* A review of a former law school dean's upcoming book, which criticizes the state of legal education. [NYTimes]
* 20 more class action lawsuits against law schools are in the works. [Above The Law]
* A man claims he was fired over reporting for jury duty. [ABA Journal]
* Stephen Colbert and Nancy Pelosi debate super PACs. [Colbert Nation]
* 20 untranslatable words from around the world. [Lackuna]
The June LSAT Is Held On A Monday
The June LSAT is the only LSAT that's regularly held on a Monday. (This year, it'll be on Monday, June 11.) In October, December, and February, the LSAT is held on a Saturday. (Sabbath observers can always take it on weekdays.)Test-takers are usually happy that the June LSAT is unique because it's the only exam that starts at 1PM, rather than at 9AM.
However, one blog reader recently wrote to me:
Today, I was looking at my registration, and I swear that I had registered for Saturday, but the test is on a Monday. I am really annoyed, since this is not very accommodating for working professionals like myself. Is it normal that all WORKING people have to take a Monday (vacation day) to take the test? Sorry to vent!I suggested:
You could always email LSAC from several pseudonymous email accounts. I estimate it would take 20,000 emails to get them to change the date of the June exam.What do you think?
Will those of you in the 9-to-5 grind be complaining to LSAC about the injustice of having to use a vacation day?
Will those of you working the retail/service industry grind be thanking LSAC for allowing you to take it on a day off?
Leave comments!
Photo by meddygarnet
LSAT Diary: Logic Games, I Will Be Kicking Your Ass
This LSAT Diary is from Rebecca, who's ready to destroy the LSAT.If you want to be in LSAT Diaries, please email me at LSATUnplugged@gmail.com. (You can be in LSAT Diaries whether you've taken the exam already or not.)
Here's Rebecca's LSAT Diary:
So here I am, a thirty-something, just over a week away from my birthday. While others my age might be planning exotic getaways for their birthdays or maybe just a weekend trip to Vegas, I am plotting my mêlée with the LSAT. It is true that most people my age that are interested in law already have their degrees and have been practicing attorneys for many years now, but hey, I am certainly not most people.
To start, I didn’t even graduate college with my Bachelor’s degree until just after my 29th birthday. That was a challenge in its own right. After graduation, I contemplated what I wanted to do with my life and several years later, I found myself still contemplating. And then, I finally received my wakeup call à la a diagnosis of ADHD, Anxiety and Depression. Ouch! Well, at least my downward spiral roused my fighting spirit. I am crazy, hear me roar!
I decided to take on the challenge of the LSAT because I had considered taking it a few years back. That is, until I bought an LSAT prep book, opened it and was like…ugh, this shit is freakin’ hard. But I am fairly confident now that law school is the right path for me, so here I go.
I need a lot of time if I want to reach my, oh so lofty, goal of a 172. No, that isn’t a typo... hey, I did say I was crazy.
The first two practice tests I took, I scored 151 on both, followed by a 154 and 153. But considering I only once have been able to complete an entire section (without just random bubbling) I think I might have a shot if I can improve my speed and focus. Regardless, I would definitely say that I have a lot of studying ahead of me!
I decided to start my second attempt at mastering the LSAT, by writing each of the sections a little note just to let them know what they can expect from me in the upcoming months. I didn’t want them to be caught off guard when I come at them with my pencils a’ blazing. All black Ticonderoga #2 pencils. I bought them because black pencils scream whoop ass, just like my new attitude about conquering the LSAT.
Dear Logic Games,
You, by yourself, were no doubt the main reason I chose not to take the LSAT back in 2005. You confused me, scared me and made me feel inferior. You may still kick my ass right now, but I guarantee by the time this is over, I will be kicking your ass and taking names. You have nowhere to hide, as the answers are a matter of indisputable facts. There can be no deceit. You may be clever, but I will be fierce in learning your ways and you will be no match for me on LSAT day.
Dear Reading Comprehension,
You are a tricky devil for me. You seem so straight forward and obvious, but yet I still stumble on simplicities such as your main points. You use these foreign sounding words to make me feel stupid and you lull me to sleep with your long passages. By the time I reach your end, I barely recall your beginning. I do not fear you though. I will work hard on my vocabulary and build my endurance to withstand whatever you throw my way. I look forward to your passages on molecular biology and neuroscience. BRING IT ON!
Dear Logical Reasoning,
You are my ally on this crazy test. You are the bulk of the questions and I feel that in the upcoming months we will forge a strong bond. It is true that you sometimes slow me down with your strange and, let’s face it, downright awkwardly worded arguments. (That is just my opinion, don’t take it personally). But, I feel like I get you…for the most part. I think we just need to spend more time together. We will eventually be BFFs…I can just tell.
The Plan:
I plan to work on the different sections concurrently to avoid boredom and rust. In addition, I also want to supplement my studies by improving my vocabulary and reading more about the fundamentals of logic. I'm working full time and fulfilling personal obligations, but hey, I have no social life so I think it is doable.
The goal for this week is to start reworking all of the logic games that I have worked on over the last two months. I also want to complete three of the four games in a timed section with no more than one wrong. If I get one more easy Logic Games question wrong in a timed section because I am not paying attention…
TUESDAY
Let the games begin. Logic games that is!
Okay, so I spent a good part of tonight formulating my attack plan and writing the first part of my LSAT diary, so there wasn’t much time for actual study. Did I mention I have a terrible procrastination problem? Anyhow, I did manage to rework about four games of simple ordering. I am still slow as molasses, but I am getting almost all of them right.
WEDNESDAY
My work managed to follow me home today and so I didn’t get a chance to work on any logic games considering at midnight I was still working. So frustrating…
THURSDAY
Back to the games. I am just continuing to rework the games that I have already done. I want to make sure I save enough material that I have not seen yet, so that I can work on work on new games later to have a more reliable gauge of my progress. Continued on simple ordering and started simple grouping. Worked through six games.
FRIDAY
I snuck in a couple games while I was at work. When I got home I worked on some reading comp sections to break it up. I did a timed section and only made it through 21 questions. If only the LSAT were 40 minute timed sections... I continued on reading comp by redoing six passages that I had done poorly on the first time around and I tried to analyze the error of my ways.
SATURDAY
After spending four hours in my LSAT class today, there was not much energy left to work anymore. We reviewed a lot on the different types of logical reasoning questions and the strategy for each in class. I did work on about three logic games when I got home in anticipation of the timed section I am taking tomorrow.
SUNDAY
Sadness. I took a timed games section today in class. Good news: I got every question I attempted correct. Bad news: I only attempted 13 questions. I made the fatal error of not recognizing that I started with the most difficult game of the section until I was too far in. Not a good strategy for the girl that can spend 15 minutes on a simple ordering game.
I felt the tears and frustration brewing. So, of course, I went shopping and spent $800 on a road bicycle. How the heck did that happen? Anyhow, after taking my frustrations out on my credit card, I went home and started working on more games, determined to redeem my poor performance. Bad idea! I ended up spending over 30 minutes on one game and literally gave up and looked at the answer to the question I couldn’t figure out. I need a margarita!
MONDAY
After realizing I wasn’t going to meet my goal for the week and having such a frustrating Sunday, I decided to skip the LSAT studies for tonight. Probably not a good idea, but…I did it anyhow.
Lessons learned this week:
-In games, a higher number means a larger number…always!
-Slow down on symbolizing the rules, otherwise I will screw them up!!!
-If I can’t figure out the answer to a question, review my symbols for the conditional statements because odds are I messed at least one of them up.
-Keep at the games EVERY single day. There is always time for at least one game.
Photo by locationscout
Logic and Games
* A list of law schools attempting to be transparent about their employment stats. [Above The Law]
* One lawyer's custody battle with Jeffrey Toobin, author of The Nine, led her to open her own boutique practice. [NYTimes]
* Justice Scalia gives some advice on how attorneys can achieve the ideal work/life balance. [The Careerist]
* The NYPD engaged in extensive surveillance of students in Muslim Student Associations, even those outside NYC. [Huffington Post]
* One lawyer's custody battle with Jeffrey Toobin, author of The Nine, led her to open her own boutique practice. [NYTimes]
* Justice Scalia gives some advice on how attorneys can achieve the ideal work/life balance. [The Careerist]
* The NYPD engaged in extensive surveillance of students in Muslim Student Associations, even those outside NYC. [Huffington Post]
* A juror is jailed after friending the defendant on Facebook in order to get out of jury duty. [Mashable]
June 2012 LSAT Questions / Answers
The June 2012 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.
Also, if you're looking for general advice on improving in Logic Games, Logical Reasoning, or Reading Comprehension, please note that I've already written plenty of blog posts on these topics and have integrated them into my LSAT study schedules.
Quick request: please leave a name rather than posting as "Anonymous." It makes it easier for everyone to respond to specific comments. Thanks!
Photo by lwr
LSAT Diary: Making Practice LSAT-Style Questions
This LSAT Diary is from blog reader Jason, who writes in with some half-finished, LSAT-style questions he's made up.If you want to be in LSAT Diaries, please email me at LSATUnplugged@gmail.com. (You can be in LSAT Diaries whether you've taken the exam already or not.)
Jason's LSAT Diary:
RC is still a bit of a hit or miss, for me. I can consistently score -0 on RC and then I'll have a rough passages that I find the most boring and subsequently confusing and I'll miss 2 or 3 questions in a row. So, I would lose a few points based on a very rough literary set of questions. My best case RC is -0, my worst is -4. -4 is WAY to much to lose on the real test. So, I need to confine that to no more than 2 missed questions. If I get a games section written for me, I am pull it off in -1 to -3. A great LR section I can ace. 1 tough LR section I usually go -2. So, I'm looking anywhere from -4 to -11 -- a big variation! Basically anywhere from 176 to 169. I think the median score is in the 173 range right now. I'll know more more in a few weeks after the additional drills.
When I took the LSAT before, I doubt I missed a single question on the experimental RC section. I am sure my answers fit lock-and-key. Then, I missed 3 questions on the actual RC. I lost focus in the games. I performed nowhere near my 170 practice range. So I signed up to retake -- once again preparing for game day. I'm going over all questions that I've previously missed on the first attempt. I'm going to redo all the games in Grouped By Type (4g per day, each day until the test) and I'm doing each of the newest exams - 1 test every other day.
Games are the most dangerous -- not the technique necessarily, but the speed. I felt this recent test really less emphasized the setup and up-front inference and focused more on on the need to use brute-force inferences on the fly. The games seem less "definable" and much more hybrid than in PT 1-40. PT 54 - present really demonstrate a next-gen type of game, in my opinion.
Anyway, here's my running, stream of consciousness of fun LSAT-style questions that I've made up --- They aren't yet finished, but I think you can see where I am going with it:
"An agonist is a substance that initiates a physiological response when combined with a receptor. Agonists increase the level of receptor activation, antagonists reduce it. An antagonist is a substance that interferes with or inhibits the physiological action of another. An acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (often abbreviated AChEI) or anti-choliterase is a chemical that inhibits the cholinesterase enzyme from breaking down acetylcholine, increasing both the level and duration of action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholine receptor agonists and antagonists can either have an effect directly on the receptors or exert their effects indirectly, e.g., by affecting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which degrades the receptor ligand.
If all of the above are true, which of the following can be properly inferred? (Still need to write some awesome, tough answer choices questions here.)
***
----This is one of my favorites -- the LSAT-makers like aviation but this is an entirely new level of difficulty:
Pilot's Association Rep:
Many people believe that, as flight technology becomes increasingly automated, that human pilots will soon be entirely replaced by automated control systems. But, the cost of labor required to produce human pilots -- typically free -- is much less than even the cheapest factory workers that build autopilot devices.
Cost-Saving Opponent:
But, of course, the cost of the direct labor required to produce said device is not the only cost valuable in comparing the costs to become "flight ready." For example, a human requires 20+ years of health, maintenance and education support costs before they are "flight ready." The cost of the flight instruction alone can approach a cost in the millions of dollars.
But, humans have the ability to make ethical decions -- whereas computers do not. Therefore, autopilot devices are not ethical.
Pilot:
Well, autopilots are superior because they make decisions based on objective criteria -- therefore, autopilots are not hampered by ethical considerations. Additionally, to adequately consider the costs of producing a human pilot, you would have to compare the costs required to allow the parents to achieve a fertile age and condition as well as all parents precedent to the pilot.
Opponent:
Nonsense, if you suggest that the cost of a particular human pilot is the sum of their direct ancestors, then you would similarly have to consider the cost of an autopilot device as the cost of all computers precedent to it's construction. UNIVAC alone, adjusted for inflation in today's dollars, is in the billions of dollars.
Pilot:
Well, just because computers built today are built upon technology inherent within UNIVAC, does not mean that they are direct descendants of UNIVAC.
Oppoment:
I wholeheartedly disagree with your dismissal of UNIVAC. Besides, the US Army built UNIVAC and the US Army has a positive history of building technology. Therefore, flight technology built by the US Army will be superior.
Pilot:
True, that logically follows if any technology built by the US Army will be superior, but the US Army also trains humans. Besides, you are missing the point.
What is the major point at issue between the Pilot and Opponent?
How do these arguments proceed? Do either and/or both utilize logical flaws through the course of the discussion?
I need to work on these questions -- but it's a lot of fun to build your own questions -- understanding them at that level -- and then taking a test form.
Photo by bobaubuchon
Logic and Games
* Two guys try to cash in on the Jeremy Lin fever by trademarking the term "LINsanity." [Above The Law]
* State lawmakers want to limit the activities of a law clinic at the University of Maryland School of Law.
* A woman suspended from practicing law lies to get *onto* a jury. [WSJ Law Blog]
* In other trademark news, Apple is forced to stop selling the iPad in China because an insolvent company there claims to have trademarked the term already. [NYTimes]
* A woman suspended from practicing law lies to get *onto* a jury. [WSJ Law Blog]
* An analysis of just how useless law review articles can be. [ABA Journal]
LSAT Diaries: Starting to Understand the LSAT
This LSAT Diary is from Jason, who writes in with his thoughts on starting to understand the LSAT.If you want to be in LSAT Diaries, please email me at LSATUnplugged@gmail.com. (You can be in LSAT Diaries whether you've taken the exam already or not.)
Jason's LSAT Diary:
Nudging past a 173 is a very difficult accomplishment. I am not sure that is realistic for me in another 6 weeks. In each LR section, there are almost always 2 questions that are either time killers or really tricky. (Parallel reasoning questions with Except, Unless in 2 of 3 conditional statements in the stem and then the answers are contrapositives in a different order. Nightmare in 1:30.) The LSAT is not like the SAT/ACT -- where a top scorer has a relaxed time to spare. I find myself working right up to the second on these sections!
At present, everything has to line up just right for me to make a 172-173 on a practice test. I need to answer the first 10 LR questions in about 8:30, then work 11-15 in about 1:30 each, then 20-end in 1:40, then spend a careful bit on 16,17,18,19. I am carelessly missing Qs 13,16,17 very consistently.
RC, I miss typically 1-2. Most often, just 1. Hard to refine that much further. Also, I've burned through all the comparative passages published. Other than deconstructing those, I have an absence of material.
I have a lot of range right now: I could see potentially missing anywhere from 4 to 11. I need to refine that.
I'm getting nervous -- making daily gains on LG then giving a few mistakes on LR. My first, and essentially, only choice school is SMU here in Dallas -- only because I can't relocate due to family commitments. And, I am not concerned about getting an acceptance offer, not at all, but the strength of my performance on this exam -- of course -- can make a substantial difference in the form of a scholarship package. (It's right at the edge of a T50 school, and very expensive, so they don't get a lot of 172+ scores applications.) I need to, undoubtedly superperform!
I've been actually putting together a number of my own stims, questions stems, flaws and args. That's been an incredible way to really burrow into the test-maker's mentality. Just this past week, I felt that unity -- that point where all the mechanistics internalized. I finished a new PT with a score of 175. That is my highest yet. But, best of all -- I had time. I was relaxed. I felt comfortable moving back and forth between time-drain questions and those that are easily doable.
I am starting, now, to really understanding the zen of the arguments. I understand what it means to not quite remember the rules but internalize them -- I'm starting to feel this way now. I am adding up the Sufficient Assumption questions quickly and read the negations as I roll through a N.A. question. Principle questions I now see the subtlety of different -- as minute as for the force, certainty, scope, order, logical reconstruction, etc. After a while, It's starting to make good sense.
Photo by Paul Watson
Logic and Games
* Supreme Court Justice Breyer robbed by man with a machete. [Boston Globe]
* Rick Santorum claims judicial tyranny is a serious problem when it comes to gay marriage. [WSJ Law Blog]
* A legal scholar argues that Jim Crow still exists in America due to inequities in the judicial system. [NPR]
* The U.S. Constitution is losing influence as a model for those of other countries. [NYTimes]
* The worst Valentine's Day gifts ever. [Yahoo Shine]
* Rick Santorum claims judicial tyranny is a serious problem when it comes to gay marriage. [WSJ Law Blog]
* A legal scholar argues that Jim Crow still exists in America due to inequities in the judicial system. [NPR]
* The U.S. Constitution is losing influence as a model for those of other countries. [NYTimes]
* The worst Valentine's Day gifts ever. [Yahoo Shine]
February 2012 LSAT Score Release Dates
UPDATE: LSAC began releasing February 2012 LSAT scores on Tuesday, March 6th. Scores are released in batches, and it may take several hours for everyone to receive their scores.
Good luck!
***
The February 2012 LSAT scores / results are scheduled to be released via email by March 7, 2012. However, LSAC generally releases LSAT scores a bit earlier than that.
Let's look at the trend over the past several years (click to enlarge):
The December 2011 LSAT score release was a bit unpredictable, but the June 2011 LSAT score release and October 2011 LSAT score release are helpful in allowing me to make an educated guess about when February LSAT scores will come out.
Over the years, February, June, and October scores were traditionally scheduled to be released no later than 23 days after the exam date (a Monday). However, LSAC started giving themselves a little more time in the June 2011 - February 2012 test cycle, scheduling the score release date to be 25 days after the test date for the June 2011, October 2011 and February 2012 LSATs (a Wednesday).
For both the June and October 2011 LSATs, LSAC scheduled the results to be released no later than 25 days after the test date, but then released them 23 days later (2 days earlier than scheduled. For this reason...
My best guess is that February 2012 LSAT scores will be released on Monday, March 5, 2012.
"But at what time specifically? I need to know when to constantly refresh my email / LSAC account!"
In batches over the course of several hours. Likely starting late in the day (Eastern Time).
No one knows how the batches are organized, if at all.
The batches do not seem to be organized in any of these ways:
alphabetical/regional/high-to-low scores/low-to-high scores/test center #, etc.
Wish everyone all the best!
***
See other LSAT score release dates posts.
***
While you're waiting for your score, get busy with my Law School Admissions Book Recommendations list and other admissions-related blog posts.
Feel free to leave comments and vent at the injustice of having to wait so long for what is rightfully yours.
Finally, here's Success Baby, in case you prefer him to the other baby for your Facebook profile photo or something:
My best guess is that February 2012 LSAT scores will be released on Monday, March 5, 2012.
"But at what time specifically? I need to know when to constantly refresh my email / LSAC account!"
In batches over the course of several hours. Likely starting late in the day (Eastern Time).
No one knows how the batches are organized, if at all.
The batches do not seem to be organized in any of these ways:
alphabetical/regional/high-to-low scores/low-to-high scores/test center #, etc.
Wish everyone all the best!
***
See other LSAT score release dates posts.
***
While you're waiting for your score, get busy with my Law School Admissions Book Recommendations list and other admissions-related blog posts.
Feel free to leave comments and vent at the injustice of having to wait so long for what is rightfully yours.
Finally, here's Success Baby, in case you prefer him to the other baby for your Facebook profile photo or something:
LSAT Diary: Prep and Test Day Experience
This installment of LSAT Diaries comes from Tamara, a 45-year-old computer programmer who scored a 166 on her LSAT.She's got some great LSAT advice for you about how she did it, and a great description of what taking the test was like.
If you want to be in LSAT Diaries, please email me at LSATUnplugged@gmail.com. (You can be in LSAT Diaries whether you've taken the exam already or not.)
Tamara's LSAT Diary:
Patents and intellectual property rights interest me, and friends who are lawyers suggested my prospects for practicing intellectual property law are good. I've worked in computer software for 15 years while I attended college for degrees in communication and computer science. I had high school ambitions for law school, but high school graduation was 25 years ago. Almost on a whim, I registered for the LSAT. I had ten weeks to prepare.
I didn't pin any specific outcome on the results. Everyone who completes a law school application takes the LSAT. So instead of pondering "Should apply to law school" and "How will I ever afford it" I decided to take the test and see what happens.
My first stop was the public library. I opened the phonebook-sized guide and took the practice test at the front. Reading comprehension, no sweat. Short-answer logical questions, hm, some of those I'm getting backwards or not right ... ohmigoodness, these puzzles? Most fun I've ever had with a #2 pencil, but each one takes a full half-hour? Many hours later, without timing anything and with ample breaks, I had a practice score of 159. (But test prep book warmups are not equivalent to the actual tests.)
So my journey began. Next step, Internet, where I quickly found LSAT Blog. Based on the advice of using official LSAT practice tests, I ordered five. One for each of the last five weeks of preparation. I didn't share this goal with anyone other than my housemates: people who could see from the huge tome labeled LSAT preparation on the coffee table.
The first five weeks, I focused on accuracy on the two weak spots: short answer (logical reasoning) and logic games (analytical reasoning). I spent weekday evenings casually answering 10 or 20 logical reasoning questions, then working on the types I got wrong. I learned about the question types, and how to identify the argument and conclusions. I followed a strategy of discarding the obviously wrong answers right off and then selecting the one best answer from the remaining answers.
Logic games? Definitely hard. Fortunately, it's the same type of reasoning required to solve the trickiest real-life computer programming problems. I photocopied logic games on individual pieces of paper and carried them with me, so that a wait at the mechanic or the vet became logic game time. I worked on them in the break room at work, where I sat and tried to figure out the contrapositives and grouping and scheduling and charts and placing square people at round tables.
Spending the weekend drinking Lone Star while trying to figure out which seagull shat on which Amish hat was a highlight of my study time. After that game, my speed picked up. I started doing two games every time I sat down, finishing one and immediately starting another, and finally got to where I could solve two in a half hour. Three. I needed three. And eventually four? Would I ever compress two hours of work into 35 minutes?
The last five weeks I focused on completing the test in the allotted time. Oh, and without a cigarette break. And getting my 45-year-old eyes trained in on bubbling selections accurately on those tiny cramped answer sheets. Each Saturday I woke up at the time I'd have to wake up for the real LSAT, drove to the library, and took a practice test. I still needed more speed on logic games. Sometimes getting three completed during a practice test. Sometimes. Almost, but not quite. I had accuracy; if I got to a game, I got all or all-but-one of the questions right. If I worked too fast, jumped to a false conclusion, didn't re-read and carefully map out the initial information? I got the whole thing wrong. Accuracy took time, precious time, but I'd rather get two completely right than four completely wrong.
But at the same time, I remained casual about the results -- if I got a good score, I'd continue down this path and apply to schools, if not, that was OK too.
Game day rolled around. Got there early and joined hundreds of others sitting around waiting to be assigned to a room. Then we had interminable delays while the proctors figured out that even if you'd grown a beard since your license picture you still were allowed to take the test (a rather common thing, you'd think, considering that LSAT studying didn't seem to allow time for shaving ... or was it an influx of Amish inspired by the seagull question?)
The wait to get our LSAT test booklets was long and frustrating. The proctor mis-read and mis-pronounced instructions. Settled into a zen-like calmness for the rigamarole and tiny uncomfortable chairs; I never thought to practice sitting in a horrible chair with a tiny tiny platform and no place to rest my pencil? Logical reasoning, reading comprehension, logical reasoning, a break to walk around, more logical reasoning, will this never end? It's well after noon, and the quiet and tedium are taking a toll. Finally the analytical reasoning, the logic games. Read them through, ranked them order of attack, worked the first, third, fourth ... time was called, and bubbled in C on the blanks. Oh, and I never did work down my list of things to do and practice that writing sample. Arguing on the best choice for a summer camp? Whatever.
They collected our packages, and the whole thing was over. And I'd gotten to three of the four logic games. And I was jubilant, driving home, calling friends who practice law, my sister, anyone who might care: I'd finished the LSAT. Finished. It is done, and now I'm sharing. Keeping my plans quiet helped keep it low-key. Then we could wait for the scores to be published together.
The results of ten weeks of casual preparation? A 166 that I can send off with my other data to the nearby top-14 law school. Due to LSAC data-sharing settings, my email inbox is filling up with other schools inviting me to open houses, waiving admission fees and talking scholarships. All without ever breaking a sweat. Take it easy -- know the question types, know your strengths and play to them. You can improve your LSAT score with three to five hours a week of consistent but moderate effort over a ten-week period and maintain your job. Friends and family will barely miss you. Next up? Applying to schools. Again, I'll do my best to achieve good results without being too attached to any particular outcome.
Photo by offshore
Patents and intellectual property rights interest me, and friends who are lawyers suggested my prospects for practicing intellectual property law are good. I've worked in computer software for 15 years while I attended college for degrees in communication and computer science. I had high school ambitions for law school, but high school graduation was 25 years ago. Almost on a whim, I registered for the LSAT. I had ten weeks to prepare.
I didn't pin any specific outcome on the results. Everyone who completes a law school application takes the LSAT. So instead of pondering "Should apply to law school" and "How will I ever afford it" I decided to take the test and see what happens.
My first stop was the public library. I opened the phonebook-sized guide and took the practice test at the front. Reading comprehension, no sweat. Short-answer logical questions, hm, some of those I'm getting backwards or not right ... ohmigoodness, these puzzles? Most fun I've ever had with a #2 pencil, but each one takes a full half-hour? Many hours later, without timing anything and with ample breaks, I had a practice score of 159. (But test prep book warmups are not equivalent to the actual tests.)
So my journey began. Next step, Internet, where I quickly found LSAT Blog. Based on the advice of using official LSAT practice tests, I ordered five. One for each of the last five weeks of preparation. I didn't share this goal with anyone other than my housemates: people who could see from the huge tome labeled LSAT preparation on the coffee table.
The first five weeks, I focused on accuracy on the two weak spots: short answer (logical reasoning) and logic games (analytical reasoning). I spent weekday evenings casually answering 10 or 20 logical reasoning questions, then working on the types I got wrong. I learned about the question types, and how to identify the argument and conclusions. I followed a strategy of discarding the obviously wrong answers right off and then selecting the one best answer from the remaining answers.
Logic games? Definitely hard. Fortunately, it's the same type of reasoning required to solve the trickiest real-life computer programming problems. I photocopied logic games on individual pieces of paper and carried them with me, so that a wait at the mechanic or the vet became logic game time. I worked on them in the break room at work, where I sat and tried to figure out the contrapositives and grouping and scheduling and charts and placing square people at round tables.
Spending the weekend drinking Lone Star while trying to figure out which seagull shat on which Amish hat was a highlight of my study time. After that game, my speed picked up. I started doing two games every time I sat down, finishing one and immediately starting another, and finally got to where I could solve two in a half hour. Three. I needed three. And eventually four? Would I ever compress two hours of work into 35 minutes?
The last five weeks I focused on completing the test in the allotted time. Oh, and without a cigarette break. And getting my 45-year-old eyes trained in on bubbling selections accurately on those tiny cramped answer sheets. Each Saturday I woke up at the time I'd have to wake up for the real LSAT, drove to the library, and took a practice test. I still needed more speed on logic games. Sometimes getting three completed during a practice test. Sometimes. Almost, but not quite. I had accuracy; if I got to a game, I got all or all-but-one of the questions right. If I worked too fast, jumped to a false conclusion, didn't re-read and carefully map out the initial information? I got the whole thing wrong. Accuracy took time, precious time, but I'd rather get two completely right than four completely wrong.
But at the same time, I remained casual about the results -- if I got a good score, I'd continue down this path and apply to schools, if not, that was OK too.
Game day rolled around. Got there early and joined hundreds of others sitting around waiting to be assigned to a room. Then we had interminable delays while the proctors figured out that even if you'd grown a beard since your license picture you still were allowed to take the test (a rather common thing, you'd think, considering that LSAT studying didn't seem to allow time for shaving ... or was it an influx of Amish inspired by the seagull question?)
The wait to get our LSAT test booklets was long and frustrating. The proctor mis-read and mis-pronounced instructions. Settled into a zen-like calmness for the rigamarole and tiny uncomfortable chairs; I never thought to practice sitting in a horrible chair with a tiny tiny platform and no place to rest my pencil? Logical reasoning, reading comprehension, logical reasoning, a break to walk around, more logical reasoning, will this never end? It's well after noon, and the quiet and tedium are taking a toll. Finally the analytical reasoning, the logic games. Read them through, ranked them order of attack, worked the first, third, fourth ... time was called, and bubbled in C on the blanks. Oh, and I never did work down my list of things to do and practice that writing sample. Arguing on the best choice for a summer camp? Whatever.
They collected our packages, and the whole thing was over. And I'd gotten to three of the four logic games. And I was jubilant, driving home, calling friends who practice law, my sister, anyone who might care: I'd finished the LSAT. Finished. It is done, and now I'm sharing. Keeping my plans quiet helped keep it low-key. Then we could wait for the scores to be published together.
The results of ten weeks of casual preparation? A 166 that I can send off with my other data to the nearby top-14 law school. Due to LSAC data-sharing settings, my email inbox is filling up with other schools inviting me to open houses, waiving admission fees and talking scholarships. All without ever breaking a sweat. Take it easy -- know the question types, know your strengths and play to them. You can improve your LSAT score with three to five hours a week of consistent but moderate effort over a ten-week period and maintain your job. Friends and family will barely miss you. Next up? Applying to schools. Again, I'll do my best to achieve good results without being too attached to any particular outcome.
Photo by offshore
Logic and Games
* Get pumped for Saturday's LSAT with 40 inspirational speeches in 2 minutes. [YouTube]
* Then read all these LSAT Test Day tips available on the blog. [LSAT Blog]
* Goldilocks avoids criminal sanction when Sotomayor judges dispute on Sesame Street. [ABA Journal]
* Judge sentences man to take his wife to dinner at Red Lobster. [WSJ Law Blog]
* The University of Minnesota punishes mortuary sciences student Amanda Tatro for making jokes on Facebook, Tatro takes them to the state Supreme Court. [Above The Law]
* Then read all these LSAT Test Day tips available on the blog. [LSAT Blog]
* Goldilocks avoids criminal sanction when Sotomayor judges dispute on Sesame Street. [ABA Journal]
* Judge sentences man to take his wife to dinner at Red Lobster. [WSJ Law Blog]
* The University of Minnesota punishes mortuary sciences student Amanda Tatro for making jokes on Facebook, Tatro takes them to the state Supreme Court. [Above The Law]
