Best LSAT Prep Books | Book Recommendations

UPDATE: *See this list of Best LSAT Prep Books. That's what I'm updating, not the list below.*

*See LSAT study schedules to find out how to use these.*

The Newest LSAT PrepTests
by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC)

The test has significantly changed in the last decade, so make sure you get several of the newer exams.

Use: throughout your exam prep.



The Next 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests
by LSAC (identical older edition)

This book includes PrepTests 29-38. You'll need to get a copy of this to adequately prepare.

Use: during your exam preparation.

(Check out my unofficial LSAT Logic Games questions, which accompany the Logic Games included in this book.)



10 More Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests
by LSAC (identical older edition)

This book includes PrepTests 19-28.

Use: during your exam preparation.



10 Actual Official LSAT PrepTests
by LSAC (identical older edition)

This book includes most of the PrepTests from 7-18. It's only worth your time to do these if you've begun your prep early enough that you will have plenty of time to complete the newer PrepTests also.

Remember: These PrepTests are from 12/1992 - 9/1995. There's no need to worry if you find some of the Logic Games tricky. These game types hardly ever surface on newer exams.

Use (if at all): at the beginning of your preparation to help you get used to the LSAT.


The Oldest LSAT PrepTests
by LSAC

LSAT PrepTests 1-6 (June 1991 - October 1992), 8 (June 1993), and 17 (December 1995) are out-of-print, but available on Amazon.com

Use: if you'll have time to complete the more recent exams as well.



The Official LSAT SuperPrep
by LSAC (identical older edition, except for tiny difference noted below)

This book includes a couple of exams you won't see anywhere else: 2/1996, 2/1999, and 2/2000. However, the book's biggest selling point is the fact that it includes complete explanations of each exam. It's important to know how the test-makers think.

Use: Read the introductory section covering each section of the exam prior to attempting questions of each type in the first few months of your prep. The introductory section is pages 1-62 (in newer edition) or pages 1-54 (in older edition).

(That 8-page difference consists of a comparative reading passage you won't find anywhere else, as well as a detailed explanation of it. This is the only difference between the editions that I spotted.)

Save the 3 exams in the book (and the explanations of each) for later in your preparation. The explanations are rather technical, so you may benefit more from them after working through my Logic Games and Logical Reasoning plans.

However, if SuperPrep's introductory section is smooth sailing for you and you feel like LSAC's writing style doesn't confuse you, then feel free to work through the three exams (and read their explanations) in the same manner that I recommend working through Next 10 in my 3-month sample study schedule.



The Official LSAT Handbook






LSAT Grouped by Logic Game Type


LSAT Grouped by Question Type


Kaplan LSAT Mastery Practice


June 2007 LSAT exam (PDF)
by LSAC

This is a free sample PrepTest. When you're making a study schedule, treat this exam as if it were PrepTest 51 1/2.


Sample LSAT Questions and Explanations (PDF)
by LSAC

From the folks who write the exam. Released in 2008.


About the LSAT
by LSAC

More sample questions and explanations, as well as a great overview of the exam.



A Rulebook for Arguments
by Anthony Weston

If you're only going to order one book for your LSAT prep aside from LSAT-specific books, make this it.

Weston will show you how to spot gaps in arguments and flawed reasoning. His book is clear, simple, and concise (104 pages). It serves as an excellent outline and how-to guide for the LSAT's Logical Reasoning section.

It's a great (and amusing) framework for LSAT-style thinking. It's really cheap (compared to the other books, anyway). Don't buy an older edition of this one to save money, though. The author has improved/added significant content for each new edition.

Use: Before you start studying for the LSAT, or before you start the Logical Reasoning section.


Logic Made Easy: How to Know When Language Deceives You
by Deborah Bennett (older edition)

Even though this book is not specifically written for LSAT prep, it includes many Logical Reasoning-style questions. It also discusses several common fallacies. Bennett is clearly familiar with the LSAT, which makes the book useful for LSAT prep. The book is clearly-written, contains basic examples, and it's concise.

Feel free to skip the chapters on the history of logic (and chapter 10 on truth tables) and focus on the everyday-life examples throughout the book instead. Be sure to check out the section on fallacies in Chapter 11, as well as the final chapter.

Also see my interview with Dr. Bennett on Logic Made Easy.

Use: Before you start studying for the LSAT, or before you start the Logical Reasoning section.


Informal Logic: A Pragmatic Approachby Douglas Walton (older edition)

Clearly demonstrates and explains several types of valid and invalid arguments. Walton loves reviewing logical fallacies, and he discusses several common ones that appear on the LSAT.

Use (if at all): Before you start studying or before you start the Logical Reasoning section.


Elementary Logic: Revised Edition
by William Quine (older edition)

It's only 144 pages, but it manages to cover several fundamental issues in logic, such as necessary and sufficient conditions. If you're interested, and you have enough time, look it up, but you don't need to.

Use (if at all): Before you start preparing or before you start the Logical Reasoning section.


How to Solve It: A New Aspect of Mathematical Method
by George Polya (older editions)

Basic suggestions for logical thinking and problem solving. Why use it? Because it provides a framework you can use to identify and analyze relationships between evidence and conclusion in a given argument. Wikipedia, this summary, and these questions should be enough.

Ask the following questions when you encounter each Logical Reasoning stimulus or Logic Game.

1. What info is provided/unknown? Does the evidence support the conclusion?
2. How does this stimulus/game differ from other ones you've seen?
3. Does restating the argument help? (Consider the contrapositive.)
4. Can you make any inferences from the given information?
5. What can you do with the inferences?

Another good summary.

Use (if at all): Before you start preparing or before you start the Logical Reasoning section.



LSAT Blog's Sudoku Puzzles for LSAT Prep

I've put together 208 easy-to-moderate sudoku puzzles, along with a brief introduction to sudoku. They're presented in increasing order of difficulty.

You can download and print out multiple copies of each puzzle.

Sudoku puzzles will sharpen your brain and prepare it for the Logic Games.

Use (if at all): Before you start studying or when you need a break.


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See my LSAT Study Schedules for advice on using LSAT PrepTests effectively.

LSAT Writing Sample | Tips on How to Study

The LSAT Writing Sample requires minimal preparation.

It's true it has no impact on your LSAT score. However, because it's now online and typed (now known as LSAT Writing), law schools take it more seriously than

However, some do. Here's what you need to know.

When do you do the Writing Sample?

Beginning with the August 2020 LSAT-Flex exam, you can take it 8 days prior to your LSAT administration. You must complete it before LSAC will release your score, and you take it as a separate online session.


What do you have to write about on the Writing Sample?

The topic is different every time, but each topic has something in common - every question gives you a scenario. You're asked to decide between two options based on several factors. Each option has pros and cons, which means that you can't go wrong with either choice. All you have to do is consider the benefits and drawbacks and ultimately choose one of the two possibilities.


How should you begin the Writing Sample?

Start with your conclusion so the reader knows you picked one of the two choices. Your first sentence might be: "After weighing the pros and cons of the options presented before me, I have decided that Choice 1 is the better of the two options presented to the school / university / business." Proceed by saying something about the situation to show that you understand it. End the intro by telling the reader why Choice 2 is worse than Choice 1 for the individual facing this scenario.


But that's only the intro! How do I fill the rest of the page?

Start off your 2nd paragraph by examining each choice. Demonstrate that you understand why each one has a couple of benefits. Continue your argument by stating that the benefits of your choice outweigh those of the other potential route. If you have the time or inclination, you might say the inferior choice's downsides significantly outweigh its benefits.


How should you end the Writing Sample?

Restate the first sentence of the intro and tell the reader it's the superior choice after looking at the big picture. Say something like, "After examining the fundamental goals of our organization, it is clear that..."


How should you study for the Writing Sample?

Take another look at it, read a few writing sample prompts (located at the end of every PrepTest), and you'll know what to do.

7 Logical Reasoning Tips and Tricks

UPDATE: I've put together a GINORMOUS list of free Logical Reasoning advice and strategies. The below tips are a good start, but click that link for much, much, more.


Logical Reasoning makes up 2 out of 4 sections on the scored portion of the LSAT. These 7 tips will help you to master this important section.

1. Use the order of difficulty to your advantage.

Work through the first 10 questions as quickly as possible. They're the easiest, so don't double-check and triple-check your answers on them just because you're a perfectionist. Instead, trust your instincts on these and move on. Build up a "time bank" by tackling these quickly so that you'll have a few minutes left over at the end of the section to go back to tougher questions that you weren't 100% sure on.


2. Manage your time wisely.

Because questions 1-10 tend to be easier, try to complete each one in under 1:20. This will give you extra time for the more difficult questions that come later.


3. Thoroughly read the stimulus.

Although passages in Reading Comp talk about concepts and use terminology you won't need to comprehend fully on an initial read, Logical Reasoning is different. You'll have to measure every word in both the question stem and the stimulus. In my experience, test-takers often read too quickly and gloss over details, which causes the majority of errors here.


4. Remember the topic of the stimulus doesn't matter.

This is especially important to remember when it comes to questions dealing with science and other technical topics (which often puzzle future lawyers who studied the humanities in college). In fact, if you're able to put aside your dislike and disinterest of the topic, you'll see that the connections between the premises (evidence) and conclusion in such question are often more straightforward than in other questions.

The best way to deal with tough scientific questions is to ignore the topic itself. Analyze the connection between the evidence and conclusion.


5. Eliminate all words that are irrelevant to the argument.

Even though you need to comprehend all the words in the stimulus, they're not all important. The only words you'll need to deal with are the ones that make up the evidence and conclusion.

Take a look at this:

Burritos are generally made with several ingredients including, but not limited to: ground beef, tomatoes, onions, and tortillas. No two burritos are made with exactly the same combination of ingredients. Thus, you can tell any two burritos apart by tasting them.

The opening line of this stimulus wasn't evidence, and it wasn't conclusion - it was simply the argument's introduction,and didn't play any meaningful role in terms of logic. You don't need to worry about it once you realize this.


6. Study smarter.

When you're marking down your answers on practice questions, try to distinguish between questions where you were sure of the answer and those where you were simply guessing. Do this even when you're "almost certain." When you're not 100% sure that your answer is correct, mark it with a "/". For example, if you narrow down the answer to either "B" or "C" (and you've crossed-off "A," "D," and "E) mark the answer as "B/C." You might even put what you consider to be the better of the two down first. If you liked "C" better than "B," you could mark it on your answer sheet as "C/B."

This technique will help to track your progress more closely and determine which types of questions to focus on.


7. Try not to diagram Logical Reasoning questions too often.

It's often a good idea to diagram stimuli involving multiple conditional statements that can be linked in some way. Sufficient Assumption questions, Must Be True questions, and Parallel Reasoning questions often fall into this category. As you become more familiar with Logical Reasoning questions, you won't feel the need to diagram as often.

Is Ten Hours in a Single Day Too Much to Study for the LSATs?

A student asked me this recently, and the answer is "yes." Your brain can't process that amount of info at a time. Even if it could, you can't possibly maintain that schedule for longer than a week - you'd burn out. Instead, study at a moderate pace for 2-3 months. It's more effective than cramming everything into a single week or two.

Here are some other questions that you all sent me recently, and my responses to them. Feel free to send more!

Will I get a score just for writing my name on the LSAT?

Yes. You get a 120 simply for writing your name. However, I'm sorry to tell you that you won't get into most law schools with this score. You do need to answer at least a few questions in order to get into law school.


How many PrepTests will it take to increase someone's LSAT score?

Everyone is different. If you're shooting for a top score, try to complete exams 29-56. If you don't have enough time to do all of those, take several of the newer exams. Only do the exams before PrepTest 29 if you know you'll have enough time to do the newer ones. Why? Because older PrepTests contain rare Logic Games types (such as Pattern and Circle games) that haven't come up in several years. If you have enough time, it's great to learn those too, but only look at them if you're comfortable with typical Logic Games (Linear / Sequencing, Grouping, and combinations of the two).


The LSAT gives me a headache. How can I sharpen my logical reasoning skills?

Crosswords and sudoku can help you boost your spatial reasoning ability. However, these puzzles are worth your time only if you have several months before you'll be taking the LSAT OR if you have fun doing them. If that's not the case, just stick to doing real LSAT Logic Games. Staying healthy in general (exercise, eating right, doing those things your mother told you) will help to keep your mind sharp.


Can you puh-lease take the LSAT for me? I'll give you boatloads of cash.

If you can find someone who will take it for you, chances are that they're not smart enough to get you a top score. Besides the fact that it's immoral, it's not worth the risk. If you wire several million dollars to my account in the Cayman Islands, it might change my mind, though.

Photo by benny_lin / CC BY-NC 2.0

10 Strategies for LSAT Reading Comprehension

UPDATE: I've put together a GINORMOUS list of free LSAT Reading Comprehension advice and strategies. The below tips are a good start, but click that link for much, much, more, including How I Learned to Love LSAT Reading Comp and LSAT Reading Comprehension Passages: Easy As Harry Potter.

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10 Strategies for LSAT Reading Comprehension:

Many people believe LSAT Reading Comprehension can't be taught. Luckily, they're mistaken.

Consider this post your blueprint for Reading Comp. It even includes tips to help you deal with those newfangled Comparative Reading passages.

1. Look for the key words that indicate degree of certainty.

Watch out for words like some, most, all, never, and always, and the difference between singular and plural.


2. Keep an eye out for the passage's main idea.

Bracket or underline whenever the author summarizes a point of view: "Although some scholars propose..."

Look for bits of evidence used to support each point of view.

Figure out whether or not the author agrees with each point of view.


3. Look at the relationship between the evidence and conclusion in each paragraph.

Questions to ask yourself:

What evidence is given in each paragraph?

Does the conclusion follow from this evidence?

Does the author promote any guiding principles?

Does the passage contain sub-conclusions?

Does the author mention any counter-arguments? What evidence strengthens or weakens them?

Does the author agree or disagree with any counter-arguments?

What is the author's tone? How does it change over the course of the passage?

Look at each example and determine its role in the argument.

Connect the paragraphs and consider:

What is the passage's argument / goal?


4. Question types in Reading Comprehension

In increasing order of difficulty:
-Main point / main idea
You'll usually see one of these as the first questions. Consider doing them first since they're the easiest. Solving it will also help you articulate the passage's overall argument for yourself.

-Specific / "according to"
The most straightforward question-type you'll see. These tend to follow the passage's structure and ask about part of the author's argument.

-Inferences
Ask you to make a prediction based upon the argument: "The author would agree with which one of the following statements?"

Examine the structure of the passage and note the various points of view within. Go back to areas where you summarized the tone and argument.

Whenever the question refers to a certain piece of evidence or particular line, analyze its role in the argument. Look a couple of lines above and below it.

---
As you'll see, RC is predictable just like Logical Reasoning and Logic Games.


5. How to deal with Comparative Reading passages

LSAC started including these in the Reading Comprehension section in June 2007, so instead of having 4 long passages, you'll only have 3. The 4th is replaced by 2 shorter ones on a related topic.

Now that you know this, you already have an advantage over everyone studying the older exams who doesn't know this.

In Comparative Reading, a couple of questions will be like the ones I described in #4 (above). However, most of them will compare the short passages. Although the passages won't explicitly refer to each other, they'll be on similar topics. The authors will probably agree on some issues and disagree on others. Sometimes, one passage will go into detail on a particular topic and the other will discuss it in more general terms.

How to approach:

Start with the questions that focus on only one of the two passages - it's easier to locate the relevant information.

When you start doing questions that focus on the 2nd passage, analyze it with an eye towards how this passage is different from the first. Look for variations in the topics, areas where the authors agree / disagree, and contrast their tones and styles.


6. Question types in Comparative Reading
In increasing order of difficulty:

*Common issue / central idea (similar to "main point" / "main idea" in longer passages):"Which one of the following issues is central to both passages?"

*Agree / disagree (similar to "according to" / "specific" in longer passages): "It can be inferred from the passage that both authors agree / disagree on which one of the following ideas?"

*Method of reasoning / style (similar to "inference" in longer passages): "Which one of the following best describes the style of (or relationship between) the passages?"

*Analogy (similar to Parallel Reasoning in Logical Reasoning): "The relationship between the passages is most similar to that of which one of the following?"


7. How to avoid those tempting incorrect answer choices

Just as in Logical Reasoning, incorrect answers in Reading Comp are wrong for the same couple of reasons. Wrong answers usually contain one of the following.

-extreme statements not supported by evidence (correct answers tend to use more reasonable and moderate terms)

-irrelevant info outside the scope of discussion

-the exact opposite of the passage's argument

-minor changes to info supported by the passage

-illogical or random combinations of the passage's arguments

-false attributions of individuals' points of view


8. How to take notes in Reading Comp

Although taking notes can keep you focused, the fewer notes you take, the better. Why? Because it costs time, just like making overly-complicated diagrams on Logic Games does.

Consider pausing while you read to write a short 3-4 word summary every now and again. However, you're better off making symbols in the margins whenever appropriate. You might jot down an "!" wherever the author expresses his/her opinion.

Instead of focusing on content, try to comprehend the passage's flow / structure as well as the author's intent. The details aren't as important as the main idea. It's more important to know where in the passage to find the details and unfamiliar terms than it is to know what they actually are.

Try not to spend too much time circling and underlining key words - this will likely slow you down and interrupt your concentration. However, it's useful for you to mark for people or groups mentioned in the passage because there are often questions about them.

You'll develop your note-taking technique as you complete more passages and learn to recognize the most important details of each passage.

Refine your approach to underlining and note-taking over time. As you practice, you will be able to decrease your dependence upon this method as you learn which pieces of info are most important.

Another tip:

When you come across a passage with only a few big paragraphs, break them apart by using brackets. The longest paragraph usually contains several ideas or subtopics.

By breaking it into smaller chunks, you will see where the passage's topic changes. There are often questions about the information at these transition points.


9. Words to look out for

Here are some words to box or underline:

advocates, critics, opponents, others, proponents, supporters

artists, engineers, politicians, scholars, scientists, writers

all, always, every, most, never, some

first, second, third

according to, but, despite, for example, for this reason, furthermore, however, in addition, in contrast, namely, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand

argue, claim, criticize, oppose, support, reject


10. If you just know you won't be able to do every passage...

Begin with the passage associated with the greatest number of questions and save the passage with the fewest questions for last.

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For more Reading Comp tips, please see these posts:

How I Learned to Love LSAT Reading Comp

LSAT Reading Comprehension Passages: Easy As Harry Potter

All my articles about LSAT Reading Comprehension


Photo by brianbutko

Should You Retake the LSAT? 7 Ways to Decide

Maybe you took the LSAT already and didn't get the score you wanted. Here are some thoughts on deciding whether to retake it. (Also see How to Study for a Retake.)

1. Does your dream law school average multiple LSAT scores?

Most law schools don't average them anymore. Instead, they'll only count your highest LSAT score when they create your "admissions index," which is a formula combining your LSAT and GPA - each law school does it differently.


2. If you retake it, will you have to apply later?

Law schools review applications in the order they receive them (it's called rolling admissions). It's better to apply early in the cycle (usually September or October). Make sure that you'll get at least a few points higher on your retake to outweigh the downside of applying slightly later in the cycle. Consider retaking it and waiting a year, if necessary.


3. Did anything unusual happen the previous time?

If you had were sick, had a personal crisis, the test center was too noisy, or something else happened, you might do better the next time around.


4. Was your LSAT score similar to your scores on practice tests?

If it was significantly below your practice scores, you can probably score better on a future exam and demonstrate your ability.


5. Will you have the time and determination to adequately prepare?

You'll need to salvage your books from the trash and get your brain in gear. This takes effort. Create a plan that allows you a comfortable amount of time to study during both the week and weekend between now and your future test date.


6. What did you do to study the previous time?

It's best to complete several PrepTests (past LSAT exams) before taking the exam for real. If you didn't do this, a retake may be in your best interest. However, doing the PrepTests is necessary, but it's not sufficient. It's also important to analyze your incorrect answers in order to understand why you answered those questions incorrectly.


7. Do you think you can improve your LSAT score?

The LSAT has a great deal of weight in the admissions process. If you think it's within your ability to improve your score, the time you invest in preparing for the LSAT and taking it again will pay for itself when you get into a better school, get merit aid, and, eventually, get a better job after you graduate.


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I hope you don't need to retake and that you're done with the LSAT for good. If you decide to retake, see some LSAT study schedules for retakers (scroll down). Even if you've used up every single LSAT PrepTest, there's still plenty to learn from them, so don't worry. You'll still be able to study just fine.

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I also hope my thoughts in the above post are sufficient to help you make your decision.

Unfortunately, I can't give everyone personalized advice about whether to retake, but if you leave a comment, maybe others who read this will give you some thoughts on what to do.

Wish you all the best.

10 Easy Ways to Increase Your LSAT Score

1. Learn simple logic.

I know it might seem intimidating. However, the basics are pretty straightforward - the converse (mistaken reversal), the inverse (mistaken negation), and the contrapositive. Memorize them, and you'll soon begin to recognize them.

2. Take the LSAT in your junior year of college, if possible.

If you do the majority of your studying in the summer before your junior year, or during your winter break, you can study at a more relaxed pace. This lets you study without the distraction of your junior-year classes. If you wait until the fall of senior year, you'll be applying later in the admissions cycle. Law school applications are generally considered as soon as you submit them. The earlier you apply, the less competition you encounter.

3. Skip around.

In Logical Reasoning (Arguments) and Reading Comprehension skip the hardest questions and do them last. Each question on the LSAT is weighted equally, and you don't lose points for guessing.

4. Complete a few 5-section exams beforehand.

This test is long. Although your LSAT prep books only have 4 sections each (plus the writing sample), on exam day you will also have an experimental section, which doesn't count. LSAC only gives you a ten-minute break after the 3rd section. The February, October, and December exams start at 9AM (June starts at 1PM). The best way to prepare and increase your LSAT stamina is to take multiple exams beforehand. As you get closer to your test date, insert one section from a different exam to serve as the experimental. Talk to someone at the school where you'll take the LSAT and see if you can take a practice exam in the room where you'll take the real thing. Also, make sure that you don't buy books containing fake questions. See my post with LSAT book recommendations for more information.

5. Prepare like it's the real thing.

Take your practice exams at the same time each day when you'll be taking the LSAT. Try to study in quiet areas at first. Turn off your cell phone and computer. If possible, study one-to-two hours at a minimum. As you become more comfortable with the exam, study in a library, coffee shop, or diner. If you can focus on the LSAT in public, you'll be able to concentrate no matter how noisy your test center is.

6. Create a basic diagram for each logic game.

Make one at bottom of your booklet (you are not allowed to use scratch paper on the LSAT). For every "if" question, create a tiny diagram next to the choices. I suggest my students don't erase old work because it helps them in future questions within that game. Every second counts when you're trying to complete all 4 games in 35 minutes. See my post with LSAT Logic Games advice for more information.

7. Remember that the writing sample isn't a big deal.

Even though it's not scored, and despite the fact that your brain will be fried after completing the rest of the exam, the Law School Admissions Council still makes you do it. If you don't complete it, your LSAT score won't be valid. Write it in script if you can. The more words you use, and the more paragraph breaks you have, the better. This applies to writing in general. See my LSAT Writing Sample tips for more information.

8. Take care of your body.

Your brain needs energy to solve those mind-boggling LSAT questions, so feed it with healthy food and plenty of protein. Exercising will also get more oxygen flowing to your brain.

9. Prepare for the LSAT right the first time.

Don't take it just to see how you'll do. The majority of law schools don't average multiple LSAT scores anymore, but they'll still see all your scores. Show them how you do at your best, and don't let them see where you started out.

10. Read reviews of test sites before registering.

Test centers aren't all the same. Dress comfortably for any test environment, and visit this site for LSAT test center reviews.

5 Ways to Solve Logic Games in Under 7 Minutes

These tips and tricks will show you how to beat each Logic Game in less than seven minutes. Think it can't be done? Think again!

1. Create a diagram.

LSAT course instructors sometimes tell you to create a grid for every game instead of using a basic slot diagram. A slot diagram is an easy way to draw the information contained in linear and combination games (games that contain linear AND grouping elements). Grids take too long to draw, but making one slot for every letter takes less time (in a 5-person/thing diagram, it is similar to: _ _ _ _ _ ).


2. Re-use diagrams you made in previous questions.

They'll often help you quickly answer the rest of the game's questions. Haven't realized this? Try it out. Make a new diagram for every "if" question you come across, unless one of your previous diagrams satisfies the "if." Use the space at the bottom of your booklet to make your main diagram. Also use this space to map out the deductions you make from the game's rules. Many games let you use old diagrams to answer one of the later questions. If you notice this, you'll save time because you won't have to make a new sketch.


3. Whenever you see an "If" question, make a diagram BEFORE looking at any answer choice.

When you see something like: "If X is placed in the second position, which one of the following could be true?" or "If Z is first, it must be true that..." My students know to stop reading immediately after they see the comma and to draw whatever must happen when that "if" happens. This basic drawing is often enough to solve the question. You don't even have to draw a diagram for each answer choice, which saves you a lot of time.


4. In "acceptability" questions, take each rule and apply it individually to all 5 answer choices.

Most games begin with a question like, "Which of the following is an acceptable assignment / ordering / grouping..." All of the choices except one will represent unacceptable orderings because they violate at least one rule.

The slow way to eliminate choices is to apply each rule to a single choice and then move on to the next one.

The faster way is to pick a single rule and apply it to each answer choice. In other words, take one rule at a time and apply to to all 5 choices. If a rule says A is always before B, check to make sure that each answer choice satisfies this rule. Eliminate each choice that violates the rule. Then take the next rule and check it against the remaining choices to make sure they satisfy this rule.

Try each method, and I'm certain you'll find the latter way to be more efficient.


5. When the rules severely limit the possible scenarios, sketch each one.

Take the second game in the June 2002 LSAT (PrepTest 37). The game asks you to put 7 trucks in order. Sounds like a pain, but the good news is that after you place the last 4 trucks in order, the potential outcomes for the first 3 spaces become very limited. You're left with trucks U, X, and Z after you map out spaces 4-7. Because Z has to go before U does, the possibilities are limited to "Z U X", "X Z U" or "Z X U". The alternative method is to only draw one of these possibilities, and if you don't get your answer, you could draw another one. This alternative approach frustrates many students because they often pick the wrong scenario on their first try.

For this reason, it's more efficient to draw the elements of a game that "must be true" and then consider which possibilities are valid. I suggest that you try each potential scenario immediately and then proceed to answer each question in the game. In short: make all your diagrams first, then read each answer choice one-by-one. This will help you solve each game more quickly.

Photo by caroslines CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

10 Tips to Prepare for the Day of the LSAT

Make sure to save this and re-read it the week before your exam so you'll know what to do.

The week before:

1. Visit your LSAT test center.

The best way to get rid of pre-test jitters is to see where you'll be taking the LSAT.

2. Decide what you'll wear.

This isn't Project Runway - I'm talking about comfort. Wear a couple of layers, including your lucky t-shirt or sweatshirt. It doesn't matter what time of year it is. The room you're in might be hot or cold. Hoodies aren't permitted, though. When I took the LSAT, security wouldn't let me bring mine in. I was forced to stash it in a nearby park because test centers don't have a place to check banned items.


3. Decide what you'll bring.

Fill a see-through plastic bag with your admission ticket, #2 pencils, energy bars, bananas, a bottle of water, photo ID, a logic game (#9 explains why), and an analog watch. Make sure you bring a watch because it's possible that the room won't have a clock. Consider bringing a magazine or something to read on your way to the test center. See the Law School Admissions Council's day of test rules since the rules are updated frequently. Security does not allow you to bring a cell phone, so plan how you'll manage.


4. Relax the day before your exam.

If you studied for a decent period of time, one more day won't make a big difference. It's good to take a break so you don't burn out. Remember - there's a world beyond the LSAT!


5. Get to bed early the night before and set multiple alarms.

You want to be well-rested for the exam. Make sure you don't drink anything with caffeine after 3PM.


The morning of your exam:

6. Rise and shine.

Hopefully, you've been waking up early all week and you're well-rested, so this shouldn't be difficult.


7. Eat a big breakfast.

I've heard several people recommend that you eat a light breakfast. I believe that it's better to eat a full meal. Remember, you will be at your test center for several hours. I've heard stories of students being stuck at their test center for half a day or longer after the LSAT proctor screwed up. This probably won't happen, but it's best to be prepared so you're not hungry.


8. Leave for the test center early.

You never know when you'll have a traffic jam or public transportation delay. If you'll be getting there by car, save the phone number of a local taxi service just in case your car breaks down or won't start. This is especially important if you're taking the LSAT in the winter, and you live somewhere cold.


9. Complete a logic game right before the exam.

When you're just outside test center, take a few minutes to re-do your "favorite" logic game or a few logical reasoning questions that didn't give you any trouble. Completing these will boost your confidence and get your brain warmed-up. This way, your first LSAT question of the day won't be the first one on the real exam.


10. Chill.

The LSAT's only a test. Of course it's a big deal, but if test day doesn't go according to plan, you'll always be able to retake it, and you can cancel your score up to six days after the test date.

Free LSAT Tips and Tricks

This blog is back! I'll cover topics including Logic Games, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension every Friday.

Several questions, answers, and explanations are in the archives for you to study and review. Subscribe by email to receive my Logic Games Symbols Sheet and get all blog updates by email.

If you're in NYC, email me to attend one of my free Logic Games classes in Manhattan.

Take care!

Steve Schwartz

Free LSAT Logic Games Book | Contest

Want free LSAT books? Of course you do.

I'm running a contest on the blog for the next week or so.

It's simple - you email me an LSAT-style analysis of a news article, online video, etc. You can find examples in my blog posts that analyze logic in real life.

If yours is one of the best 5 submissions, you'll win a free LSAT book, or two, or three. And you'll get to learn about the LSAT in the process.

The prizes:

One 1st place winner will receive a free copy of each of the 3 GROUPED books: GROUPED by Game Type, GROUPED by Question Type, and GROUPED by Passage Type (value: $115)

One 2nd place winner will receive their choice of 2 of the 3 GROUPED books listed above (value: $70-$90).

Three 3rd place winners will receive a copy of GROUPED by Game Type (value: $35).

Infinite 4th place winners can win eternal Internet fame by having their submissions published on the blog.

Deadline for submissions is Sunday, May 16, 11:59PM Eastern Time.

Send them to me at LSATUnplugged at gmail dot com

Good luck, and I look forward to reading your submissions!


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I've included below some suggestions of news articles and online videos for you to analyze. You can to submit an analysis of any article or video you find online, though.

Again, you can find examples in my blog posts that analyze logic in real life.


Videos
Colbert Report: Science Catfight

Daily Show: Poll Bearers (and this)


Articles
Online Dating Sites Say Hordes of People Ultimately Marry, but Their Methods Have Plenty of Hitches of Their Own

Facebook Use Linked To Lower Grades In College

Freedom to surf: workers more productive if allowed to use the internet for leisure

Organic food is no healthier, study finds

Becoming vegetarian 'can harm the environment'

Want a Higher G.P.A.? Go to a Private College

Why Liberals and Atheists Are More Intelligent

Firm Body, No Workout Required?

For Today’s Graduate, Just One Word: Statistics

Standardized Test Scores: Voodoo Statistics

The Debate Is Still On: The Mysterious Downfall of the Neanderthals

Hat tip to my awesome former LSAT students Nick and Ashley who suggested many of these links.

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Any submissions may be edited and published on the blog.

(When publishing submissions, I'm happy to use your first name only, initials, a pseudonym, or to keep it completely anonymous - your choice.)

Photo by aresauburnphotos / CC BY-SA 2.0

Update

I didn't write the following blog post. It was already on the blog when I took over the URL. The following blog post may contain mistakes. -Steve

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Hope everyone is well. I'll post another question as soon as I have a chance. Take care!