Yes, the LSAT is available in Spanish, but only to test takers that plan to take the exam in Puerto Rico and are applying to one of the three ABA-accredited law schools in Puerto Rico. Test takers in locations outside of Puerto Rico will not be able to take the Spanish LSAT. Scores from the Spanish-language version of the test can then be reported to three Puerto Rico law schools. These include Inter American University School of Law, Pontifical … [Read more...]
LSAT Private Tutoring: Pros and Cons
LSAT tutoring shouldn't be like the picture above, where some drill sergeant yells at you! Instead, private tutoring should provide a warm and friendly learning experience, where you feel comfortable being as honest as possible, and you trust your tutor completely. At its best, private LSAT tutoring provides a fluid and seamless learning environment, where the tutor knows how you learn best, what you need to improve upon, and how to get you there … [Read more...]
How Are Older LSAT Scores Reported?
One point of confusion among test-takers is how LSAC reports older LSAT scores. Currently, LSAC reports any LSAT score from the past five years. They report an average score if two or more LSAT scores appear on your record. However, even though LSAC reports those scores, most schools want to see a score within the past three years.Some test-takers applying to law school take advantage of this and wait to retake the LSAT until a past poor … [Read more...]
Logical Reasoning Traps: How to Avoid the Natural Question Error
I was recently asked about a specific question from the October 1999 LSAT (O99, LR1, #7) on our LSAT Discussion Forum. A summary of this question, known as Debbie's Magic Act, is as follows: Debbie has a magic act where she identifies a card chosen randomly from a deck, without ever looking at the card beforehand. A skeptic examined the process, and conducted three separate tests. In the first test, he made a video of her selecting the correct … [Read more...]
Hoping to Apply to Law School Early? What Actually Is Early?
Many people know that law schools use a rolling admissions process, which means that schools consider applicants in batches as the applications arrive. Thus, when an application comes in at the beginning of the application period (in the fall of each year), there are the fewest number of competing applications completed and the greatest number of available spaces in the class.As time goes on, more applications come in. Towards the end, there … [Read more...]
What Does It Mean When an LSAT is “Nondisclosed”?
If you've ever taken an LSAT or looked through the LSAC website, you probably familiar with the notice LSAC places on every LSAT registration page. It's easy to miss, and it really should be in big, bold red flashing letters--taking a nondisclosed LSAT is actually a pretty big deal. But why? What is a Disclosed Test? Let's first start by explaining to what the terms disclosed and nondisclosed apply. They don't actually apply to the specific … [Read more...]
Can You Prepare for Standardized Tests such as the LSAT, GRE, and SAT? Part I
I met some new people the other day, and when I explained to them what it was that I did, one of the guys asked me whether you could actually prepare for tests like the LSAT (or GMAT, GRE, SAT, etc). I get that question enough that it doesn't bother me. In fact, I always find it an interesting conversation. Whether they find it an interesting conversation is a different matter though! While it is near gospel that almost any endeavor that requires … [Read more...]
Can You Prepare for Standardized Tests such as the LSAT, GRE, and SAT? Part II
In my last post, I talked about the myth that you can't prepare for standardized tests, how that myth was created, and why it has been perpetuated. In this post, we'll look at some explanations for why those beliefs are false. The Army Alpha Tests Let’s begin by looking at the original broad-based tests that started the whole thing: the Army Alpha tests, which were meant to reveal native ability. For example, they intended to “Supply a mental … [Read more...]
The LSAT Wisdom of Johan Cruyff
Ten days ago the world lost a sporting legend, Johan Cruyff. If you've never heard the name before, you could be forgiven for thinking that he might be an old ship captain, or maybe some forgotten inventor. The name sounds a bit grizzly and angular, and would certainly fit a big game hunter or gold miner. He wasn't though—he was a world famous soccer player from the Netherlands. So, how could he possibly have any wisdom that applies to the … [Read more...]
Conditional Diagramming Part IV: Working with “Only”
We are continuing our Conditional Diagramming discussion today with the word “only” which is used frequently in LSAT questions. “Only” is a necessary condition indicator, and its usage is often easy to parse. Here’s an example: Only doctors carry malpractice insurance. “Only” modifies “doctors,” and thus the proper diagram is: Carry malpractice insurance → doctor However, in a number of instances, “only” is used in a way that is more … [Read more...]
Speaker Identifiers in Logical Reasoning
In a number of LSAT Logical Reasoning questions, the first thing you see is an identifier of the type of speaker making the argument that follows. For example, you might see “Archaeologist,” or “Researcher,” or "Expert,” to name three examples from a recent LSAT. Most students fly right by these speaker identifiers without further thought, but should they? Probably not, so let’s talk about why that is the case. Speaker Identifiers Do Not … [Read more...]
Accommodations for the LSAT Part V: The Controversy Continued, DOJ Joins the Party
Part 1 of this discussion dealt with a case that LSAC filed in response to recent California legislation regarding the issue of "flagging" LSAT scores (distinguishing the score reports of those with special accommodations from those who take the LSAT under standard conditions). In that case, LSAC was successful in its challenge to the brand new legislation, but then later agreed to stop the practice. Part Two deals with a major cases filed … [Read more...]
Improbable Doesn’t Mean Impossible: LSAT Lessons from the NCAA Tourney
Tonight, the NCAA Basketball Tournament returns to action, and one of the notable games pits Texas A&M against Oklahoma. Why is this notable? Because there's no way Texas A&M should be in this game. But they pulled a miracle escape against Northern Iowa and won the game in double overtime. As always, whenever I watch sports, thoughts of the LSAT aren't far from my mind. The question is, what can we learn from their incredible comeback, … [Read more...]
Cheating on the LSAT Part II: Enforcement
Part 1 of this blog can be found here.LSAC Cheating Prevention Protocols To prevent cheating, over the years LSAC has gradually tightened restrictions on test takers in test centers (picture ID, no cell phones, etc.) These protocols are in place to help assure LSAC that you are who you say you are, and that you can't easily communicate with other test takers during the exam. But the security measures don't stop there. LSAC has also … [Read more...]