The Official June 2015 Study Group Forum

[Smallville]

Shak, we may have our differences, but you are truly hilarious sometimes. You may take BLM's troll crown.

BLM had a crown...? who gave him that? plus Shak is no troll, shes just well Shak

[TheWalkingDebt]

Decided to pause drilling before I finish the first round of LR and LG packets and take PT 40 today to measure my progress again. Also first 5-section test I will take.

[TheProdigal]

Decided to pause drilling before I finish the first round of LR and LG packets and take PT 40 today to measure my progress again. Also first 5-section test I will take.

Good luck!

[JackelJ]

eta: are you looking to learn the fundamentals or just for explanations when you need them?

Fundamentals primarily but explanations also... I have used the MLSAT book as well as gone through 7sage LR videos. They were both helpful but based on my drilling scores, I can use a lot of improvement with fundamentals. Wanted to see which has helped people more with LR, Velocity or BP.

What has personally helped me the most with LR is just drilling and redrilling questions. I don't move on to the next question until I am 100% right about my answer and the reasoning behind why I chose it. If I really have no idea then I skip it an come back to it. Working through the reasoning myself is what has helped me the best because its more active learning instead of passively watching videos, but everyone learns differently.
I can't speak on Velocity videos for learning the fundamentals since I didn't use it, but BP worked well for me. Also, I think the Trainer really helped.

[Shakawkaw]

eta: are you looking to learn the fundamentals or just for explanations when you need them?

Fundamentals primarily but explanations also... I have used the MLSAT book as well as gone through 7sage LR videos. They were both helpful but based on my drilling scores, I can use a lot of improvement with fundamentals. Wanted to see which has helped people more with LR, Velocity or BP.

What has personally helped me the most with LR is just drilling and redrilling questions. I don't move on to the next question until I am 100% right about my answer and the reasoning behind why I chose it. If I really have no idea then I skip it an come back to it. Working through the reasoning myself is what has helped me the best because its more active learning instead of passively watching videos, but everyone learns differently.
I can't speak on Velocity videos for learning the fundamentals since I didn't use it, but BP worked well for me. Also, I think the Trainer really helped.

IMO, I think Velocity's method uses shortcuts more often than it actually applies the "proper" reasoning to get to an answer. For example, if a question is a Nec. Ass. q., the first thing Dave will do in the question (after recognizing that it's a nec. ass. q.) is survey all the ACs and eliminate ones that have "strong" language (all, every, never, etc.). From my experience, while the prep books (MLSAT, Power Score and Trainer) do direct your attention to these "short cuts," the prep books focus more on the inferences and logical chains. Not to say Dave Hall isn't brilliant, I have much respect for him, but I find his methods are helpful in combination with the proper methods, especially when you're down to two ACs. I think Hall's methods are useful when you're more comfortable with the reasoning behind the CR.

[justabitunusual]

I'm sorry I doubted you.

as well you should be

[ChoboPie]

IMO, I think Velocity's method uses shortcuts more often than it actually applies the "proper" reasoning to get to an answer. For example, if a question is a Nec. Ass. q., the first thing Dave will do in the question (after recognizing that it's a nec. ass. q.) is survey all the ACs and eliminate ones that have "strong" language (all, every, never, etc.). From my experience, while the prep books (MLSAT, Power Score and Trainer) do direct your attention to these "short cuts," the prep books focus more on the inferences and logical chains. Not to say Dave Hall isn't brilliant, I have much respect for him, but I find his methods are helpful in combination with the proper methods, especially when you're down to two ACs. I think Hall's methods are useful when you're more comfortable with the reasoning behind the CR.

Hmmm I'm kinda interested in velocity too. Shak, could you talk a bit more about velocity's class (if you took it)? In particular, did you get the sense that it was significantly different from say, 7sage/PS/manhattan/etc., or pretty much the same stuff?

[a_parm]

IMO, I think Velocity's method uses shortcuts more often than it actually applies the "proper" reasoning to get to an answer. For example, if a question is a Nec. Ass. q., the first thing Dave will do in the question (after recognizing that it's a nec. ass. q.) is survey all the ACs and eliminate ones that have "strong" language (all, every, never, etc.). From my experience, while the prep books (MLSAT, Power Score and Trainer) do direct your attention to these "short cuts," the prep books focus more on the inferences and logical chains. Not to say Dave Hall isn't brilliant, I have much respect for him, but I find his methods are helpful in combination with the proper methods, especially when you're down to two ACs. I think Hall's methods are useful when you're more comfortable with the reasoning behind the CR.

Hmmm I'm kinda interested in velocity too. Shak, could you talk a bit more about velocity's class (if you took it)? In particular, did you get the sense that it was significantly different from say, 7sage/PS/manhattan/etc., or pretty much the same stuff?

I bought 7sage. I didnt like their LR lessons

[Shakawkaw]

IMO, I think Velocity's method uses shortcuts more often than it actually applies the "proper" reasoning to get to an answer. For example, if a question is a Nec. Ass. q., the first thing Dave will do in the question (after recognizing that it's a nec. ass. q.) is survey all the ACs and eliminate ones that have "strong" language (all, every, never, etc.). From my experience, while the prep books (MLSAT, Power Score and Trainer) do direct your attention to these "short cuts," the prep books focus more on the inferences and logical chains. Not to say Dave Hall isn't brilliant, I have much respect for him, but I find his methods are helpful in combination with the proper methods, especially when you're down to two ACs. I think Hall's methods are useful when you're more comfortable with the reasoning behind the CR.

Hmmm I'm kinda interested in velocity too. Shak, could you talk a bit more about velocity's class (if you took it)? In particular, did you get the sense that it was significantly different from say, 7sage/PS/manhattan/etc., or pretty much the same stuff?

Sorry, I haven't taken Velocity's full course and cannot speak to it. I know I've seen a few posters in here who have, so perhaps they can speak to it. I generally think - and I'm speaking only to LR - the general consensus for rankings in terms of strength is that Manhattan and the Trainer win by a landslide. If you're a visual learner, you might consider Velocity, but only after reading through the MLSAT and/or Trainer for the foundations. PS isn't in the same caliber, IMO.

[Shakawkaw]

IMO, I think Velocity's method uses shortcuts more often than it actually applies the "proper" reasoning to get to an answer. For example, if a question is a Nec. Ass. q., the first thing Dave will do in the question (after recognizing that it's a nec. ass. q.) is survey all the ACs and eliminate ones that have "strong" language (all, every, never, etc.). From my experience, while the prep books (MLSAT, Power Score and Trainer) do direct your attention to these "short cuts," the prep books focus more on the inferences and logical chains. Not to say Dave Hall isn't brilliant, I have much respect for him, but I find his methods are helpful in combination with the proper methods, especially when you're down to two ACs. I think Hall's methods are useful when you're more comfortable with the reasoning behind the CR.

Hmmm I'm kinda interested in velocity too. Shak, could you talk a bit more about velocity's class (if you took it)? In particular, did you get the sense that it was significantly different from say, 7sage/PS/manhattan/etc., or pretty much the same stuff?

I bought 7sage. I didnt like their LR lessons

I saw 7Sage's videos for some LR questions and thought that JY gave a very convoluted explanation for some questions. Maybe that's just me. I just like JY for LGs.

[Rigo]

Yeah I'm not a fan of 7Sage when it comes to LR and RC.

[nv93]

Which package do most of the users here select w/ 7Sage? Anyone else starting Testmasters classes like me this week?

[ChoboPie]

Sorry, I haven't taken Velocity's full course and cannot speak to it. I know I've seen a few posters in here who have, so perhaps they can speak to it. I generally think - and I'm speaking only to LR - the general consensus for rankings in terms of strength is that Manhattan and the Trainer win by a landslide. If you're a visual learner, you might consider Velocity, but only after reading through the MLSAT and/or Trainer for the foundations. PS isn't in the same caliber, IMO.

Mmmm yeah, I'll prob end up staying with just Manhattan books. Agreed about PS.

[ChoboPie]

Which package do most of the users here select w/ 7Sage? Anyone else starting Testmasters classes like me this week?

I just picked the started edition. The premium and ultimate just add extra problems and PTs.
If your testmasters class comes with access to PTs (or if you already have them), it prob isn't worth it to get upgraded versions.
Can't speak for what other people tend to pick for 7sage package though.

[a_parm]

Which package do most of the users here select w/ 7Sage? Anyone else starting Testmasters classes like me this week?

I just picked the started edition. The premium and ultimate just add extra problems and PTs.
If your testmasters class comes with access to PTs (or if you already have them), it prob isn't worth it to get upgraded versions.
Can't speak for what other people tend to pick for 7sage package though.

I picked the starter package as well. I didnt need the extra problems. I can just drill from cambridge packets.

[TheWalkingDebt]

Do you all BR your experimental sections for PTs? I don't think I am going to

[nv93]

Which package do most of the users here select w/ 7Sage? Anyone else starting Testmasters classes like me this week?

I just picked the started edition. The premium and ultimate just add extra problems and PTs.
If your testmasters class comes with access to PTs (or if you already have them), it prob isn't worth it to get upgraded versions.
Can't speak for what other people tend to pick for 7sage package though.

15 practice tests, 5 volumes of LG, LR, and RC section problems and guidance, and online resource centre with tons of hours of content. It worked very well for a few of my friends thus far and they were the cheapest prep course around for me. I need the guidance and structure of a class since it will give me more discipline to study.

[Shakawkaw]

Do you all BR your experimental sections for PTs? I don't think I am going to

lol

why wouldn't you?

[Rigo]

Do you all BR your experimental sections for PTs? I don't think I am going to

If they're actual LSAT questions, then why not?

[Shakawkaw]

Do you all BR your experimental sections for PTs? I don't think I am going to

If they're actual LSAT questions, then why not?

Keep up. You're yesterday's news at this rate...

[McJimJam]

Post removed.

[Rigo]

I'm an institution. Don't fvck wit me.

[TheWalkingDebt]

Do you all BR your experimental sections for PTs? I don't think I am going to

lol

why wouldn't you?

Lack of resolve. I want my damn score immediately, BRing 4 sections takes long enough. Although, I guess you could just come back to it later...

[Rigo]

For you, Shaka:

[biggestlawman]

Do you all BR your experimental sections for PTs? I don't think I am going to

lol

why wouldn't you?

Lack of resolve. I want my damn score immediately, BRing 4 sections takes long enough. Although, I guess you could just come back to it later...

If that's the case, I will give you a score whenever you want, no need to PT!