It's fair to say that conditional reasoning is either the bane of your test prep, or a welcome escape from the uncertainty that plagues causal reasoning. In the first few months of test prep, you will likely see conditional reasoning everywhere: understanding conditional reasoning can easily turn into an obsession, prompting you to diagram whenever you come across any of the indicators of conditionality. The costs of this approach ultimately … [Read more...]
What is the LSAT-India?
For the past few years, the makers of the LSAT have produced a test that is remarkably similar to the LSAT. It’s called the LSAT-India, and it is used solely to gain entrance into a set of law schools in India. The Format If you are familiar with the regular LSAT, then the format of LSAT-India probably looks pretty familiar.Four scored sections, with roughly 100 total questions Two Logical Reasoning sections, one Reading Comp section, … [Read more...]
Conditional Reasoning on the LSAT: Do You See It Everywhere?
Many students, upon being introduced to the foundational concepts of conditional reasoning and deductive logic, begin to "see" conditionality everywhere. In a sense, it is everywhere - especially in deductive reasoning, which forms the basis for most LSAT questions. You may even find comfort in the rule-driven environment of formal, or deductive, logic. There is nothing wrong with that, per se. But you need to know when you've gone far. To … [Read more...]
The Destructive Power of Distraction
When you're in the final months of test-taking mode, you'll probably take anywhere from 10-20 timed practice tests. If done correctly, such a regimen will help improve your score. Not every score will be higher than the one before. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes, improve your stamina, and take it easy. How Interruptions Affect Us Of course, the LSAT is hard enough without the added aggravation of unavoidable distractions, … [Read more...]
Timing Strategy: Quit While the Quitting’s Good
Our inspiration for this post comes from an exceptional episode of Freakonomics Radio that counters a prevailing norm that quitting is somehow nearly always bad. The episode, The Upside of Quitting, centers on the efficiency you gain by knowing when to quit. The anti-quitting bias is one that we all tend to carry with us into the LSAT. Just like most real-world experiences we bring to the test, this bias can hurt us. Knowing when to avoid or … [Read more...]
Your LSAT Practice Test: Make it Messy
Over the years, we've written a number of blog posts on how to take the perfect practice test, so if you haven't read them, now is probably a good time to do so:The Ideal Way to Take an LSAT Practice Test Getting the Most out of Your Practice Test Review The Best Way to Review Practice TestsThere is no question about it: taking a bunch of practice tests is a critical component of any half-decent test prep strategy. If your LSAT … [Read more...]
Taking the LSAT in Vietnam
Are you taking the LSAT in Vietnam? Students take the LSAT if they plan to attend law schools in the US and Canada. However, the test administers across the globe. Check out this post about taking the LSAT abroad.In Vietnam, only one location offers the LSAT: Hanoi, at the IIG Vietnam. They administer the test once a year in December. You can find a complete list of test dates and deadlines here. Students should know that testing center … [Read more...]
Taking the LSAT in Kazakhstan
Are you taking the LSAT in Kazakhstan? Students take the LSAT if they plan to attend law schools in the US and Canada. However, the test administers across the globe. Check out this post about taking the LSAT abroad.In Kazakhstan, only one location offers the LSAT: Almaty, American Center for Education and Testing. They administer the test once a y ear in June. You can find a complete list of test dates and deadlines here. Students should … [Read more...]
Assumption and Must Be True Questions: Strange Bedfellows
Must Be True Questions Must Be True (aka “Inference”) questions are foundational to both the Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension sections of the test. Most commonly, their question stem indicates that the information in the stimulus should be taken as true (“if the statements above are true…”). It then asks you to identify an answer choice that is proven or supported by it (“…which one of the following must also be true?”). All Must Be … [Read more...]
Still Waiting to Hear from Your Dream School? You’re Not Alone
Still waiting to hear back from your dream school? You are not alone. This year, “rolling admissions” can just as well be called “crawling” admissions. We can only speculate as to the reasons why schools are taking longer than usual. One plausible explanation has to do with the relatively unpredictable size (and qualifications) of the applicant pool. We all know that applications have been dropping since 2010, but there is a strong indication … [Read more...]
What to Do if You’re Waitlisted at Your Top Choice and Accepted at Another
For most, the whirlwind of the law school application process is over. The waiting is over and decisions are in your inboxes. You open those emails, answer those phone calls, and rip open the envelopes. Are you in? Are you out? Or are you waitlisted? If you applied to more than one law school, chances are you'll have a myriad of answers to sort through. If you're reading this, chances are you're in a most beneficial position: you've been accepted … [Read more...]
O.J. Simpson’s Bloody Gloves in the Context of the LSAT
The most memorable line from O.J. Simpson’s 1994-95 jury trial was defense attorney Johnnie Cochran’s genius phrase. "If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit." That clear, simple rule is widely thought to be a key factor in Simpson’s acquittal. In today’s post, we’re going to look at that statement and its circumstances in the context of the LSAT. Recapping the Case For those who don’t know, O.J. Simpson was an American football legend and a … [Read more...]
Taking the LSAT in Thailand
Are you taking the LSAT in Thailand? Students take the LSAT if they plan to attend law schools in the US and Canada. However, the test administers across the globe. Check out this post about taking the LSAT abroad.In Thailand, only one location offers the LSAT: Nonthaburi, International School Bangkok. While there is just one location option, it occurs four times per year: February, June, September/October, and December. You can find a … [Read more...]
Conditional Diagramming Part V: Advantages of the Unless Equation
Students often ask if there is an easier way to handle conditional statements containing necessary condition indicators such as “unless,” “except,” “until,” and “without.” The Unless EquationTM This is relatively simple, but it does involve a two-step process:Whatever term is modified by “unless” becomes the necessary condition. The remaining term is negated and becomes the sufficient condition.For example, consider the … [Read more...]