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

[34iplaw]

So, since I completely fucking got WRECKED by PT 70, I'm actually embarrassed to share my score but whatever, I got a 156. I really don't know what happened, but I was definitely iffy on the first LR. What an awesome confidence booster this was..

Like I REALLLLLLLLLLY don't know wtf just happened, like, AT FUCKING ALL. Sigh, I was feeling around the mid 160's but I guess not.

yeah it knocked me down to a 163 and i didnt even know how to deal

Just changed photo & actually going to bed, but I'd say try to see what threw you off. Was it just exceptionally difficult making you not finish sections or?

Like it could be a good opportunity just to see what weakness caused it.

[20170322]

I think I really want to apply this cycle instead of waiting a year.

[appind]

Finished PT59. 171, -12 total.

LG: -0
LR1: -1
LR2: -3
exp LR (PT69): -0
RC: -8 :'(

The good news is that my LR is very consistently -4 or -3. I still can't figure out the secret to unlocking RC though. Just gotta keep drilling and BR I guess!

Jeeze, that must have been a brutal RC. Really tight LR and LG tho. I'd say that, if that's where you bottom out on RC, you are in a pretty good spot.

I feel like doing individual passages for Testmasters was kind of messing with my confidence with RC... like my last two RC scores were not that bad at all, but, at this point in the course pack, I think it's primarily hard reading passages.

Anywho, I'm really beat since I really didn't sleep well at all last night, so I'm going to just lay in bed and watch some TV till I pass out fairly shortly. June 2010 tomorrow.

late 50s has some very tough rc passages. i think 59 is the one with the noguchi passage which is a killer.

[Mikey]

I think I really want to apply this cycle instead of waiting a year.

I say you apply this cycle and if u get your desired outcome then go for it! If not, wait the year

[Mikey]

mewiofeefe

[Mikey]

Do y'all read the question stem or the stimulus first?

Just curious

[ashrice13]

I always read the stem first. I tried reading the stimulus first but I found that I was focusing on just looking for the answer and I was missing some of the details. This seemed to make me more likely to fall for some of the tricks.

[Mikey]

I always read the stem first. I tried reading the stimulus first but I found that I was focusing on just looking for the answer and I was missing some of the details. This seemed to make me more likely to fall for some of the tricks.

I feel like only people who are extremely advanced at anticipating almost every question are the ones who can read the stim first and still do well. I feel like reading the stem first is better because you have an end goal in mind while reading the stim. Idk.

[ponderingmeerkat]

I always read the stem first. I tried reading the stimulus first but I found that I was focusing on just looking for the answer and I was missing some of the details. This seemed to make me more likely to fall for some of the tricks.

I feel like only people who are extremely advanced at anticipating almost every question are the ones who can read the stim first and still do well. I feel like reading the stem first is better because you have an end goal in mind while reading the stim. Idk.

I went through a phase where I read the stem first. Never seemed to work for me. Now I'm a question-first kinda guy. Works for me although I can see the arguments for both sides.

[Mikey]

I always read the stem first. I tried reading the stimulus first but I found that I was focusing on just looking for the answer and I was missing some of the details. This seemed to make me more likely to fall for some of the tricks.

I feel like only people who are extremely advanced at anticipating almost every question are the ones who can read the stim first and still do well. I feel like reading the stem first is better because you have an end goal in mind while reading the stim. Idk.

I went through a phase where I read the stem first. Never seemed to work for me. Now I'm a question-first kinda guy. Works for me although I can see the arguments for both sides.

Yeah I've never tried the stim first and I don't think I ever will. I feel like the change would be drastically different since reading the q stem first makes me look for so something specific in the stimulus.

[proteinshake]

stimulus first. I always looks for key things (assumptions, flaws) while I read it and it's been working for me.

[ponderingmeerkat]

I always read the stem first. I tried reading the stimulus first but I found that I was focusing on just looking for the answer and I was missing some of the details. This seemed to make me more likely to fall for some of the tricks.

I feel like only people who are extremely advanced at anticipating almost every question are the ones who can read the stim first and still do well. I feel like reading the stem first is better because you have an end goal in mind while reading the stim. Idk.

I went through a phase where I read the stem first. Never seemed to work for me. Now I'm a question-first kinda guy. Works for me although I can see the arguments for both sides.

Yeah I've never tried the stim first and I don't think I ever will. I feel like the change would be drastically different since reading the q stem first makes me look for so something specific in the stimulus.

Yea man...sounds like your mind works like mine.

I've also seen enough questions (after 8 full months of studying) that most types of questions have a cadence or rhythm to them that allows you to anticipate what's coming in the stem. I'm certainly not a tutor, so I wouldn't know how to teach this or even exactly point my finger to what I'm picking up on to clue me in on the stem's task, but works for me.

[Mikey]

I always read the stem first. I tried reading the stimulus first but I found that I was focusing on just looking for the answer and I was missing some of the details. This seemed to make me more likely to fall for some of the tricks.

I feel like only people who are extremely advanced at anticipating almost every question are the ones who can read the stim first and still do well. I feel like reading the stem first is better because you have an end goal in mind while reading the stim. Idk.

I went through a phase where I read the stem first. Never seemed to work for me. Now I'm a question-first kinda guy. Works for me although I can see the arguments for both sides.

Yeah I've never tried the stim first and I don't think I ever will. I feel like the change would be drastically different since reading the q stem first makes me look for so something specific in the stimulus.

Yea man...sounds like your mind works like mine.

I've also seen enough questions (after 8 full months of studying) that most types of questions have a cadence or rhythm to them that allows you to anticipate what's coming in the stem. I'm certainly not a tutor, so I wouldn't know how to teach this or even exactly point my finger to what I'm picking up on to clue me in on the stem's task, but works for me.

Yeah I've been studying for 8 months as well but can't break a good score so I hate myself lmfao. But yeah I've just gotten used to the whole q stem first like you

[Justice4Birdperson]

Looks like I'm going to need to delay to December. I'm most likely not going to be back in the US in time for September. It's unfortunate I wasted all those PTs. Not really happy about this but I couldn't say no to this worl opportunity. So most likely I won't be applying this cycle. People can start law school when they're 27 right?? I have no children yet thankfully.

[proteinshake]

ughhh I don't know what's going on. just scored PT 68 and bombed it:

Score 167

RC -7
LR -1
LR -5
LG -3

I was doing so well with RC for a while and now I'm back to where I was. also starting to miss more than 2 on an LR section which rarely ever happened before. the LG had a super tough fourth game so not upset about that. gonna take a break from the PTs for a bit and just focus on some drilling.

[34iplaw]

Looks like I'm going to need to delay to December. I'm most likely not going to be back in the US in time for September. It's unfortunate I wasted all those PTs. Not really happy about this but I couldn't say no to this worl opportunity. So most likely I won't be applying this cycle. People can start law school when they're 27 right?? I have no children yet thankfully.

I should hope so. The median age is like 24-25

-someone that just turned 27

IIRC, big law will only really care that you can commit and don't have many outside responsibilities.

[ashrice13]

Looks like I'm going to need to delay to December. I'm most likely not going to be back in the US in time for September. It's unfortunate I wasted all those PTs. Not really happy about this but I couldn't say no to this worl opportunity. So most likely I won't be applying this cycle. People can start law school when they're 27 right?? I have no children yet thankfully.

I hope so! If not, I'm screwed haha (but yes, you totally can)

Take the experience now while you can!! Pre-kids and Pre-career is the time people seem to most often look back to and wish they experienced more while they could. Enjoy

[Mikey]

ughhh I don't know what's going on. just scored PT 68 and bombed it:

Score 167

RC -7
LR -1
LR -5
LG -3

I was doing so well with RC for a while and now I'm back to where I was. also starting to miss more than 2 on an LR section which rarely ever happened before. the LG had a super tough fourth game so not upset about that. gonna take a break from the PTs for a bit and just focus on some drilling.

I wouldn't consider a 167 bombing it compared to something in the 150's if you're PTing in the 170's. For you though, I know you PT in the 170's so I see your concern. BR that bitch.

[proteinshake]

ughhh I don't know what's going on. just scored PT 68 and bombed it:

Score 167

RC -7
LR -1
LR -5
LG -3

I was doing so well with RC for a while and now I'm back to where I was. also starting to miss more than 2 on an LR section which rarely ever happened before. the LG had a super tough fourth game so not upset about that. gonna take a break from the PTs for a bit and just focus on some drilling.

I wouldn't consider a 167 bombing it compared to something in the 150's if you're PTing in the 170's. For you though, I know you PT in the 170's so I see your concern. BR that bitch.

the LR I went -5 on was only 3/5 difficulty so it's just a bit concerning. when I was PTing in the 170's I was hardly doing anything the days between PTs, so I don't know if it's because I started doing 2 full sections on my non-PT days. I'm just gonna stick to drills and take my next PT this Saturday at the earliest or Monday at the latest.

[greatspirit]

Seeing people opting to postpone to December/delay their applications by another year in response to not feeling prepared enough for September is making me doubt my current strategy:

1) I'm taking it in September ---> 2) Will continue to study for the LSAT up until I receive my September score, and will (95% sure) sign up for December ---> 3) If my December score is not up to snuff, I will take the LSAT a third time in June 2017 and thus delay my applications by one year.

If I get to the point of a June 2017 3rd attempt, whatever score I get from that exam I will just have to deal with.

Is there something disjointed in my thinking? From what I've seen amongst most of the study group I was briefly part of, and some TLSers, there really seems to be an opposition to multiple retakes.

[Pozzo]

Seeing people opting to postpone to December/delay their applications by another year in response to not feeling prepared enough for September is making me doubt my current strategy:

1) I'm taking it in September ---> 2) Will continue to study for the LSAT up until I receive my September score, and will (95% sure) sign up for December ---> 3) If my December score is not up to snuff, I will take the LSAT a third time in June 2017 and thus delay my applications by one year.

If I get to the point of a June 2017 3rd attempt, whatever score I get from that exam I will just have to deal with.

Is there something disjointed in my thinking? From what I've seen amongst most of the study group I was briefly part of, and some TLSers, there really seems to be an opposition to multiple retakes.

There's no reason not to retake multiple times if you have the time. If you have a huge jump in your score, you may want to consider an addendum to explain, but there's no other disadvantage that I can see. It'd be much better to wait out a cycle for a better score than apply this year with a low score. We're talking 1 year of your life vs. the impacts made over the course of your life by attending a better school or with less debt.

[StopLawying]

Just a reminder: test center change deadline is today.
I'm taking the test out of state and booked at a nearby hotel. My only worry is that LSAC emails me last second saying they switched/canceled the test at that specific location. I'd be screwed. Can anyone assure me that this won't happen? Like let's say there are only 6 ppl registered for my testing center(I'm taking undisclosed test), can LSAC just cancel last minute?

[20170322]

Idk how to prep for these last few weeks. My strategy of no full PT's was a blunder. I need more full PT practice, but don't want to burn out. Last three tests were 175-176-178, so I'd love to peak on test day.

[greatspirit]

Seeing people opting to postpone to December/delay their applications by another year in response to not feeling prepared enough for September is making me doubt my current strategy:

1) I'm taking it in September ---> 2) Will continue to study for the LSAT up until I receive my September score, and will (95% sure) sign up for December ---> 3) If my December score is not up to snuff, I will take the LSAT a third time in June 2017 and thus delay my applications by one year.

If I get to the point of a June 2017 3rd attempt, whatever score I get from that exam I will just have to deal with.

Is there something disjointed in my thinking? From what I've seen amongst most of the study group I was briefly part of, and some TLSers, there really seems to be an opposition to multiple retakes.

There's no reason not to retake multiple times if you have the time. If you have a huge jump in your score, you may want to consider an addendum to explain, but there's no other disadvantage that I can see. It'd be much better to wait out a cycle for a better score than apply this year with a low score. We're talking 1 year of your life vs. the impacts made over the course of your life by attending a better school or with less debt.

That's what I've been thinking. Like, LSAT "averages" aren't really a thing. There is no harm in retaking multiple times.

[20170322]

Seeing people opting to postpone to December/delay their applications by another year in response to not feeling prepared enough for September is making me doubt my current strategy:

1) I'm taking it in September ---> 2) Will continue to study for the LSAT up until I receive my September score, and will (95% sure) sign up for December ---> 3) If my December score is not up to snuff, I will take the LSAT a third time in June 2017 and thus delay my applications by one year.

If I get to the point of a June 2017 3rd attempt, whatever score I get from that exam I will just have to deal with.

Is there something disjointed in my thinking? From what I've seen amongst most of the study group I was briefly part of, and some TLSers, there really seems to be an opposition to multiple retakes.

There's no reason not to retake multiple times if you have the time. If you have a huge jump in your score, you may want to consider an addendum to explain, but there's no other disadvantage that I can see. It'd be much better to wait out a cycle for a better score than apply this year with a low score. We're talking 1 year of your life vs. the impacts made over the course of your life by attending a better school or with less debt.

That's what I've been thinking. Like, LSAT "averages" aren't really a thing. There is no harm in retaking multiple times.

The only thing I'd add to this is that it might be smart to take a break after the September test. Burnout is a real thing. Also, don't take it until you're ready. No harm in retaking, but no benefit in taking when you know you won't get the score you want.