June 2011 Study Group Forum

[soj]

I took the weekend off, but I'll be back at it tomorrow. I might go over my LR notes instead of doing a PT.

[xjykybl]

I took the weekend off, but I'll be back at it tomorrow. I might go over my LR notes instead of doing a PT.

Just curious, how do you make LR notes?
I tried to make some notes, but wasn't sure how to make efficient notes.

[soj]

I mark every Q that:
- takes me too long to answer
- forces me to guess
- I get wrong

I type out all of those Qs in full in a text file, and then type out explanations in another text file listing TCR, the AC I chose, and what I could have done to get TCR quickly and accurately. I print the files separately, and after giving myself enough time to "forget" about those Qs (though I never do--I always remember them to some extent), I go over the Qs and explanations.

[xjykybl]

I mark every Q that:
- takes me too long to answer
- forces me to guess
- I get wrong

I type out all of those Qs in full in a text file, and then type out explanations in another text file listing TCR, the AC I chose, and what I could have done to get TCR quickly and accurately. I print the files separately, and after giving myself enough time to "forget" about those Qs (though I never do--I always remember them to some extent), I go over the Qs and explanations.

wow, this is very extensive, and a lot of work.
I tried typing out questions I got wrong and questions I spent too much time on, but eventually gave up and just copy paste from pdf to word. It's just faster than typing the full text for me.
It's a good idea to type out explanations. It help reinforce the reasoning process.
I will try it as well.
Thanks!

[Strange]

What PT# is the June 2007 test? The one with the recycling centers?

Never mind, it was incorrectly tabbed as PT51 for me... well at least I get an extra PT

[99.9luft]

What PT# is the June 2007 test? The one with the recycling centers?

Never mind, it was incorrectly tabbed as PT51 for me... well at least I get an extra PT

it's technically 51.5 even though it is officially not numbered.

[privatemf]

I would love that score.

Ok, so I just took my first PT in weeks. The verdict is uncool:

RC: -3
LR1: -4
LRExp: -2
LR2: -1
LG: -3

Raw 89
Scaled: 169

So I'm happy with the best LG yet (although with a grain of salt because my timer messed up and I got an extra minute and a half. Grr. I wanted to take this PT to get an accurate diagnosis on my current LG level) But -4 on LR1?? WTF? So apparently if I do a little better in one section, I will do worse in others to keep me out of the 170s. Cool. And the test had an experimental put in automatically, so I did not choose to do three LRs in a row. I'm not that crazy about LR.

[jim-green]

PT56 is particularly easy. I got my highest ever on it. Don't go by PT56. It was 8 pts above my actual LSAT score, and 5 pts above my PT avg.

I just completed PrepTest 56, including a 5th section. I got the highest score I've yet to get on the test. Is 56 particularly easy, or am I showing significant improvement, since it's +8 over my last one.

[Ginj]

PT56 is particularly easy. I got my highest ever on it. Don't go by PT56. It was 8 pts above my actual LSAT score, and 5 pts above my PT avg.

I just completed PrepTest 56, including a 5th section. I got the highest score I've yet to get on the test. Is 56 particularly easy, or am I showing significant improvement, since it's +8 over my last one.

PT 56 has been one of my worst.

[crumpetsandtea]

For those of you experiencing plateaus, what are you doing to try and break them? I'm pretty consistently going -0 LG, -1/-2 LR, -4 or 5 RC, and it's keeping me stuck at the lower 170s Any advice regarding how to get out of a rut?? It's not burnout, since I'm only doing ~2-3 PT a week right now, and the only other prep I'm doing currently is reviewing my tests.

[echo]

PT56 is particularly easy. I got my highest ever on it. Don't go by PT56. It was 8 pts above my actual LSAT score, and 5 pts above my PT avg.

I just completed PrepTest 56, including a 5th section. I got the highest score I've yet to get on the test. Is 56 particularly easy, or am I showing significant improvement, since it's +8 over my last one.

PT 56 has been one of my worst.

I wouldn't worry too much about that... I used to freak myself out by looking up PTs that I had abnormally high or low scores on, and found that usually there were some people that though each test was the hardest/easiest ever. Are there any that the majority of people seem to think are easier or harder than average?

And I guess I'm officially joining this thread. Writing the June LSAT as well. Had resisted posting thus far because I was worried that threads like this might just cause me to panic, but I seem to be doing a good enough job of that on my own so might as well. Like everyone, not quite convinced that I am where I wanted to be at this point. So far still planning on June, but I think I will see how this week's prep tests go.

[coldshoulder]

Taking a test today for the first time since Thursday, took the weekend off for a mountain biking/camping trip to Moab. Here's to going back to having no life!

[jim-green]

PT 56 has been one of my worst.

Are you serious?!?! How could that be??

[jim-green]

Are there any that the majority of people seem to think are easier or harder than average?

A lot of folks say PT45 is easy and I found it easy too.

[jim-green]

So are you with us or with Gev?

Hey all I probably won't be in the room for group either - I am taking the evening to do some LSAT pondering and some making of pro/con lists

[Ginj]

PT 56 has been one of my worst.

Are you serious?!?! How could that be??

Dunno. The first LR section killed me. -10 for LR, -2 for RC, -0 for LG. Blew me right out of the 170's.

[Eichörnchen]

So are you with us or with Gev?

Hey all I probably won't be in the room for group either - I am taking the evening to do some LSAT pondering and some making of pro/con lists

Haha I'm still agonizing as we speak! I think I'm stressing about it so much because I know deep down I still have a lot to learn and get out of this test. I'm the sort of person who hates hates hates to go into a test not feeling like I've done all I could do to prepare (That's what kept me studying all those long nights in undergrad and got me the 3.9 in the first place haha). So right now I'm thinking I'll keep my June date on the very off chance that I get struck my lightning and become an LSAT savant, but more so I take the test and see how I handle test day and how my test center works, and then most likely cancel and keep studying til Oct.

I'm going to get an ulcer from the stress of this decision

[jim-green]

I think that is a terrific idea. I did badly on my first take, but I consider it a very valuable experience because it took the stress of an actual sitting away. If you take June, you'll have the added advantage of knowing WHAT to improve by Oct - very invaluable. What was your undergrad major? 3.9 is terrific, but I've heard HYS weigh easier majors strictly. It's easier to get a 3.9 in identity studies than in nuclear engineering. For Oct, I would definitely advise doing both the LRB and MLSAT LR guide and RC guides and focussed LG.

So right now I'm thinking I'll keep my June date on the very off chance that I get struck my lightning and become an LSAT savant, but more so I take the test and see how I handle test day and how my test center works, and then most likely cancel and keep studying til Oct.

[jim-green]

Has anyone done the LSAT Blog extra LGs? Are they useful this close to June? I've done most of the actual LSAT games a couple times, and am wondering if it is worth the time to do the extra practice, or just practice actual LSAT games again?

[fastforward]

They are very useful. They are the ONLY non-official materials I would ever recommend.

Be sure to do the one with the non-alphabetized variables. These can really throw you because there is little opportunity to practice them. Still, you need to be prepared to handle them. This is one reason the dreaded dinosaur game threw so many test-takers.

[Eichörnchen]

I think that is a terrific idea. I did badly on my first take, but I consider it a very valuable experience because it took the stress of an actual sitting away. If you take June, you'll have the added advantage of knowing WHAT to improve by Oct - very invaluable. What was your undergrad major? 3.9 is terrific, but I've heard HYS weigh easier majors strictly. It's easier to get a 3.9 in identity studies than in nuclear engineering. For Oct, I would definitely advise doing both the LRB and MLSAT LR guide and RC guides and focussed LG.

So right now I'm thinking I'll keep my June date on the very off chance that I get struck my lightning and become an LSAT savant, but more so I take the test and see how I handle test day and how my test center works, and then most likely cancel and keep studying til Oct.

Thanks, I like the idea because I think I'll be a lot less nervous in Oct from the experience. I majored in a foreign language and lit. I obviously would love a shot at HYS, hence not just taking in june and retaking, but I also am thinking of Oct because with my GPA I could get some good schollys to some other schools I'm very interested (I'm lookin at you, UVA ) If I push to Oct, I will definitely do the LRB and also probably do the MLSAT guides.

[jim-green]

Thanks, I like the idea because I think I'll be a lot less nervous in Oct from the experience. I majored in a foreign language and lit. I obviously would love a shot at HYS, hence not just taking in june and retaking, but I also am thinking of Oct because with my GPA I could get some good schollys to some other schools I'm very interested (I'm lookin at you, UVA ) If I push to Oct, I will definitely do the LRB and also probably do the MLSAT guides.

Sounds exciting! Let us know how your decision goes. We would hate to lose you to Gev. Until then, we'll wait with bated breath in anxious anticipation.

[jim-green]

I understand completely now since I just graded PT6 that I did last night. I thought it went well at the time, but I am now shocked to see -5 on LR S3 alone! And these were questions that I did not guess on or feel ambivalent about. And earlier PTs like 6 are considered easier than PT56. So I guess, YES, different people can do differently on PTs. So it means my middle school teacher was right after all that each person is unique and not a mindless clone marching to the industrialized drurmbeat of a world designed by big corporations. I think I just discovered a passion for public interest civil rights law! No biglaw possible for moi maintenant! Thanks, Ginj!
Can someone please post their score on PT6 S3? I am going crazy here wondering.

PT 56 has been one of my worst.

Are you serious?!?! How could that be??

Dunno. The first LR section killed me. -10 for LR, -2 for RC, -0 for LG. Blew me right out of the 170's.

[maxpower430]

For those of you experiencing plateaus, what are you doing to try and break them? I'm pretty consistently going -0 LG, -1/-2 LR, -4 or 5 RC, and it's keeping me stuck at the lower 170s Any advice regarding how to get out of a rut?? It's not burnout, since I'm only doing ~2-3 PT a week right now, and the only other prep I'm doing currently is reviewing my tests.

if you feel like you're in a rut with reading comp, i'd highly recommend the manhattan rc guide. i was pretty similar to you on RC before i read it, and it was very helpful in really driving home the idea of purposeful reading, and the whole scales thing is a useful mental trick as well. it's on the short side too so i think you could get what you'd need out of it in a day or two (i mean Soj went through the manhattan LR guide in like 2 days which i find crazy b/c it took me like two weeks haha). also i can't say enough good things about the manhattan lr guide, but it doesn't look like you need help there. hth.

[gaud]

For those of you experiencing plateaus, what are you doing to try and break them? I'm pretty consistently going -0 LG, -1/-2 LR, -4 or 5 RC, and it's keeping me stuck at the lower 170s Any advice regarding how to get out of a rut?? It's not burnout, since I'm only doing ~2-3 PT a week right now, and the only other prep I'm doing currently is reviewing my tests.

if you feel like you're in a rut with reading comp, i'd highly recommend the manhattan rc guide. i was pretty similar to you on RC before i read it, and it was very helpful in really driving home the idea of purposeful reading, and the whole scales thing is a useful mental trick as well. it's on the short side too so i think you could get what you'd need out of it in a day or two (i mean Soj went through the manhattan LR guide in like 2 days which i find crazy b/c it took me like two weeks haha). also i can't say enough good things about the manhattan lr guide, but it doesn't look like you need help there. hth.

I just purchased that guide and am also PTing with RC about -5 average. How much did it help you out?