The June 2010 LSAT might seem far off, but it'll be here before you know it. What would you like to see on the blog between now and then?Please leave your questions for me (and for each other) in the comments, I'll do my best to answer as many of your questions as possible between now and June 7th.
Quick request: please leave a name rather than posting as "Anonymous." It makes it easier for everyone to respond to specific comments. Thanks!
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Also see previous Questions and Answers posts.
Maybe you've said this elsewhere, but I'm wondering: If I encounter an answer choice that is pretty much identical to my prephrase, should I still read all the other answer choices before moving on?
ReplyDeleteDiscovered your blog last month - will be taking the LSAT in June - just wanted to say thank you! What a terrific resource you're providing. Solid advice.
ReplyDeleteCould you share some successful LSAT stories from some of your students? More than anything, this test is a marathon and as corny as it may sound, it does motivate me to read about others doing well.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
-Jojo
What is the best way to improve speed on the Reading Comprehension portion of the LSAT? Are there any specific strategies that you recommend? Also, are ear plugs allowed during the exam? Thanks for all of your help!
ReplyDeleteWhat month should you make the decision to push the LSAT to October if you plan on taking it in June. What is a good "goal marker" to see if you are ready?
ReplyDeleteIs it REALLY possible to improve on Reading Comp? Will 4 months be enough time to do so? Thanks in advance :0)
ReplyDeleteHello Steve:
ReplyDeleteHow exactly did you become the LSAT master/guru that you are today? What advice would you offer to your students who aspire to duplicate the type of success that you have had on the LSAT? Clearly you did something right; please shed light on what you did.
With gratitude,
Budding LSAT guru
@Erin
ReplyDeleteIt depends whether you prephrase correctly or not. Generally speaking, you shouldn't go through all 5 choices with Logic Games, but you should generally go through all 5 choices with Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension.
LG are clear-cut - A is not kind of like B - they're clearly distinct variables. However, LR and RC have more nuance because there's the extra element of the language LSAC uses.
@Jojo
That's a great idea! I'll make that happen.
@Marissa
Tons of Reading Comp tips on the blog.
Earplugs are not allowed on Test Day.
@Tiffany
You have until May 16, 2010 (at midnight Eastern Time) to postpone your June LSAT registration until October. I would decide in the week leading up to that date.
@Denise
Yes and yes :)
@Budding LSAT guru
ReplyDeleteI'd attribute my success to *some* natural test-taking ability (aka nerdiness), but to also going through lots and lots of previous LSAT exams.
For my own studying, I used older editions of the Logic Games Bible and Logical Reasoning Bible (the newer editions weren't around back then), and lots and lots of PrepTests.
To get a really high score on the LSAT, it helps to have an appreciation for it that borders on obsession. I talked a bit about the LSAT mindset in my interview on the Blackbook Legal Blog.
My blog is full of my advice on how to get a top score on the LSAT. Let me know if you have questions on any aspect of the exam at all!
If you find yourself stuck on a logic game question and don't see a clear path to the answer, how would you proceed?
ReplyDelete@Jojo
ReplyDeleteHere's an LSAT Success Story, as requested.
@Victoria
ReplyDeleteLook at previous valid scenarios. If they don't help, do the rest of the questions in that Logic Game, then attempt the question that gave you trouble. If you still can't get the question, eliminate any obviously wrong answer choices and do your best to make an educated guess.
Hi Steve,
ReplyDeleteJust discovered your blog, and appreciate what you have written!
You've mentioned before that if you want to score a top score, instead of taking classes, we should find an expert.
How do we distinguish someone who's an expert, and also when should we do so if we're on your 4 month plan?
Thanks!
Megan
Hi Megan,
ReplyDeleteGlad you're enjoying the blog!
Yes - I mentioned that in my LSAT Prep Courses vs. Private Tutoring blog post.
You can get a general sense of distinguishing between good and bad instruction in my 7 Warning Signs It's Time to Find a New LSAT Instructor blog post.
Any expert instructor should be thorough and detail-oriented. Getting a look at their LSAT blog will give you a sense of whether they know what they're talking about, of course :)
As for when to best make use of expert advice, it'll vary from person to person. If you're only going to make use of only a few hours of tutoring, I'd recommend using them after you've identified weak areas/obstacles, but before you jump into full-length practice exams. This will give you time to put the techniques and strategies you learn into practice.
Please feel free to email me at ManhattanLSAT(at)gmail(dot)com for information on in-person or distance LSAT tutoring.
Steve,
ReplyDeleteI am taking the June 7th LSAT and purchased the Princeton Review study book back in December. It recommended that you take a timed PrepTest before studying. I did horrible and it has totally freaked me out. Granted, I have studied more and have a better understanding of the question types, but I am still very nervous. What is the best way to be sure of myself going into the test? I need confidence!!! Thanks
I got rejected for 2010 by one school so far, I will be studying the books and using the recommendations on this blog. My Dec LSAT was beyond miserable. I will re-apply for 2011. Thanks Steve for having this blog.
ReplyDeleteI have taken the LSAT in September 2009, and I was accepted into two law schools in St. Paul (Minneapolis). I was accepted into Hamline School of Law and William Mitchell College of Law. I have followed your blogs and your advices, and I did well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the tips and advice. Your blog was very useful.
@Katy
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry about any diagnostic taken before studying. See my thoughts on that in Free LSAT Diagnostic Tests.
Check out my LSAT Test Day Tips for more on building up confidence going into Test Day.
@Anonymous Folks
Glad you're enjoying the blog!
@Jojo
Another LSAT success story!
I tend to rush through the RC and LR sections. I usually have 6-10 minutes left at the end of each section during a practice test. I miss an average of 2-5 RC questions and 2-4 LR questions. When I go back to check my answers I usually find a key word or phrase that I missed; basically not reading carefully results in missed questions. I clearly need to slow down while I am doing these sections but cannot seem to find a strategy that is successful in forcing me to go more slowly. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteHey Katrin,
ReplyDeleteThat's a difficult situation.
Other than continuing to practice and try to force yourself to slow down, I recommend that you:
use an analog watch to train yourself to move more slowly through the questions. Force yourself to read every word and fully understand the stimulus before moving on to answer choices.
I have the same problem as Katrin. I actually feel quite confident while I'm taking the test because everything makes logical sense, only for me to find out that I had dismissed an answer choice without giving it proper consideration.
ReplyDeleteI agree, that it is difficult, because I don't see how I can improve on this considerably. It's such a part of my character to be careless, I don't know what to do. It's costing me big time. And I guess more practice is all I can do, if you can't offer any further advice.
I do have 1 question though. I usually get 3-5 wrong per LR section. If I go back and look at my answer choices, there're really only about 1-3 questions that I legitimately don't understand. The others, I very clearly see the reasoning for the correct answer except I missed it in my haste.
Do you think it would be reasonable to use the 1-3 wrong per section as a gauge of my ability? In order to kind of project what my score COULD be, rather than what I just got? Or do you think this kind of thinking if toxic? I get the feeling that it may be falsely inflating my ego. And I usually do worse when my ego goes in either direction too much.
This also applies to RC, but to a lesser extent because I sometimes just don't see the error at all.
Thanks