41 lines
4.5 KiB
Markdown
41 lines
4.5 KiB
Markdown
# Burton Method Competitor Research Intel
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## Week of February 3, 2026
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### Key Developments (Updated Feb 5)
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- **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.**
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- **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.
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- **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.
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- **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]").
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- **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.
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- **Magoosh:** Still asleep. Updated lessons/schedules (boilerplate). Free prep for LSAC fee waiver recipients. No innovation.
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- **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.
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- **LSAC:** Feb LSAT dates Feb 6-7, scores Feb 25. April 2026 dates: Apr 9-11 (reg deadline Feb 26). Remote proctoring continues. Applicant surge: up 33%, applications up 27%.
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- **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.
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### Top Action Items
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1. **Feb 7-25 limbo content** — Post-LSAT content for score-anxious students
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2. **Target PowerScore refugees** — Brand fracture + Barbri energy = displaced students
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3. **RC change content** — Blueprint beat everyone; Burton Method needs own coverage
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4. **7Sage self-directed pivot** — Position Burton Method's **guided methodology** vs. their "figure it out yourself" drill-first approach
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5. **Kaplan discount war ending Feb 10** — Monitor if they extend again; potential pricing pressure
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6. **PowerScore admissions expansion** — Evaluate: compete on admissions guidance or partner? Spivey collab raises credibility bar
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7. **$95/month pricing floor** — LSAT Demon maintains market floor; factor into pricing strategy
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---
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## Previous Weeks (Compressed)
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### Week of February 2, 2026
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- 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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---
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## Previous Weeks (Compressed)
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### Week of February 1, 2026
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- 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).
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### Week of January 26, 2026
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- 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.
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