finished the flaws drilling section:
Difficulty 1 - 93/100 (93%)
Difficulty 2 - 61/73 (83%)
Difficulty 3 - 40/52 (77%)
Difficulty 4 - 38/55 (69%)
Total - 232/282 (82.2%)
thoughts:
there were at least 15 questions where i got it down to 2 choices and picked the wrong one… the more obvious ones were of course in the beginning and if i paid more attention to detail, i would’ve definitely gotten it correct. towards the end though, it got pretty difficult. i actually eliminated the right answer on some, and some really just throws you for a loop. i’m thinking about going back and redoing the ones i’ve missed, and possibly the last section difficulty again because it’s my weakest section.
i also discovered another type of flaw i never even knew existed, in which they mistakenly negate the conclusion based on the premises. you then have to figure out what the argument is assuming from the conditional logic and then exploit the flaw by meeting the sufficient condition, but failing to meet the necessary condition. if it sounds complicated, it is, but i saw only 2 of these types and they were all in the category 4 difficulty (phew!). i’ve got a grasp of this, but i can see how much of a time killer this actually is, and something i’d consider skipping if i see this flaw type in the future.
overall, i definitely just recommend the Manhattan books along with the drilling packets for someone just starting off, cause it’s really, really, helpful. drilling also allowed me to see how great the Manhattan approach is, and how it’s unequivocally the best method for LR. i can only imagine what my score would be today if i started this method from day 1, which has lead me to deciding i’d drill strengthen and weaken questions as well - just to get more practice in wiring my brain to think more structurally. thinking this way really makes you thinking about what the argument is about and significantly reduces the noise you get from a typical stimulus.
also, i picked up some new tips from 7Sage that i’m gonna try out soon… i initially didn’t take the company seriously, but some credible people on the TLS forums have recommended and decided to try some of it out… i will no doubt be blogging about blind review soon, which is the most painstaking way to review LR… until next time!
"That is why it is so important to let certain things go. To release them. To cut loose. People need to understand that no one is playing with marked cards; sometimes we win and sometimes we lose. Don’t expect to get anything back, don’t expect recognition for your efforts, don’t expect your genius to be discovered or your love to be understood. Complete the circle. Not out of pride, inability or arrogance, but simply because whatever it is no longer fits in your life. Close the door, change the record, clean the house, get rid of the dust. Stop being who you were and become who you are."
(Source: quote-book)
