real The Official December 2016 Waiters Group - Patience is a Virtue Forum

[Greenteachurro]

Now that my melodrama about my September test score has somewhat passed, I'm kinda worried about my December test.

I'm going to return to studying this weekend. And looking at my September score report, if i didn't ABSOLUTELY TANK on RC, I would've been in a really good position for law school (I went like -16 )

I'm wondering if I have enough time to tighten up that section for a good score on the December test? And also prep LR some more because I could always use work there. I'm thinking of diving right on in and PTing like crazy so I'm not shocked like I was again. What do you guys think?

Totally up to you! and how you feel about it, RC is totally learnable you just need to put in the time!

Wait -16 on RC, just that section?

I'm really kicking myself because I put my all into LR and LG and it seems to have paid off.

And yeah....I got 2 RC sections and historically I always freeze up on those practice tests. I have no explanation honestly. All my other sections were comfortably under -10 lol. It's clear I got caught up

I went -16 on RC as well.. It really sucks because, like you, i was sure that I did ok. It is what it is though. I've decided to postpone my take because I don't think December is enough time for me. What is your way of doing RC? Notations? Just read?

I personally read the section twice, and between each paragraph I make a mental note of what that paragraph was about, and at the end of the passage I decide what the main point was. I probably spend 4 minutes on just the reading.

But RC is super personal, like different strategies work better for some people than others

[Vino.Veritas]

Yeah for sure, maybe you should do like full "pt's", like 5 sections of just RC, drill it into your head that RC is your new best friend lol. I was consistently going like -6 on RC ( I usually get hard carried by games and at least one section of LR into my best scores), and on test day I went -4. I think I was able to do that, because the weeks prior to the test I learned to love RC and tried to develop a consistent approach to RC.

This is great advice. RC is hands down my worst section as well (went -9 on test day, typically around -5 to -7). I'm definitely going to try that out this week. Any other tips to improve this section in the next six weeks?

I'm obviously not the best RC'er but I watched this video (50 minutes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a2w260Ob6w , its by the guy who got a 180 and then posted that super comprehensive guide to the LSAT on TLS, and I think the main take away was that when you're reading RC try to visualize and understand as much as the passage as you can. Like if the passage is talking about a red fire truck, try to go ahead and think about stuff that you would normally associate with a red fire truck (firemen, danger, civic duty, fire hose) etc and then that type of visualization can help you understand a lot about the passage.

That type of think is particularly useful for any art passages that will be thrown at you.

Also I drill using this https://7sage.com/lsat-reading-comprehe ... ry-method/
which has helped a lot

Thank you so much! Will definitely be checking those out.

[Hobbesy]

Yeah for sure, maybe you should do like full "pt's", like 5 sections of just RC, drill it into your head that RC is your new best friend lol. I was consistently going like -6 on RC ( I usually get hard carried by games and at least one section of LR into my best scores), and on test day I went -4. I think I was able to do that, because the weeks prior to the test I learned to love RC and tried to develop a consistent approach to RC.

You might not want to do December though, because of how hard RC is to learn.

Do you usually do poorly on RC when you're just pt'ing?

Hmmm I like this suggestion! I still have quite a few leftover practice tests and sections from my course...I was also considering getting the powerscore bible on it and just knocking it out. I was actually going -9 on RC average and then the last few practice tests i was going even better at -6.

I went -16 on RC as well.. It really sucks because, like you, i was sure that I did ok. It is what it is though. I've decided to postpone my take because I don't think December is enough time for me. What is your way of doing RC? Notations? Just read?

At first I was doing notations but then I dropped that. I never actually used them, they just made me feel better. Now I read, but I try to note the sentence that I think emphasizes the "main point" of each paragraph. Intro paragraph I try to determine what kind of passage type it is (cause/effect, etc), and before I attack the questions make sure I understand what the main point of the passage is overall...standard.

I think my issue is that I second guess myself. A lot of the answers I get wrong I'm caught between two. I started to catch the tricks right before the September test. I still feel like I have more learning to do

[Mikey]

I went -16 on RC as well.. It really sucks because, like you, i was sure that I did ok. It is what it is though. I've decided to postpone my take because I don't think December is enough time for me. What is your way of doing RC? Notations? Just read?

At first I was doing notations but then I dropped that. I never actually used them, they just made me feel better. Now I read, but I try to note the sentence that I think emphasizes the "main point" of each paragraph. Intro paragraph I try to determine what kind of passage type it is (cause/effect, etc), and before I attack the questions make sure I understand what the main point of the passage is overall...standard.

I think my issue is that I second guess myself. A lot of the answers I get wrong I'm caught between two. I started to catch the tricks right before the September test. I still feel like I have more learning to do

We're like freakin twins, i swear, lol. RC is my worst section though, and timing is the biggest issue for me. Practice practice practice is what we need.

[nimbus cloud]

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[Greenteachurro]

I am convinced that RC involves a lot more luck than any other section. I missed 3 in RC on the test while I was barely conscious, basically picking the answer that sounded right without going back to the text, and then retook it later untimed, analyzed each answers before picking it, and missed 5. Lol.

That and if you get a passage that you're interested in, that can be a game changer. Like there was on World of Warcraft's economy (which I used to play awhile back) and I swear I finished that entire passage in like 4 minutes.

[Hobbesy]

I went -16 on RC as well.. It really sucks because, like you, i was sure that I did ok. It is what it is though. I've decided to postpone my take because I don't think December is enough time for me. What is your way of doing RC? Notations? Just read?

At first I was doing notations but then I dropped that. I never actually used them, they just made me feel better. Now I read, but I try to note the sentence that I think emphasizes the "main point" of each paragraph. Intro paragraph I try to determine what kind of passage type it is (cause/effect, etc), and before I attack the questions make sure I understand what the main point of the passage is overall...standard.

I think my issue is that I second guess myself. A lot of the answers I get wrong I'm caught between two. I started to catch the tricks right before the September test. I still feel like I have more learning to do

We're like freakin twins, i swear, lol. RC is my worst section though, and timing is the biggest issue for me. Practice practice practice is what we need.

Sameeeeeeee. Hey twin (seeing as we both have cat avis this should've been obvious)! We're gonna get through this!

[Hobbesy]

I am convinced that RC involves a lot more luck than any other section. I missed 3 in RC on the test while I was barely conscious, basically picking the answer that sounded right without going back to the text, and then retook it later untimed, analyzed each answers before picking it, and missed 5. Lol.

That and if you get a passage that you're interested in, that can be a game changer. Like there was on World of Warcraft's economy (which I used to play awhile back) and I swear I finished that entire passage in like 4 minutes.

Agreed. Funnily enough on my experimental RC the starting passage was about Ethiopian artifacts or something and I ate it up. Really good read. That lacquer passage bored me to tears.

[Hobbesy]

I don't know if this is true for anyone else but I started seeing really big improvements when I became more confident in my ability to do this. Sat there pre-test and talked shit for 5 minutes. So no matter where you are in studying just know you're going to own this test.

Screw what your PTs say, pick up that pencil with a 180 attitude

[Greenteachurro]

despite having to retake, at least some TT schools are giving me fee waivers now. MMMM I wish my SO liked the south, I would apply to Emory.

[Vino.Veritas]

I get so overwhelmed with RC and timing. I find that if one section goes mediocre for me, I start freaking out and can't focus on the next one. I'm constantly checking my watch and switching between reading the passages too quickly or spending too much time on them. I think conceptualizing the scenarios and trying to fake being interested in the material might make a difference. Making notations has been an absolute dead end for me - so unhelpful and I stress too much about making them and that takes focus off the actual passage.

[Greenteachurro]

I get so overwhelmed with RC and timing. I find that if one section goes mediocre for me, I start freaking out and can't focus on the next one. I'm constantly checking my watch and switching between reading the passages too quickly or spending too much time on them. I think conceptualizing the scenarios and trying to fake being interested in the material might make a difference. Making notations has been an absolute dead end for me - so unhelpful and I stress too much about making them and that takes focus off the actual passage.

That was my problem too, was that the notations just did not work at all for me, it took too much away from the passage

[MindBodyAbs]

hello all! i am not satisfied with my sept score, so i will be retaking in dec/feb. apologies in advance for the length of this post.

RC is typically my best section but i went -6 on the sept test (worse than my cold diagnostic and pretty much every other preptest ), so perhaps for your own good, you should take this advice with a grain of salt.

however, i want to offer my approach to RC in case it could be helpful to somebody. for reference, i went -2 in muscle memory, -1 in Eileen, -1 in woodland clearings, and -2 in specific performance.

when i first started studying, i would read the passage quickly (2.5-3 mins) then move on to the answer choices. not surprisingly, i did not understand the passage and wasted a lot of time referring back to the text to answer questions. i consequently worked out a new system that prioritized understanding the passage above all else.

i will do 5-6 passages in succession to build stamina. i do these passages untimed (usually finishing in 9/10 mins or less per passage, though this depends in part on how many questions accompany the passage and the length and density of the text).

i read the passage relatively slowly in order to absorb the information fully. once i finish a paragraph, i will immediately read it a second time to ensure i understand it fully and will reflect on the key points for a few seconds. when i've read the entire passage, i will also reflect on the passage as a whole (structure, main points, author's tone, etc.). this portion takes about 5-6 mins and i do not take any notes (though i occasionally circle a key word or phrase).

i will then move on to the questions. i DO NOT refer back to the passage at all unless a question references a specific part of the passage (i.e., in line 20, the author...). this takes 3-4 mins.

using this method, i typically miss only 0-1 per passage and when i do answer a question incorrectly, it is because there is something i failed to understand about the passage.

it also allows me to finish most passages within a reasonable time frame. i don't hem and haw over answer choices because i either understood the passage and can select the correct answer quickly, or i failed to understand some portion of the passage and have to take an educated guess.

this method may not work for everyone, and i'm sure there are people who would disagree with my approach. however, i take this approach because how well i do in RC typically hinges on how well i understand the passage.

[Vino.Veritas]

however, i want to offer my approach to RC in case it could be helpful to somebody. [...]

Thank you for this! I will definitely be employing a strategy more based in understanding the passage this time around rather than making notations and constantly referring back to the passage.

[Greenteachurro]

hello all! i am not satisfied with my sept score, so i will be retaking in dec/feb. apologies in advance for the length of this post.

RC is typically my best section but i went -6 on the sept test (worse than my cold diagnostic and pretty much every other preptest ), so perhaps for your own good, you should take this advice with a grain of salt.

however, i want to offer my approach to RC in case it could be helpful to somebody. for reference, i went -2 in muscle memory, -1 in Eileen, -1 in woodland clearings, and -2 in specific performance.

when i first started studying, i would read the passage quickly (2.5-3 mins) then move on to the answer choices. not surprisingly, i did not understand the passage and wasted a lot of time referring back to the text to answer questions. i consequently worked out a new system that prioritized understanding the passage above all else.

i will do 5-6 passages in succession to build stamina. i do these passages untimed (usually finishing in 9/10 mins or less per passage, though this depends in part on how many questions accompany the passage and the length and density of the text).

i read the passage relatively slowly in order to absorb the information fully. once i finish a paragraph, i will immediately read it a second time to ensure i understand it fully and will reflect on the key points for a few seconds. when i've read the entire passage, i will also reflect on the passage as a whole (structure, main points, author's tone, etc.). this portion takes about 5-6 mins and i do not take any notes (though i occasionally circle a key word or phrase).

i will then move on to the questions. i DO NOT refer back to the passage at all unless a question references a specific part of the passage (i.e., in line 20, the author...). this takes 3-4 mins.

using this method, i typically miss only 0-1 per passage and when i do answer a question incorrectly, it is because there is something i failed to understand about the passage.

it also allows me to finish most passages within a reasonable time frame. i don't hem and haw over answer choices because i either understood the passage and can select the correct answer quickly, or i failed to understand some portion of the passage and have to take an educated guess.

this method may not work for everyone, and i'm sure there are people who would disagree with my approach. however, i take this approach because how well i do in RC typically hinges on how well i understand the passage.

This is how you drill for it? I like this idea I'll def do this a bunch, RC is still my weakest section.

[OhMyLaw]

I don't know if this is true for anyone else but I started seeing really big improvements when I became more confident in my ability to do this. Sat there pre-test and talked shit for 5 minutes. So no matter where you are in studying just know you're going to own this test.

Screw what your PTs say, pick up that pencil with a 180 attitude

Man I totally feel this. Like for prep tests where I was pretty relaxed, I did the best on. And when I was freaking out about remembering all the approaches/methods, I didn't do so hot.

[MindBodyAbs]

however, i want to offer my approach to RC in case it could be helpful to somebody. [...]

Thank you for this! I will definitely be employing a strategy more based in understanding the passage this time around rather than making notations and constantly referring back to the passage.

glad that this helps! of course, if you find that after employing this strategy for some time, it is not helping (or in fact hurting), definitely look for someone else's advice too.

that said, this method forces you to begin the questions with a strong understanding of the passage or you will be penalized with choosing incorrect answers. said a slightly different way, you will be able to tell if you understood the passage based on how many questions you answer correctly.

[Deardevil]

hello all! i am not satisfied with my sept score, so i will be retaking in dec/feb. apologies in advance for the length of this post.

RC is typically my best section but i went -6 on the sept test (worse than my cold diagnostic and pretty much every other preptest ), so perhaps for your own good, you should take this advice with a grain of salt.

however, i want to offer my approach to RC in case it could be helpful to somebody. for reference, i went -2 in muscle memory, -1 in Eileen, -1 in woodland clearings, and -2 in specific performance.

when i first started studying, i would read the passage quickly (2.5-3 mins) then move on to the answer choices. not surprisingly, i did not understand the passage and wasted a lot of time referring back to the text to answer questions. i consequently worked out a new system that prioritized understanding the passage above all else.

i will do 5-6 passages in succession to build stamina. i do these passages untimed (usually finishing in 9/10 mins or less per passage, though this depends in part on how many questions accompany the passage and the length and density of the text).

i read the passage relatively slowly in order to absorb the information fully. once i finish a paragraph, i will immediately read it a second time to ensure i understand it fully and will reflect on the key points for a few seconds. when i've read the entire passage, i will also reflect on the passage as a whole (structure, main points, author's tone, etc.). this portion takes about 5-6 mins and i do not take any notes (though i occasionally circle a key word or phrase).

i will then move on to the questions. i DO NOT refer back to the passage at all unless a question references a specific part of the passage (i.e., in line 20, the author...). this takes 3-4 mins.

using this method, i typically miss only 0-1 per passage and when i do answer a question incorrectly, it is because there is something i failed to understand about the passage.

it also allows me to finish most passages within a reasonable time frame. i don't hem and haw over answer choices because i either understood the passage and can select the correct answer quickly, or i failed to understand some portion of the passage and have to take an educated guess.

this method may not work for everyone, and i'm sure there are people who would disagree with my approach. however, i take this approach because how well i do in RC typically hinges on how well i understand the passage.

So you spend around six minutes reading the passage?

[Mikey]

hello all!

This is what I try to do (reflect after each paragraph, know key things), but I rush through the passages which I think I should definitely change.

I see some of you saying that they read the passage twice, and that's weird to me because I usually read a passage in like 4 mins and take 4/5 mins for the questions but maybe if I try that approach out it may work out for me! thanks

[Vino.Veritas]

hello all!

This is what I try to do (reflect after each paragraph, know key things), but I rush through the passages which I think I should definitely change.

I see some of you saying that they read the passage twice, and that's weird to me because I usually read a passage in like 4 mins and take 4/5 mins for the questions but maybe if I try that approach out it may work out for me! thanks

Same. I need to be kept accountable so I stop reverting to bad habits and rushing.

[MindBodyAbs]

This is how you drill for it? I like this idea I'll def do this a bunch, RC is still my weakest section.[/quote]

yup, this is how i drilled for RC because it is the method that has produced the most success for me. not referring back to the passage when answering questions allows me to test my understanding of the structure and contents of the passage.

[MindBodyAbs]

So you spend around six minutes reading the passage?

about 6 mins per passage, yes. i had to fight my natural tendency to speed read, but spending time on the passage rather than the questions helped me quite a bit.

[Law2020hopeful]

Took a PT this morning (December 2011 no idea what number) and backslid so dramatically that I'm feeling inconsolable and questioning everything/my ability to get my goal score in the next 6 weeks.

Not that it matters, but the only solace I can find is that I went I went -8 overall in the last two sections (-4 and -4, still below my average but way better than sections 1-3) after I turned off the blaring tv I had one as an attempt to take a test with loud noise around me. Unfortunately one of those sections was the unscored section.

So I'm just looking for advice and/or encouragement because I'm really worried at this point.

[MindBodyAbs]

hello all!

This is what I try to do (reflect after each paragraph, know key things), but I rush through the passages which I think I should definitely change.

I see some of you saying that they read the passage twice, and that's weird to me because I usually read a passage in like 4 mins and take 4/5 mins for the questions but maybe if I try that approach out it may work out for me! thanks

Same. I need to be kept accountable so I stop reverting to bad habits and rushing.

this is where i started off too. i thought it was necessary to get through the passage quickly or i'd run out of time, which didn't work at all.

hope this approach will work for you!!

[MindBodyAbs]

I personally read the section twice, and between each paragraph I make a mental note of what that paragraph was about, and at the end of the passage I decide what the main point was. I probably spend 4 minutes on just the reading.

But RC is super personal, like different strategies work better for some people than others

just saw that you posted this. looks like we have a similar approach

out of curiosity, if you're comfortable sharing, which passages did you lose RC points on for the sept test?