quick LSAT check-in

If you’re feeling stuck with your LSAT prep – just reach out and let me know, and I’ll do what I can to help. 

You're clearly committed to succeeding on the LSAT - you demonstrated that by choosing to invest in yourself by continuing to read my articles.

However, I know the going can get tough at times, so if you just need some extra motivation, here's another of my favorite videos (football-focused, but the message is applicable to LSAT).

One quick tip: watching inspirational videos, listening to inspirational music, etc., really does make a difference in shifting you into a success-oriented mindset as you get into "LSAT prep" mode.

Anyway, please let me know if you need anything!

-Steve


Here’s that advice I promised on reviewing:
* Analyze exactly where your error or misunderstanding stemmed from. Was it something in the passage or the answer choices?

* If it was in the passage, was it your approach to reading the passage that was ineffective or incorrect, or was it something in the passage text itself that you misunderstood?

* If it was in the answer choices, what was it in the incorrect answer choice you chose, identify what it was about the wrong answer choice that tempted you. Then identify what made it wrong in the
end.

* If there was something in the correct answer that made it seem unappealing, identify what it was.

* And identify what made it correct in the end.

Through repeating this process several times, you'll start to identify patterns in how LSAC constructs tempting incorrect answer choices.

You'll see different types of techniques LSAC uses to make incorrect answer choices tempting.

By the way, if you need some extra help, keep in mind that I often work with students privately 1-on-1. Reach out if you're interested in finding out more.


P.S. Did you join the LSAT Unplugged Facebook Group yet?

You can join here ----->
In this group, you can find study partners and connect with like-minded students. I'll also be popping in to do the occasional Facebook Live video and share additional resources. Hope to see you there!


P.P.S. Next time, I’ll share with you a few free bonuses for being part of the LSAT courses.




LSAT Coaching Call Opportunity

I'd like to get a better idea of what led you to read my articles, what you're hoping to get out of them, and give you some guidance all at the same time.

Would you like a short free 1-1 LSAT coaching call that will be featured on the LSAT Unplugged YouTube Channel and Podcast? If so, reach out and we can talk more about it. 


(Example calls here.)

And, at least 24 hours prior, please send over 3-5 questions related to LSAT prep.

Here are examples of what I'm looking for (but what's important are the questions that you have for me):

  1. How do you determine when to split a logic game game into two options?
  2. How do you know when to stop trying to make deductions on logic games?
  3. How do I pick up speed working through logic game questions and making deductions there?
  4. How do you determine when a logical reasoning answer choice is outside the scope?
  5. How do I improve at making predictions/ensure I cover all of the bases in logical reasoning?

Please let me know if you have any questions, and I hope to meet with you soon!

Steve

When are you taking the LSAT? (+ inspiration)

I know studying can be stressful, so I just wanted to give you a little bit of motivation to keep forging ahead.

Watching motiv
ational videos might sound silly, but finding a source of inspiration, WHATEVER it is, can actually be the key to destroying the LSAT.

It can move you from THINKING about studying to DOING it:
So here's a video to get you moving and here's an entire playlist - if Elle Woods can score 179, so can you! :)

Whenever I'm too stressed or overwhelmed with everything I have to do, I watch those.

Another way to reduce the stress and get motivated is to connect with like-minded students - that's why I've created a Facebook group JUST for LSAT Unplugged students:




In this group, you can find study partners and connect with other like-minded students. I'll also be popping in to do the occasional Facebook Live video and share additional resources. Hope to see you there!

Keep in touch - let me know if you need anything at all,
Steve




btw….. for some extra motivation and advice, you might also like to read the stories of Max (increased his score from 155 to 176!!!), and Jared (from low 140s to 164!!!)

And Jared was a retaker who started with a random prep book!

Here’s some key advice he had to share:

---------------------JARED/-----------------------------
"You get out of the LSAT what you put into it. Diligence and a high level of commitment are the keys to success on the LSAT. Steve advised me to look at ALL of the logical reasoning questions I’d gotten wrong and to analyze the ‘why’ behind each wrong/right answer choice. I did this for every wrong answer I’d gotten in the logical reasoning section, looking for patterns, and identifying areas of weakness...My scores skyrocketed up to the high 160s and into the hallowed realm of the coveted 170+ after this conversation."
---------------------/JARED-----------------------------


Next time, I’ll give you some advice I frequently share with my students on reviewing.

Talk soon,
Steve

P.S. I know sometimes it's easier to work with someone personally as you're studying for the LSAT. Find out more about how I work with students one-on-one.



What’s your biggest LSAT struggle?

There you are, studying up for your LSAT retake, doing your LSAT practice tests and cruising right along. Everything is going great, your confidence is high and then BAM! Logic Games comes out of nowhere and derails the whole thing.

Or maybe it’s not a specific section, maybe you’re just having trouble staying motivated. I totally get it, LSAT prep is a marathon, not a sprint.

Whatever it is, I have one BIG question and I want to hear from YOU:


What's your biggest LSAT struggle?



Once I’ve heard back from you, I’m going to compile a list of the most common answers and dive in.


Getting these questions from you is incredibly important, because it helps me help you. And that’s why we’re all here, isn’t it?

Believe me, I live for this stuff. That’s why I created a series of popular LSAT coursespublished best-selling LSAT guides, and written explanations for well over 1,000 LSAT questions. A thousand!

Can’t wait to hear from you,
Steve, the LSAT Maestro


P.S. Srsly, do me a favor - reach out and tell me your story. It only takes a minute. Even though I can’t reply to every message, I do read every single one myself.



LSAT test day: how to avoid cracking under pressure

Wanted to share some advice today about retaking the LSAT and checking your emotions.

Jared, a retaker who started with a random prep book, quickly got overwhelmed by Logic Games.

Allison, a retaker who studied while writing her senior thesis, felt the pressure was like a ton of bricks weighing her down.

Retaking is common. It sucks to have to retake, but whether that's you or not, there’s still hope!


One of the biggest reasons people have to retake is because they crack under the pressure on Test Day.
Here’s some advice on that from Allison:

The biggest piece of advice I can give to anyone prepping for the LSAT is to check your emotions. I placed a ton of pressure on myself early on, and felt extremely defeated early on in my study process, which only made things worse. Studying for the LSAT can be discouraging and anxiety-producing, but you have to keep some perspective, and trust that your work will begin to pay off.

I love seeing students increase their scores using my books and courses, but my favorite experience of all?

---- Getting to work with students directly ----
In the early years, most of my students were in-person, but I now actually work with 99% of students online and on the phone.

Some were skeptical of meeting this way at first, but I actually don't see any difference.

And I actually think it can be BETTER than in-person because this way my students always have their books with them! :)

So if you don't live in NYC, don't let that stop you from reaching out and asking for help. We can still work together.

When I meet with students online, I use an online whiteboard so we can diagram Logic Games together, live. And we typically meet via video chat (but if you prefer audio or phone so you can stay in your PJs, that's fine, too).


I'll soon have a few openings in my schedule for highly-motivated and high-performing students who are willing to invest significant time and energy in their LSAT prep.

Because even with all the courses, books, and free resources, the fastest way to get the score you need is by working directly with somebody one-on-one who's already been through the process.

So, if you'd like help identifying and improving on your weak areas, or just feel stressed about everything in general, reach out and let me know.

LSAT coaching is for you if you're frustrated, feel like you're limited in how much you can teach yourself, and realize you're in need of additional help.

So, if you feel like it might help with your situation, just reach out and let me know, and we can talk more about it.

Steve


P.S. If you’re interested in working with me one-on-one, you can find out more here ---> If not, that's totally fine, too :)

I'll just keep wish you all the best and keep sharing free LSAT advice, but feel free to reach out if you need anything at all!



My 3 biggest LSAT strategies for retakers

If you’re studying for an LSAT retake, you might run into a problem. If you’ve used a lot of your initial prep material, what do you use when trying to improve your score?


You’re certainly not the first person to encounter this problem, so here are a few tips:
1. Redo practice tests.

Even if you've done every LSAT PrepTest (you probably haven't), you won't remember every question. The purpose of doing practice tests is to analyze the logic of each argument or game, so make sure you actually think through each question, even if you know you've done it before. Soon enough, the right answers to each question will seem obvious even if you've never seen the question before.



2. Avoid fake practice tests like the plague.

They're full of errors and not similar enough to real PrepTests. You're better off redoing old PrepTests than spending time with bad materials. (Check out my LSAT study schedules for guidance on how to structure your time as you prepare for your retake.)


3. Analyze your current performance on practice tests.

Save every PrepTest answer sheet from the first time. After a few months, retake these PrepTests and compare your performance between the 1st and 2nd times. If you answered the same question incorrectly both times, spend several minutes figuring out the reason.

Keep track of all your mistakes by making a big list with the PrepTest #, Section #, and Question #. Make two columns: one for every serious mistake and one for every stupid mistake. Don't ignore stupid mistakes - they cost as many points as serious ones, and you can decrease the number of stupid mistakes you make.

Want more tips? I’ve got a bunch here -~~~~~~----->


Retaking the LSAT can be even more stressful than taking it the first time, but I’m here with you every step of the way!

Sincerely,

LSAT Steve



P.S. If you have any questions, I’ve covered just about every LSAT-related subject under the sun on my website. However, if you’ve got any specific questions, I'd love to hear from you! Just reach out.



Recommended Resources:

1. LSAT Courses
The best of my LSAT material with exclusive access to attend my Live Online LSAT Master Classes + Q&As, and on-demand video lessons you can watch anytime. Plus, LSAT study plans to keep you on track. Save hundreds of dollars with an LSAT course package.

2. LSAT Explanations
The explanations that should have come with the LSAT. These don't just fall back on "out of scope," but actually tell you why the wrong answers are wrong, why the right answers are right, and the easiest way to get the correct answer.

3. LSAT Cheat Sheets
Based on what I'd typically do in college: read what the professor emphasized and condense it all onto a single piece of paper. It gave me a quick reference, making things a lot less threatening and a lot more manageable.






You have 3 LSAT study hours each day - really

I’ve gotten the same question a lot over the years: How much should I study for the LSAT? The right answer to that is always as much as you can.

Think about it this way. What would you say to someone who wanted to know how much to practice to make it to the NBA? Or how many auditions they should do to be the next Leonardo DiCaprio?
Sure, it isn’t going to be quite that hard to get the score you want on the LSAT, but the principle’s the same. Study as much as you can (without burning out).

Personally, I like to recommend three focused hours a day. That might seem impossible, but consider breaking it up and doing it like this:

1 hour before work/school
1 hour during lunch OR at your office desk during "downtime"
1 hour after work/school


That is totally doable. Also, you need to re-prioritize your schedule. Don’t organize your study time around other obligations or distractions. Instead, organize those obligations and distractions around your study time.

If you need help figuring out how to better plan your studying, I’ve got a whole page of articles on that exact topic. Check out these LSAT study plans ------>

Remember, you own your schedule. Your schedule doesn’t own you!

Sincerely,
LSAT Steve



Recommended Resources:

1. LSAT Courses
The best of my LSAT material with exclusive access to attend my Live Online LSAT Master Classes + Q&As, and on-demand video lessons you can watch anytime. Plus, LSAT study plans to keep you on track. Save hundreds of dollars with an LSAT course package.

2. LSAT Explanations
The explanations that should have come with the LSAT. These don't just fall back on "out of scope," but actually tell you why the wrong answers are wrong, why the right answers are right, and the easiest way to get the correct answer.

3. LSAT Cheat Sheets
Based on what I'd typically do in college: read what the professor emphasized and condense it all onto a single piece of paper. It gave me a quick reference, making things a lot less threatening and a lot more manageable.




How early LSAT study sessions can kill your score

It’s true - studying for the LSAT right after you wake up is never a good idea, whether you wake up at 5 am or 11 am. Why? Let’s delve into a little sleep science.

Believe it or not, there is a real thing called sleep inertia.

Basically, your brain needs some time to go from mostly shut off to running at full capacity. We’ve all experienced this in the morning when we’ve put the milk in the cabinet or tried to eat our cereal with a fork. If you try and get some LSAT studying done before your brain is ready, you’re doing more harm than good.
So, how long should you wait? There’s no hard answer, but 90 minutes is a good ballpark figure. If you’re interested in a deep-dive on the subject, you can check out some research that’s been done on the subject:



Of course, if you don’t have time to read the whole thing, I hit some of the more interesting excerpts in this article.

So remember, get a good night’s sleep and don’t even think about cracking that PrepTest until after breakfast and a shower.

Sincerely,
Steve Schwartz, Sleep Scientist



P.S. While it’s important to study with your brain on high-alert, it is even more important to keep this in mind on Test Day. If your test starts at 8 am, make sure you are waking up no later than 6 am to give yourself time to wake up.



Recommended Resources:

1. LSAT Courses
The best of my LSAT material with exclusive access to attend my Live Online LSAT Master Classes + Q&As, and on-demand video lessons you can watch anytime. Plus, LSAT study plans to keep you on track. Save hundreds of dollars with an LSAT course package.

2. LSAT Explanations
The explanations that should have come with the LSAT. These don't just fall back on "out of scope," but actually tell you why the wrong answers are wrong, why the right answers are right, and the easiest way to get the correct answer.

3. LSAT Cheat Sheets
Based on what I'd typically do in college: read what the professor emphasized and condense it all onto a single piece of paper. It gave me a quick reference, making things a lot less threatening and a lot more manageable.




How to fit in LSAT study time (+ still have a life)

Let’s accept a simple fact: Studying for the LSAT is time-consuming. That actually feels like way too much of an understatement. The LSAT is a DEVOURER OF TIME AND FUN.

There, that felt more appropriate.

As awful as that sounds, it’s good to acknowledge what you’re up against. You’re waging a battle with the LSAT.
And the busier your life is, the less time you practically have to devote to training for it. So my first piece of advice is a simple one: start earlier than you think you need to.

3 months is generally a good rule of thumb, but it’s not a bad idea to give yourself more so you have a cushion. If you’re exceptionally busy, then why not start even earlier than that?

LSAT prep is about discovering a new way to think – a more logical way to think - not reciting a bunch of facts or memorizing a formula. You can only benefit from the extra time.


When it comes time to hit the books, here are my general thoughts on how to study and when. Naturally, this is just a guideline you should adapt to your specific schedule:

If you work full-time or go to school full-time, 15 hours per week of LSAT studying over the course of 4 months might be a good guideline.


Here's how you might fit it in over the course of the week:


-5 hours on Saturday

-2.5 hours per day, Mon-Thurs

-0 hours on Friday

-0 hours on Sunday


If you work part-time or go to school part-time, 20 hours per week of LSAT studying over the course of 3 months might be a good guideline.

Here's how you might fit it in over the course of the week:

-5 hours on Saturday

-3.75 hours per day, Mon-Thurs

-0 hours on Friday

-0 hours on Sunday


If you work full-time, you'll probably have a harder time fitting in your studying because you'll have less unscheduled (free) time.

Here's how you might fit in 2.5 hours on a weekday:

-.5 hours before starting the workday (may require getting to the office early)

-.5 hours during lunch

-1.5 hours


Again, think of that more as a jumping-off point than a rigid schedule. If you’re figuring out how to fit in studying along with an already busy life, I really recommend going to this article I wrote with even more strategies for fitting in time:




I know it can get overwhelming, but having a plan can make a huge difference when it comes to keeping your life in order.

Til next time!
LSAT Steve



Recommended Resources:

1. LSAT Courses
The best of my LSAT materials with my full curriculum for each section, including video courses, guides, and study plans to keep you on track. You can save hundreds of dollars with an LSAT course package.

2. LSAT Explanations
The explanations that should have come with the LSAT. These don't just fall back on "out of scope," but actually tell you why the wrong answers are wrong, why the right answers are right, and the easiest way to get the correct answer.

3. LSAT Cheat Sheets
Based on what I'd typically do in college: read what the professor emphasized and condense it all onto a single piece of paper. It gave me a quick reference, making things a lot less threatening and a lot more manageable.






Which LSAT books to use?

Good morning!

Or I guess it could be afternoon or evening, I’m not sure when you’re reading this.

Last time, I compared studying for the LSAT to getting lost: you might be moving, but if you’re moving in the wrong direction, then you’re not doing yourself any favors.

Today, I’d like to extend that metaphor a little bit. If you’re going on a trip, you’re going to need a good map. “But Steve,” you might protest, “I have my phone for that!”. 

To which I would like to remind you that Google Maps is still a map. 

Speaking of, do you remember the early days of GPS mapping when if you weren’t in a major city, your Garmin might direct you right off the highway and into a cornfield? 

Well, bad LSAT study materials are kind of like that.

BOOM! Look at that transition!


I can bring anything back to LSAT study, it’s a gift. Or maybe a curse, if you ask my relatives during any family function. Apparently, my Aunt Susie isn’t interested in discussing Logic Games.


Anyway, I digress. My point is if you are studying with sub-par materials then you are wasting time and energy. There are a LOT of study guides and books out there, and they are not all created equal.

Every head of a student re-using a paper they wrote for a different class? That’s essentially what Kaplan’s done YEAR AFTER YEAR. They use the same fake practice tests from a bunch of different prep books, including the GRE and GMAT.


The GRE and GMAT are definitely NOT the LSAT and you can’t study for one like you study for the others. But, they re-use the same practice questions anyway!


(Note: I reviewed the Kraplan book a bazillion years ago, so it might be different now, but these books typically change so little from year to year that it's not worth my time to review each year. Just...be careful.)


The Princeton Review did something just as bad (if not worse). Their Logic Games Workout book uses real LSAT questions that are reworded or reordered.

You might think this would make you more prepared, but it actually has the opposite effect.


Why? I have a whole article on why this is terrible, but the short answer is if you do the LGW and do poorly, then take an actual LSAT prep with essentially the same questions, of course you’re going to do better. You’ve seen those exact questions!


To oversimplify it a bit, it is the difference between memorizing that 5 x 5 is 25 and actually understanding how multiplication works. As soon as you get 9 x 7, you’re going to be stumped.

This is getting long, so I’ll keep this short and sweet: Barron’s has been re-using the same test questions for years (like since 1979!).


They did finally redid their LG book back in 2014, but from the reviews I’m reading it still has a lot of errors.

Here’s the bottom line: read the reviews on anything before you buy it. Do your homework. Buy from a source you trust. You’re spending a lot of time and money on prepping for the LSAT, so spend it wisely.


Here are the LSAT materials that I endorse 100%:




You'll be glad you used them.

Study hard, study smart!

Sincerely,
Steve, the LSAT Librarian





Recommended Resources:

1. LSAT Courses
The best of my LSAT materials with my full curriculum for each section, including video courses, guides, and study plans to keep you on track. You can save hundreds of dollars with an LSAT course package.


2. LSAT Explanations
The explanations that should have come with the LSAT. These don't just fall back on "out of scope," but actually tell you why the wrong answers are wrong, why the right answers are right, and the easiest way to get the correct answer.


3. LSAT Cheat Sheets
Based on what I'd typically do in college: read what the professor emphasized and condense it all onto a single piece of paper. It gave me a quick reference, making things a lot less threatening and a lot more manageable.