Note: this test has been discontinued. Since 2010, applicants to the Peking University School of Transnational Law (STL) have been taking an LSAT specifically created for the purpose of admission to the STL. The LSAT-STL is an adapted version of the regular LSAT. It is designed for applicants who are not native speakers of English. Accordingly, the test is administered only in Beijing and Shanghai, and the cost is approximately $130 USD. … [Read more...]
Help! My LSAT Scores Were Held!
We've heard our fair share of panicked LSAT takers all with the same frenzied query: "LSAC says that my LSAT scores are on hold! I don't know how I did on the test! What happened? What can I do?" Thankfully, with a little research, we found out what was going on and have guidance on what to do.Let's first start with how LSAC defines "held" scores: [A] hold will prevent the release of your LSAT score(s) and all LSAT and Credential Assembly … [Read more...]
Who Should Retake the LSAT?
Whether or not you should retake the LSAT is one of the most common questions we receive. Students want to know if they should and how they should approach it differently for the retake. In this post, we will cover who should retake the LSAT and why. Already know you’re going for a retake? Check out this post on how to properly prepare for a retake. So... Who Should Retake the LSAT? There are several different scenarios that should almost … [Read more...]
Taking the LSAT in Ecuador
Are you taking the LSAT in Ecuador? 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 Ecuador, only one location offers the LSAT: Fulbright Commission, in Quito. They administer it 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...]
Mind-Wandering, Mindfulness, and Reading Comprehension
Struggling to Focus Does your mind drift away while you’re trying to focus on Reading Comprehension? It probably does, sometimes. Apparently, it’s a condition cognitive psychologists call “mind-wandering” – an attention lapse often referred to as engaging in “task unrelated thoughts.” Mind-wandering can be beneficial if your line of work benefits from inspiration and creative problem solving. Unfortunately, these are not among the most critical … [Read more...]
Should I Answer Questions on the LSAT In Order?
Many students don't take much time to consider the order in which they attack the questions on the LSAT, but the right strategic approach can be extremely valuable. For most test-takers, the natural inclination is to do all or most of the questions in order. However, there are quite a few benefits from a slightly more flexible approach to every section of the test.Logic Games Most students start the Logic Games section by diving right into … [Read more...]
Digging into Supreme Court Oral Arguments Part II
Previously, we wrote about the Oyez Project, the online archive of Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decisions, including links to the oral argument in each case. Today we'd like to point out a case that might be of interest to you, Loving v. Virginia. This landmark civil rights decision held that miscegenation statutes (which criminalize interracial marriage) are unconstitutional. This came back into the spotlight in recent years in … [Read more...]
False Arguments Do Not Exist: Language Matters on the LSAT
At the beginning of each class we lay down the ground rules: raise your hand if you want to ask a question, turn off your smart phones, try to pay attention. In addition to that, students aren't allowed to call an argument "false," "wrong," or "stupid." Language matters.Here's why:In logic, we don't speak of arguments as being "true" or "false", nor do we speak of statements as being "valid" or "invalid." We assume that the premises upon … [Read more...]
The LSAT Bibles: Do You Need the Newest Editions? Part II
In Part I of this blog, I discuss why we use cover medallions on our LSAT Bibles to indicate the year of release. The short answer is that they help students identify the most up-to-date versions and avoid accidentally buying an older version that's out of date. In this continuation, I go into each book individually and provide an overview of some of the changes over the years. Want more in-depth explanations between specific years? Here are some … [Read more...]
The Fundamentals of Prephrasing Part II
If you’ve spent much time with Logical Reasoning on the LSAT, you’ve recognized that the answer choices, right and wrong, are masterfully crafted. The test makers are unbelievably adept at disguising correct answers, and making the incorrect options look extremely attractive. Fortunately there’s a step in the question-attack process designed specifically to help you navigate through the answers: Prephrasing. Recapping Part I Since we go over … [Read more...]
Logic Games Practice Tips
When preparing for the LSAT, it's not uncommon to study long and hard. There are only so many official LSAT practice tests and there's a chance you will eventually run out. So, what do you do if you run out of Logic Games questions and still want to raise your score? With no new questions, you may worry about getting rusty and your score deteriorating. This situation comes up more frequently than you may think! Let's get into some tips on what to … [Read more...]
Have You Retaken the LSAT? Here Are Some Statistics for You
Have you ever wondered whether you should re-take the LSAT? Or how many people actually do take the LSAT more than once? Well, even if you haven’t, we’re here to provide some insight into just how many people do take the LSAT multiple times. The Numbers According to an LSAT Research Report covering the period of 2010 to 2018, the average percentage of first-time test takers was 68%. So, on average, almost 7 out of 10 test takers yearly are … [Read more...]
LSAT Test Composition: How and Why Difficulty Varies
Struggling with Consistency? One question that arises frequently is, “Why am I not consistent in how I score on a certain section?” For example, a student may see his or her score in Logical Reasoning move around by a few questions with each practice test. Or, a student with consistent overall scores notices that sometimes she performs well on Reading Comprehension, other times Logical Reasoning, and other times Games. So, she ends up scoring … [Read more...]
Taking the LSAT in South Africa
Are you taking the LSAT in South Africa? 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 South Africa, only one location offers the LSAT: Johannesburg, University of Witwatersrand. While there is just one location option, it occurs four times per year: February, June, September/October, and December. You can find … [Read more...]