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June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:08 pm
by Manash
Starting this thread for those who are pretty much set on taking the June test and are in need of daily motivation in the months leading up to the test. I took the Dec. 2009 test and the Dec 2009 study group thread was very helpful in motivating me.

Thread: http://www.top-law-schools.com/archives ... =6&t=83495

My PT scores soared thanks to the confidence and perseverance instilled by the study group [Averaged 172+ over 17 PTs]. However, insomnia [night before the test] and a very noisy desk partner [who violently shook the desk as if possessed] totally ruined my concentration in the first 2 sections of the test. I regrouped to finish the test strong but the damage was done and I did not break 170. I have applied to quite a few law schools this cycle and secured admission to my safety school with a full scholly. Yet this has only motivated me into believing that my reach schools should be my target schools. Such is only possible with a better LSAT score so here goes. Hoping for the best.

Use this thread to motivate each other, ask for advice, outline your study plans, and remain steadfast in your preparation for arguably one of the important exams of your lives.

All the best. Let's do this.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:45 pm
by Manash
Even though I still have a bit deal of familiarity with the test, my January outline primarily involves getting reacquainted with the test:

- Going over the bibles [LG & LR]
- Reading ALOT in order to start putting my mind into position for RC
- Taking alot of practice sections in both LG and LR [RC will be used as 5th sec experimental]
- Taking 3 unofficial practice PTs on 1/10 [PT 30] ; 1/17 [PT 29] ; 1/24 [PT 51B - Jun. 2007]

My official PT schedule begins on 1/31/11 and runs until the first week of June.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 12:57 pm
by TIKITEMBO
I'm not starting on this obsessive study journey until February, but I wish you all the best of luck if you're starting now and know that you will have more company very soon :) My plan for studying will essentially entail taking a PT every Sunday and Wednesday until just a few days before the June test. I'll review everything I got wrong (and everything I got right) in between tests and become a flash card collector. Planning on using the bibles, PT's, and flashcards.

170+ for everyone in the group!

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 1:17 pm
by Manash
Nice. Yea, my post-Jan schedule resembles that a bit. Except I will be taking most tests during the week and leaving the weekend for monster reviews and even more practice. All the best and looking forward to seeing your posts in the group.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 1:22 pm
by TIKITEMBO
Same to you! I'm going to have Sun/Wed for tests, Mon/Tues for review of Sunday's test, Thurs/Fri for review of Wednesday's test, and Saturday for general/miscellaneous review. Pretty intense, but I think it will keep the work load evened out.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 1:39 pm
by pu_golf88
Well I better join up now. I took the June 2010 LSAT and was very disappointed in my score so I'm retaking in June again. On the bright side, I'll have a year and a half or work experience when I start law school.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 6:51 pm
by BostonPants
I'm a June 2011 re-take (originally Oct 2010, but didn't end up with the score I wanted), and will begin to study in February. With the Oct test, I only really studied for 2 months and found that my (more than) full-time work schedule + grad school class didn't leave me nearly as much study time as I would have liked last time around, so we will see if longer study period --> higher score.

Will definitely be checking in on this thread as I get back into study mode! Thanks for starting it up!

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 11:00 am
by Manash
Glad to see interest generated so early. Wasn't expecting anyone to really post until February. I would imagine most would want to take January off. :mrgreen:

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 1:15 pm
by pu_golf88
So what are your guys study plans?

My problem has been in the past I start with plenty of time, but move too slow. I think have a lot to do towards the end and end up overwhelmed. I'm hoping to start strong this time.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 1:45 pm
by theaether
I will be taking the June test. I have PTs all mapped out for the few months before June, but right now I don't even know what to focus on on a day-to-day basis. Took like 4 PTs and 1 diagnostic so far? I guess I will read through all the strategy books for now. Thread bookmarked.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 1:53 pm
by Beast15
pu_golf88 wrote:So what are your guys study plans?

My problem has been in the past I start with plenty of time, but move too slow. I think have a lot to do towards the end and end up overwhelmed. I'm hoping to start strong this time.

Everyone will tell you that you have TONS of time. Don't listen to them. Keep yourself motivated by not allowing yourself to believe that "there's always tomorrow." Put together a plan and stick to it. As you already know, you'll be in trouble if you try to cram.

Here's what I'm up to...

Use PTs 1-35
January: RC. RCB, then drills by passage type, then drill sections
February: LR. LRB, then drills by question type, then drill sections
March: LG. LGB, then drills by game type, then drill sections

Use PTs 36-50
April: PT (timed and untimed) every two days, with hardcore review in between. Drill weaknesses.

Use PTs 51-62
May-June: Test day simulations every two days, with review. Probably do some six-section endurance builders too.

June 6: Take test, then relax with cold one as I watch all of my LSAT prep material burn in a barrel.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 2:39 pm
by pu_golf88
Beast15 wrote:
pu_golf88 wrote:So what are your guys study plans?

My problem has been in the past I start with plenty of time, but move too slow. I think have a lot to do towards the end and end up overwhelmed. I'm hoping to start strong this time.

Everyone will tell you that you have TONS of time. Don't listen to them. Keep yourself motivated by not allowing yourself to believe that "there's always tomorrow." Put together a plan and stick to it. As you already know, you'll be in trouble if you try to cram.

Here's what I'm up to...

Use PTs 1-35
January: RC. RCB, then drills by passage type, then drill sections
February: LR. LRB, then drills by question type, then drill sections
March: LG. LGB, then drills by game type, then drill sections

Use PTs 36-50
April: PT (timed and untimed) every two days, with hardcore review in between. Drill weaknesses.

Use PTs 51-62
May-June: Test day simulations every two days, with review. Probably do some six-section endurance builders too.

June 6: Take test, then relax with cold one as I watch all of my LSAT prep material burn in a barrel.

I like that last part

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 3:01 pm
by neeko
I'll be taking the June test as well. Bought all the bibles and all the preptests that were available. Working through the LGB now, annoyed with grouping games. Spending a lot of time trying to get over that hurdle right now.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 3:57 pm
by Beast15
neeko wrote:I'll be taking the June test as well. Bought all the bibles and all the preptests that were available. Working through the LGB now, annoyed with grouping games. Spending a lot of time trying to get over that hurdle right now.
It takes a lot of time but after months of practice those games will be easy. Timing is usually the only issue--albeit the most important issue. With enough practice, though, most intelligent people can consistently score -0 to -4 on a timed section (purely anecdotal evidence of course).

Just keep practicing and you'll see what I mean.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 4:08 pm
by Underoath
I am familiar with the test already as I have been studying. I was supposed to take the 2010 June LSAT, but as the date neared I just wasn't ready.

I find it hard to find time to study. How do you guys manage it all? I am working 40 hours a week with a full load at school (16 units). On weekends I am either busy doing homework or wanting a break. That's where my issue lies.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 4:52 pm
by Manash
Underoath wrote:I am familiar with the test already as I have been studying. I was supposed to take the 2010 June LSAT, but as the date neared I just wasn't ready.

I find it hard to find time to study. How do you guys manage it all? I am working 40 hours a week with a full load at school (16 units). On weekends I am either busy doing homework or wanting a break. That's where my issue lies.
Ouch. That's a very rough schedule. I work full time as well but I am not a current student, thus allowing me to study when not at work. When will you be completing school? Perhaps holding off to study then if you really have zero to no time at this point?

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 6:46 pm
by Beast15
Underoath wrote:I am familiar with the test already as I have been studying. I was supposed to take the 2010 June LSAT, but as the date neared I just wasn't ready.

I find it hard to find time to study. How do you guys manage it all? I am working 40 hours a week with a full load at school (16 units). On weekends I am either busy doing homework or wanting a break. That's where my issue lies.
I was in a similar situation myself. To get the extra time I needed to study I cut my social life out and changed my sleeping pattern so that I could reliably wake-up at 4AM everyday. It may seem extreme but it wasn't too bad once I got used to it. And it was very productive; you won't be getting any phone calls from friends, family, or work between 4-8AM.

If you can make a similar sacrifice, you'll have the time you need to study.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:05 pm
by dextermorgan
Checking in.

I was going to take it in Feb, but with working full-time I didn't feel I had enough time to prep. Currently I put in at least two hours every night during the week and 4-5 on Saturdays. I'm working through the Atlas self-study and plan to take all the newer preptests once I've finished the classes/guides.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:07 pm
by dextermorgan
Beast15 wrote:
Underoath wrote:I am familiar with the test already as I have been studying. I was supposed to take the 2010 June LSAT, but as the date neared I just wasn't ready.

I find it hard to find time to study. How do you guys manage it all? I am working 40 hours a week with a full load at school (16 units). On weekends I am either busy doing homework or wanting a break. That's where my issue lies.
I was in a similar situation myself. To get the extra time I needed to study I cut my social life out and changed my sleeping pattern so that I could reliably wake-up at 4AM everyday. It may seem extreme but it wasn't too bad once I got used to it. And it was very productive; you won't be getting any phone calls from friends, family, or work between 4-8AM.

If you can make a similar sacrifice, you'll have the time you need to study.
I have a similar schedule. No social life, wake up at 5, gym, work, study, bed. Makes for a boring day, but it will hopefully be worth it in the end. Whenever I start to feel burnout I usually spend a weekend back home with old friends. Works wonders.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 7:39 pm
by neeko
Underoath wrote:I am familiar with the test already as I have been studying. I was supposed to take the 2010 June LSAT, but as the date neared I just wasn't ready.

I find it hard to find time to study. How do you guys manage it all? I am working 40 hours a week with a full load at school (16 units). On weekends I am either busy doing homework or wanting a break. That's where my issue lies.
I'm doing the same thing, 40 hours at work then 15 hours at school. I am able to get some of my school work done at my office which really helps me and then I spend every waking minute at home studying for the LSAT. I haven't done any sort of social activity in weeks. I just have to keep telling myself it will be worth it.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:11 pm
by dextermorgan
neeko wrote:
Underoath wrote:I am familiar with the test already as I have been studying. I was supposed to take the 2010 June LSAT, but as the date neared I just wasn't ready.

I find it hard to find time to study. How do you guys manage it all? I am working 40 hours a week with a full load at school (16 units). On weekends I am either busy doing homework or wanting a break. That's where my issue lies.
I'm doing the same thing, 40 hours at work then 15 hours at school. I am able to get some of my school work done at my office which really helps me and then I spend every waking minute at home studying for the LSAT. I haven't done any sort of social activity in weeks. I just have to keep telling myself it will be worth it.
I'm glad I'm not the only one working full-time and taking it. I don't know how you pile school on top though.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:27 pm
by JG7773
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Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:35 pm
by pu_golf88
dextermorgan wrote:
neeko wrote:
Underoath wrote:I am familiar with the test already as I have been studying. I was supposed to take the 2010 June LSAT, but as the date neared I just wasn't ready.

I find it hard to find time to study. How do you guys manage it all? I am working 40 hours a week with a full load at school (16 units). On weekends I am either busy doing homework or wanting a break. That's where my issue lies.
I'm doing the same thing, 40 hours at work then 15 hours at school. I am able to get some of my school work done at my office which really helps me and then I spend every waking minute at home studying for the LSAT. I haven't done any sort of social activity in weeks. I just have to keep telling myself it will be worth it.
I'm glad I'm not the only one working full-time and taking it. I don't know how you pile school on top though.
I just started working full time this week. Luckily I'm not in school anymore. The only problem is the my boss says I can work unlimited overtime. Money vs. LSAT studying time could make things challenging.

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:54 pm
by Beast15
JG7773 wrote:I will be joining this thread. June 2011 will be my first (and hopefully) attempt. I have completed the LGB and am working my way through the LRB now. In order to supplement my RC abilities (or lack thereof) I purchased a student subscription to The Economist. I am looking forward to the challenge and to working with others in this thread. If anyone is in the Boston area, maybe we could get a live study group thrown together as well in the coming months!
The Economist is a great read, but don't make the mistake I did and think that reading it will religiously will help with RC. It's a wonderful news mag that's definitely worth reading for pleasure, though. Just don't treat it like prep material.

If RC is a weakness you should invest in ALL of the PTs. Or just get one of those Grouped books that has all of the RC passages (the Powerscore version that has all the passages from PTs 1-20 is good).

Re: June 2011 Study Group

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2011 10:21 pm
by JG7773
.