In Episode 166, Dave and Jon go head-to-head on five of the most contentious issues that often divide LSAT students and prep providers, serving up their unique—and at times opposing—perspectives on these hot-button topics. Tune in to hear them debate everything from whether to read the stimulus or question stem first, when and why you should cancel your score, the value of diagramming, their ideal pre-test routine, and even the utility of the … [Read more...]
Podcast Episode 162: Principle Questions
In Episode 162, Dave and Jon tackle one of the trickiest concepts on the LSAT: Principle Questions. Tune in to hear them break down this common and confusing question type, as they explore specific examples and apply solution strategies that will help you conquer every form of this notoriously tough idea. … [Read more...]
Podcast Episode 149: The New LSAT Writing Format
On July 31, LSAC will introduce a brand new LSAT Writing assessment, moving from the traditional “decision prompt” construction, to a far-more involved—and 15-minute longer—design that includes a real-world issue accompanied by multiple, outside perspectives on it, all up for debate. Candidates will then craft an essay that not only tackles the issue at hand, but also assesses at least one of the accompanying viewpoints. In Episode 149, Dave and … [Read more...]
Podcast Episode 148: LSAC Releases Updated Prep Materials for the New LSAT
In anticipation of the removal of Logic Games beginning with the August 2024 LSAT, the test makers have released 58 reconfigured practice tests on their LawHub prep platform that conform to the upcoming exam structure. In episode 148, Jon and Dave highlight the key updates, including how the new tests were built, what they contain, and the scoring scale adjustments that accompany them. Anyone prepping for August and beyond should give this a … [Read more...]
Podcast Episode 144: Student Mailbag 12: Admissions Edition
In Episode 144, Jon and Dave dig into our student mailbag once again, this time tackling questions focused on law school admissions. Tune in to hear them address graduate school credentials, how and when to write addenda, common character and fitness concerns, and a number of LSAT-related questions from the weight given to the test to how schools view multiple attempts to Score Preview and cancellations! … [Read more...]
Podcast Episode 121: Avoiding Pyrrhic Victories on the LSAT
Inspired by the ancient Greek notion of “Pyrrhic victories”—where the cost of success outweighs the benefits—Dave and Jon have compiled a detailed list the LSAT’s most Pyrrhic scenarios and advice on how to avoid them. From miscalibrated timing to overly-rigid schedules to poorly-prioritized goal setting, this episode will help ensure that your LSAT milestones are exclusively triumphant! … [Read more...]
Podcast Episode 119: Logic Games: Numerical Distributions
Numerical Distributions are one of the most common, and most powerful, features in LSAT Logic Games, so it is imperative that you master them before test day. In Episode 119, Dave and Jon fully deconstruct Numerical Distributions, explaining how to identify them, revealing the common scenarios they produce, and highlighting several recent games where Distributions are the key to success! … [Read more...]
What to Expect on LSAT Score Release Day
As the long countdown finally nears its end before any given LSAT score release day, we always like to present students with a handy list of reminders about how the process takes place. Keep tabs on this checklist so that you know exactly what to expect! Scores are no longer released in batches over several hours, but are now being sent out en masse at/just before roughly 9 am EST. There may still be some slight delays however, both for … [Read more...]
What You Should Do the Day Before and Morning of the LSAT
Your LSAT date is almost here! As you finalize your last-minute preparation for the test, remember that there are things you can do outside of LSAT prep to help ensure your best performance on test day. The Day BeforeRead back through your LSAC email containing information about the Prometric virtual proctor system and requirements for your device to successfully run the platform. If anything has changed with your internet connection or … [Read more...]
Bruce Lee: Enter the LSAT
Most people are familiar with Bruce Lee. He was a martial arts master who became an actor, and when he died young at 32, he was already a superstar and cultural icon. But while most people know him for his martial arts movies, few know that he was also a philosopher and avid student of the mind. After his death, thousands of books were found in his house, with over 1500 marked up with detailed notes and comments. Lee wasn't just a heavy reader, … [Read more...]
Controlling Test Day Anxiety, NASA Style
A number of years ago I listened to the National Public Radio (NPR) podcast Fresh Air. They had a fascinating interview with a Canadian astronaut, Col. Chris Hadfield, who was promoting the release of his book, An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth. Col. Hadfield is an interesting guy. From his Facebook description, he was "the first Canadian to walk in space and the first Canadian to command the international space station." Col. Hadfield's … [Read more...]
Should I Take the LSAT “Cold?”
All too often we hear about students that took the LSAT “cold,” meaning without studying. It’s not uncommon for some students to believe they don’t have to study, especially if they’ve proven they can test well. Another common reason students do this is to get a feel for a “real” LSAT without preparing. In both cases, the LSAT often delivers a harsh reality. You need to study for this exam to really do well. Of course, there are exceptions, … [Read more...]
Sunk Costs and the LSAT
I was an Economics major in college, and one of the concepts we discussed was “sunk costs.” In Econ terms, a sunk cost is one that has already been expended and which cannot be recovered. The thinking goes that since you’ve spent it and you aren’t getting it back, you shouldn’t figure those costs into any decisions you make going forward. Examples of sunk costs include things like advertising, the use of consultants, product research, and staff … [Read more...]
What to Avoid the Day Before the LSAT
If your LSAT is swiftly approaching, ideally you're wrapping up your preparations for the test. Regardless of whether you prepared by taking a class or opted for self-study, you already know that this is not the sort of test that you can cram for. This is good news because it means that you shouldn't be planning to spend the day before the test studying! Take the Day Off Although it's understandable that you might want to make use of every hour … [Read more...]