Powerscore Games Bible.. not the best?! Forum

[quasi-stellar]

I thoroughly familiarized myself with Powerscore LG bible and even tried to follow their categorizations to study certain types of games.
However, it seems they are unnecessarily over classifying. In addition, i found some games that were actually incorrectly classified to begin with..

It is a good book nonetheless, but it very well may not be the ultimate guide..
Thinking about giving Atlas a shot, is anyone using their methods?

[toolshed]

Classification really doesn't matter at the end of the day, and in the PS Bible it is really only meant as a way to break up the book into sections. It certainly isn't presented as a vital component of approaching the games--see the chapters towards the end that deal with hybrid games.

The book's strength is in the method of accurately representing rules on a diagram and accurately making connections/inferences. If another method is more accurate for you, by all means use it. But I believe that, on the whole, the PS Bible does as well or better than any other method for this purpose.

No experience with Atlas, sorry.

[quasi-stellar]

Classification really doesn't matter at the end of the day, and in the PS Bible it is really only meant as a way to break up the book into sections. It certainly isn't presented as a vital component of approaching the games--see the chapters towards the end that deal with hybrid games.

Yes, it is not the most important aspect, of course. However, there are some fundamental differences between PS and Atlas. For example, Atlas makes a distinction between Advanced Linear and Assignment games (a concept completely overlooked by Powerscore). Yes, i concede that the bible has its strengths and I picked up some valuable techniques with respect to simple linear and some easier grouping games. But when I got to the so called "advanced linear" I began to struggle with the set ups and found PS methods somewhat inadequate.

I just cant help but think that there is something lacking in the bible. Then again, it could be just me not being able to make certain connections, especially given the fact that the Bible is so widely acclaimed.

I'll also try to take a break for awhile, as it is possible that I simply overstudied.

[toolshed]

Personal preference, I suppose. To me, it doesn't matter a lick if there is a distinction between Advanced Linear and Assignment, as long as I know how to engage the rules properly. I only used the Bible for studying the games, and I had no issues with any game type (after the initial learning phase).

So if the Atlas method does that better for you, then definitely use that. But I think the PS method is comprehensive enough to handle any type of game, provided that you don't focus on on the categories and utilize all your rule knowledge across all games. To me, that was the PS benefit--adaptability.

Good luck!

[Atlas LSAT Teacher]

Thinking about giving Atlas a shot, is anyone using their methods?

No way around it, we're the relatively new kid on the block, so there may not be too many TLSers who can speak about us yet. If you're interested, search around for some old posts (or, as you can imagine, I have a collection of links to them that I can helpfully provide -- but I'll leave that to pms to not offend the forum gods), and we have worked with many "refugees" from other programs. If you're interested in seeing what we're like, you can also attend a free online workshop -- there's one tomorrow night: http://www.atlaslsat.com/EventShow.cfm? ... ventID=203

Good luck, whatever program you end up using.

[pattymac]

I think this is the most effective thing I've ever done in my life, I'm not kidding. I've went "from what the eff?!" to looking forward to LG. Maybe its not the greatest guide if you're already a high scorer?

[edinbourgh]

Personally, I found it necessary but not sufficient. Some people on this board seem to have found it sufficient, though.
Maybe some people are initially more inherently talented at logic games than others. I don't have any experience with Atlas, since I'm not in the U.S. Why Atlas and not some other company, though? Are they good?

[quasi-stellar]

I don't have any experience with Atlas, since I'm not in the U.S. Why Atlas and not some other company, though? Are they good?

I heard they have something to say regarding logic games. I briefly read some posts indicating decent quality of their methods.
I will not be taking any classes due to financial hardships and lack of time ( work full time plus 12 credits :/ ) but I did order atlas games guide from amazon. I will see how it goes sometime soon.

[skip james]

I personally thought Powerscore was a bit lacking. The only part I really liked about their Bible was the part on Linear games. I like Atlas' guide for tree diagramming, it's free on their site as a sample chapter, particularly the fact that they have drills for 'reading' or interpreting a tree diagram. I've recently purchased Examcrackers, which has some pretty unique content though some of the chapters look indecipherable, particularly what I think is unique (and good) about them is that they have a lot of focused chapters on specific question types on games (i.e. methods and stuff for min/max, for 'truth' questions, etc), which I think is pretty invaluable. But I suppose I'm biased since I emphasize the importance of question types in games to my own students.