LSATs

[Edaarin]

So I signed up for a free LSAT through Kaplan at my school.

Holy shit. Holy, holy, holy shit. Granted I have yet to crack open a book to study for this thing, but holy shit. I got reamed by 4 of the logic scenarios (read: probably missed at least 3 out of the 6 questions in those 4 sections).

The first and third problems in section 2 and 3 were pretty easy, but the second and fourth in the same sections were needlessly difficult. The other sections (reading comprehension, passages) were a breeze.

Reproduced are a few of the logic puzzles. Granted I could probably work through them with some time, but you have 35 minutes to do 24 questions (6 questions per each scenario).

Four speakers--Pasqua, Rasmussen, Skinner, and Tolleson--will present seminars at a communty center in a single week from Sunday through Saturday. No other speakers will present a seminar during the week, and each seminar takes place on a single day. Pasqua and Rasmussen each present exactly two seminars, and Skinner and Tolleson each present exactly three seminars. The scheduling of seminars will conform to the following conditions:

The days on which a given speaker presents a seminar are consecutive.

No more than two of the four speakers will present seminars on any one day.

The first day on which Skinner presents a seminar is no earlier than the day immediately following the last day on which Rasmussen presents a seminar.

Tolleson does not present a seminar on Tuesday.

19. Which one of the following must be true?
(A) Pasqua presents on Tues
(B) Rasmussen presents on Mon
(C) Skinner presents on Thurs
(D) Tolleson presents on Wed
(E) Tolleson presents on Sat

20. Which of the following could be true?
(A) Pasqua presents on Thurs
(B) Pasqua presents on Sat
(C) Rasmussen presents on Sat
(D) Pasqua and Rasmussen present on Sat
(E) Pasqua and Tolleson presents on Mon

21. If none of the speakers presents a seminar on Tuesday, which of the following must be true?

And so forth...

[Keller]

R<S
T /= Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
R /= Thursday, Friday, Saturday
T = Thursday, Friday


Now try.

[Keller]

It's a simple linear game. Learn your setups and you'll be golden.

My first test I got ROCKED on the games section. In my actual LSAT, that was one of my perfect sections.

The key to the test is practice. I took 32 actual tests before "game day." Being familiar with the questions they ask after each reading comp passage and being able to spot your arguments before the prompt comes saved me so much time it's unbelievable. 90% of the time I would know what type of argument question it was before I was through with the first sentence.

If you need any help with the test, U2U me.

Also, if you're looking to take a prep class, go Powerscore. I worked for Kaplan -- if anything, go Princeton Review or Test Masters. But Powerscore is by far the best prep school.

[YancyDC]

On my first practice test, I got absolutely rocked by the games section, and didn't too well on the others. It was bad enough that it made me question if I should even take the test. 6 months later I got a 99th percentile on my last practice test. It helped a lot, and I would gladly pay the money again. For some people, the course won't help as much, it really depends on what area you need help in.

On the actual test, I dropped a little bit, but still did well enough to get into my first choice. I even got offered a job with Kaplan, but Powerscore wouldn't even take a look at me. That should tell you something. :)

[Makkah]

Kaplan... rofl

[Warriorbird]

I'm working on it too, Edaarin. My first practice run was terrible, but I'm getting better.

[Edaarin]

I think I'm just going to end up buying a Princeton Review book or something.

I need at least a 167 on the real test, but there's no way in hell I'm paying someone $1k to teach me how to study for a test. I'm confident enough that I'll get there on my own, but holy shit, that was a hard test.

[Makkah]

As a 2-time taker of the MCAT and 1 go at the PCAT... I can safely say...

FUCK EIGHT HOURS OF TESTING.

I'd rather eat my own feces than take the MCAT again.

EDITED to say... on that note, good luck on that shit.

[Edited on 2-13-2005 by Makkah]

[DeV]

Originally posted by Warriorbird
I'm working on it too, Edaarin. My first practice run was terrible, but I'm getting better. Same boat as you. I haven't taken a practice run yet but just studying for even the practice test is taxing as hell but beneficial in the long run. I don't have time to devote to it like I want but I know what I'll be up against at least.

Good luck to whoever will be taking the actual test anytime soon.

[Warriorbird]

Yeah, definitely mentally challenging, and I've been missing that.

[Soulpieced]

Better scenario, get your bachelor's and go out and get a real job in the business world and make sure the company will pay for your masters. IE: Fuck law and med school :grin:

[Makkah]

Business? LOL. No thanks. My best friends does that shit, and I pity her.

[Keller]

My first practice was 160. My actual test was a 173. I paid 1k to get go from paying to go to Pepperdine to getting a half-tuition scholarship to USC. That 1k saved me 65K. Great investment.

But if you're really stuck on not taking a prep class, then you NEED to buy a logic games bible. Lots of companies have them and as games are the only part that you need to "learn" anything for, it's well worth it.

If I were you I would buy the Power Score Logic Bible and then buy the 10 Actual LSAT series of tests. There are 30 tests within those three books that will give you a good set of practice material. Learn your game setups and then just practice. I promise you'll get 1000% more out of taking 30 tests than reading some book about how to do arguments.

[xtc]

ok....keller has broken it down for you. I never did the LSAT, I wrote the GMAT but it has been a while.

19. C
20. B

[xtc]

Originally posted by Soulpieced
Better scenario, get your bachelor's and go out and get a real job in the business world and make sure the company will pay for your masters. IE: Fuck law and med school :grin:

Uh I don't think I would follow this advice. There are lots of waiters with their Bachelor's.

It maybe a pain but doing a Law degree or an MBA will pay.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050214/PFLAWYER14/TPBusiness/General

[Edaarin]

June 6th :no:

Someone help.

[Makkah]

Take 43 ES Tylenols.

[YancyDC]

Good luck! You'll feel fucking great after you're done with it.

[Sean of the Thread]

Originally posted by xtc

Originally posted by Soulpieced
Better scenario, get your bachelor's and go out and get a real job in the business world and make sure the company will pay for your masters. IE: Fuck law and med school :grin:

Uh I don't think I would follow this advice. There are lots of waiters with their Bachelor's.

It maybe a pain but doing a Law degree or an MBA will pay.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050214/PFLAWYER14/TPBusiness/General

Waiters with their bachelors are either ..

A)dumb
b)lazy
c) getting paid 50k plus for hardly working. (see also lazy)

My ex-wife made more being a waitress then a teacher.. alot more.

[longshot]

Originally posted by Xyelin

My ex-wife made more being a waitress then a teacher.. alot more.

Yes, but a good stripper will make more than both combined...

Edaarin, most law schools, at least when I was looking at them, don't take the best LSAT score. They will usually average them.

This means that if you are not ready, don't take the test. Will it kill you to wait until October?

There are thousands of people that have no clue what to do with their life that take this test... are you one of these people?

www.vault.com

The law board (not law school) is full miserable wretches that would take a job baking cakes in a grocery store if they could...

They hate law, but they can't leave because of the 200K in debt they owe. They are seduced by the white shoe firms, and the allure of prestige, only to be chewed up and spit out with no exit opportunities.

And that's even if you get that far! Everyone in your class will be just as smart, if not smarter than you... and you are ranked against these people. Someone will finish last in the class. Even at Harvard.

Make sure this is what you really want. If it is, I suggest delaying the test, or even taking it and then canceling the score for purposes of practice. Put in the effort for October, and invest in a prep course. $1000 now is really nothing. It might seem like a lot when you convert it in your head to alchohol... but trust me, the prep course is worth it.

I'm even considering a private tutor for the GMAT, and that's AFTER scoring higher than the 95th percentile. What's a couple grand when the upside is so huge for going to a top school?

[Edaarin]

I've been averaging somewhere between 162 and 167 the last week or so (a test a day).

Could I do better if I signed up for a prep class? Yeah, probably. But I'm going to sit for it and see how things go. If I get less than a 165, I'm not going to bother considering law school. If I get > 165, I'm applying to Georgetown, William & Mary, and U. Va. If I don't get into any of those schools (list may grow to 5 or 6 schools, but no more than that), then screw it, I'm getting my CPA.

As things stand right now, I have a 97% shot of landing a job with a Big Four company when I graduate college, so if the law school thing happens it happens. If not, I have a dual accounting/finance degree to fall back on.

[longshot]

You would spend almost as much on those applications as a prep course.

Spend it bumping up your score, not pissing it to the marketing budget of schools that will lie about their job placement numbers.

My view of law school is very negative, so I guess this is my last post here. If you have any other questions U2U me.

[Edaarin]

:smug:

[longshot]

Does that mean that you cancelled?

[Edaarin]

Nah. Msecond logical reasoning section came 5th and by the time I did three out of four, I was burned out. Other than that I'm thinking I did pretty well.

If not, oh well, there's October.

[Warriorbird]

Hope you did well.

I'm taking advice and enrolling in a prep course.

[Keller]

Originally posted by Warriorbird
Hope you did well.

I'm taking advice and enrolling in a prep course.

Having worked for one of the two major prep schools and going to a lesser known one -- I am going to STRONGLY advise you to use powerscore. While your instructor is going to be different (unless you live in LA area, which I know you don't) the materials, training, and screening will be the same.

You will have an instructor who scored a 175+, has been through their program, and works with some of the best prep materials I've seen.

Also, I know I've said it before but the only sure-fire way to get the most out of your brain on test-day is to get it into the best shape it's been in. For me it was one test a day at least the month before hand. Not only will your brain be functioning well but you'll be so accustomed to the wording/questions that you'll be at a strong advantage come test day.

Good luck to you and I hope those who took the test today did well.

Oh, and fuck all of you for being able to take a test at 1:30 pm. Fuck you all.

[Warriorbird]

Thanks. It'll probably be Powerscore. My crazed cousin suggested I take two, but I doubt I can buffalo my folks into that.

[Kel]

Congrats on getting through the test today.


If I get > 165, I'm applying to Georgetown, William & Mary, and U. Va.

It's been a while since Georgetown, so I don't know if I can be much help. I'm happy to try, though, so if you end up considering the Law Center feel free to U2U me. I prefer to think I have some insights (and certainly I have some opinions). I was on the admissions committee as a 3L; maybe I can rattle my brain enough to shake loose some helpful memories of the process.

Hope today went well. Now it's just a question of relaxing 'til the scores come in...

How is that question hard?

[Warriorbird]

Time limits make them harder. But maybe you should consider law.

:chuckles:

It took me about 10 seconds to make a matrix illustrating 14 possible slots for presentations and once you fill in all the exclusions like bitch 1 can't work on tuesday its simple as fuck.

[Edaarin]

165

FUCK

[longshot]

Fuck?

That's excellent.

You're right at the 93~94th percentile, right?

You should be able to crack the "sacred" top 14 schools.

If you don't want to go to law school, then don't go. It's your life man... it's gonna be your 120K in the red, and nobody elses.

Sometimes the best decision you can make is the decision not to do something...

But don't be dissapointed with that score.

[Edaarin]

Originally posted by longshot
You're right at the 93~94th percentile, right?


That's eerily close to reality. Good guess.

But while it's a decent score, I honestly needed more for a few reasons.

One, affirmative action works against me rather than for me in educational institutions, unfortunately. And if anyone doesn't believe that's true, my ex roommate scored a 162, and I guarantee he will get in anywhere that he wants.

Two, my grades are weaker than they should be (let's just say above 3.3, below 3.5). What can I say, I had an alcohol-stained first year and a second year of complete and utter indifference.

[Warriorbird]

I'm in a similar situation grade wise. You can still end up at a pretty damn nice school, from what I hear, just gotta nail everything on the app.

[Keller]

Ed--

If you have a recommendator that you know very well have them say something in their letter about your grades. The schools will definately notice it and having a recommendator address the issue would be better than having to do it yourself. I wouldn't suggest having them write that your poor grades were due to alcohol -- but maybe something like depression/family illness/personal illness.

Also -- fyi a school will never check into the authenticity of a recommendation. So if you don't feel comfortable asking a former prof to do something like that for you I would just write my own rec and forge the sig. Sure it's unethical but you're just training to be a lawyer, right?