When talking about the LSAT, and particularly when examining test results, I like to analogize the LSAT to a casino. Yes, there is the chance that you can go into the test and lose your shirt score-wise. However, what I'm really referring to is the somewhat random nature of the questions you encounter on the LSAT and how that can dramatically affect test takers. The Test is a Gamble The LSAT is a standardized test. While that means certain … [Read more...]
The Power of Positive Thinking and the LSAT
If you've been deep into the study process preparing for the LSAT, now might be a good time to step back for a moment. Instead of talking concepts, I want to remind everyone of one of the most important and sadly overlooked components of success. A positive mental outlook. When your LSAT is right around the corner, you should feel as though your conceptual preparation is complete. In the days leading up to the LSAT, focus on preparing yourself … [Read more...]
Thought for Food: Eating Your Way to a 180 on the LSAT
These days nearly everyone recognizes that the foods they eat affect the appearance of their bodies. However, most people fail to realize that what they consume also has a considerable impact on how their brain functions. Your diet can affect your brain’s energy level, memory, and the efficiency with which it handles its tasks. So, what should you eat on the days leading up to the LSAT to make sure your brain is operating at peak levels?The … [Read more...]
The Secrets of Mindfulness Meditation (Your Local Monk Never Told You About)
This blog is brought to you by a special guest, Lauren Hartfiel. This post is about mindfulness meditation: what it is, how to do it, and its scientifically-proven benefits that may help improve your LSAT performance. Buddhist monks have used mindfulness meditation for over 2,600 years in an effort to achieve self-enlightenment. However, in the past few decades scientific research has shown that its beneficial effects go beyond spiritual … [Read more...]
Should You Do Warm Up Questions the Morning of the LSAT?
"Should I do a set of warm-up questions the morning of the LSAT? Just to get into the right frame of mind?" This is a question that comes up often among test-takers. The idea is that by doing questions prior to the start of the exam, you'll hit the ground running. Thus, setting you up for the best possible score. In theory, it sounds like a good idea. But does it really work? Should you try it? It Depends The answers are sometimes and maybe. … [Read more...]
48 Hours ’til Test Day: How to Stay Sane
If you're taking the LSAT in a couple of days, you must be stoked! Less than 48 hours from now, you can say goodbye to all those hours of prep. Ciao. Adieu. Auf Wiedersehen. But before you turn your LSAT books into bedding for your pet iguana, let's make sure you won't be needing them again anytime soon.So, the next 48 hours must be crucial, right? Your last chance to get that final "push," as it were.Well, yes and no. If you've already … [Read more...]
An Open Letter to LSAC About LSAT Score Release Times
NOTE: shortly after we published this letter, LSAC agreed to our request and thereafter fixed LSAT score release times to a specific date and time that is announced well in advance. Thank you LSAC!Hi LSAC,I hope everyone there is doing well! We just went through the June LSAT score release and I wanted to share some of my thoughts and the thoughts of many students I spoke to. Let me start by saying that we appreciate you moving up the … [Read more...]
PowerScore Law School and LSAT Terminology Dictionary
Students preparing for the LSAT and applying to law school invariably come across a slew of unfamiliar terms and acronyms. If you aren’t familiar with this special language and the resulting acronym soup, navigating the admissions process can be difficult. Below, we define these terms. # 0L: This term is often used for pre-law or non-law students. 1L, 2L, 3L: The years of law school. 1Ls are in their first year, 2Ls are second years, and … [Read more...]
Luck and the LSAT
In The LSAT Casino, we talk about the role that chance plays in the composition of each LSAT. The basis of this idea is that certain LSATs feature some concepts more than others. And, if you get an LSAT that favors your skill set, you benefit. This isn't to say that you don't control your LSAT fate, because you do. You can prepare for each question type and concept you will encounter on each LSAT and closely examine the style and wording they use … [Read more...]
My LSAT Regimen with Marvin Dike, Part IV
PowerScore student Marvin Dike blogs about his comprehensive study regimen so that our readers can learn from his experience. Make sure you read Part I, Part II, and Part III. For the last piece of the breakdown of my study regimen, I will take you into what I do every single day, along with some tips about how I handle the pressure and anxiety and my mindset. Before we get into it, you should know that my allows for more flexibility than most. … [Read more...]
My LSAT Regimen with Marvin Dike, Part III
PowerScore student Marvin Dike blogs about his comprehensive study regimen so that our readers can learn from his experience. Make sure you read Part I and Part II. Continuing from my previous entry, here we talk about the skills you need to master Reading Comprehension and Logical Reasoning. Ready to get at it? Reading Comprehension: A Cautionary Tale In Reading Comp, LSAT makers reward you for having short term memory. That may seem obvious … [Read more...]
My LSAT Regimen with Marvin Dike, Part II
PowerScore student Marvin Dike blogs about his comprehensive study methodology so that our readers can learn from his experience. Make sure you read Part I! Congrats! You completed the PowerScore class or you finished reading all the PowerScore Bibles, so you're ready to take the LSAT soon right?! WRRROOOONNNNGGGGG.All you've really done is gotten a grasp of the foundation of the curriculum. You haven't mastered it. You understand … [Read more...]
My LSAT Regimen with Marvin Dike, Part I
First things first, a little about myself. I graduated from college in 2013 and have a fantastic support system around me. I'm from Houston Texas, the greatest city in the world (go Astros). My undergrad GPA leaves a lot to be desired, so if I want to get into a solid law school, I have to crush my LSAT. I'm not trying to get into an Ivy League school or even a top 25 school. Realistically, a school in the top 50 range is ideal for me. I've … [Read more...]
Mountain Climbing for the LSAT
I have an admission to make: I don't like heights. It's not that I'm petrified of them or can't deal with them, I just don't like them very much and they make me a bit nervous. Somewhat perversely, I've become fascinated with mountain climbing and have read numerous books on climbing Everest and other peaks. So of course the following climbing article in the New York Times caught my eye: El Capitan, My El Capitan. The article details Alex … [Read more...]