Issues with logic games and "pro" diagramming methods Forum

[welcometothefamily]

Hello guys!

I'm just starting to study for the LSAT now. I have found something really interesting (at least for me) when it comes to logic games this past month:

When I try to "diagram" using the Kaplan method I am completely lost, but when I use my own shorthand I "get it". Does anyone else here have this weird issue? The Kaplan LSAT book is like... for me, a big jumbled mess. They spend chapters and chapters on teaching you reasoning that I feel is truly innate to some people. There are some things that could be explained in terms of LSAT reasoning that are a bit opposite of "real world" logic (which I appreciate the explanation on), but they way they break down. every. single. other. thing. is just painstakingly mind-numbing for me and makes me completely zone out. I don't understand the way they want me to diagram logic games either, and I find I am faster and more accurate when I just use my own shorthand.

Did anyone else forego the "expert" book diagramming? How did it work out for you? Should I buy another book (LSAT Trainer I've heard has excellent reviews) and try to use some other method? Will my using my own shorthand come back to bite me in the ass? The difference in accuracy between the way I work with Kaplan's method and when I work with mine is staggering--like, getting everything almost wrong to going 2 or 3 games without a wrong answer.

I'm stumped!

[Instrumental]

I don't have personal experience with Kaplan, but I've heard others complain about it. Not sure how it or your short hand compares to how 7sage approaches it, but you should check out his site/youtube videos, they are great for studying.

[welcometothefamily]

Thank you! I have seen a few 7Sage videos and they're good.

Kaplan is a mess. It is truly an awful book to study from. I guess I am just wondering if anyone here took the LSAT using their own diagramming? I'm finding that I am very accurate on logic games but I don't want to come across some weird question where had I studied from a "pro" I would have known what to do and my diagramming would bite me in the ass.

[lymenheimer]

Do whatever works for you. If your method gets you consistent, correct answers, stick with it. If you need supplemental assistance, then use somebody that helps and doesn't confuse you.

[Barack O'Drama]

Thank you! I have seen a few 7Sage videos and they're good.

Kaplan is a mess. It is truly an awful book to study from. I guess I am just wondering if anyone here took the LSAT using their own diagramming? I'm finding that I am very accurate on logic games but I don't want to come across some weird question where had I studied from a "pro" I would have known what to do and my diagramming would bite me in the ass.

Yeah, it has become my strong opinion that 7Sage is just objectively better for logic games. Clean, simple, effective diagramming.

Check out the free videos more or pick up a cheap starter course that will give you all the lessons on LG. Helped me get so much better at LG than I ever could have imagined.

Also, Powerscore and Manhattan both have way better LSAT books than Kaplan. I started with Kaplan and their LG had me so confused I nearly gave up on the section.

[welcometothefamily]

Also, Powerscore and Manhattan both have way better LSAT books than Kaplan. I started with Kaplan and their LG had me so confused I nearly gave up on the section.

Right?!

I thought it was just me. I'd legit sit there and my eyes would cross. I just got so frustrated that I started diagramming on my own.

Thanks for the recommendations.

[Barack O'Drama]

Also, Powerscore and Manhattan both have way better LSAT books than Kaplan. I started with Kaplan and their LG had me so confused I nearly gave up on the section.

Right?!

I thought it was just me. I'd legit sit there and my eyes would cross. I just got so frustrated that I started diagramming on my own.

Thanks for the recommendations.

Yeah - I've literally never felt so stupid and discouraged in my life. Then I got Powerscore and immediately got a much better understanding of the fundamentals. And once I got 7Sage and revised JY's lessons on conditional logic and chaining up conditional statements, LG became my best/favorite section.

Just takes time, patience, and practice. You will prevail my friend!

[Deardevil]

7Sage is a life-saver.

Even though J.Y. seems to have perfect setups that won't come to the regular test taker 100% of the time,
he is spot-on when it comes to similarities in "different" games.

Once you can sequence A, B, and C like a boss,
you can mirror that performance for a game involving X, Y, and Z, and this goes for grouping, hybrids, etc.

[PhiladelphiaCollins]

I started out with Powerscore LGB and now use a lot of 7sage techniques in my LG as well. Basically what everyone else has said, do what works best and produces results for you. Plus you said you have time, so experiment a bit till you find something that works for you.

[speedwagon]

LGs were my fatal weakness (couldn't finish them, could barely start them most of the time). I read a free book from the library on LGs that was actually pretty good, obsessively watched the 7sage videos, and read the LSAT Trainer so I could see how lots of people do it. From all of these I have figured out a shorthand that works for me; it's all about whatever helps you see the big picture. 7sage is amazing for the hard games and watching how a basic setup can adapt and I highly recommend them for inspiration.

[welcometothefamily]

Thanks, everyone!