart House every day and occasionally staying over with friends so it's not too unreasonable. The moral support element is definitely key, I definitely would not have the same level of dedication to studying without the support/competition of other group members =P

Yeah it hasn't been a problem since I started studying with the same people from day 1, we usually meet up 5-6 days a week, do 4-5 timed PTs together with limited review of mistakes the day of, plus a whole day dedicated to review at the end of the week where we reexamine all mistakes along with questions we answered correctly but marked as difficult during the PTs. We usually alternate review between LR and LG+RC, so each review encompasses two weeks' worth of PTs. We've paced the PTs so that we finish 72 a few days before test day, currently finished up to 26 with a few more recent PTs mixed in to get a feel for the increase in difficulty. So depending on what your current progress is like you can wait til our schedules match up or just show up to review sessions to review older questions with us before then.

Also I'm new to the forum so if it is better etiquette to move this sort of thing to PM we can do that.

[chem]

Actually, one thing I meant to ask you: how important is it, when using the LG bible, to read through the lessons' details? I find myself kind of nodding along in passive agreement since most of it is kind of rudimentary and waiting for the drills when I try to study that book.

I skimmed that book. If the things that you are reading are already obvious to you then don't waste time on them - your time could be better spent doing other things (studying more difficult things or drilling) that will be more helpful to you.

Do you have study materials that are more difficult? And, by drilling, do you simply mean doing practice sections?

Also, lastly (and I'm sorry to ask so many), where are you guys finding your practice sections/tests? From looking over the forum, it seems that many here have taken so darn many. I have ordered a few online, but is there a deeper database of sample problems?

The only books I used were LG Bible, LR Bible, and the Trainer (which I didn't like and stopped reading). The LG Bible covered everything in enough depth for me that I didn't feel like I needed any other books for LG.

I drill by taking prep test sections. Other people like to drill by separating the questions further by type and focusing on one type at a time (Cambridge pdfs are good for this). I prefer the variation of just using prep test sections.

I purchased the preptest books from amazon (10 actual, official Prep Tests volume whatever), because they are the cheapest per test. I have three of the five sets right now, planning on purchasing the other two/downloading individual tests if I need more exams - which I probably will.

I also bought the most difficult logic games pdf from Cambridge because I wanted a challenge and there wasn't a lot of overlap between the three Prep Test volumes that I have.

I also have the June 2007 test (free from LSAC) and the 4 India Prep Tests (also free online).
--LinkRemoved--

You can either buy the books, get pdfs from Cambridge or LSAT Blog (benefit is that you can print off fresh copies if you want to retake a test or question)

Credited

[MtnGinger]

Heading to the beach starting today wonder how badly my study schedule will suffer. Must stay strong!!

[ultraman]

Desperately need some help!

My PT scores fluctuate from 168 to 173. I have followed DD's study plan. I have drilled level 1&2 from Cambridge LR package and LG package twice. I have not drilled any RC passages, which I will start tomorrow.

My problem is: sometimes I missed around 6/7 on two LR sections combined and sometimes missed only 3. My RC is also a little bit messy. Sometimes I missed only 1 on RC but sometimes I could miss up to 8. I do not want take more PT because I am afraid that I will waste them. My LG is good usually 0/-1.

What should I do next? Should I do some older sections to focus on accuracy?

Any advice will be appreciated!

[Gray]

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[LeeAllen]

PT 42 today:

LG: -0
LR1:-5
RC: -2
LR2: -0

For a score of 174. Idk what the hell happened on section 2... I felt thrown off because I drank too much coffee, I guess I learned my lesson. I really need to drill LR and get some consistency.

[HRomanus]

PT 30 today

174
LG -2
RC -0
LR -8

Isn't that a particularly brutal curve? Aside from my Oct 13 LSAT, LR is always my worst section. Thoughts on suspending PTs until I review MLSAT's LR entirely?

[vracovino]

PT 30 today

174
LG -2
RC -0
LR -8

Isn't that a particularly brutal curve? Aside from my Oct 13 LSAT, LR is always my worst section. Thoughts on suspending PTs until I review MLSAT's LR entirely?

Brutal in what way? Isn't -10 for a 174 pretty forgiving?

[HRomanus]

PT 30 today

174
LG -2
RC -0
LR -8

Isn't that a particularly brutal curve? Aside from my Oct 13 LSAT, LR is always my worst section. Thoughts on suspending PTs until I review MLSAT's LR entirely?

Brutal in what way? Isn't -10 for a 174 pretty forgiving?

Yes, I guess I reversed myself. The curve was generous and the test was brutal.

If anyone's taken PT 30, can you give guidance on these LR questions?

S2 Q26
This question befuddled me. First, what's the argument core? Isn't the conclusion that one should take a discipline's origins when assessing its value? Second, why is (B) the answer, when the conclusion specifically states its origins rather than its current practices?

S4 Q5
Why is the answer (A)? This should help resolve to the discrepancy because it shows why the polls were skewed in Panitch's favor. I selected (C).

[Gray]

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[LeeAllen]

PT 30 today

174
LG -2
RC -0
LR -8

Isn't that a particularly brutal curve? Aside from my Oct 13 LSAT, LR is always my worst section. Thoughts on suspending PTs until I review MLSAT's LR entirely?

I'm in the same position. LR is always my weak spot. I've been drilling the Cambridge packets and I've noticed some inrpovement overall. I started going usually -4 on each and now my average is about -2 per section.

One thing that really helped was doing indeoth analysis of my problem question type. I'd take the Cambridge packet for flaw questions and do 10-15 difficulty 3/4 questions untimed. I'd write down the conclusion and each premise and then write down some assumptions. Then I'd go through each answer choice and write down why it was right or wrong. After doing that, I'd finish by doing another 10-15 questions with the goal of answering each in under 1:30, making sure to break down the question to its premises and conclusion mentally. I have noticed improvement, but it is slow.

[Learn_Live_Hope]

Took PT 60 today and went:
LR 1: -0
LG: -0
LR 2: -3
RC: -2

For a 177...

I did a bunch of Manhattan RC beforehand and when I started I almost gave up because I felt so sleepy and out of it. When I saw that I had no mistakes on the first two sections I laughed because they felt so terrible while I was doing them.

The other thing is that for BOTH of the RC mistakes, I chose the right answer, then changed my mind. Soooo close the PT 180, but not quite.

Hope you're all having productive and/or relaxing weekends!!

Look at you. I see that 180 coming your way...

[CFC1524]

Lot of great PT scores today - great work everybody!

Took my first PT since the sitting for the June administration. Made stupid mistakes all over the place, but managed to scrape out a 170. Not terrible, but definitely needs to be better. Does anyone else struggle with parallel / parallel-flaw questions? I haven't drilled them yet, so obviously that should help, but I'm surprised how much time they take me / how often I get them wrong.

[kbrizz]

Took PT 60 today and went:
LR 1: -0
LG: -0
LR 2: -3
RC: -2

For a 177...

I did a bunch of Manhattan RC beforehand and when I started I almost gave up because I felt so sleepy and out of it. When I saw that I had no mistakes on the first two sections I laughed because they felt so terrible while I was doing them.

The other thing is that for BOTH of the RC mistakes, I chose the right answer, then changed my mind. Soooo close the PT 180, but not quite.

Hope you're all having productive and/or relaxing weekends!!

Literally, let me be you.

[flash21]

Took PT 60 today and went:
LR 1: -0
LG: -0
LR 2: -3
RC: -2

For a 177...

I did a bunch of Manhattan RC beforehand and when I started I almost gave up because I felt so sleepy and out of it. When I saw that I had no mistakes on the first two sections I laughed because they felt so terrible while I was doing them.

The other thing is that for BOTH of the RC mistakes, I chose the right answer, then changed my mind. Soooo close the PT 180, but not quite.

Hope you're all having productive and/or relaxing weekends!!

Literally, let me be you.

kbrizz, how are you pting?

[ultraman]

Desperately need some help!

My PT scores fluctuate from 168 to 173. I have followed DD's study plan. I have drilled level 1&2 from Cambridge LR package and LG package twice. I have not drilled any RC passages, which I will start tomorrow.

My problem is: sometimes I missed around 6/7 on two LR sections combined and sometimes missed only 3. My RC is also a little bit messy. Sometimes I missed only 1 on RC but sometimes I could miss up to 8. I do not want take more PT because I am afraid that I will waste them. My LG is good usually 0/-1.

What should I do next? Should I do some older sections to focus on accuracy?

Any advice will be appreciated!

If you haven't already done this, I'd recommend plugging your answers into something like LSAT QA to figure out exactly what type of LR questions you are missing! Maybe there is something specific you don't realize is giving you trouble.

Thank you smc! How many do you recommend for drilling? Should I drill all level 3? Good luck on your study as well! So jealous of your score.

[kbrizz]

Took PT 60 today and went:
LR 1: -0
LG: -0
LR 2: -3
RC: -2

For a 177...

I did a bunch of Manhattan RC beforehand and when I started I almost gave up because I felt so sleepy and out of it. When I saw that I had no mistakes on the first two sections I laughed because they felt so terrible while I was doing them.

The other thing is that for BOTH of the RC mistakes, I chose the right answer, then changed my mind. Soooo close the PT 180, but not quite.

Hope you're all having productive and/or relaxing weekends!!

Literally, let me be you.

kbrizz, how are you pting?

I'm not. :/ I read that it probably was no use to at this point. I have been largely focusing on drilling LG because that was my weakest section on my 155 cold diagnostic (don't have the break down right now). I'm nearly done with this though and will be moving on to the LR bible.

[Gray]

.

[flash21]

Took PT 60 today and went:
LR 1: -0
LG: -0
LR 2: -3
RC: -2

For a 177...

I did a bunch of Manhattan RC beforehand and when I started I almost gave up because I felt so sleepy and out of it. When I saw that I had no mistakes on the first two sections I laughed because they felt so terrible while I was doing them.

The other thing is that for BOTH of the RC mistakes, I chose the right answer, then changed my mind. Soooo close the PT 180, but not quite.

Hope you're all having productive and/or relaxing weekends!!

Literally, let me be you.

kbrizz, how are you pting?

I'm not. :/ I read that it probably was no use to at this point. I have been largely focusing on drilling LG because that was my weakest section on my 155 cold diagnostic (don't have the break down right now). I'm nearly done with this though and will be moving on to the LR bible.

Cool, me either. I've been drilling for a while. Had a 140 diagnostic so don't be too worried. when do you plan on PT'ing out of curiosity? I just did a LG section from PT 42 and got owned by the stupid cookies game , in BR it wasn't bad though.