The Official September 2016 Study Group - WAKE ME UP WHEN SEPTEMBER ENDS Forum

[ngogirl12]

Took my first PT in over a month today. Results

PT 39, 5 section, timed conditions in Starbucks.

LG: -1
LR: -3
RC: -2
LR2: -1
Raw: 94
Scaled: 175


I should note, though, that I had seen the RC before (I did not know this until I was taking the test). So, probably subtract a point or two.

The -3 LR is unacceptable. I didn't do any LR warmup, so I'm guessing that's why. Hoping to bump this score up by at least 2 points by test day.

Still a solid score for not studying in a while. Curious, what's the lowest score you're willing to accept?

I'd probably apply with anything above a 172, though I would also probably retake a 172 or 173.

I'm mainly uncomfortable with this because I had seen the RC, so it's not an indicative score. Need to take more PT's in the next few weeks.


ETA: I realized this was confusing after. I would apply with a 172 if that was the lowest I got. However, if I get a 172 or 173, I will almost certainly do an extra year of UG and retake the LSAT.

I see. So if you were to get an outcome with that 172/173 that you really like, then you wouldn't reapply? Correct?

Yeah, but I would retake. So, like, if I get a 172/173, I'll take in December and apply next year. If I don't get a better score, though, I'd still apply.

Idk, I'm trying to keep my mind open to retaking, especially since I'm planning on spending next year abroad.

Oooooo where to??

I'm thinking Prague! Gonna do a year there, studying Czech, and then maybe apply for a Fulbright ETA in the Czech Republic.

I LOVE Prague! I lived there when I did a short study abroad program there. It's gorgeous in the winter AND the spring. And people there are SO nice! The only thing I remember in Czech is "Dobri Den" and "ne levim czeshki"!

I lived in Praha/Prague 9, do you know where you will be? It's going to be AWESOME!!

[ngogirl12]

And I got the mastermind watch today. Seems very durable, but it's really difficult to see the minute lines since the colors obscure them. I can see when I'm at the 5,10 min mark but it's hard to see exactly where you're at when in between. I got the white one, does anyone know if the black model is clearer?

That's kind of frustrating. I think I'm mainly getting one of these to properly keep track of the last 5 minutes. At this point, I don't really think that I actually *need* a watch. I just need to be able to keep track of the final minute from the last five. edit: got white, so I can't help you there.

Stop it! You guys are slowly but surely inciting me to consider getting one too. Really leaning towards a yes, ahhh.

[ngogirl12]

So, I spent the last three days reviewing the higher level Principle questions. Although, I only really went hard core yesterday and today.

I'm also advocating a self imposed lockdown until test day (i.e. not leaving the place unless it's to drive my car or the gym).

BUT...

I'm also leaning towards pushing to December. I still haven't taken a PT yet, and I don't think I will complete the 7Sage curriculum for a few weeks. I don't understand how some people complete it in two weeks or a month. Then I remind myself that I am doing ALL the corresponding problems in Cambridge from 1-38.

Sigh.

[galeatus]

Did my first ever hardcore test simulation today - i.e starting at 9am, PT60 + 2 experimentals for endurance with no break between S3 & S4.
LR: -1
LG: -2
LR2: -2
EXP LR: -2
EXP LG: -0
RC: -4
-9 -> 172

Was expecting a score drop when switching from 4-sec PT to 6 - especially since I was absolutely drained when starting the last RC, not too worried as I'm sure I can improve my endurance in 3 weeks. But bloody annoyed that I still can't get that consistent -0 in LG...

[Alexandros]

Question for those of you that write summaries during timed sections / do the memory method timed - How long are your summaries typically? I'm a slow writer so writing full sentences / anything that encapsulates the point of a paragraph with any degree of completeness is a time sink I can't afford.

My summaries are pretty short. I'll look at my RC binder and type up a summary I wrote. (I have a RC binder that I separated by type, and I put all my corrected RC passages in there to keep track of my progress and see changes for when I repeat them).

Some are really short and others are more detailed, I also use > and < as signs for comparative relationships i.e. countries are recognizing merit in HI>GDP


Social Science Passage
1) New look at Rembrandt's ptgs
2) Critique of intent economic reasons
3) Authors rebuttal to critique
MP: Although R may have had economic interests his work for aesthetic reasons needs to be acknowledged.

MP stands for main point

HTH!

Thanks! I managed to successfully get through 2 passages + qs < 7 min while writing very brief summaries. I think I'm going to try this method in my drilling next week and see if I can get in the habit. I think it might help with forcing me to stay vigilant/keep my mind from drifting while reading.

[Mikey]

Did my first ever hardcore test simulation today - i.e starting at 9am, PT60 + 2 experimentals for endurance with no break between S3 & S4.
LR: -1
LG: -2
LR2: -2
EXP LR: -2
EXP LG: -0
RC: -4
-9 -> 172

Was expecting a score drop when switching from 4-sec PT to 6 - especially since I was absolutely drained when starting the last RC, not too worried as I'm sure I can improve my endurance in 3 weeks. But bloody annoyed that I still can't get that consistent -0 in LG...

Damn. I really like the whole 6 section PT thing to build endurance and having a few more sections to review with after. But the no break thing is insane!!!! Lol good for you though! I wouldn't be able to do it without a break.

[Instrumental]

Taking a break from PTs today. Still gonna think about strategies to approach the RC section though. When I review the questions I get wrong, it's no problem selecting the right answer so clearly time is the primary factor here. People say you need to double check your answers in the passage, but I'm not a fast enough reader to do it for all the questions so I just need to better memorize I think... Or maybe I need to read fast enough just to get the jist of the passage and where things are and then have more time to reference the passage. hmm.

[proteinshake]

how many rest days do you take a week? I've been doing about 2 a week.

[Mikey]

Wow my Starbucks is PACKED today.

[StopLawying]

how many rest days do you take a week? I've been doing about 2 a week.

Same here, I usually take off Sat and Thurs. I've been much more relaxed with LSAT studies this time around and I think it's really helping. Before I'd treat taking PT's as something that needed to be done, now I only take 1/2 a week and I actually enjoy them. I've seen an increase in my scores so I'm going to continue like this until test day.

Protein, I've seen you post about the Mastermind watch. Just got mine yesterday and I don't like that you can't really see the minute lines, the colors on the side obscure them. Did you have a similar problem? I got the white model btw, maybe the black one is clearer? It does feel more durable though than the 180 watch.

[StopLawying]

Wow my Starbucks is PACKED today.

Oh, that sucks. You're also going at a bad time, I'm guessing it'll clear up later in the day. Where are you located? NYC?

[Instrumental]

I had been at three days a week, this past week and next week, just one, and then two rest days a week til test day... if I can keep myself to that. I suspect I'll be more anxious as we get closer and not be able to keep myself from intense studying.

[Mikey]

Wow my Starbucks is PACKED today.

Oh, that sucks. You're also going at a bad time, I'm guessing it'll clear up later in the day. Where are you located? NYC?

Yeah. It took me a good 20 mins to reach the cashier xD when I walked in here there were no seats but thankfully almost everyone who was sitting down has left now

[StopLawying]

Lots of my friends have already started orientation, studying for the LSAT no longer seems like a big deal

[proteinshake]

how many rest days do you take a week? I've been doing about 2 a week.

Same here, I usually take off Sat and Thurs. I've been much more relaxed with LSAT studies this time around and I think it's really helping. Before I'd treat taking PT's as something that needed to be done, now I only take 1/2 a week and I actually enjoy them. I've seen an increase in my scores so I'm going to continue like this until test day.

Protein, I've seen you post about the Mastermind watch. Just got mine yesterday and I don't like that you can't really see the minute lines, the colors on the side obscure them. Did you have a similar problem? I got the white model btw, maybe the black one is clearer? It does feel more durable though than the 180 watch.

yeah same. I'm gonna take today off and relax then do a PT tomorrow morning.

I don't have this problem but that's not saying it's easy to see which minute you're on. I just keep track by using the 5 minute marks. I don't really need to know exactly which minute I'm on until maybe the last 5. It might be easier to see white lines on a black background though, and I would think it is (I have black).

[Mikey]

Ordered an extra shot of espresso in my caramel macchiato and they didn't add it -___- I don't think they charged me for it but ehh 3 shots is sufficient.

[ashrice13]

Just took another PT where I ran out of time for both RC and LG and had to guess for several questions in each. If LSAC could just give me a LR only LSAT that would be great. Kthanks.

[ashrice13]

Ordered an extra shot of espresso in my caramel macchiato and they didn't add it -___- I don't think they charged me for it but ehh 3 shots is sufficient.

do you ever have issues studying with the extra caffeine? I drink a ton of coffee but I find if I have too much right before the test (especially on an empty stomach) I have a harder time concentrating. I always have to work out having enough coffee that I'm awake and alert but not having too much as to make me not want to sit down for several hours at a time.

[Mikey]

Ordered an extra shot of espresso in my caramel macchiato and they didn't add it -___- I don't think they charged me for it but ehh 3 shots is sufficient.

do you ever have issues studying with the extra caffeine? I drink a ton of coffee but I find if I have too much right before the test (especially on an empty stomach) I have a harder time concentrating. I always have to work out having enough coffee that I'm awake and alert but not having too much as to make me not want to sit down for several hours at a time.

For me, not at all. I've been having coffee for a very very long time and I'm only 21 so I've built up a pretty huge tolerance for caffeine. for studying it doesn't really bother me

[Mikey]

There's a chick next to me studying for the MCAT. We both strugglingssss but in different ways lmfao. Isn't the MCAT more of like stuff you learned from undergrad science-based classes?

[20170322]

About to do my 8 section LSAT marathon. Wish me luck!

[Mikey]

About to do my 8 section LSAT marathon. Wish me luck!

You're a maniac, but also a champion!! Good luck bro!

[Mikey]

Guys, idk what it is but RC just seemed to "click" for me in the past two days!! I knew holding off on PT 70 was going to be worth it. I'm still getting 1 question wrong on some passages here and there but other than that, I've had a lot of -0's and I'm timing myself and keep getting between 7-10 mins depending on the passage.

I'm going to focus on RC a lot up until test day whenever I don't PT so that way I can keep this whole "clickiness" thing going!!!

[Alexandros]

About to do my 8 section LSAT marathon. Wish me luck!

*salutes*

[Alexandros]

Panicked and screwed up on LG again. Wasn't expecting this PT to go particularly well since I haven't PT'd in a while but I'm glad it looks I'll have the time to seriously focus and increase the PTs in the next three weeks. I'm gonna go take a walk / jog before marking.