How Alice made a huge mistake...and we fixed it

I’m a HUGE believer in looking for LSAT logic in real life examples. It’s a great way to break away from the study books and look at something more real. Or not. The Alice I'm talking about today actually isn't one of my former LSAT students - I'm talking about the "Alice" from a little book you may have heard of... Alice in Wonderland! It's about as far removed from real life as you can get, but the beautifully illustrated pages play host to many examples of formal logic. Lewis Carroll was a fantastic author whose ability to take readers on bizarre journeys is unrivalled. But he was also a keen logician. Check it out: "[Y]ou should say what you mean,' the March Hare went on. 'I do,' Alice hastily replied; 'at least — at least I mean what I say — that's the same thing, you know.' 'Not the same thing a bit!' said the Hatter. 'You might just as well say that "I see what I eat" is the same thing as "I eat what I see"!' 'You might just as well say,' added the March Hare, 'that "I like what I get" is the same thing as "I get what I like"!' 'You might just as well say,' added the Dormouse, who seemed to be talking in his sleep, 'that "I breathe when I sleep" is the same thing as "I sleep when I breathe"!'" Ten points for telling me what Alice did there? Anyone? Exactly! She wrongly equates “X then Y” with “Y then X”, or in other words she commits the heinous LSAT crime of making a mistaken reversal. When I look at this text I like to make my own translations, to LSATify it a bit! Alice says “at least, I mean what I say”, whereas I translate it to “whatever I say, I mean”. We can then take it a step further, by applying the if/then structure: “If I say it, then I mean it” The Mad Hatter rightly informs Alice that this is not equivalent to “saying what you mean”. Or in my translations; “Whatever I mean, I say” ---> “If I mean it, then I say it” As you can see in the excerpt, the Hatter, March Hare and Dormouse are all quick to point out the flaws in this logical fallacy, by switching X and Y just as Alice has. A real life example Okay then, let’s crawl out of the rabbit hole. We can do the same for many everyday sayings. Think of the classic china shop rule.. If you break it, you buy it. A fair enough rule, if we LSAT it up a bit, we have “if I break it, then I will buy it”. Meaning that breaking it is a sufficient condition for buying it, but not the ONLY (or necessary) condition for buying it. Now, if we look at the mistaken reversal of this statement, it’d read something a bit like “If I buy it, then I broke it”. This suggests that the ONLY condition for buying something is by breaking it - a logical fallacy! So, how is your understanding of the mistaken reversal? Are you like Alice in the previous example or more like our logical trio? It’s great to be able to spot mistaken reversals in real life and in novels - and it’s certainly nice to get away from more formal studying every now and then - but do you know how to spot it on the LSAT? Being sure that you know what the various aspects of conditional reasoning look like on the LSAT is essential to cracking the LSAT code and rocking an awesome score on test day. So, thinking caps on and start cracking down on all the logical fallacies out there! Yours through the looking glass, Steve P.S. Know any other great examples of novels filled with logical reasoning? Let me know! Recommended Resources: 1. LSAT CoursesThe 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

An addict's guide to LSAT Test Day

A typical LSAT test day lasts over 3 hours. And many test dates start at… 9AM?! Of course, your test day might not last 3 hours - that’s only if everything goes to plan. If the proctors can’t find their little booklets, time will crawl even slower. Chances are you’ve been studying many long, hard hours for this test, am I right? Let me make another assumption. Somewhere along the line maybe you became addicted to either coffee, cigarettes, gum or some variety of study drugs? More than 3 long hours without a fix… Will your body be able to cope? Is this fair for test-takers? What's fair/unfair doesn't really matter - what matters is how LSAC handles things. I wrote an article on which vices are allowed on test day, which aren't, and what you might be able to get away with. You might find the answers interesting. I know I did! But questions like are just one small part of how to fully simulate Test Day conditions - a major aspect of maximizing your chances of achieving your full Test Day potential. The other area you need to have a game plan?  Facing nerves and anxiety head-on. Building your LSAT Confidence levels. Because Test Day Score Drops happen all the time: In order to avoid a massive score drop like that one, you need to be ready for anything. That's why my LSAT course doesn't just cover the basics like what to bring, what not to bring, etc. I provide you with anxiety-reduction techniques and strategies to simulate even the worst test centers. But that's not all - in the course, I also review the most important rules and strategies you need to be aware of before walking in. I’ll cover what top-performing students do in the lead-up to Test Day to ensure success while others - even smart, talented students - get stuck and don’t know why. In this course, I show you: the 3 biggest mistakes students make when taking timed practice tests the most common test center problems (and how to avoid them) how to manage and overcome LSAT test anxiety how to simulate Test Day conditions and predict your score how to avoid an unexpected “Test Day Score Drop” I’m going to show you the system I use to prepare my students for Test Day that approaches it from every angle. If you want to increase your LSAT score and reliably perform at that level in real-world conditions, I’m going to show you some of the most effective and powerful LSAT Mindset techniques I've developed and refined since 2005. My LSAT course is for you if: you’ve never taken the LSAT before and are worried about what Test Day will look like you’ve taken the LSAT, but it didn’t go well, and you want to improve on your retake you feel like you won’t be able to translate your understanding at home into “real-world” conditions you’re on the fence as to whether or not you should take it because you have major test-taking anxiety anxiety starts kicking in at the first section, and even if you manage to calm down, you still can’t finish in time because you had to keep rereading Join now and set yourself up for LSAT Test Day Success. Forever yours, LSAT Steve P.S. Reach out and share your experiences with test day, proctor enforcement, etc. Free Stuff | YouTube | Podcast | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Books | Courses

Logic Games + Logical Reasoning vs Reading Comp

In response to student questions about focusing on Logic Games and Logical Reasoning more than Reading Comprehension:

RC is certainly the toughest to improve upon significantly - you get more bang for your buck focusing on LG and LR - no question about it.

But there are strategies for RC also - so when you have some time or want to change it up, make sure to review the RC-related lessons - you'll pick up some strategies (on what to do and what NOT to do) that will likely be major game-changers without much additional effort.

Law school character + fitness disclosures

I haven't heard of law schools performing background checks on applicants or asking for supplemental documentation, but it's important to answer these questions as honestly and fully as possible. It could come back to hurt you later when you apply for admission to the bar if you don't disclose.

Be concise and matter of fact - don't make excuses or blame others - take responsibility and show how you've changed.

The logic that makes you tick...

as LSAT studying given you a new interest in philosophy? No? I don’t blame you. LSAT passages can be boring as hell. Well, even if you do find them boring, thinking about philosophy can sometimes be a good way to warm up your brain cells. Because the people who write actual LSAT questions often have PhDs in philosophy, like my buddy Dr. Harris. And because human beings think and behave irrationally pretty often - except me. I've been perfectly rational 24/7 since learning the LSAT. Just kidding. Have you ever thought about what kind of reason is actually guiding you? What’s the logic of your morality?

Is it: -Kantian categorical imperative -Spinoza’s moral relativism -something that doesn't involve words people never use in everyday speech? No, it’s not easy to answer these kinds of questions. But what's MOST interesting about all this...is that people often have contradictions in their internal logic! (Sound familiar? That's what the LSAT's all about!) So, you can find out whether you do by trying out this "Philosophical Health Check." It helps reveal any contradictions in your reasoning. I just tricked one of my students into trying it, and she got a tension score of 7. (Not sharing mine, sorry.) If you get into this nerdy kinda thing (I'm guilty of it, sometimes), there is also the Morality Play, which analyzes your moral framework: Pretty cool stuff. So try it out and let me know what you discover! - Philosophizin' Steve P.S. Don’t worry too much if you got a high contradiction score - we’re just human after all! (And this isn't the LSAT.) 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.

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ASU Law Admissions Waiving LSAT + GRE

If you're fine with limiting yourself to ASU Law, that could be an option to avoid the LSAT.

However, there's a big problem with this if you care about scholarship money - they'll know you have few options for law school if you apply without the LSAT (especially so if you apply without LSAT/GRE scores).

A large part of negotiating scholarships is having offers from multiple schools.

***

Written in response to the following from ASU Law's website:

The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University is adapting to the LSAT cancellations by announcing that it will accept applicants who have taken the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) — or no standardized test at all.

Not every LSAT book is a good LSAT book

When it comes to LSAT prep, there are some genuinely bad books out there. Books that are worse than just not being helpful, but actually a waste of your time. And your time is valuable! After all, the time until Test Day is slowly ticking away and the last thing you need be doing is spending hours reading material that is unnecessarily long, complicated and boring. So…so…boring. That’s not to say these books are completely useless.  You might remember I ended up using mine to elevate my computer to eye level.

Now I don’t have to strain my neck so much when I’m doing actual LSAT work. Guess they ended up helping me after all! :) Thinking about reading these monstrosities is stressful, much less cracking one open and trying to actually read it cover-to-cover. Are there good LSAT books out there? Absolutely. In fact, I've written LSAT guides covering the same topics in a tenth of the pages. I’m saving trees over here. I’m not just trying to toot my own horn, because my guides aren't not the only good resources out there. What I’m really trying to say is you need to spend your time prepping wisely. For example, many people find knowing the concepts is good… Getting in the right LSAT mindset is even better. I’m not talking about some wishful-thinking mumbo jumbo. I’m talking about strategies the top test-takers use to get the kind of scores everyone else is chasing. It’s not a magic formula, it’s just: How To Develop The LSAT Mindset Once you take a look at this, you’ll already be farther along than if you were several hundred pages into a bad LSAT prep book. -Steve, the LSAT Mindset Man Recommended Resources: 1. LSAT CoursesThe 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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7 habits of top LSAT scorers (Logical Reasoning edition)

Everyone loves lists. Look around the internet and you’ll find 10 Ways To Keep Your Skin Clear and 5 Places You’re Most Likely To See A Bigfoot (I hear Oregon has them all over the place). There’s a reason for that, though. Lists help us organize what’s important and puts things in an easy-to-understand format. So I’m embracing the list trend and giving you seven habits that will strengthen your understanding of Logical Reasoning questions and in turn increase that LSAT score! Here we go: OMFG *SEVEN* Weird Tricks to Help You Ace Logical Reasoning in Under 7 Seconds! OMFG (just kidding, that's not actually the title) It's actually 7 habits of top scorers. Anyway, there you have it! Think of these habits as tools. The more tools you put in your “LSAT Toolbox,” the more equipped you’ll be when test day rolls around. Your LSAT Guide, Steve P.S. Questions? Comments? Concerns? I’d love to hear your thoughts on these seven habits and anything else related to Logical Reasoning problems. So don’t be shy and drop me a line! 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.

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Listing the LSAT's major flaws

Today, we’re talking about logical flaws and fallacies. Below you’ll find a link to an article I wrote that lists out all the logical flaws and fallacies you’re likely to find as part of your LSAT prep. Even if you think you know all of them, they’re good to brush up on because there are a LOT. #24 is my favorite, because it sounds like it could be a good cocktail. *** LSAT Logical Reasoning Flaws, Fallacies List *** Not only is this great for LSAT prep, but they're also great to know for arguing with trolls and anyone else who's wrong on the Internet. Have a good one! -LSAT Steve P.S. If any of these are giving you trouble, don’t be shy - let me know! If a bunch of people are confused about the same ones, I can do a deep-dive on those specific fallacies. 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.

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How to deal with LSAT Formal vs. Informal Logic

We’ve all got a pretty good understanding of what formal and informal usually means. Formal attire means show up in a suit. An informal dinner usually means you shouldn’t be afraid to order the extra saucy chicken wings.

Formal and informal logic, however, isn’t always as easy to understand. I did an excellent interview with the esteemed Dr. Deborah Bennett.  She wrote Logic Made Easy, which covers formal/informal logic, along with many other subjects.

If you don’t have time to read the full interview, don’t worry. Definitely go back and check it out when you get a chance. For now, here's a quick bite-sized read article about formal vs. informal logic that will help you with your LSAT prep: Formal vs. Informal Logic in LSAT Logical Reasoning Hopefully that cleared it up for you. And, in case you're wondering, most of my meals are informal (like chicken wings and Chipotle) rather than formal (like 5-star Michelin restaurants that require wearing a suit). Maybe one day, though! Keep up the great work, -Steve P.S. If you’re still having trouble, send me an message letting me know what the problem is. If enough people are struggling with something, I’ll happily dive more in-depth! 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.

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LSAT-Flex Raw Score Conversion

If you want to get a rough approximation of a scaled score on the LSAT-Flex, multiply your initial raw score by 4/3 before converting it using that exam's chart.

It won't be perfect, but it'll be close enough to give you a sense.

Another option would be to calculate your overall accuracy % on the 3 sections you complete, then use that as a baseline to approximate your accuracy % out of the total number of questions on a given exam.

(For example, if you answered 60/75 correct, that's 80% accuracy. If you maintained that level of accuracy on a 100-question exam, that would mean your raw score was 80. On the June 2007 LSAT, a raw score of 80 converts to 161.)

Give yourself a margin of error of a couple of points on each end to be safe. If you take the average of your most recent five exams you've done in a relatively short period, that will give you the best indication of where you stand.