Burton Method Research Intel

How this works: Current week's in-depth intel lives at the top. Each week, I compress the previous week into 1-3 sentences and move it to the archive at the bottom. Reference this file when asked about competitor moves, EdTech trends, or strategic action items.

📊 Current Week Intel (Week of Jan 20-26, 2026)

🚨 CRITICAL: LSAC Format Change

Reading Comp removed comparative passages in January 2026 administration. Confirmed by Blueprint and PowerScore.

Impact: Any RC curriculum teaching comparative passage strategy is now outdated
Opportunity: First to fully adapt = trust signal to students

Competitor Movements

7Sage

Full site redesign launched (better analytics, cleaner UI)
NEW FREE FEATURE: Application tracker showing interview/accept/reject/waitlist outcomes
$10,000 giveaway promotion tied to tracker
Heavy ABA 509 report coverage
ADHD accommodations content series + 1L survival guides
Strategic read: Pushing hard into admissions territory, not just LSAT. Creates stickiness + data network effects.

LSAT Demon

"Ugly Mode" (Jan 19) — transforms interface to match exact official LSAT layout
Tuition Roll Call on scholarship estimator — visualizes what students actually paid
Veteran outreach program with dedicated liaison
Strategic read: Daily podcast creates parasocial relationships. Demon is personality-driven; Burton is methodology-driven. Different lanes.

PowerScore

Dave Killoran departed (HUGE personnel change)
Jon Denning continuing solo, covering January LSAT chaos extensively
Crystal Ball webinars still running
Strategic read: Industry veteran leaving creates uncertainty. Watch for quality/content changes.

Blueprint

First to report RC comparative passages removal
Non-traditional student content (LSAT at 30/40/50+)
Score plateau breakthrough guides
2025-26 admissions cycle predictions
Strategic read: Solid content machine, "fun" brand positioning.

Kaplan

$200 off all LSAT prep extended through Jan 26 (expires TODAY)
Applies to On Demand, Live Online, In Person, and Standard Tutoring
Bar prep also discounted ($750 off through Feb 27)
New 2026 edition book with "99th percentile instructor videos"
Strategic read: Mass-market, price-conscious positioning continues. Heavy discounting signals competitive pressure.

Magoosh

Updated for post-Logic Games LSAT
Budget positioning continues
LSAC remote proctoring option coverage

LSAC (Official)

February 2026 scheduling opened Jan 20
January registration closed; score release Jan 28
Mainland China testing unavailable for Jan 2026
Reminder to disable grammar-checking programs for Argumentative Writing

EdTech Trends (Week of Jan 25)

Story	Score	Key Insight
AI Can Deepen Learning	8/10	AI mistakes spark deeper learning; productive friction > shortcuts
Beyond Memorization: Redefining Rigor	8/10	LSAT-relevant: adaptability + critical thinking > memorization
Teaching Machines to Spot Human Errors	7/10	Eedi Labs predicting student misconceptions; human-in-the-loop AI tutoring
Learning As Addictive As TikTok?	7/10	Dopamine science for engagement; make progress feel attainable
What Students Want From Edtech	6/10	UX research: clarity > gimmicks; meaningful gamification only

📌 Identified Action Items

URGENT: Update RC content to remove/deprioritize comparative passage strategy
Content opportunity: Blog post "What the RC Changes Mean for Your Score" — be fast, be definitive
Positioning clarity: 7Sage → admissions features, Demon → personality, Burton → systematic methodology that transcends format changes
Product opportunity: Consider "productive friction" AI features that make students think, not just answer
Watch: PowerScore post-Killoran quality — potential talent acquisition or market share opportunity

📚 Previous Weeks Archive

(No previous weeks yet — this section will grow as weeks pass)

4.1 KiB Raw Blame History