Take the October LSAT? If ☺, read about admissions. If ☹, decide whether to cancel.***
The October 2011 LSAT might seem far off, but it'll be here before you know it. What would you like to see on the blog between now and then?
Please leave your questions for me (and for each other) in the comments, I'll do my best to answer as many of your questions as possible between now and October.
Also, if you're looking for general advice on improving in Logic Games, Logical Reasoning, or Reading Comprehension, please note that I've already written plenty of blog posts on these topics and have integrated them into LSAT study schedules.
Quick request: please leave a name rather than posting as "Anonymous." It makes it easier for everyone to respond to specific comments. Thanks!
Photo by -bast-
I took the June LSAT and will be taking the October one too. I know I didn't do that well, mostly because I ran out of time on every section. Then I got to wondering...if you were taking the LSAT, how long would it take for you to get through the sections and do you think you would get a perfect score when done?
ReplyDeleteI'm debating between the October and December LSAT. The way it's looking, I'll probably be taking the December LSAT. My performance on the logic games section is unsatisfactory, thus far.
ReplyDeleteWhich brings me to my point: what can a person do when, despite his best efforts (or so he thinks), he sees no improvement on a particular section?!?!
-illogical in California
I took the June LSAT and am considering the October test, which would be my third (and final) time taking the thing. Everything I have read cautions against taking it a third time, but I really do not feel that my score reflects my ability. I find addendum explaining scores to be overly defensive but taking the LSAT three times seems desperate and equally pathetic. Anyone out there with some advice and/or perspective?
ReplyDeleteI've already started the 4-month prep and I have a question about diagramming PrepTest29 Game 3. I was able to pull up the Unofficial Explanations for "The Next 10 Lsats" and read the explanation but naturally they don't diagram in your way. Could you please show me how you would set up this game?
ReplyDeleteNo more LSAT Diaries please. They are awful and really have no point. Also, would you start making video? Look into making this a video blog. I want to actually SEE you break down a logic game.
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling really, really discouraged. I started studying for the "arguments" section about 3 weeks ago and my scores keep fluctuating. One day I will score 80% and the next I will fail. I *feel* like I want to give up on the LSATs, but I know success doesn't come without hard work. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeletePlease dont stop the LSAT diaries. Anon at 2:27 can skip it if he/she doesn't like it. It's nice to hear about other people's experiences.
ReplyDeleteAs for the video blog also Anon @ 2:27 he does video chat tutoring. Get that if you want to see him break down a game.
Katie.
ReplyDeleteStop stressing. Go back on everything you've gotten wrong and see what the mistakes are. That used to happen to me all the time as well, but if you really understand, it's better. Most of the time, it's just not reading carefully or not reading everything or skimming. It will get more stable if you go back and check your work and really understand the material.
Dont give up! You will succeed. Yes, it's hard, but not impossible. You can do it!
Thank you so much (!!!) for the words of encouragement Sarah!!! Thank you, thank you! I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders! :)
ReplyDeleteI've nearly finished studying for logic games alone, and have only two questions:
ReplyDelete1. How on earth do you recommend diagramming PrepTest 29, Game 3 - and has anything like it come up since?
2. What tips do you have for studying that aren't specifically about answer strategies? Have you sent your students to strange or particularly distracting environments for a PrepTest? What tips do you have for a healthy psychological approach to the test?
I want to take it in October, but may end up putting it off until I have more practice. However, my goal to attend law school will then be put off even longer, so I am motivated to complete this one last step (and yet the other steps of applying are quite daunting and stressful).
ReplyDeleteI'm struggling with deductions and problem/situation wording. Right now I have to read a problem several times before I see what it's doing, and am not yet confident with diagrams. I struggle with a visual-spatial processing disorder, so I wonder if there are alternative ways I may need to approach some of the concepts.
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteI'll be taking the LSAT in October. I am ready to start seriously studying for the next 3 months or so. I went through the whole powerscore logic games book and I found that I didn't really implement the strategies that well. Do you guys have any advice for actually applying what you are learning to solve the problems on the prep tests? Sorry for the novel :)
I am writing the Oct LSAT and following your 3 month study schedule (excellent study schedule) I would love for you to post the diagram for Preptest 34 game 4, you were right about it being a difficult game! So far this game has been the second hardest game for me next to the CD game. So, please Steve, post some solutions to the toughest games on the study schedule-it would be greatly appreciated. Again, thanks.
ReplyDeletePS Can you do another posting for diagramming in /out games specifically, the CD game? Thanks
Hi Steve,
ReplyDeleteDon't listen to the post that asked to not do LSAT diaries anymore, because they are helpful and inspirational, and those who don't want to read them don't have to. Thanks for the wonderful blog and keep up the good work.
I have a question regarding the possibility of taking the LSAT twice and the way law school regards both of your score. I took the June 2011 LSAT, I don't know yet my result, but I know I didn't do as well as I usually do in my preptests (I usually do between 165 and 170, and I'm pretty sure my LSAT score will be something between 158 and 165).
ReplyDeleteI want to apply to top law schools, and I know their policy with multiple LSAT results is usually to make an average with all of your results. I was wondering if you were aware of external circumstances that could make some law school give more weight or consider only the last score. For instance, my father passed away a few weeks before the June 2011 LSAT. I realize now the stress and pain probably affected me so I wasn't able to give my 100 % during my studying and on the test day, so I am pretty sure I will score higher on the October 2011 LSAT. Do you think, for cases like mine, law schools can change their policy of doing an average?
Thanks!
I am starting to do Logic Games but I find the Powerscore set ups to be more confusing than helpful. I find not doing everything they recommend to do to save time and help keep clarity. I have only done a few games so am I doomed if I keep doing it this way?
ReplyDeletePlease post a PDF version of your logic games. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been having some trouble allocating enough time to questions (Logic Games mainly). I know I won't get every question right on the LG section of the LSAT, so I'd like to read your take on how best to maximize time. (ie when to guess on certain questions).
ReplyDeleteI would be grateful if you had any comments or guidance on learning from our mistakes. I always review incorrect answers but noticed I'm not capitalizing on these learning opportunities - I often repeat mistakes ("great I forgot EXCEPT again!") seemingly at random. Last week I started to log my mistakes but now I'm not sure what to do with this info. It would be optimal to never make the same mistake twice, but I'm a long way from there. Anyway, thanks for this blog and all the helpful resources you offer. Best,av.
ReplyDeleteI'll be taking the LSAT in October. I am ready to start seriously studying for the next 3 months or so. I went through the whole powerscore logic games book and I found that I didn't really implement the strategies that well. Do you guys have any advice for actually applying what you are learning to solve the problems on the prep tests?
ReplyDeleteAida I was having the same problem. I found that going through the problems slower and forcing myself to be methodical with them helped tremendously. I forced myself to spend 15 minutes on a section and use all of the strategies I could think of. Then I tried to do that in 12 minutes, then 9. I'm not sure if this will work for you, but you could always give it a try.
ReplyDeleteI got your 4-month schedule, with the study to have begun June 1. I just got back from an unexpected 9-day trip, so am down 9 days of studying (and no, this was not the kind of trip I could actually study on--emergency trip). What is your advice on the best way to catch up, especially when one has other things to do in a given day? As an older person with work and family obligations, I had planned on studying 3-4 hours a day. Do I cancel the day-offs?
ReplyDeleteHelp...I got a 171 on my lsat and have a gpa of 3.3. The hit to my gpa comes from my first 2 years in community college where I ended up with a 3.05 gpa. Since transfering my gpa has been 3.72. I am an architecture major and applying to a good amount of top 25's. Is there any chance for me or should I take my lumps for being young and dumb my first two years. Is 25-50 ranked schools more realistic?
ReplyDeleteHey All! I am planning on taking the October 2011 LSAT. However, I am not even close to the score that I need to get into the school of my choice. Any tips on how many hours a day I should be practicing? Any help would be great. P.S. My gpa is 3.74 (Kind of Solid), but my LSAT scores are not where they need to be to get into my top choice. HELPPPPPP!
ReplyDeleteOctober's not too far away. You should be studying around three hours per day. Remember that the LSAT is weighted even more than your GPA, so make it your highest priority. One way you can prepare is to go over two complete sections each day, timing yourself for one and doing the other at your own pace. Then review your mistakes carefully--including all those questions you weren't sure on. Even if you guessed right, treat it as a wrong answer. I'd also go out and buy a guide, Kaplan being the best. Go through maybe one chapter each day.
ReplyDeleteThe important thing is to study enough that you become extremely familiar with all aspects of the LSAT, while at the same time varying what you do so that you don't burn yourself out. Good luck!
I would like to see you address the dreadful reading comprehension passages that include abstract information and the best method to not get bogged down by all of the terms. The "roadmap" that is being taught in my prep course to me seems to be only minimally effective and I find myself not really using the "roadmap".
ReplyDeleteI think it would also be helpful to address the best method for not second guessing yourself on the test.. If their really are 4 completely wrong answers: Why do I always seem to get them down to (2) and often second guess myself.
Why am I having such a difficult time with strengthen/weaken questions in logical reasoning. I score high on all other parts but I am missing the idea of strengthen/weaken questions.. Am I stupid? or am I missing some trick?
ReplyDelete"Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteI'm debating between the October and December LSAT. The way it's looking, I'll probably be taking the December LSAT. My performance on the logic games section is unsatisfactory, thus far.
Which brings me to my point: what can a person do when, despite his best efforts (or so he thinks), he sees no improvement on a particular section?!?!
-illogical in California"
My response to this has been repeated by many who are considered as 'experts' on the LSAT. The Games section is probably the one section where the difficulty of either finishing and/or getting a sufficient score is universal. The old saying states that practice makes perfect. But I disagree to an extent. With the Games section on the LSAT, extensive practice might not even work. However that does not mean that practice can be eliminated. On the contrary, practice must be accompanied by the mere fact that this section is all about GAMES. Do not think about it as a problem that need solutions, but rather as a game and you are the player. Forget the words, and make it visual. Translate it into something that YOU PERSONALLY can understand. If you do this, this section is actually A LOT of fun and perhaps one of the easiest section that will help boost your score.
"jc02834 said...
ReplyDeleteWhy am I having such a difficult time with strengthen/weaken questions in logical reasoning. I score high on all other parts but I am missing the idea of strengthen/weaken questions.. Am I stupid? or am I missing some trick?"
I had a similar problem when I began working through those type of questions. But what I learned with strengthen/weaken questions is a technique that I'm using in law school every day: negate the argument. So for 'strengthen' type of questions, paraphrase the argument and negate it meaning turn the argument the other way (i.e. make it negative if it is positive, and vice-versa). When you do this, the credible answer will stand out because it either makes the argument fall apart, or it makes it more credible/valid/sound. If this doesn't work, and I can assure you it should, then I suggest asking yourself if you actually understand the argument. This is usually the primary reason why so many are having problems with these type of questions.
Testing tomorrow!! Found the greatest advice with regard to test day tips: take Tylenol before the test to help plunder brain fatigue--aka-BRAINRAPE!!!
ReplyDelete