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

[Mikey]

Hey everyone!

I hope everyone's LSAT prep has been going well. I'm actually pretty excited to start studying full-time this Monday! Plan is to study 9-5 M-F (lunch at noon) then light prep on Sunday using the 7Sage curriculum, Bibles, and PT's until school/work rolls back around in August (full-time teacher here). If I begin to feel tired or burned out, I will definitely reduce the study time, although I feel very reluctant to do that.

Quick question: As far as PT's go, is it better to study the older tests, or more recent tests? The 7Sage curriculum requires the early PT's, but i've also heard some say it's better to study more recent PT's?

Will anyone else be using the question banks on 7Sage to drill by questions/game types/section? I'd appreciate any feedback, best of luck with everyone's studies!

People usually use the more recent ones for full timed PTs and then use the older PTs for drilling. At least that's what I did but I know many others did this as well although there are some people who don't.

[CoGar]

Hey all,

I'm in it for September! Just started The LSAT Trainer and have the Powerscore LG Bible in the mail. Actually really excited to delve into it. Planning on taking my first diagnostic in a couple of week because I want some foundation of the test before I go in. Hopefully thats not a HUGE deal (please tell me otherwise if you think its necessary to take one cold before I get too into it).

But anyway good luck to everyone and I'll be checking back in with progress!

take a diagnostic after chapter 5 of the Trainer

@proteinshake, do you have a recommendation for when I should take one, using the bibles?

So far, Ive been doing the Bible chapters and drilling using the question type book in accordance with the chapter i complete in the bible. I am following Pithy Pike's drilling strategy for LG, but as far as LR since there is a substantial amt of problems for each question time, im just drilling 15-20 right after I finish a chapter in the bible and then the next day or later on do the next set as I begin new material to keep it fresh. Of course, reviewing and trying to understand why I get a problem wrong and making sure my correct answers are understood and not just "guesses." Is this effective?

Progress wise: Getting the hang of LR and getting 95% of the questions I do correctly, however, time is an issue. My strategy is to make sure I can work through the problems and understand the logic of each question and the process required before worrying about time. At this point, im prob over-diagramming, but I again I think it is initially helping hammering the foundations of each problem-type into my head.

this isn't necessarily the correct method but I'm just taking a PT after I finish each of the three prep books I'm using. as opposed to drilling, the mix of questions in a PT helps me reinforce what I've been practicing while keeping me on my feet for whatever section I haven't been drilling on recently. I would say do the same. after each Bible, take a PT (but not a recent one)! don't look at the score until after you've blind reviewed.

Are the 3 you are using the Trainer, Manahttan Series and bibles? And are you saying that I a full (old) PT after I finish the LR Bible, then another one after I finish the LG Bible and so-on, just as a way to give it some spacing? And are you currently still drilling full sections and question-types? in between those tests ?

--> I know youv'e recommended it to me before, but Im leaning towards adding in the Trainer. I just initially didn't want to have to many books of content when I had the Bible set already.

Also, I haven't taken a diagnostic yet. I felt doing one completely dry was a waste of time. I was wanting to get a decent grasp of the material first.

I also felt like it was a waste of time seeing where my skill level was to begin... much lower than i would like just from trying problems here and there. Right now all i have is the Trainer and LG Bible (which i havent even looked at yet) - just started the trainer this weekend, now on lesson 3.

It is still all very foreign to me,probably going to hold off a couple weeks for my first diagnostic.

My parents aswell as some friends who have already taken the test recommended to me the TestMasters course but that is $1,500. I have always been someone who learns better with structure opposed to solely self studying (like to supplement the structure with self studying). Anyone have experience with similar stdy habits, or planning on taking this route???

[Pozzo]

Out of curiosity, how are you all structuring your LG drilling? I assume most are drilling by type, but how many are you doing before moving onto the next type? And, are you doing a set number per day, or a set time?

[20170322]

Out of curiosity, how are you all structuring your LG drilling? I assume most are drilling by type, but how many are you doing before moving onto the next type? And, are you doing a set number per day, or a set time?

I'm drilling by type, doing every single game in the Cambridge set. I have to do it under time and -0 in order to move on. I have 3-4 free hours in the afternoon that I use, separated by a short break.

I took yesterday off, so it's time to dig back in!

[34iplaw]

Out of curiosity, how are you all structuring your LG drilling? I assume most are drilling by type, but how many are you doing before moving onto the next type? And, are you doing a set number per day, or a set time?

I'm drilling by type, doing every single game in the Cambridge set. I have to do it under time and -0 in order to move on. I have 3-4 free hours in the afternoon that I use, separated by a short break.

I took yesterday off, so it's time to dig back in!

Oif! Haha. I don't think I could do 3-4 hours of LG nonstop. Just getting to the drills/sample questions at end of chapter 5 in the LG Bible. Going to reread and write down what I highlighted before going forward. It's all stuff I intuitively get, but it's just a lot of information to retain. Putting names and having verification of what I usually assume in my head being correct is good.

I will be joining your strategy for LG soon [but probably a section worth of games followed by break and a another section...maybe rinse and repeat once more!]

Out of curiosity, how do you prevent yourself from just circling answers when you remember them to be correct or memorizing the set up?

[usaorbust]

How do you effectively drill for LR? I have the Cambridge by type packets, Manhattan LR, and the LSAT Trainer. Ive gone through parts of the trainer, but for struggling for LR I was thinking about reading a chapter in the Manhattan book and then follow it up with some drilling by that type. If I do that, how many questions do I do? How do I mix up questions best to get a good feel of question difficulty etc? How often should I refresh some of the LR types so I don't forget how to do each game effectively? And lastly how should my drilling strategy change if I am not going to the Sept. test and choose to do the Dec or Feb Test instead?

I am not seeing a consistent error/ pattern in my mistakes for LR questions, as in I miss one o maybe two or a few different type of questions when I take a PT, I do not miss only one type, if that makes sense. Its a bit frustrating as it seems like some of the studying isent sticking that well with me. Like I can explain how that strategy should work for a question, but once I get under the timed constraints of the PT I forget what strategies I should use for the practice set.

[20170322]

Out of curiosity, how are you all structuring your LG drilling? I assume most are drilling by type, but how many are you doing before moving onto the next type? And, are you doing a set number per day, or a set time?

I'm drilling by type, doing every single game in the Cambridge set. I have to do it under time and -0 in order to move on. I have 3-4 free hours in the afternoon that I use, separated by a short break.

I took yesterday off, so it's time to dig back in!

Oif! Haha. I don't think I could do 3-4 hours of LG nonstop. Just getting to the drills/sample questions at end of chapter 5 in the LG Bible. Going to reread and write down what I highlighted before going forward. It's all stuff I intuitively get, but it's just a lot of information to retain. Putting names and having verification of what I usually assume in my head being correct is good.

I will be joining your strategy for LG soon [but probably a section worth of games followed by break and a another section...maybe rinse and repeat once more!]

Out of curiosity, how do you prevent yourself from just circling answers when you remember them to be correct or memorizing the set up?

Typically I'll wait a day or two between repeating games. But, even if you still retain the setup/answer, you're benefitting by ingraining the proper steps into your memory so that you can tackle similar games in the future.

[34iplaw]

Typically I'll wait a day or two between repeating games. But, even if you still retain the setup/answer, you're benefitting by ingraining the proper steps into your memory so that you can tackle similar games in the future.

Ok - I appreciate it! I find that I remember the stuff that long, but I also haven't been doing game after game so there is a smaller number of things competing for mind space!

Welp, break done - back to quickly rereading/note taking chapter 5 in powerscore lg.

[garypaintsalot]

I was the guy started off at 138 last summer; I just scored a 162 on the preptest A, Feb.1996. Taken 1 and 5 points off on both LRs; 8 on RC and 5 on LG. I am becoming more and more confident on scoring a 165+ or even 168 on the September LSAT! Hoping everyone is making progress regardless of where you start!!

I figured what helped me improve from mid-150s to low 160 is reading New York Review of Books; the structure of articles on it are very well-organized and the journal has a very broad selection of topics that are very similar to those on RCs. My school has subscriptions and I'd assume most higher education institutions have them, so we should take advantage of them!

[proteinshake]

on break for PT 14. wow that LG section was WEIRD.

[Rupert Pupkin]

Out of curiosity, how are you all structuring your LG drilling? I assume most are drilling by type, but how many are you doing before moving onto the next type? And, are you doing a set number per day, or a set time?

I'm drilling by type, doing every single game in the Cambridge set. I have to do it under time and -0 in order to move on. I have 3-4 free hours in the afternoon that I use, separated by a short break.

I took yesterday off, so it's time to dig back in!

I am doing the same. I am following the Pithy Pike plan in this regard and for now drilling 2-3 new games a day and then repeats the following day.

[20170322]

Finally starting to get LG under control. Almost makes me wish I had kept my June date for the LSAT. But now I have all summer to fine-tune everything, so that September can be my first and final take.

[proteinshake]

just finished up PT 14. feel really good about RC, LR was a bit tough, and LG was in the middle. will BR and score it tonight!

[20170322]

To those further along in their prep than I-- how do you treat miscellaneous games? I've been drilling them, but to a lesser extent than the other types, since they are so rare on newer LSATs.

[Barack O'Drama]

Finally starting to get LG under control. Almost makes me wish I had kept my June date for the LSAT. But now I have all summer to fine-tune everything, so that September can be my first and final take.

Yeah it kind of sucks, but at the same time you have it right. Make September your first and last because this test is a monster!

Sounds like you're doing great and just need to refine your skills this summer That's a good place to be!

[Barack O'Drama]

How do you effectively drill for LR? I have the Cambridge by type packets, Manhattan LR, and the LSAT Trainer. Ive gone through parts of the trainer, but for struggling for LR I was thinking about reading a chapter in the Manhattan book and then follow it up with some drilling by that type. If I do that, how many questions do I do? How do I mix up questions best to get a good feel of question difficulty etc? How often should I refresh some of the LR types so I don't forget how to do each game effectively? And lastly how should my drilling strategy change if I am not going to the Sept. test and choose to do the Dec or Feb Test instead?

I am not seeing a consistent error/ pattern in my mistakes for LR questions, as in I miss one o maybe two or a few different type of questions when I take a PT, I do not miss only one type, if that makes sense. Its a bit frustrating as it seems like some of the studying isent sticking that well with me. Like I can explain how that strategy should work for a question, but once I get under the timed constraints of the PT I forget what strategies I should use for the practice set.

Same question(s). I am wondering how best to incorporate the Cambridge packets into my study? Today, for example, I read the chapter on MBT questions in the Trainer and supplemented it with the LR Bible and then drilled about 70 out of the 150 MBT questions in the packet. I am kind of wondering if this is a good strategy?

[proteinshake]

PT 14 is in the bag:

Score 172

LR -1 (2 mins left)
LG -1 (0 mins left)
RC -4 (3.5 mins left)
LR -2 (2 mins left)

reading RC passages without doing any markings helps a lot. I can read quickly and finish with tons of time remaining. following the Trainer RC method took me from -8 ---> -4, though this is a small sample size (only two PTs so far). on to the Manhattan LG book!

[34iplaw]

PT 14 is in the bag:

Score 172

LR -1 (2 mins left)
LG -1 (0 mins left)
RC -4 (3.5 mins left)
LR -2 (2 mins left)

reading RC passages without doing any markings helps a lot. I can read quickly and finish with tons of time remaining. following the Trainer RC method took me form -8 ---> -4, though this is a small sample size (only two PTs so far). on to the Manhattan LG book!

Congrats!

[Barack O'Drama]

PT 14 is in the bag:

Score 172

LR -1 (2 mins left)
LG -1 (0 mins left)
RC -4 (3.5 mins left)
LR -2 (2 mins left)

reading RC passages without doing any markings helps a lot. I can read quickly and finish with tons of time remaining. following the Trainer RC method took me form -8 ---> -4, though this is a small sample size (only two PTs so far). on to the Manhattan LG book!

Awesome proteinshake! Congrats on that sexy score

[jeremydc]

PT 14 is in the bag:

Score 172

LR -1 (2 mins left)
LG -1 (0 mins left)
RC -4 (3.5 mins left)
LR -2 (2 mins left)

reading RC passages without doing any markings helps a lot. I can read quickly and finish with tons of time remaining. following the Trainer RC method took me form -8 ---> -4, though this is a small sample size (only two PTs so far). on to the Manhattan LG book!

Awesome!

[proteinshake]

make sure you track your PT scores in the 7Sage score tracker! https://7sage.com/score-lsat-test/

[34iplaw]

Just did the grouping drills and practice sections in the PowerScore bible. Almost 100% accuracy but timing issues. Made a really silly error on one question [misreading], and I diagrammed one question the specific way they did not want you to. It was a conscious decision though that made more sense to me for one reason or another [the language and researcher game]... I think I'll do the next major game type section tomorrow and review the grouping again a day or two from now.

[Barack O'Drama]

make sure you track your PT scores in the 7Sage score tracker! https://7sage.com/score-lsat-test/

Just signed up for a free account to track my PT scores. This is awesome for tracking progress for sure.

[tuesdayninja]

PT 14 is in the bag:

Score 172

LR -1 (2 mins left)
LG -1 (0 mins left)
RC -4 (3.5 mins left)
LR -2 (2 mins left)

reading RC passages without doing any markings helps a lot. I can read quickly and finish with tons of time remaining. following the Trainer RC method took me from -8 ---> -4, though this is a small sample size (only two PTs so far). on to the Manhattan LG book!

Damn, good work!

[Rupert Pupkin]

PT 14 is in the bag:

Score 172

LR -1 (2 mins left)
LG -1 (0 mins left)
RC -4 (3.5 mins left)
LR -2 (2 mins left)

reading RC passages without doing any markings helps a lot. I can read quickly and finish with tons of time remaining. following the Trainer RC method took me from -8 ---> -4, though this is a small sample size (only two PTs so far). on to the Manhattan LG book!

Crushing!