Blueprint or Powerscore? Best methodology for LG?? And why?? Forum

[heydude]

So it seems like there is a general consensus that the Powerscore Games Bible is the way to go for games, however not a lot of people say too much about blueprint.
Given that Blueprint is newer, I feel like there may be less exposure so I'm hoping someone who's tried both methods can chime in on this.

Anyway, I was thinking of taking a Blueprint course and had asked a friend who took the course to show me how she did her logic games. I thought the method worked well and I spent a little time practicing it (Also want to note here that when I say a "little time", I mean only a few hours. So this was just the basic methodology for less complex questions.)

Later I realized the course wouldn't fit my schedule so I decided to self study and I purchased the Powerscore games bible, which has a totally different way of diagramming. Rather than using a tree type diagram like Blueprint, they use a A>B>C diagram.

My question is, has anyone tried both methods? Which one did they like best and why?

I have been trying both and am still on the fence.

Thanks for your input!

[Pneumonia]

I have done both and I preferred BP. 95% of the differences between BP and PS diagramming are superficial though. BP accounts better for some of the more recent nuances in games.

[thevuch]

I have done both and I preferred BP. 95% of the differences between BP and PS diagramming are superficial though. BP accounts better for some of the more recent nuances in games.

this is right on the money. blueprint has some jokes too most are lame but theyre far better than the no jokes powerscore book.

[jk148706]

7sage

[paully]

I couldn't read BP. It tries way too hard to be edgy/cool with pathetic jokes that are never ending. If you're not the type to get enraged by that, then go for it. I think it gets way too much praise on this site.

Powerscore is mandatory reading for LG, in my opinion. But I'd throw in Manhattan for more nuanced stuff--oh and 7sage too

[heydude]

Thanks. I actually had not heard of 7sage until I joined this forum but it seems to be highly regarded I'll be sure to check it out.

[McBrunson]

I couldn't read BP. It tries way too hard to be edgy/cool with pathetic jokes that are never ending. If you're not the type to get enraged by that, then go for it. I think it gets way too much praise on this site.

Powerscore is mandatory reading for LG, in my opinion. But I'd throw in Manhattan for more nuanced stuff--oh and 7sage too

Just got me really nervous since I recently purchased the Blueprint book. Did you dislike the book only because of the dumb humor or do you also feel that the methods/ strategies weren't the greatest? Would really appreciate an answer. Thanks!

[BPlaura]

I'll freely agree that a lot of our jokes can be corny and dumb. I didn't write the book and don't want to put words in the mouth of the writers, but the general BP philosophy is that we'd always like to at least takes a stab at being entertaining, even if the joke makes you groan and roll your eyes. I'd rather make a stupid joke than put you to sleep!

However, @McBrunson: I prepped with Blueprint back when I was studying for the LSAT, and I'm truly a huge believer in our LG methods. We essentially want you to make games as visual (and, therefore, intuitive) as possible, and to make tons of deductions up-front rather than wrestling your way through the questions. (There's more to it than that, but that's the general philosophy behind what we do.) And while I've seen people on TLS say that they prefer X company's strategy, I can honestly say I've never heard anyone say they outright disliked our strategies or thought they were bad. I think you won't regret buying our book.

[paully]

I couldn't read BP. It tries way too hard to be edgy/cool with pathetic jokes that are never ending. If you're not the type to get enraged by that, then go for it. I think it gets way too much praise on this site.

Powerscore is mandatory reading for LG, in my opinion. But I'd throw in Manhattan for more nuanced stuff--oh and 7sage too

Just got me really nervous since I recently purchased the Blueprint book. Did you dislike the book only because of the dumb humor or do you also feel that the methods/ strategies weren't the greatest? Would really appreciate an answer. Thanks!

I can't judge the entirety of the book as I only read about 100 pgs until I couldn't take it anymore. Honestly, it was really no different than PS' diagramming. There were a few differences here and there, but I'm pretty sure BP consists of former PS employees. LG studying only really needs LG bible and constant drilling à la PithyPike's guide. However, powerscore has a pretty terrible sequencing strategy

[Pneumonia]

I can't judge the entirety of the book as I only read about 100 pgs until I couldn't take it anymore. Honestly, it was really no different than PS' diagramming. There were a few differences here and there, but I'm pretty sure BP consists of former PS employees. LG studying only really needs LG bible and constant drilling à la PithyPike's guide. However, powerscore has a pretty terrible sequencing strategy

Yeah I mean there are only a few difference here and there between all of the worthwhile prep companies. BP does account a lot better for the more recent question/game types though- pure sequencing is a good example, as are "rule substitution" and "new rule" question types.

[aboutmydaylight]

I'd imagine they're very similar. I read PS and Manhattan and the only real difference I noticed is the way they prefer to diagram certain games differs slightly. However, the diagram is only one part of the game, and the way they approach the games is very very similar. Same thing can be said of the 7sage videos. By the time I was reading multiple guides, I already had molded their methods into an approach that was best for me, rather than doing exactly as they said. I think this is really important. Don't be afraid to be flexible even if it means going against the guide's reasoning. I think reading multiple guides can be helpful for that reason alone (though not necessarily nice for your wallet).

For example, PS' basic linear setup just annoyed me to no end, even though they gave reasons as to why theirs was superior. I still found 7sage/Manhattan to be much better for that. On the other hand Manhattan's In/Out set up always took me forever to diagram and I was already used to PS by that time so I just stuck with that method.

I think the methodology for the top LG books is very similar and it comes down to preference.

[paully]

I can't judge the entirety of the book as I only read about 100 pgs until I couldn't take it anymore. Honestly, it was really no different than PS' diagramming. There were a few differences here and there, but I'm pretty sure BP consists of former PS employees. LG studying only really needs LG bible and constant drilling à la PithyPike's guide. However, powerscore has a pretty terrible sequencing strategy

Yeah I mean there are only a few difference here and there between all of the worthwhile prep companies. BP does account a lot better for the more recent question/game types though- pure sequencing is a good example, as are "rule substitution" and "new rule" question types.

Pretty much. Most worthwhile LG guides have very similar strategies. the minor differences between them aren't too significant. I also suspect some of those minor differences exist solely on the basis of certain methodologies/names being copyrighted, so they can be downright counterintuitive. Every book/shill will claim to have the best book--but, success at LG boils down to drilling and reviewing.

[jasper09]

I'd imagine they're very similar. I read PS and Manhattan and the only real difference I noticed is the way they prefer to diagram certain games differs slightly. However, the diagram is only one part of the game, and the way they approach the games is very very similar. Same thing can be said of the 7sage videos. By the time I was reading multiple guides, I already had molded their methods into an approach that was best for me, rather than doing exactly as they said. I think this is really important. Don't be afraid to be flexible even if it means going against the guide's reasoning. I think reading multiple guides can be helpful for that reason alone (though not necessarily nice for your wallet).

For example, PS' basic linear setup just annoyed me to no end, even though they gave reasons as to why theirs was superior. I still found 7sage/Manhattan to be much better for that. On the other hand Manhattan's In/Out set up always took me forever to diagram and I was already used to PS by that time so I just stuck with that method.

I think the methodology for the top LG books is very similar and it comes down to preference.

I have to agree with this, and what everyone else has said about it mostly coming down to preference. Personally, I used PowerScore, but I tailored some of the rule diagrams and the sequencing game setup to something that worked better for me; LG was always my strongest section so when I was picking my resources, I just wanted a fairly uniform way of setting up the games. I think the important thing about the LG section is finding a way to set up each game that works for you, and overall, I feel like differences in reputable companies' approaches aren't substantial. With regard to the rule substitution question type that's been trending in recent test administrations, I can't actually speak to the differences between the two companies, but once I understood that it's all about the inferences and I diagrammed those, I was good to go.

[chargers]

7sage

+1