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

[chicharon]

143 days until September LSAT

(I am also an oldie.)

[cgra1916]

Mainly a post to commit myself here. Anyone else on the older side of things [5 years out of UG]? It seems that most of you all are fairly young.

Anyone know any good resources for those like me out there? Also, Is the official LSAT superprep worth it? It seems like the LSAT trainer is more popular? Any four month guides that y'all can recommend?

Starting point:

"Cold Diagnostic" [didn't do test taking conditions, but also didn't stress too much while doing it...finished most sections in time though except LR which I probably took longer]

June 07 Test:

Logic Games I 18/23
Logical Reasoning II 24/25 [could have had 25, but I missed my two choice left guess]
Logical Reasoning III 21/25
Reading Comp. IV 25/27

Scores it at 166.

Goal: 172-174+

So far: I bought the Law School Super Prep and two of the LSAC test piles. My guess is I'll have to focus on what composes the 1st and third sections... mainly games. With a time constraint, I probably wouldn't have done much worse there though, as most of the questions I missed were ones I went back to...

4 years out of UG. Completed my masters and I am currently on my 2nd year teaching.

Definitely think you are in an excellent spot with your Diagnostic. I scored far worse :/

[YupSports]

Mainly a post to commit myself here. Anyone else on the older side of things [5 years out of UG]? It seems that most of you all are fairly young.

Anyone know any good resources for those like me out there? Also, Is the official LSAT superprep worth it? It seems like the LSAT trainer is more popular? Any four month guides that y'all can recommend?

Starting point:

"Cold Diagnostic" [didn't do test taking conditions, but also didn't stress too much while doing it...finished most sections in time though except LR which I probably took longer]

June 07 Test:

Logic Games I 18/23
Logical Reasoning II 24/25 [could have had 25, but I missed my two choice left guess]
Logical Reasoning III 21/25
Reading Comp. IV 25/27

Scores it at 166.

Goal: 172-174+

So far: I bought the Law School Super Prep and two of the LSAC test piles. My guess is I'll have to focus on what composes the 1st and third sections... mainly games. With a time constraint, I probably wouldn't have done much worse there though, as most of the questions I missed were ones I went back to...

4 years out of UG. Completed my masters and I am currently on my 2nd year teaching.

Definitely think you are in an excellent spot with your Diagnostic. I scored far worse :/

I'm in the same camp with the lower diagnostic - 145.

Shooting for 170+

[cgra1916]

Mainly a post to commit myself here. Anyone else on the older side of things [5 years out of UG]? It seems that most of you all are fairly young.

Anyone know any good resources for those like me out there? Also, Is the official LSAT superprep worth it? It seems like the LSAT trainer is more popular? Any four month guides that y'all can recommend?

Starting point:

"Cold Diagnostic" [didn't do test taking conditions, but also didn't stress too much while doing it...finished most sections in time though except LR which I probably took longer]

June 07 Test:

Logic Games I 18/23
Logical Reasoning II 24/25 [could have had 25, but I missed my two choice left guess]
Logical Reasoning III 21/25
Reading Comp. IV 25/27

Scores it at 166.

Goal: 172-174+

So far: I bought the Law School Super Prep and two of the LSAC test piles. My guess is I'll have to focus on what composes the 1st and third sections... mainly games. With a time constraint, I probably wouldn't have done much worse there though, as most of the questions I missed were ones I went back to...

4 years out of UG. Completed my masters and I am currently on my 2nd year teaching.

Definitely think you are in an excellent spot with your Diagnostic. I scored far worse :/

I'm in the same camp with the lower diagnostic - 145.

Shooting for 170+

Yup, my initial Diagnostic was a 141 :/ I'm shooting for a 160 or anything higher. Lots of work to do. How is your test prep going? What resources are you using?

By the way, are you interested in Sports law? I also have a sports background like yourself.

[YupSports]

Mainly a post to commit myself here. Anyone else on the older side of things [5 years out of UG]? It seems that most of you all are fairly young.

Anyone know any good resources for those like me out there? Also, Is the official LSAT superprep worth it? It seems like the LSAT trainer is more popular? Any four month guides that y'all can recommend?

Starting point:

"Cold Diagnostic" [didn't do test taking conditions, but also didn't stress too much while doing it...finished most sections in time though except LR which I probably took longer]

June 07 Test:

Logic Games I 18/23
Logical Reasoning II 24/25 [could have had 25, but I missed my two choice left guess]
Logical Reasoning III 21/25
Reading Comp. IV 25/27

Scores it at 166.

Goal: 172-174+

So far: I bought the Law School Super Prep and two of the LSAC test piles. My guess is I'll have to focus on what composes the 1st and third sections... mainly games. With a time constraint, I probably wouldn't have done much worse there though, as most of the questions I missed were ones I went back to...

4 years out of UG. Completed my masters and I am currently on my 2nd year teaching.

Definitely think you are in an excellent spot with your Diagnostic. I scored far worse :/

I'm in the same camp with the lower diagnostic - 145.

Shooting for 170+

Yup, my initial Diagnostic was a 141 :/ I'm shooting for a 160 or anything higher. Lots of work to do. How is your test prep going? What resources are you using?

By the way, are you interested in Sports law? I also have a sports background like yourself.

Well, I originally was prepping for June, so I am much further along. My PTs right now are averaging between 164 - 167 (although I will be drilling for the time being).

I would recommend that you read The LSAT Trainer by Mike Kim prior to diving into anything else. While you may not ultimately all of his methods, I feel that the higher-level thinking about both each section and the test as a whole is invaluable. The key is to drill for the correct process, not just so you get the right answer.

To answer your question, I have used:
The LSAT Trainer
The Cambridge Packets
The Manhattan Forums for LR and RC answers.
The 7Sage Method and Explanations for LG.

It's simple - pick a system, get your reps, figure out what makes wrong wrong and right right, repeat.

[ngogirl12]

.

[34iplaw]

Is the LSAT SuperPrep really worthwhile at all? It seems like it would overlap a lot with the LSAT Trainer book.

I suppose I'm only really intending to read the introduction sections [first 60 pages] of the SuperPrep, so it's not a big deal either way.

Also, I'm fairly relieved by the relative number of not 20-25 year olds here... nothing against anyone! Just good to not feel alone haha.

[YupSports]

Is the LSAT SuperPrep really worthwhile at all? It seems like it would overlap a lot with the LSAT Trainer book.

I suppose I'm only really intending to read the introduction sections [first 60 pages] of the SuperPrep, so it's not a big deal either way.

Also, I'm fairly relieved by the relative number of not 20-25 year olds here... nothing against anyone! Just good to not feel alone haha.

I am not going to actively recommend against learning from various sources.

They key is that you get one method and stick with it to the point that it becomes a habit.

More is not better in terms of guides on specific questions.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Is the LSAT SuperPrep really worthwhile at all? It seems like it would overlap a lot with the LSAT Trainer book.

I suppose I'm only really intending to read the introduction sections [first 60 pages] of the SuperPrep, so it's not a big deal either way.

Also, I'm fairly relieved by the relative number of not 20-25 year olds here... nothing against anyone! Just good to not feel alone haha.

I am not going to actively recommend against learning from various sources.

They key is that you get one method and stick with it to the point that it becomes a habit.

More is not better in terms of guides on specific questions.

What is the core-competency of the LSAT Trainer and Super Prep? and does the SuperPrep II just contain different practice tests? Do they focus different aspects of the test? I am looking into purchasing one of them as well.

[chicharon]

Captain America. Is. Awesome.

[proteinshake]

Captain America. Is. Awesome.

10 Cloverfield Ln. Is. Also awesome.

[proteinshake]

Just finished finals! From now until August, I have no academic obligations other than the LSAT!

+1

Same! Let's do this shit!

what are yall doing during the gap year?

[YupSports]

About 2/3 of the way done with the BluePrint RC book.

I have heard that most top test takers do not notate.

I can see myself notating heavily and then slowly doing less and less as I get closer to the test.

[O.J.]

Hey guys, thought I would say hi and update you on my schedule and plans to nail the LSAT in September. I'd love your thoughts on this plan, and maybe it will inspire others to post theirs.

May 11th - LSAT Trainer, 16-wk schedule (through mid-August)
June 26th - Blueprint LSAT in-class course ($1700, yikes!)
August-Sept. PT my ass off and also study the Powerscore LG and Blueprint RC books.

Hopefully I'm not mixing too many theories here with Blueprint, Trainer and Powerscore. I might quit LSAT Trainer in middle of the 16-week routine if the Blueprint course is working and demanding. I doubt I can handle doing both at the same time without killing myself. But I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

Some other dates and tasks I'm hoping I have right (feel free to correct me on this stuff)...

June 2016 - Request recommendation letters (make sure profs. submit it at the same time apps arrive to schools in November)
June 2016 - Register for CAS
July 2016 - Begin personal statement and resume
August 2016 - Applications available, request and begin filling out. (send out by Sept.)
July 2016 - Register for October test
August 2016 - Have all UG transcripts sent to LSDAS.
August 2016 - Finish personal statement and resume
Sept. 2016 - Begin sending out finished applications (opens around Sept. 15)
Sept. 2016 - Take LSAT
October 2016 - Finish sending out applications.
November 2016 - All applications should be sent out by now (Thanksgiving at very latest).
December 2016 - Retake LSAT if I need to.
December 2016 - Relax!

Thoughts?

[proteinshake]

Hey guys, thought I would say hi and update you on my schedule and plans to nail the LSAT in September. I'd love your thoughts on this plan, and maybe it will inspire others to post theirs.

May 11th - LSAT Trainer, 16-wk schedule (through mid-August)
June 26th - Blueprint LSAT in-class course ($1700, yikes!)
August-Sept. PT my ass off and also study the Powerscore LG and Blueprint RC books.

Hopefully I'm not mixing too many theories here with Blueprint, Trainer and Powerscore. I might quit LSAT Trainer in middle of the 16-week routine if the Blueprint course is working and demanding. I doubt I can handle doing both at the same time without killing myself. But I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

Some other dates and tasks I'm hoping I have right (feel free to correct me on this stuff)...

June 2016 - Request recommendation letters (make sure profs. submit it at the same time apps arrive to schools in November)
June 2016 - Register for CAS
July 2016 - Begin personal statement and resume
August 2016 - Applications available, request and begin filling out. (send out by Sept.)
July 2016 - Register for October test
August 2016 - Have all UG transcripts sent to LSDAS.
August 2016 - Finish personal statement and resume
Sept. 2016 - Begin sending out finished applications (opens around Sept. 15)
Sept. 2016 - Take LSAT
October 2016 - Finish sending out applications.
November 2016 - All applications should be sent out by now (Thanksgiving at very latest).
December 2016 - Retake LSAT if I need to.
December 2016 - Relax!

Thoughts?

I feel like this is way too much studying the theory (prep books/class) and not enough practice (practice tests). The Trainer and Bibles are sufficient without the class, and this would allow you to start PTing way earlier. I'm one week into the Trainer and halfway done with it. it'll take me a month to get through the rest of the books and then I'm PTing until test day. of course there are different methods, but this seems like a lot of prep before PTs.

[Mikey]

About 2/3 of the way done with the BluePrint RC book.

I have heard that most top test takers do not notate.

I can see myself notating heavily and then slowly doing less and less as I get closer to the test.

I have that book as well, I liked it. Although it was very helpful, I'm starting to really like 7sage's memory RC method.

[O.J.]

I feel like this is way too much studying the theory (prep books/class) and not enough practice (practice tests). The Trainer and Bibles are sufficient without the class, and this would allow you to start PTing way earlier. I'm one week into the Trainer and halfway done with it. it'll take me a month to get through the rest of the books and then I'm PTing until test day. of course there are different methods, but this seems like a lot of prep before PTs.

Some good points, but I was under the impression the Trainer has PT's built into the training? I plan to PT a lot from day one. My plan was to take PT's every weekend up until the September test.

Anyway, like I mentioned, when I start the class I'll know pretty quickly if it's overload or not and can cut back on something if needed.

Thanks again for the advice.

[YupSports]

About 2/3 of the way done with the BluePrint RC book.

I have heard that most top test takers do not notate.

I can see myself notating heavily and then slowly doing less and less as I get closer to the test.

I have that book as well, I liked it. Although it was very helpful, I'm starting to really like 7sage's memory RC method.

Care to offer any insight on why you made the switch - plenty of time to pick a system and stick with it before September.

[ngogirl12]

I've been reviewing 7Sage's earlier lesson's after finishing my review of strengthen questions. I just finished the MSS question type which I really struggled with and spent a significant amount of time on, I feel much better after redoing all the lessons again. Now, I'm going to hit RC.

Hope everyone else's prep is going well!

[34iplaw]

Captain America. Is. Awesome.

Not sure why I saw that in 3D. I loathe 3D in movies except for rare exceptions in animated movies [Up, Nightmare Before Christmas].

Had a bit of a weekend getaway to Hudson, NY. Didn't really get anything done and on the HBO shows for the night. Will pick back up and get into it.

[Mikey]

About 2/3 of the way done with the BluePrint RC book.

I have heard that most top test takers do not notate.

I can see myself notating heavily and then slowly doing less and less as I get closer to the test.

I have that book as well, I liked it. Although it was very helpful, I'm starting to really like 7sage's memory RC method.

Care to offer any insight on why you made the switch - plenty of time to pick a system and stick with it before September.

It's not so much that I'm switching, I just like 7sage's memory method as an add on to what Blueprint's book teaches

[chicharon]

Captain America. Is. Awesome.

Not sure why I saw that in 3D. I loathe 3D in movies except for rare exceptions in animated movies [Up, Nightmare Before Christmas].

Had a bit of a weekend getaway to Hudson, NY. Didn't really get anything done and on the HBO shows for the night. Will pick back up and get into it.

Because most of the decent movie showtimes are in 3D? I saw it in 3D for this reason haha. I don't think it really needed to be in 3D though. It would be perfectly fine without it.

Finally broke it to my SO that I am leaning towards postponing to September rather than take the LSAT in June. I'm sure he is freaking out on the inside about the additional delay in my LS saga (I've been putting it off for yeaaars) and of course the debt I'm about to incur. He just doesn't show it on the outside and is doing his best to be supportive.

Done with Sufficient Assumption and Necessary Assumption Cambridge packets. Halfway through Strengthen and should be done with Weaken by this weekend (hah, see what I did there). Going to pick up where I left off on my LG packets this weekend as well.

[PhiladelphiaCollins]

Might as well jump in here, just to keep me on the ball. Planning on writing for the 3rd time this September. First time (last June) I thought studying 8 hours a day for a month was a good plan - it wasn't, I'm a dumbass and scored a 151.

Wrote again this October. Was scoring between 162-166 in the month leading up to the test day and disaster struck on the day of in a variety of forms (road closures) and I ended up with a 156.....

Anyway I haven't touched a thing in a solid 8 months and I scored a 155 on my first* diagnostic back last week so I'd say I'm not all the way back to square one. I took a PS course last summer so I'm going through that whole curriculum again then going to drill individual sections for the rest of the month.

Aiming for a 170+ with this last kick at it to offset my meh GPA.

[34iplaw]

Captain America. Is. Awesome.

Not sure why I saw that in 3D. I loathe 3D in movies except for rare exceptions in animated movies [Up, Nightmare Before Christmas].

Had a bit of a weekend getaway to Hudson, NY. Didn't really get anything done and on the HBO shows for the night. Will pick back up and get into it.

Because most of the decent movie showtimes are in 3D? I saw it in 3D for this reason haha. I don't think it really needed to be in 3D though. It would be perfectly fine without it.

Finally broke it to my SO that I am leaning towards postponing to September rather than take the LSAT in June. I'm sure he is freaking out on the inside about the additional delay in my LS saga (I've been putting it off for yeaaars) and of course the debt I'm about to incur. He just doesn't show it on the outside and is doing his best to be supportive.

Done with Sufficient Assumption and Necessary Assumption Cambridge packets. Halfway through Strengthen and should be done with Weaken by this weekend (hah, see what I did there). Going to pick up where I left off on my LG packets this weekend as well.

Makes sense. My friends bought the tickets. I got a headache and the image was sort of choppy, so I took my glasses halfway and just watched the remainder of the movie semi out of focus.


Aside: For timed practice tests, I assume the best strategy would be to do it in test conditions, and, after you are finished but before you have looked at the answers, complete any questions that you could not get to rather than doing so at the end of each section. Either way, I would count them as wrong for scoring purposes.

[Barack O'Drama]

Checking in!

Officially done with Undergrad, yay!

I am working full time right now, so I am going to begin looking at some prep stuff soon.

Here is what I am using

The LSAT Trainer
7Sage Starter Course
Manhattan Prep Trilogy
Powerscore Trilogy
Cambridge Packets 1-38
PT 1-77

Good luck everyone!