There have been plenty of articles written about LSAT thinking in the real world, and about how LSAT logic is used (and often abused) in everyday life. Those articles are all valid, and interesting, I think! But one thought I want to mention is that the thinking skills you learn while studying for the LSAT will stay with you, and benefit you well into the future. Logical Reasoning in Daily Life While I often think of the value of learning LSAT logic when explaining LSAT questions (or arguing with my sister, who could do with a thorough reading of the Logical Reasoning Bible), what … [Read more...]
LSAT Podcast Episode 67: Pros and Cons of the November 2020 LSAT
The PodCast’s latest episode tackles a pair of timely topics: the recent August score release and the upcoming November LSAT. Jon and Dave begin by analyzing the ongoing saga of delayed August scores due to LSAT Writing issues, before moving on to a detailed list of all the pros and cons of taking the November 2020 exam, including the nature of its Flex format and the role it will play in this year’s admissions cycle. If you tested in August, or are considering November, don’t miss this! … [Read more...]
Andy Murray’s Motivational Notes and the LSAT
During a tennis match in 2015 at the Rotterdam Open, a journalist snapped a picture of tennis star Andy Murray consulting a handwritten sheet between sets. As it turns out, the sheet contained a list of tactical and mental reminders for Murray during the match. Let's take a look at the list, and then talk a bit about how you can use something similar in your LSAT preparation to your advantage. For starters, here's the tweet from the journalist.https://twitter.com/wilfredgenee/status/567625102880436224In more direct form, the list reads as follows:Be good to yourself Try your … [Read more...]
LSAT Podcast Episode 66: Two Enter, One Leaves – How to Choose Correctly Between Two Attractive LSAT Answers
There are few scenarios as frightening as being stuck between two answers on the LSAT, but fortunately Dave and Jon are here with advice on how to find your way through it. Tune in to the latest PodCast episode to learn strategies for selecting correctly when you have one last contender to eliminate! … [Read more...]
Why Did My LSAT Score Go Down When I First Started Studying?
On occasion, I speak with students who experience a score decrease when they first start preparing for the LSAT. Despite putting in a fair number of study hours, they find that initially their score stays the same, or drops a few points. This can be an extremely distressing occurrence (to put it mildly), but it's actually quite normal, and even expected. So let's talk about why it happens, and what to do about it. But... Why? The first question is, why would such a thing occur? When you study a new topic, you learn more about it, and this new knowledge should translate into a better score. … [Read more...]
LSAT Podcast Episode 65: The August 2020 LSAT-Flex Review
We’re nearing the end of the largest LSAT-Flex administration thus far, and Jon and Dave are here with all the details! In this episode they break down the August LSAT, examining its three source tests and their usage throughout the week, highlighting the standout elements that appeared each day, and finally providing a section-by-section scale matrix to help you determine the curve for your particular exam. … [Read more...]
No Such Thing as a Free Lunch: The Fine Print on Full Scholarship Offers
If you're here, you're probably wondering what exactly we're talking about. If you score a full scholarship, congratulations are in order! But we want to make sure you read the fine print, too. Let's talk about what it takes to keep your merit-based scholarship offer for the duration of your legal education. If you want to pre-read about this topic, we suggest these articles: Scholarship vs. Prestige: When to Take the Money and Run? A Law Degree is Worth Over $1 Million. Can You Get it for Free?Pre-Requisites If you apply early for admissions and have the competitive … [Read more...]
A Law Degree is Worth Over $1 Million. Can You Get it for Free?
Breaking Down the Numbers According to Law School Transparency, as of 2018, the average law school graduate carries $115,000 in student loan debt. To break that down, public law school graduates carry about $92,000 in debt and private law school graduates carry $130,000 in debt. This would all be fine, of course, if you were virtually guaranteed a six-figure salary after graduation. You are not. According to the ABA, nine months after graduating, only 57% of law students had full-time jobs that required passing the bar. For those lucky enough to have a job, the median salary was $60,500. Yes, … [Read more...]
LSAT-Flex: How to Score Your Tests
With the LSAT-Flex now firmly established during this pandemic, we’ve recently expanded our Digital LSAT Testing and Analytics Package to include 30 Flex exams for you to take. Each is delivered on our digital testing platform with full timing and tracking, and each has individual scoring and comprehensive performance analytics.However, if you don’t have access to our Analytics Package, then you need an alternate way to take and score your Flex tests. Let’s talk about how to create your own Flex tests, and then how to properly score those exams. How to Make Your Own LSAT-Flex Test Making … [Read more...]
November 2020 LSAT Announced as LSAT-Flex
LSAC has just announced that the November 2020 exam will be an LSAT-Flex, confirming our suspicions that the remainder of this year's tests will be taken from home. They have also pushed the date of the first November tests up a week, from November 14th to November 7th.Along with the earlier start date, the November registration deadline is now a week earlier, as well: you must sign up by September 23rd if you want to test in November. The option to select your test day and time should go live on/around October 24th (two weeks prior to the first day of testing). The planned test days are … [Read more...]
LSAT Podcast Episode 64: Student Question Mailbag #5
Dave and Jon are here with another Student Mailbag episode, this time tackling questions covering the LSAT-Flex and their expectations about its future (including what it’ll mean long-term for students), general prep advice on identifying inconsistent errors post-PTs and on the difference in memorization as a learning tool vs the development of genuine knowledge, and a whole host of admissions inquiries from rolling admissions after the November LSAT to applying as an older/nontraditional applicant to alumni connections and how they factor into acceptances. Don’t miss it! … [Read more...]
10 Bad Reasons to Go to Law School
There are a lot of great reasons to go to law school, but there are just as many bad ones. Below we list some of the top ten bad reasons for going to law school. If you find yourself saying, "But that's my reason!" you may need to take time to re-evaluate if law school is the best path for you. Parental Influence Although having the support of your family is certainly important, following a parental wish in this case is misguided. Dealing with something as life-determining, costly and involved as attending law school is certainly an undertaking and having your family backing you is not … [Read more...]
LSAT Podcast Episode 63: Reversal of Fortune – How to Recover From a Bad PT
The August LSAT-Flex is right around the corner, and Jon and Dave have updates you should know about. Tune in to hear all about the latest breaking details on new test day policies and a thorough analysis of how to best move forward following a disappointing practice test! … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Lower Your Pre-LSAT Stress
If your LSAT test administration is on the horizon, you're likely focusing on the final countdown to the big day. At this point, you (should) have already invested a significant amount of time and effort into preparation. Maybe you took a course, worked with a tutor, or used our free self-study site. Ideally, you also have a number of practice tests under your belt and an effective and efficient approach to the test. Your opportunity to crush the LSAT is swiftly approaching! With that in mind, here are a few ways to help make the countdown as stress-free as possible. Take it Easy To whatever … [Read more...]