# Burton Method Competitor Research Intel

## Week of February 1, 2026

### Market Landscape
- Applications up 33% YoY for 2025-2026 cycle (LSAC data)
- LSAT registrations up 22%, Feb 2026 test tracking 20-25% above last year (~14K registrations)
- Drivers: political climate, weak grad job market (5.3% unemployment, 41% underemployment), LSAT format changes, reapplicants
- LSAC using "virtually all new test content" due to stolen test concerns
- RC comparative reading no longer guaranteed (permanent change from Jan 2026)

### Key Competitor Movements
- **PowerScore:** Dave Killoran DEPARTED — now "former CEO/Director." Jon Denning solo on podcast. Brand significantly weakened. BIGGEST OPENING.
- **7Sage:** Full admissions platform expansion. Weekly data-driven blog (LSAC volume tracking). Tutoring program scaling. Two posts/week cadence.
- **LSAT Demon:** Pricing stable ($0/$95/$195/$295/mo). Smart Drilling, Ask Button, LawHub Import. Quick on Jan 2026 RC coverage.
- **Blueprint:** Practice exams updated with tablet mode to match 2026 digital LSAT interface. Strong SEO play on admissions cycle analysis.
- **Kaplan:** New 2026 Premium Prep book. $200 off promo. 170+/10-point guarantee. Corporate playbook, slow innovation.
- **Magoosh:** Quiet quarter. Budget positioning (1/4 price). No major updates. Coasting.
- **Hey Future Lawyer:** "LSAT prep is junk food" podcast angle. Anti-corporate, scholarship-focused. Free sessions. Closest competitor in spirit.
- **LSAC:** Feb 2026 scheduling open (Feb 6-7 dates). Active "LSAT Inbox" blog. Remote proctoring continues.
- **AdeptLR (emerging):** AI-first adaptive drilling with PhD algorithm. Claims 52% faster LR improvement. LawHub import. Free + paid tiers.

### Top Strategic Implications
1. PowerScore vacuum = biggest competitive opening in years (target their students NOW)
2. LSAC new-content-only policy kills memorization-based prep → position Burton Method as method/thinking-based
3. AI-adaptive space wide open — race AdeptLR before they own the narrative

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## Previous Weeks (Compressed)

### Week of January 26 - February 1, 2026
- LSAC silently removed guaranteed comparative reading from RC section on January 2026 LSAT (permanent change)
- 7Sage launched full platform redesign (drill-first philosophy)
- LSAT Demon and Blueprint fastest to react with content on RC changes
- AdeptLR spotted as emerging AI-first competitor
- 2026 admissions cycle exploding — applicants up 33%, applications up 27%