Discouraged Forum

[Joeshan520]

Does anyone else find the LSAT rather humbling? LR and RC are clicking for me in my prep course currently but LG just destroys my self esteem. I just usually miss some stupid deduction that kills time and then the instructor starts explaining and I feel like a total idiot. Even on balanced basic ordering games. Any thoughts or motivation? It's just so frustrating.

[Funkycrime]

I think that if you don't feel like giving up a few times, you probably aren't doing it right. But, just think about the consequences of quitting and failing to reach your potential, and what implications that could have for the next three years of your life. Having LG as your worst section is a good problem to have as well. What course are you taking?

[Joeshan520]

Blueprint. Yeah, I understand that and I just sit there in awe that people are so good at this section from this site.

[ccordero]

i know that feel, bro.

seriously though, i'm scoring much MUCH lower than the average of users here on TLS and seeing how good everyone is is definitely humbling to say the least.

the most recent time when i've felt like giving up was just a night ago. the only thing you can do is to keep pushing on, be open to suggestions and changes in study strategy, and having overall thick skin whenever you count up the missed answers.

[Cerebro]

Does anyone else find the LSAT rather humbling? LR and RC are clicking for me in my prep course currently but LG just destroys my self esteem. I just usually miss some stupid deduction that kills time and then the instructor starts explaining and I feel like a total idiot. Even on balanced basic ordering games. Any thoughts or motivation? It's just so frustrating.

I'm pretty much in the same boat. Just when I think I'm starting to get the hang of the LGs, I come across a scenario that triggers a major wtf-moment. It's probably good to have those moments during the preparation and not on the actual test. So, I just keep telling myself to keep at it and not get all emotional about it.

[M.M.]

Just gotta keep on pushing man, I'm the same way, good at LR, ok at RC, terrible at LG (and hating it, but less and less with more practice). Others will be better at advising you specifically what to do, but take it from someone in your situation and slowly getting better, it will come if you are persistent and smart about studying.

[Joeshan520]

The thing is like I actually look forward to prepping on games, I just suck at them. I've also learned if you treat RC like a learning experience it actually makes it less painful.

[180asBreath]

If you're getting thrown by LG's, you just aren't doing enough of them. When you finally start doing them frequently enough for practice, there will come a point where your brain shuts off and you do them on instinct. However, on test day, when you finish the 4 games in 20 minutes - go back through every single question on every game, as the automaticity may have caused you to make a minor error that you didn't notice. This was why I got -3 on the LG section of a recent LSAT (-3 on the first game - one so easy that I couldn't remember the last time I missed a question on a game that straight-forward).

Good luck.

[Joeshan520]

I think the fastest perfect game ive done is like 8-10 minutes and it was a balanced linear. 4 in 20 minutes is absolutely insane.

[LionelHutzJD]

I think the fastest perfect game ive done is like 8-10 minutes and it was a balanced linear. 4 in 20 minutes is absolutely insane.

Dude, you just need to keep at it. I feel your pain. Their were plenty times (and still are) where i look at a game and i just go DA FUK. But as you do more and more of them, things start to click, the rules become second nature as you write them, and you notice patterns in deductions. Don't get so discouraged and certainly don't let this site discourage you. When i read some of the scores people get and how they can get -0 on an entire section, CONSISTENTLY, it makes me feel crappy too. But then I realize, these people put in WORK. They probably busted their ass so hard to get to that point..... and you just have to do the same.

[05062014]

I'd argue the opportunity cost of a 5min per game pace is too high to be fool-proof. If you overlook something speeding through the section - which lsac seems to almost beg you to do - you're screwed. Focus on accuracy and slowly work your time down. Unlike the other sections where your gut needs to get acclimated to the speed required, logic games are much more mechanical and your gut has very little to do with your accuracy. Nail the mechanics and then worry about time.

This is tedious as fuck but that's why some people eventually win and others lose.

[06102016]

..

[theprophet89]

I'd argue the opportunity cost of a 5min per game pace is too high to be fool-proof. If you overlook something speeding through the section - which lsac seems to almost beg you to do - you're screwed. Focus on accuracy and slowly work your time down. Unlike the other sections where your gut needs to get acclimated to the speed required, logic games are much more mechanical and your gut has very little to do with your accuracy. Nail the mechanics and then worry about time.

This is tedious as fuck but that's why some people eventually win and others lose.

I agree with this. There really is no benefit to finishing in less than 30 minutes except checking your answers, but with LG you should already know you got -0 if you're good enough to finish that quickly.

Rest is good I guess but not in exchange for accuracy.

[Systematic1]

Three things: LGB, Pithypike, and 7Sage videos on youtube for any question you miss.

[6lehderjets]

If making deductions is an issue keep an eye out for things like: 1) a particular variable appearing in two or more rules 2) also consider limited placement options, if there are 5 racers (ABCDE) finshing 1 thru 5 and one of the rules says something along the line that A and B are seperated by 2 spaces, think the limitations of A and B because of that rule, they can only finish either 1-4 or 2-5.

Do the LG in Manhattan or Powerscore and check out their explanations for how they made deductions. If their explanations aren't clear bring your questions to this forum.

If you put in enough time making deductions becomes easiers. Keep at it.

[JohnV]

Does anyone else find the LSAT rather humbling? LR and RC are clicking for me in my prep course currently but LG just destroys my self esteem. I just usually miss some stupid deduction that kills time and then the instructor starts explaining and I feel like a total idiot. Even on balanced basic ordering games. Any thoughts or motivation? It's just so frustrating.

You have to start somewhere. I started off like that, was difficult to break 163 because I made so many little mistakes and time/pressure was getting the best of me regularly. But after some hardwork and a lot of good advice I'm regularly breaking 170, just scored 175 on my last PT and I'm feeling pretty good with several months to go to the Dec. test. Just keep at it, the progress will come if you put in the work and make an effort to really learn the test.

[Scotusnerd]

I scored in the low 140s when I started practicing. Pretty much everyone here has failed at stupid stuff...likely several times. That's part of learning how to do it right.

You're doin' it right. Just keep on doin' it. Figure out what you did wrong, and fix it.

[jared6180]

I keep wanting to be in the position that some of these 170+ people are in, for me that 170 is a magic number. UVA or NW are dream schools that I only have a chance of getting into if I can become an extreme splitter. right now I am riding a 2.9-3.0 line depending on what LSAC gives me. Either way I need a 170+ to get into the schools I think will lead to the BEST employment opportunities. I could settle for a 168-169 and go to WUSTL, but even that seems risky at this point.

I am discouraged today. Tomorrow is another day and a new opportunity to show grouping games and parallel flaws who is boss.

[esther0123]

I think that if you don't feel like giving up a few times, you probably aren't doing it right.

This! I feel stupid every day I study for LSAT... and it's never been like this EVER for any of my school courses... I'm even going to say my Quantum Mechanics class was less of an ego bust than LSAT has bee for me

And so yes... LSAT is very humbling for me too, and everyday I need my boyfriend's reminder that he'll feed me and still stay with me even if I flunk LSAT... which always seems like an imminent/unavoidable future.

[Joeshan520]

I think that if you don't feel like giving up a few times, you probably aren't doing it right.

This! I feel stupid every day I study for LSAT... and it's never been like this EVER for any of my school courses... I'm even going to say my Quantum Mechanics class was less of an ego bust than LSAT has bee for me

And so yes... LSAT is very humbling for me too, and everyday I need my boyfriend's reminder that he'll feed me and still stay with me even if I flunk LSAT... which always seems like an imminent/unavoidable future.

That's depressing but at least we're all in it together, right? I had a friend recently admitted to UC who scores a 175 and literally got high every day of college. Meanwhile, I'm busting my ass to put dresses in the right order on hangers. What has the world come to?

[dowu]

I think that if you don't feel like giving up a few times, you probably aren't doing it right.

This! I feel stupid every day I study for LSAT... and it's never been like this EVER for any of my school courses... I'm even going to say my Quantum Mechanics class was less of an ego bust than LSAT has bee for me

And so yes... LSAT is very humbling for me too, and everyday I need my boyfriend's reminder that he'll feed me and still stay with me even if I flunk LSAT... which always seems like an imminent/unavoidable future.

That's depressing but at least we're all in it together, right? I had a friend recently admitted to UC who scores a 175 and literally got high every day of college. Meanwhile, I'm busting my ass to put dresses in the right order on hangers. What has the world come to?

Contrary to popular belief, marijuana does not make you stupid.

[Joeshan520]

I think that if you don't feel like giving up a few times, you probably aren't doing it right.

This! I feel stupid every day I study for LSAT... and it's never been like this EVER for any of my school courses... I'm even going to say my Quantum Mechanics class was less of an ego bust than LSAT has bee for me

And so yes... LSAT is very humbling for me too, and everyday I need my boyfriend's reminder that he'll feed me and still stay with me even if I flunk LSAT... which always seems like an imminent/unavoidable future.

That's depressing but at least we're all in it together, right? I had a friend recently admitted to UC who scores a 175 and literally got high every day of college. Meanwhile, I'm busting my ass to put dresses in the right order on hangers. What has the world come to?

Contrary to popular belief, marijuana does not make you stupid.

I'm not saying he was stupid, I'm saying he was lazy which is a known fact to anyone acquainted with him. I guess some people are blessed with innate test taking ability.

[theprophet89]

I'm not saying he was stupid, I'm saying he was lazy which is a known fact to anyone acquainted with him. I guess some people are blessed with innate test taking ability.

So you're assuming that he was lazy based on what he told you/what you observed?

[dowu]

Contrary to popular belief, marijuana does not make you stupid.

I'm not saying he was stupid, I'm saying he was lazy which is a known fact to anyone acquainted with him. I guess some people are blessed with innate test taking ability.

I see. That's not what I read on first pass but yeah, I will agree that is has some side effects that are highly correlated with laziness. I bet it's awesome.

[Joeshan520]

I'm not saying he was stupid, I'm saying he was lazy which is a known fact to anyone acquainted with him. I guess some people are blessed with innate test taking ability.

So you're assuming that he was lazy based on what he told you/what you observed?

What I observed..good friend of mine. Happy for him but its just like I bust my ass and something just isn't clicking for me.