# Burton Method Competitor Research Intel

## Week of February 3, 2026

### Key Developments (Updated Feb 6)
- **7Sage:** Platform overhaul now fully live — Reddit announcement confirms "learn by doing" philosophy with **flexible curriculum** letting students skip lessons and jump straight to drills. Classic site maintained through 2026. Trust erosion continues from March drilling reversal + direction uncertainty. New site has better analytics, shorter explanations. **Positioning shift from structured to self-directed.**
- **PowerScore:** Brand fracture confirmed. Killoran departure official, Denning solo. **NEW:** 2025-2026 Bible Trilogy now includes **Law School Admissions Bible** written with **Spivey Consulting** — full-funnel strategy expansion beyond test prep. Active podcast covering Jan 2026 LSAT challenges ("four intense days of turmoil"). Free webinars continue as retention play.
- **LSAT Demon:** Steady state. Daily podcast Ep 542+. New "Tuition Roll Call" feature in Scholarship Estimator (509 data viz). Live classes running. No core product innovation.
- **Blueprint:** Published strong article on Jan 2026 RC comparative passage removal. Practice exams updated with tablet mode. Continuing SEO commodity play ("Top Law Schools in [State]").
- **Kaplan:** $200 off promo EXTENDED AGAIN — now running **Feb 3-10** (code FEB150 = $150 off). Aggressive timing to capture February LSAT enrollments. Marketing "170+ or 10-point increase" guarantee. Note: "#1 Rated" claim via TestPrepInsight is **Kaplan affiliate** (disclosed). Pure discount play continues with zero product innovation.
- **Magoosh:** Still asleep. Updated lessons/schedules (boilerplate). Free prep for LSAC fee waiver recipients. No innovation.
- **Hey Future Lawyer:** Ben Parker back after ~2 week illness. Podcast on 2026 being "most chaotic cycle ever." Anti-corporate "prep is junk food" positioning continues.
- **LSAC:** Feb LSAT is TODAY (Feb 6-7). NALP published major market analysis: **law firm recruiting hitting lowest levels since 2012-2020**. Median 2L summer offers at all-time low. Class of 2028 is largest entering class in 13 years. OCI declared dead. AI uncertainty dampening firm hiring. Scores release Feb 25. April 2026 dates: Apr 9-11 (reg deadline Feb 26). Applicant surge: up 33%, applications up 27%.
- **AdeptLR:** AI-first adaptive drilling expanding question bank. Now includes PrepTests 1-18, 21, 23, 101-159, A, Feb 1997. Still LR + RC only. Monitor for curriculum expansion.
- **Jenova AI:** New entrant — marketing AI LSAT tutor with mobile app, citing "10+ point improvements." Citing same market stats (33% applicant increase, 28 schools requiring 170+). AI-tutor space heating up.

### Top Action Items
1. **URGENT: Deploy retake campaign NOW** — February LSAT is today/tomorrow. Retake ads + content should go live by Monday targeting score-disappointed students
2. **Leverage NALP "winter is coming" data** — Create content: tightening legal job market = LSAT scores matter more than ever. Fear-based messaging is powerful and timely.
3. **Counter Kaplan's $150 promo (expires Feb 10)** — Match with limited-time offer or create comparison content (discount ≠ outcomes)
4. **Feb 7-25 limbo content** — Post-LSAT content for score-anxious students
5. **Target PowerScore refugees** — Brand fracture + Barbri energy = displaced students
6. **7Sage self-directed pivot** — Position Burton Method's **guided methodology** vs. their "figure it out yourself" drill-first approach
7. **AI tutor positioning** — Jenova AI entering market; Burton Method should decide: incorporate AI tools or double down on human expertise differentiation
8. **PowerScore admissions expansion** — Evaluate: compete on admissions guidance or partner? Spivey collab raises credibility bar

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## Previous Weeks (Compressed)

### Week of February 2, 2026
- 7Sage announced drilling transition for March 1 (later reversed). PowerScore brand fracture deepening with Denning solo. LSAT Demon content machine, no product changes. Blueprint SEO play. Kaplan $200 off promo supposedly expired. Magoosh dormant. Hey Future Lawyer active on applicant surge. LSAC Feb dates Feb 6-7. AdeptLR monitoring as AI-first drilling competitor.

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## Previous Weeks (Compressed)

### Week of February 1, 2026
- Market exploding: applicants up 33%, LSAT registrations up 22%, Feb 2026 tracking 20-25% above prior year. Drivers: political climate, weak job market, format changes. LSAC using all-new content due to stolen test concerns. RC comparative reading no longer guaranteed (permanent Jan 2026 change).

### Week of January 26, 2026
- PowerScore: Dave Killoran departed — "former CEO/Director." Jon Denning solo. Brand significantly weakened. 7Sage: full platform redesign with drill-first philosophy, weekly data blog, tutor scaling. LSAT Demon: pricing stable ($0/$95/$195/$295/mo), Smart Drilling + Ask Button + LawHub Import, quick on RC coverage. Blueprint: practice exams updated with tablet mode for digital LSAT, strong SEO. Kaplan: 2026 Premium Prep book, $200 off promo, 170+/10-point guarantee. Magoosh: quiet, budget positioning. Hey Future Lawyer: anti-corporate podcast, scholarship-focused, free sessions. LSAC: Feb 2026 scheduling open, remote proctoring continues. AdeptLR spotted: AI-first adaptive drilling, PhD algorithm, 52% faster LR claim.