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LSAT advice: no waking up at 4AM to study
how smoking and eating fried Twinkies can improve your LSAT score
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LSAT study plans that like.....actually work
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LSAT Logical Reasoning Advice - Understanding Quickly
To understand LSAT Logical Reasoning quickly, here's some advice:
To start with, identify the conclusion of the argument. Then the evidence and any subconclusions. Also, counterpremises, etc. You want to identify all parts of the argument and see how they fit together. It's not so much about getting the content down as it is about getting the method of reasoning, which is how those parts relate to each other.
One "trick" to get it down faster is to cut out useless filler information bounded between two commas:
"LSAC, which is located in Newtown, produces the LSAT."
Becomes
"LSAC [, which is located in Newtown, ] produces the LSAT."
By reducing the # of words you're dealing with, you save time.
Another trick is to replace a complicated word with its definition or a simpler version of that word. Dumb it down for yourself. Ex. (don't look at the following if you're doing PT64 timed):
The question about microglia in LSAT PrepTest 64, Section 3, Question 17 - whenever you see "microglia" in the stimulus or answer choices, insert "brain's immune cells" to make it simpler
They even define it for you in-context, but then continue using the more confusing word, microglia.
Sneaky, aren't they?
Anyway, THIS is the kind of analysis you need to be doing - not just taking exam after exam and obsessively measuring your results.
I call this the Obsessive Practice Exam Narrative (OPEN) for a reason.
More on that coming your way soon.
-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 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 Checklists
All the little items and details students don't usually think of. They hold you accountable and help you make sure you're not missing anything.
To start with, identify the conclusion of the argument. Then the evidence and any subconclusions. Also, counterpremises, etc. You want to identify all parts of the argument and see how they fit together. It's not so much about getting the content down as it is about getting the method of reasoning, which is how those parts relate to each other.
One "trick" to get it down faster is to cut out useless filler information bounded between two commas:
"LSAC, which is located in Newtown, produces the LSAT."
Becomes
"LSAC [, which is located in Newtown, ] produces the LSAT."
By reducing the # of words you're dealing with, you save time.
Another trick is to replace a complicated word with its definition or a simpler version of that word. Dumb it down for yourself. Ex. (don't look at the following if you're doing PT64 timed):
The question about microglia in LSAT PrepTest 64, Section 3, Question 17 - whenever you see "microglia" in the stimulus or answer choices, insert "brain's immune cells" to make it simpler
They even define it for you in-context, but then continue using the more confusing word, microglia.
Sneaky, aren't they?
Anyway, THIS is the kind of analysis you need to be doing - not just taking exam after exam and obsessively measuring your results.
I call this the Obsessive Practice Exam Narrative (OPEN) for a reason.
More on that coming your way soon.
-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 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 Checklists
All the little items and details students don't usually think of. They hold you accountable and help you make sure you're not missing anything.
LSAT success story (save 4 minutes to read)
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Why you're slow at LSAT reading comp (and how to get faster)
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Use this LSAT test day strategy
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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.
#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.
