91 lines
4.1 KiB
Markdown
91 lines
4.1 KiB
Markdown
# Burton Method Research Intel
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> **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.
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---
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## 📊 Current Week Intel (Week of Jan 20-26, 2026)
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### 🚨 CRITICAL: LSAC Format Change
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**Reading Comp removed comparative passages** in January 2026 administration. Confirmed by Blueprint and PowerScore.
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- **Impact:** Any RC curriculum teaching comparative passage strategy is now outdated
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- **Opportunity:** First to fully adapt = trust signal to students
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### Competitor Movements
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**7Sage**
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- Full site redesign launched (better analytics, cleaner UI)
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- **NEW FREE FEATURE:** Application tracker showing interview/accept/reject/waitlist outcomes
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- $10,000 giveaway promotion tied to tracker
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- Heavy ABA 509 report coverage
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- ADHD accommodations content series + 1L survival guides
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- **Strategic read:** Pushing hard into admissions territory, not just LSAT. Creates stickiness + data network effects.
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**LSAT Demon**
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- **"Ugly Mode"** (Jan 19) — transforms interface to match exact official LSAT layout
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- Tuition Roll Call on scholarship estimator — visualizes what students actually paid
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- Veteran outreach program with dedicated liaison
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- **Strategic read:** Daily podcast creates parasocial relationships. Demon is personality-driven; Burton is methodology-driven. Different lanes.
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**PowerScore**
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- **Dave Killoran departed** (HUGE personnel change)
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- Jon Denning continuing solo, covering January LSAT chaos extensively
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- Crystal Ball webinars still running
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- **Strategic read:** Industry veteran leaving creates uncertainty. Watch for quality/content changes.
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**Blueprint**
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- First to report RC comparative passages removal
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- Non-traditional student content (LSAT at 30/40/50+)
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- Score plateau breakthrough guides
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- 2025-26 admissions cycle predictions
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- **Strategic read:** Solid content machine, "fun" brand positioning.
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**Kaplan**
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- $200 off all LSAT prep **extended through Jan 26** (expires TODAY)
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- Applies to On Demand, Live Online, In Person, and Standard Tutoring
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- Bar prep also discounted ($750 off through Feb 27)
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- New 2026 edition book with "99th percentile instructor videos"
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- **Strategic read:** Mass-market, price-conscious positioning continues. Heavy discounting signals competitive pressure.
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**Magoosh**
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- Updated for post-Logic Games LSAT
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- Budget positioning continues
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- LSAC remote proctoring option coverage
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**LSAC (Official)**
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- February 2026 scheduling opened Jan 20
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- January registration closed; score release Jan 28
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- Mainland China testing unavailable for Jan 2026
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- Reminder to disable grammar-checking programs for Argumentative Writing
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---
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### EdTech Trends (Week of Jan 25)
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| Story | Score | Key Insight |
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|-------|-------|-------------|
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| AI Can Deepen Learning | 8/10 | AI mistakes spark deeper learning; productive friction > shortcuts |
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| Beyond Memorization: Redefining Rigor | 8/10 | LSAT-relevant: adaptability + critical thinking > memorization |
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| Teaching Machines to Spot Human Errors | 7/10 | Eedi Labs predicting student misconceptions; human-in-the-loop AI tutoring |
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| Learning As Addictive As TikTok? | 7/10 | Dopamine science for engagement; make progress feel attainable |
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| What Students Want From Edtech | 6/10 | UX research: clarity > gimmicks; meaningful gamification only |
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---
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### 📌 Identified Action Items
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1. **URGENT:** Update RC content to remove/deprioritize comparative passage strategy
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2. **Content opportunity:** Blog post "What the RC Changes Mean for Your Score" — be fast, be definitive
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3. **Positioning clarity:** 7Sage → admissions features, Demon → personality, Burton → systematic methodology that transcends format changes
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4. **Product opportunity:** Consider "productive friction" AI features that make students think, not just answer
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5. **Watch:** PowerScore post-Killoran quality — potential talent acquisition or market share opportunity
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---
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## 📚 Previous Weeks Archive
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*(No previous weeks yet — this section will grow as weeks pass)*
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