LSAT success story (save 4 minutes to read)

btw I spent over a year studying for the LSAT...and at least half was a complete waste of time. By combining my INSANE commitment to getting a top score with this tool (that's been around forever), I actually managed to reach my goal score. Wanna know what this magical tool is?? Then scroll down to be enlightened..... ..... ......... ............... .................... ........................... .................................... ............................................. ....................................................... ................................................................... It's a magical list of everything you need to do, and tells you exactly what you should be doing at any point in time. ....otherwise known as a DAY-BY-DAY STUDY PLAN! Instead of boooooringly-explaining this to you...let's give a REAL example of how I helped one student get a huge score increase: -STEP 1.)- She was doing exam after exam and using books she'd gotten from a prep class.......normally I'd just explain concepts to her, filling in gaps from what they hadn't taught her, and PRAY it would be enough (I've seen students bomb the test because of this). -STEP 2.)- Because she was dedicated and willing to put in the effort, I did something different this time. I wanted to make sure she had a strong foundation so she'd be FULLY READY on Test Day. -STEP 3.)- We setup a DAY-BY-DAY STUDY PLAN (in the earliest version, each week looked something like this):

-STEP 4.)- I pretty much stepped out of the way....and let the day-by-day study plan do all the work for her! -STEP 5.)- Each day, she'd wake up, look at the plan, and know exactly what she needed to do to be on track. It got her out of a funk and gave her the necessary push to "stick with it" - even when we didn't have a coaching session scheduled. -STEP 6.)- By the time Test Day rolled around, she was scoring in the 170s. ---- ---- ANYYYHOWW...... The bottom line is, by making that day-by-day study plan she did WAY better than expected and ended up with a 172 on her actual exam. Do you wanna see exactly how we planned and set up this study plan?You're clearly committed to succeeding on the LSAT - you demonstrated that by choosing to invest your time in reading my emails. And you owe it to yourself to get a solid study plan together so you can set yourself up for success on Test Day. I've set up sample study plans that work no matter when you're taking the LSAT (1 month, 3 months, 6 months, whatever) using my LSAT methods. If you DO wanna see this all in action....reach out saying something like "YES! YES! YES! I'M DYING TO KNOW MORE AND I'D EVEN BE WILLING TO PAAAYYY TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT YOU DO WITH STUDY PLANS!!! :-) :-) :-)" Peace out LSAT lovers. Steve P.S. Seriously....send me a message with your response. I gauge interest this way, and if enough LSAT-takers want something, I'll deliver the goods! (and it takes you only three seconds) 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 Day-By-Day Study Plans Preparing for the LSAT is confusing. There are dozens of prep books and practice tests out there, and 1,000+ articles on my website alone. When, and how, should you use them all? These super-specific study plans give you a clear plan of attack. 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.

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Why you're slow at LSAT reading comp (and how to get faster)

It's Steve here. I'm explaining why you're slow at LSAT reading comp. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When you read things: -You saw on social media. --or-- -You found in BuzzFeed, BusinessInsider, the newspaper, etc. ...they write in a way to make it easy for you to understand. And they make it interesting. HERE'S AN EXAMPLE: Pretend you're reading the NYTimes. Think about the articles that get your interest. They tend to be one of two things. 1. Hard news stories 2. Human interest stories Hard news stories tend to include the key details first, then zoom out to give the context. Ex. "The President signed a bill into law yesterday to _______." The article then continues by giving other people's' reactions, including opinions on why or why not this new law might be important and/or good. Human interest stories usually start with a short anecdote, then zoom out for the larger story. Ex. "Yesterday, a giant squid attacked Joe as he relaxed in his in-ground swimming pool the other day. Sadly, this is only the latest in a long string of giant squid attacks. Local law enforcement is doing everything they can to prevent future attacks. The mayor recommends citizens check their swimming pools before entering." Okay, maybe a giant squid attack is more along the lines of hard news, but you know what I mean. Newspapers want to get most important info to readers first. They get to the point quickly, engage you, and want to keep you reading. The Truth About Reading Comp: The Passages Aren't From The Real World. I don't blame you for thinking they were, since the test-makers talk about "source material" for each PrepTest. Don't believe me? Just turn to the page right after Section 4 ends. It says something like: "Acknowledgment is made to the following sources from which material has been adapted for use in this test booklet." The key word there is "adapted." *** Reading Comp passages are actually written by LSAC. *** They "rework" (I'd say "remix," but they're not that hip) the source material and paraphrase it in the most boring way possible. One of them (LSAT PrepTest 30, RC Passage #4) was adapted from a New York Times book review. I compared the passage to the actual NYTimes article, and here's what I discovered: LSAC purposely "boring-ified" the article for the LSAT! The NYTimes article included things like: >>>>>>> Naturally, she would ask, "Do you remember anybody growing rice?" -and- >>>>>>> Here is another discussion that I wish the author had placed in the text You'll never see language that simple in LSAT books.

I mean, come on, a 10-year-old could understand that kind of language. On the other hand, some LSAT passages include run-on sentences more than 50 words long! (I'd show you this one, but LSAT makers are crazy about copyright and would probably try to sue me.) But, really....I'm not making this up. Take a look at the actual NYTimes article they used for the passage from PrepTest 30. And then check out some other actual LSAT passages from a recent exam (section 4) to see how ridiculous they can be! And, if Reading Comp is giving you a lot of trouble, click this link. Talk soon, -Steve -LSAT Courses P.S. Are you looking to score 170+? Aiming for RC perfection? Check out my video on 170+ LSAT Reading Comprehension Strategy here: http://youtu.be/D1kII94d-AU P.P.S. I also share RC strategies on my podcast, LSAT Unplugged. 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. Reading Comprehension 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 Vocabulary Builder A handbook that guides you through confusing LSAT language, but not by forcing you to memorize hundreds of words. Instead, this comprehensive guide focuses on the LSAT's most commonly-used words and phrases and gives you their meanings on the LSAT.

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Use this LSAT test day strategy

The LSAT courses have gotten my most recent group of students some INCREDIBLE score increases lately. Awesome! But enough ME-time. Let's give YOU something. If you're looking for a killer test day strategy (for Logic Games, Logical Reasoning, or Reading Comp)....try this one borrowed from the LSAT courses: (I used this one when I took the LSAT, and it helped me get a 175): ***Do your "favorite" practice questions right before you walk into the test center*** Here's what makes this a kickass strategy: * It boosts your confidence (you get them right cuz you already KNOW the answers). * It gets your brain warmed-up. * It lets you have some alone time before joining all the stressed-out people inside. * It reminds you that you've already studied for this test a bunch and will ROCK IT. So, you can apply this to your own situation in many ways. When you're just outside the test center, take a few minutes to re-do: * your favorite Logic Game * a handful of easy Logical Reasoning questions * a few tough Logical Reasoning questions that you know inside-out * a Reading Comp passage on a topic you like Nice, huh? And remember, just a FEW questions, not an entire section :) Before I let you go for now, don't forget to Keep Calm and Crush the LSAT,

Later, Steve - LSAT Guy P.S. Reach out and let me know if you want more nugget-filled articles like these. Send me something annoying like GIMME MORE! GIMME MORE! GIMME MORE! GIMME MORE! GIMME MORE! GIMME MORE! GIMME MORE! GIMME MORE! GIMME MORE! GIMME MORE! GIMME MORE! GIMME MORE! GIMME MORE! GIMME MORE! P.P.S. Also let me know if there's any LSAT stuff you'd like to know. I'm considering making a new LSAT course, and want to learn how I can best help you.

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15 LSAT Retake Strategies in 15 Minutes

I taught a live online class called 15 LSAT Retake Strategies in 15 Minutes where I covered these in more detail along with some related Q&A. You can watch it here.


#1) Redoing PrepTests - Done every PrepTest? Redo them. The value in doing PrepTests is not simply to diagnose your problem areas or measure your abilities - it's to better understand the material.

#2) If you need more PrepTests, there may be more you're not aware of. Aside from the nearly 100 numbered LSAT PrepTests, several are unnumbered - these include June 2007, SuperPrep A, B, C, & C2, and the Official LSAT PrepTest with explanations (February 1997). (Full list here.)

#3) Avoid fake practice tests like the plague. If a book doesn't say PrepTest # and date administered, it's probably not real.

#4) Identify your LSAT weaknesses - even if the exam’s unreleased, it doesn't matter. Look at your performance on the most recent 3-5 exams, and they’ll be the best indication of where you stand.

#5) Identify your LSAT weaknesses - don't just look at ones you get wrong. Also review anything you have difficulty with, including those where you were down to two and guessed. Even if got lucky, it could have just as easily gone the other way, so you might still count it as "wrong" (at least when making your list of questions to review).

#6) Identify your LSAT weaknesses - diagnose where problem is. For example, in Logical Reasoning, is it in the stimulus, the question stem, or the answer choices? The LSAT-makers play a lot of tricks, and your review process should involve spotting them.

#7) Refine your LSAT review process - keep a mistake journal of all the traps you've fallen for so you can avoid making them again.

#8) Figure out what you'll do differently this time as you prepare for your retake. It may involve using a different (or more detailed) LSAT study schedule, using different LSAT resources and courses, etc. If you've just been using random free stuff, but there's a resource you've been considering, now may be the time to go ahead and make that investment.

#9) LSAT study schedules - if you didn't take the time to learn the basics, start there properly, build foundation first. I recommend what I call the LASER approach to LSAT studying - LASER is an acronym that stands for Learning, Accuracy, Sections, Exams, and Review. This is the framework all of my LSAT study plans are based upon. The essence of it is to build the foundation first.

#10) If you've learned the basics already, ID your weak areas, focus on those, and mix in a timed PrepTest or two per week. Don't stress about specifics. Timed sections, questions by type, etc. are all good.

#11) Consider retaking more than once. Law schools don't average multiple scores - they only take the highest. And with LSAT test dates being more frequent than in the past, the
"cost" of retaking may be as little as staying fresh on the LSAT for an additional 4 weeks until the next administration.

#12) Be aware of the paper vs Digital LSAT differences and prep accordingly. Use resources geared towards preparing you for the Digital LSAT if you're taking it.

#13) Next level - write your own LSAT questions, answer choices, and LSAT Logic Games. This isn't for everyone, but it can help you better see the questions from the test-makers' perspective. (I learned a lot from writing my own games - examples here.)

#14) Next level - explain LSAT problems to a friend. Articulate your understanding of the arguments and reasoning in your own words to prove that you truly understand it.

#15) Next level - write your own LSAT explanations (example).


I taught a live online class called 15 LSAT Retake Strategies in 15 Minutes where I covered these in more detail along with some related Q&A. You can watch it here.

Turning tricky LSAT Logical Reasoning words into conditionals

Today, I'm showing you how to turn tricky Logical Reasoning words into easy "If X then Y" conditionals (without getting confused): --- Specifically, we're talking about turning phrases with "except," "unless," "until," and "without" into conditional statements. METHOD 1.) The "introducing necessary and then negating sufficient" way. METHOD 2.) The so-easy-a-5-year-old-can-do-it way. Imagine if you came across one of these words on the actual LSAT and didn't know what to do with it. There'd be a 99% chance you'd get the question wrong. WHY? Because you didn't understand what they were saying! Here's how to make sure you diagram these correctly. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- METHOD 1.) The "introducing necessary and then negating sufficient" way. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Take any of the annoying words ("except," "unless," "until," and "without") as introducing the necessary condition. In other words, whatever immediately follows one of these words is your necessary condition. Then, whatever other clause is present in the conditional statement will, when negated, become your sufficient condition. The phrase "Not B unless A" would first become "Not B then A." But we're not done yet! We still have to negate "Not B" to become "B." So...we have B ---> A. No need to take the contrapositive or rearrange anything. With an example: "It's not Thanksgiving (B) unless there's turkey (A)."

It first becomes: "Not Thanksgiving ---> there's turkey" BUT we still have to negate "Not Thanksgiving" to become "Thanksgiving." This gives us "Thanksgiving ---> turkey." (Meaning that we've directly turned "No X unless Y" into "X ---> Y") Get it? Good! Now let's move on to the next (even easier) method: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- METHOD 2.) The so-easy-a-5-year-old-can-do-it way (AKA the "IF NOT" way) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's simple - just replace any of these words with the phrase, "if not." This means that you're taking these words to represent the negation of the sufficient condition. In other words, you're negating whatever immediately follows the words "except," "unless," "until," and "without." Then, you turn that thing, when negated, into the sufficient condition. The phrase "Not B unless A" would become "Not B if not A." Rearranged in the traditional "If-then" form (sufficient ---> necessary), this would be "If not A, not B." Diagrammed: Not A ---> Not B Contrapositive: B ---> A With an example: It's not Thanksgiving (B) unless there's turkey (A). After "if not" replaces "unless": It's not Thanksgiving if there's no turkey. Diagrammed: No turkey ---> Not Thanksgiving. Contrapositive: Thanksgiving ---> turkey. So now whenever you have some trouble telling the difference...try one of these methods taught in the LSAT courses. And, if Logical Reasoning is giving you a lot of trouble, click this link. Until next time, -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. Logical Reasoning 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. Logical Reasoning Cheat Sheet 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. Free Stuff | YouTube | Podcast | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Books | Courses

How to make LSAT Reading Comp easy as Harry Potter

LSAT Reading Comprehension doesn't have to put you to sleep.

"Yeah, right," you say. "I read Harry Potter on the beach a few summers ago. But LSAT Reading Comp? That's like reading Nietzsche or Derrida - even in translation, they don't make sense!" That's what they WANT you to think. LSAC gives you passages, then says, "you're gonna suffer, but you're gonna be happy about it."

Actually, Reading Comp passages are more like Harry Potter or See Spot Run than any philosophy book. In this article, I show you how to break them down: LSAT Reading Comprehension Passages: Easy As Harry Potter ---> A ton of LSAT-takers told me this breakdown really helped them. I hope it helps you, too. Magically yours, Steve P.S. I wrote this article in response to a student's request. If there's something you want me to cover, just reach out and let me know. I'll try to cover it in the future. 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. Reading Comprehension 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 Vocabulary Builder A handbook that guides you through confusing LSAT language, but not by forcing you to memorize hundreds of words. Instead, this comprehensive guide focuses on the LSAT's most commonly-used words and phrases and gives you their meanings on the LSAT.

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This article will make you more logical

Welllllll...hello. Steve here from LSAT Unplugged and LSAT Blog. I have one mission - to: Make.  You.  Smarter. So let's get started. --- If your LSAT score is below where you want it to be (and I'll assume it is), this is probably one of your issues: Let's pretend you're starting with LSAT Logic Games...and you're trying to solve them in the 35 minutes you have for the section. You sit down to start a game like this one: At the annual meeting of the Magicians' Alliance, 8 magicians-L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, and S- perform their latest illusions, one magician at a time. The order in which the magicians perform their illusions is consistent with the following conditions: By now, you've probably started drawing a diagram with 8 spaces and are getting ready to diagram the rules under each space. Maybe... .....something.... .....like.... .....this: _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____      1        2         3         4         5         6         7         8 Wrong. Wrrrrong. WWRRROOOONNNNG. By now, you've already assumed that you're dealing with a typical "strict" ordering game, but this is actually a RELATIVE ordering game. (In other words, it's one where you relate the variables to each other, instead of specific spaces.) If you'd looked at the rules FIRST, you'd already know that. Here they are: -L and Q each perform at some time after P. -S performs at some time before O and L. -M performs at some time before S. -P performs at some time after N. -S and N each perform at some time after R. See how they all relate the variables to EACH other, instead of to different numbered spaces? None of them talk about who goes 3rd, 5th, etc. We can magically end up with a web of variables that are nicely connected to each other like THIS:

(Click here to find out how to diagram this game.) After we look at the rules, we find out which type of Logic Game we're dealing with, and THEN we'll know the best type of diagram to use. And, if Logic Games is giving you a lot of trouble, click this link.