6.1 KiB
6.1 KiB
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 27 - Feb 2, 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- Impact: Any RC curriculum teaching comparative passage strategy is now outdated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
- Pricing (Jan 27): Core $69/mo | Live $129/mo | Coach $299/mo (all require LawHub $120/yr)
- Scale: 60+ live classes/week, 3,000+ recorded classes
- 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
- Pricing (Jan 27): Entry at $95/month — competitive with 7Sage Core
- 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
- Jan 27 Update: Heavy push on 1:1 tutoring testimonials; "170+ course" positioning; reviews emphasizing "plateau breakthroughs" and test anxiety management
- Strategic read: Solid content machine, "fun" brand positioning. Going premium/high-touch with tutoring.
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
- Jan 28 Update: Landing page now shows blog-only content — no active LSAT prep product visible. Appears to have scaled back or exited market. Potential market consolidation signal.
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 (Jan 27 Scan)
| Story | Score | Key Insight |
|---|---|---|
| AdeptLR: LSAT AI Competitor | 9/10 | Direct LSAT LR adaptive AI platform; validates market, narrow focus (LR only) |
| Blueprint: AI Could Mess Up LSAT Prep | 8/10 | GPT-4 scored 163; AI gives confident wrong answers; training data outdated |
| UB Law: Apps Up 22% | 7/10 | Highest applicant volume in decade; 160-180 scores climbing; career changers entering |
| TCS: EdTech Trends 2026 | 7/10 | AI adaptive models proven; "agentic AI" emerging; outcomes > features now |
| LSAC: 2026 Cycle Strong | 7/10 | Official confirmation LSAT volumes high; broad applicant base |
| eSchool: 49 EdTech Predictions | 6/10 | "Shiny AI era over" — measurable outcomes required to win |
Previous Scan (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
- 🚨 TIME-SENSITIVE (Jan 28): January LSAT scores release TODAY — prime acquisition window for students who missed target. Consider outreach campaign for 1/28-1/31.
- 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
- NEW - Competitive research: Study AdeptLR UX for adaptive LSAT AI patterns (what works, what doesn't)
- NEW - Differentiation angle: Build AI that admits uncertainty (address Blueprint's "confident wrong answers" critique)
- NEW - Marketing: Track & publish score improvement data to meet "outcomes over features" bar
- NEW - Market validation: 22% app surge + decade-high volumes = sustained demand; career changers = self-study friendly audience
📚 Previous Weeks Archive
(No previous weeks yet — this section will grow as weeks pass)