The Official February 2015 Study Group Forum

[Dr. Nefario]

We should all strive to be post LSAT left shark. Amirite?

Amirite?

Amirite?

TCR.

YAAAAAASSSS

[sfoglia]

Okay, another quick little vent post.

So as I slowly make my way through BRing PT 67, I made 2 mistakes on RC by missing a word ('not' in a sentence, for example). Now on S2 Q4, an LR Q, I made a super simple error by not reading 'sofa'. It was a trap term shift answer, and I fell for it. This happens rarely on the whole, but frequently enough that it's terribly disconcerting. Has anyone had this issue? And, if so, how does one overcome it?

Essentially, my concern is that I'm aware I need some improvements still, and I can control those weaknesses by studying more/practicing more/drilling more. I'm worried that I can't control for little, stupid misreads. And if those misreads directly cause -2, or for me to be confounded by a game in LG (which has happened), or by a Q in RC, which eats up time, then it leads to further -s later in the section due to time crunch, then this is clearly my biggest weakness that I don't feel in a position to control as well as that lack of fundamental knowledge/ability.

I know this is the nature of the LSAT and why the time is such a major component, which is what makes this a complainy/vent post, but I'm wondering whether this issue afflicts others as much, and if there's a good way to overcome this, or minimize its impact.

YES. SLOW DOWN. The misreads are only that common if you aren't paying enough attention to what you are doing.

I do the same thing too, and it's just about being sloppy, and trying to rush through as quickly as possible. You just have to remind yourself that you'll likely be saving time by slowing down, because you aren't forced to re-read things again or realize partway through that you've missed a keyword or whatever.

Be deliberate as you work. If you don't underline the important parts of a passage/stimulus, then do. For LR, I always underline question type and then the main idea or the key words of the passage. Marking the page that way helps your brain engage and keeps you on task. If you already do underline, then maybe try to pause and take a deep breath when you hit 7, then again when you hit 15, again 20, etc. Take a full breath, remind yourself to stay engaged, then continue. It will only take few seconds, but it does make a difference.

[leslieknope]

^Seconding the underline/annotate more suggestion. I underline like mad in LR and underline/annotate tons in RC because it's the only way to keep myself engaged with the text. I tried a PT without underlining last week and ended up having to rush to finish and making so many dumb mistakes, and this week I haven't had LR/RC timing issues once. I rarely go back and look through my annotations, I just make them because if I don't I end up having to read everything twice to really get it.

[msp8]

Thanks, sfogs.

I don't underline at all now (in LR or RC). I'll try that next PT (tomorrow).

Part of why I rush is because I have terrible focus issues that, again, only come up during PTs. I'll be reading a LR stimulus and it'll have some word that triggers a thought about some conversation I had with someone three months ago, and then I'll be reminded that I haven't responded to that person's email in a few weeks and that I ought to put that on my checklist for tomorrow. Some ridiculously inane internal dialogue like that. So yeah, maybe underlining will help stamp that out too.

[msp8]

Interesting, and thanks to you too leslie!

What types of things do you note? Similar to MH RC suggestions, or your own system I presume?

[leslieknope]

Kind of similar to MH RC. I box key terms that are followed by definitions along with names, bracket the thesis/main point and supporting evidence, underline anything that seems like it could be important as I'm reading, put a star every time I think I see a hint of the author's opinion, sometimes write little 2-3 word summaries next to each paragraph, and do the V1/E1 V2/E2 thing from here. This seems like way too much written out, and it probably is, but it only takes me about 3-4 minutes to read a passage with it and I do much worse if I don't do it. Pick and choose and see what works for you.

For LR I bracket the conclusion, put parentheses around the premises, and underline anything that could be important.

ETA: If you have focus issues then definitely give annotations a try, though. It's seriously the only thing that helps me.

[Big Red]

I just started grading an LR section using the wrong answer key, could have done without the few moments of panic before I realized what was going on

[m27]

PT 73 down. Started the flower game with only ~6/7 minutes left, so I kinda screwed that up.
I think my issue is not pushing the pace on the easier games to make time for the harder ones

RC: -5
LR: -3 (exp)
LG: -4
LR1: -4
LR2: -6

Raw: 82
165

[TheProdigal]

Going in the opposite direction as the rest of y'all -- PT58.

What the hell was that thing?

RC Passage 3 was some nuttery about IP rights/law... I don't even know, I have 5 of 7 circled for reviewing.
15 minutes left going into G4. Last two questions took 10.
Finished LR2 with 10 minutes left.

Off to BR. This prep is taking a toll on my back -- starting to feel this LSAT business is for the young.

[Shakawkaw]

Don't mind me, just contributing to the earlier discussion re: sharks.

Carry on.

[Dr. Nefario]

Anyone else seriously excited about National signing day tomorrow? Or am I the only one who goes to/went to a big football university?

[ticklemesilly]

So what target score are you all aiming for this Feb LSAT? And for the re-takers, what was your previous score?

For me it's a 173+ is my goal and a 170 was my previous score.

[CambrianExplosives]

So what target score are you all aiming for this Feb LSAT? And for the re-takers, what was your previous score?

For me it's a 173+ is my goal and a 170 was my previous score.

Hoping for a 175+, but expecting a 172-174 which will probably be sufficient.

[leslieknope]

Anyone else seriously excited about National signing day tomorrow? Or am I the only one who goes to/went to a big football university?

Dude my uni didn't even have a football team. I think we had a basketball team? Maybe.

And I'm retaking a 168 and hoping to break 170. My goal is seriously just "finish every section on time without having to guess," though.

[TheProdigal]

So what target score are you all aiming for this Feb LSAT? And for the re-takers, what was your previous score?

For me it's a 173+ is my goal and a 170 was my previous score.

Aiming to go from a 167 to 170+.

[Dr. Nefario]

Aiming for 168 from a 164. Need that cash money honey.

[nlee10]

So what target score are you all aiming for this Feb LSAT? And for the re-takers, what was your previous score?

For me it's a 173+ is my goal and a 170 was my previous score.

Aiming for 168+.

[msp8]

So what target score are you all aiming for this Feb LSAT? And for the re-takers, what was your previous score?

For me it's a 173+ is my goal and a 170 was my previous score.

Aiming 172+.

[leslieknope]

Are there any other games like PT 68 game 4? I really need to drill down on this game type.

[nlee10]

Are there any other games like PT 68 game 4? I really need to drill down on this game type.

No idea, but curious as well! I mean it's a simple sequencing game but what makes it so damn hard are the rules.

[Dr. Nefario]

I'm the underachiever ITT. Now I feel like the loser.

ETA: crying

[Dr. Nefario]

Are there any other games like PT 68 game 4? I really need to drill down on this game type.

No idea, but curious as well! I mean it's a simple sequencing game but what makes it so damn hard are the rules.

Not sure if I've seen any in recent ones with rules structured similarly. That may have been a onetime thing like some of the June/September games?or at least I'm hoping the June/September were a one time thing

[brusselsprouts]

Seconding the tips for RC that leslie spelled out above. Though if you're taking in feb (whoever was asking about that) be cautious that changing strategy too much right now may throw you off more than help. Worth a try for at least 1-2 passages, though, I would say.

My goal is 168+ this will be my first take, so I'm not putting too much pressure on myself (or at least trying not to)

[Shemp]

I took nine preptests in December with a median of 179 and four 180s, and nineteen tests in January with a median of 178 and six 180s. My January numbers dropped slightly because I did almost half of those tests with 30 minute sections and no breaks. I have a 180, 176, and 177 so far in February and I'm not real happy about it. I'll retake for sure if I score 176 or lower on Saturday, but I don't know yet if I would retake a 177 or 178.

I became interested in the LSAT after an argument with a former ladyfriend last year when I asserted that it takes more intelligence to be a carpenter than a lawyer. I've come to realize that it's a beautiful test and I look forward to teaching it. Because of various occupational injuries, my time as a blue collar worker has to come to an end soon. I almost certainly won't be attending law school unless I get a full ride somewhere warm.

[leslieknope]

Are there any other games like PT 68 game 4? I really need to drill down on this game type.

No idea, but curious as well! I mean it's a simple sequencing game but what makes it so damn hard are the rules.

Exactly, the rules are so damn useless that you basically have to brute force through the questions. If they'd just made the conditional a biconditional everything would be easy and beautiful, but no.

And Raider if I really were an overachiever, I'd postpone to June and apply next cycle. As it is I'm staying in this cycle and retaking for dem $$$.