The Official December 2015 Study Group Forum

87mm · Post by **87mm** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 11:40 pm

Last shot for me. Bombed june, underperformed my avg on the oct test.

Anyone know if the accelerated manhattan prep course (online) is a good course? Hesitant since its 9 hours a week plus another 30 of HW. I work fulltime and have travel for work too... quite difficult to manage.

Mostly interested for new perspectives on how to approach problems or ways of thinking so i dont reinforce incorrect habits with my blind review (already used LSAT trainer and powerscore bibles). ALso i heard their RC method is great?

chicharon · Post by **chicharon** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 11:43 pm

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LazyPaladin · Post by **LazyPaladin** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 11:48 pm

Took Dec 14 and got a 155 after not really studying. Okay.

Buckled down and was PTing around 167-170. Felt great this test, RC was a bit of a bump but I powered on and felt good.

161.

One last shot...I don't even know what to do.

STL2014 · Post by **STL2014** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 11:57 pm

Checking in -
Before I took the October LSAT, I felt pretty bad because of the stress, school and issues with my family. I thought about withdrawal and canceling the test. But I decided to keep the score since it is my first take. I thought Oct was my one and only chance and I was able to take it, own it, and move on to the application cycle.
After staring at my shitty score for twenty minutes and reading through this thread, I convinced myself that I can and I should retake even though I have a very demanding workload in November and December.
My biggest enemy is really MYSELF. I am seeing my therapist to talk through my childhood and family issues. These problems were gnawing me before the Oct test and I am dealing with them now, seeking reconciliation within.

Starting from today, I will do one timed section every morning, then review it, and 30min rc drill (my weakest part) at night.
For rc, I will focus on speed reading, reading for structure, minimum marking, and retention.
Good luck to every retaker! We can do this!!

bnssweeney · Post by **bnssweeney** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 12:16 am

Retaking for the third time this Dec. Checking in.

appind · Post by **appind** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 1:44 am

theugg wrote:Hey retakers --- I have another story that will hopefully help.

I took my first test Sept 2014, coming in PTing at average 175. I was completely devastated by a 10 drop on the test. I hadn't gotten a 165 in MONTHS. It honestly put me over the edge and I experienced some of the worst few months of my life after. I couldn't figure out what I could have possibly done wrong on the first test.

However, the more I looked at it, the more I realized that stupid little mistakes really add up. I was able to change my study habits (REVIEW WHAT YOU MISSED. WRITE THAT SHIT DOWN!!!!) and really zero in on my weaknesses (RC). Most importantly, I had to realize that my past score WASN'T a good predictor of my potential and that it didn't define who I was as a person.

This test, I got the 173 I originally wanted. And I REALLY want everyone who's in the position I was in a year ago to not lose hope that they can improve their score, even if it feels like their score was way less than they had anticipated the first time around. Sure, it takes a little more fight and self-reflection, but you can do it!

Also, meditate! I swear, that helped me so much with my nerves.

this story helps. i recall the week before in the oct study thread most of the takers were getting terrible scores in 70s RC. care to share your rc scores before the test and the actual scores in the test sections? how did the improvement in rc happened on the real deal?

josh9308 · Post by **josh9308** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 4:24 am

theugg wrote:
PatriotP74 wrote:

Thanks Ugg, congrats on your score!

What do you do for meditating, never been one to believe in that stuff but I'm sure there are plenty of benefits.
It's not really a matter of believing in it. . . it's a fact that breathing deeply and focusing on relaxing images can help you with anxiety. You don't have to buy into all the spiritual stuff, if you don't want.

I listened to a bunch of meditation videos. I think learning how to breathe & focus on breathing really helped.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtF0T2fPvbI

I liked this one. I listened to it every day in the weeks leading up to the test. It's kind of stupid, but you memorize it and the guy's accent is kinda nice. Right before the test, I just listened to him in my mind.

Related: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np0jGp6442A

Dexter97 · Post by **Dexter97** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 8:09 am

Reporting for duty. 168 on October, 170 or bust

AfrocentricAsian · Post by **AfrocentricAsian** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 8:45 am

15X in October. I blanked on that test. Now I know I'll get a 170 on the December test.

tedofsandimas · Post by **tedofsandimas** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 9:10 am

167 in October (-1 LG, -3 RC, and -12 LR????). I missed 9 in the first LR section and 3 in the second one. I have never missed that many LR questions in one test and I can't let that stand, so I will be retaking in December.

flash21 · Post by **flash21** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 9:15 am

SirArthurDayne wrote:
flash21 wrote:
SirArthurDayne wrote:
flash21 wrote:
PatriotP74 wrote:
flash21 wrote:i'm honestly so shocked i received the exact same score as my last take. so ridiculous. i haven't touched lsat material since october . I will begin studying again tomorrow for a december retake (my third).

I hear you. I took the LSAT twice a couple years ago, 159 and a 158 the second time. This time I got a 160 after PT's in the 164-165 range. Felt really good about LR and went -9 and -8. Going in for a fourth take (others are out of the 2 year period) and possibly a fifth if I end up taking another year off (the last thing I want to do since I have a job that I dislike going to every day.
it sucks man. this was one point lower than the lowest score I got out of all my PT's prepping for the last 5 months. my jaw actually dropped I CANT BELIEVE IT. I feel like the lsat is such a massive barrier for me. I even had a god awful (139) diagnostic and I still cannot just perform like I do on PT's on the real thing. I hate this so much, I can't believe I have to study again .. and its not like I slacked either . sigh.
So you had a 139 diag and you're score was in the upper 150s. That's a significant achievement. Not saying you should settle but don't be hard on yourself. So what's the biggest problem, that you don't perform well on full PTs? How are you doing on individual sections??
I feel like I never became good at games like everyone else did. I went -9 I think (I'll double check tomorrow) on this past October test for example. It really screws me over. RC I'm usually hitting -7, -6 but I think I got -8 or something like that on this last test. I missed 5 alone on the final fucked up comparitive passage.

the trip is that my PT's were overall going better than ever before . even got a 166 on one of them, most being in the low 160 range. damn. anyway off to bed and hitting the gym in the a.m. going to try to figure this all out soon.
Bro if LGs are your woes you shouldn't be discouraged. How are you drilling?

I feel like I did what I was supposed to do. I didn't exactly do 10 blank logic games but I am going to do that now. I'd do like 5 blank ones, or 3 blank ones. But drilling from cambridge and sections a LOT . more than I'd like to admit while still being bad at them.. and after reading manhattan games / trainer

ltowns1 · Post by **ltowns1** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 10:16 am

Maybe you got nervous,you'll do fine in December. You're prob. In the area where you just need to have a laser focus on weaknesses

calmike · Post by **calmike** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 10:18 am

I scored a 160 on the Oct LSAT.

RC= -6
LG= -3
LR 1= -8
LR 2= -10

I was PTing 167-170

Is it possible to study for Dec LSAT and score a 170?

pleadthafif · Post by **pleadthafif** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 10:19 am

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seashell.economy · Post by **seashell.economy** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 10:56 am

SirArthurDayne wrote:
seashell.economy wrote:
emkay625 wrote:I know many of you are in here because you got a score tonight that was devastating.

Back in December 2009, I woke up to a score while at my in-laws for the holidays that was devastating. It was lower than ANY PT I had ever taken other than my diagnostic. I had prepped hard and followed all the TLS wisdom - used the Bibles, reviewed all questions even if I got them right, and had taken literally every PT available. Then somehow on test day I missed 7/8 on one reading passage. I sobbed in my in-laws living room.

Fast forward to my retake and I got the score I needed. Reusing study materials was not a problem. Got my score, got into my dream school.

Moral of the story: dropping in to tell you retakers that you CAN do this.
emkay625, this is the most uplifting post and I *really* needed that right now! Thanks so much for dropping in to give us some advice : )
Thanks for the motivation!!

Seashell how did it go for you?

Went OK.

SirArthurDayne · Post by **SirArthurDayne** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:00 am

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SirArthurDayne · Post by **SirArthurDayne** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:02 am

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daisrt · Post by **daisrt** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:09 am

PatriotP74 wrote:
galeatus wrote:WHO'S READY TO KICK LSAT'S ASS ON THEIR SECOND TRY?

4th but hopefully.

yeah, 3rd but hopefully too.

daisrt · Post by **daisrt** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:12 am

fazzvm56 wrote:Is anyone retaking, but postponing their retake to Feb/June? I took it this month and not at all satisfied with my score either (kind of freaked out during the first section) so I definitely want to retake but not right away. I feel like I need this time to re-collect myself mentally and get motivated again. Thinking I'll take a prep class (Manhattan?) in the Spring and hopefully do way better on the June.

I''m seriously considering this, but I really want to give myself a shot at applying this cycle. I have a job at a law firm that I love and wouldn't mind staying the extra year, but I really would like to move on. I've taken Sept 2014 (bad score) and Oct 2015 (cancel) and I really don't want to waste my third try. I think if I haven't hit my target range more than 5x by December 1, I'm going to withdraw and wait out the cycle.

SirArthurDayne · Post by **SirArthurDayne** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:15 am

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AfrocentricAsian · Post by **AfrocentricAsian** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:24 am

calmike wrote:I scored a 160 on the Oct LSAT.

RC= -6
LG= -3
LR 1= -8
LR 2= -10

I was PTing 167-170

Is it possible to study for Dec LSAT and score a 170?

Someone on these forums scored a 155 and then a 170 on a retake. That's my motivation

tedofsandimas · Post by **tedofsandimas** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:38 am

AfrocentricAsian wrote:
calmike wrote:I scored a 160 on the Oct LSAT.

RC= -6
LG= -3
LR 1= -8
LR 2= -10

I was PTing 167-170

Is it possible to study for Dec LSAT and score a 170?
Someone on these forums scored a 155 and then a 170 on a retake. That's my motivation

I got a 158 in June and a 167 in October, which is not quite as impressive as the 155 to 170, but I'm still quite happy with a 9 point increase. I think you can go from 160 to 170.

Billy Madison · Post by **Billy Madison** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:39 am

AfrocentricAsian wrote:
calmike wrote:I scored a 160 on the Oct LSAT.

RC= -6
LG= -3
LR 1= -8
LR 2= -10

I was PTing 167-170

Is it possible to study for Dec LSAT and score a 170?
Someone on these forums scored a 155 and then a 170 on a retake. That's my motivation

Just want half that improvement. 163 to 170, let's go!

a_parm · Post by **a_parm** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 12:00 pm

Joining this thread after getting my scores yesterday went up 10 points from my first try. I took my first try in Dec '14. So if I use up all of my 3 tries, when can I take it again for the 4th time? Dec '16 or would it have to be Feb '17?

SirArthurDayne · Post by **SirArthurDayne** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 12:03 pm

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