A common question pops up around LSAT crunch time. "How do I prepare for the test if I've burned through all of my practice material?" There are three key steps I'd take between now and test day so you can still maximize the remaining prep time that you have. Review Review, over and over, anything and everything that's given you the slightest bit of trouble the past several months. A lot of people underestimate or even entirely ignore the value … [Read more...]
Score Plateau? Focus on the Process
A few weeks before the LSAT, many people find themselves on a plateau. They just can't seem to improve their scores. People find themselves on plateaus for many different reasons, one of those causes is lack of organization. Over time, when you've done quite a bit of studying for the test, you can start to get lazy with your process. If you're stuck on a plateau, one of the best things you can do is organize your process! This can reduce your … [Read more...]
What Does -9, -10, -11, -12 Mean When Talking About the LSAT Curve
The shorthand reference of -6 to -10 refers to the number of questions you can miss to obtain a 170 on the current 3 scored section LSATs (which started in August 2024). It's also a reflection of test difficulty. Harder LSATs allow you to miss more questions whereas easier exams require you to miss fewer questions.After every LSAT, there is a discussion of the relative difficulty of the test. You often hear numbers such as -7 or -9 thrown … [Read more...]
Podcast Episode 98: Student Question Mailbag #8
Jon and Dave are back with the 8th installment in their popular Student Mailbag series, tackling the most pressing questions submitted by listeners! In this LSAT-centric episode they explain how make up tests work, the pros and cons of Score Preview, November scale predictions for the 150s and 160s, when canceling a score is most advisable, and the application review process when schools can see you’re signed up for a future test date. … [Read more...]
Podcast Episode 97: The November 2021 LSAT Review
The last LSAT of 2021 is finally behind us, and Dave and Jon have all the details! Tune in as they cover the November test week from start to finish, discussing the scored and experimental sections, the relative difficulty of everything presented, their expectations for the various scoring scales, and—to top it all off—the accuracy of their predictions from their latest Crystal Ball webinar (hint: these guys are good). … [Read more...]
Supplemental Essays in Law School Admissions: Yes or No?
Many law schools invite applicants to submit supplemental essays when applying to law school. Surprisingly, the topics you are likely to be asked about do not vary tremendously, and generally boil down to the following. AddendaDiscuss weaknesses or significant trends in your undergraduate record. This is known as an "addendum" and should be submitted if necessary (whether the school asks for it or not). Address issues related to the … [Read more...]
Podcast Episode 96: The LSAT Logical Reasoning Knowledge Test
Join Jon and Dave as they present the ultimate Logical Reasoning Knowledge Test: 20 questions covering the entirety of the LR section, each designed to measure your grasp on key concepts and fundamental principles. They begin with the 20-question quiz, then follow it up with detailed explanations of each item, explaining precisely how you should have answered and what any missteps tell you about your current LR skills. This is one of the most … [Read more...]
3 Reasons NOT to Read the Question First
This is an issue that comes up quite commonly with students; some have a favorite question type, and prefer to attack those first in a given section. Others note the potential advantage of knowing what to look for before even beginning to read the stimulus. Below are three reasons that I suggest NOT reading the question first, but instead attacking each logical reasoning question in this order: Stimulus, Question, Answer Choices. 1. "Seeing the … [Read more...]
Podcast Episode 95: The October 2021 LSAT Review
The October LSAT was an absolute roller coaster, with system outages preventing thousands from testing on Saturday morning, extra testing days added for affected students, and endless confusion over scored and unscored sections. Fortunately Dave and Jon were along for the ride and in Episode 95 they cover it all: the rocky start, LSAC’s concessions, what was real and what was experimental, and above all the predicted scoring scales for all the … [Read more...]
What Should I Do While I Wait for My LSAT Scores to Be Released?
So you’re in the wake of taking your LSAT. No doubt the days following it’s completion has been an unrelenting stew of emotion. Relief to be through it, anxiety about how you performed, and sleepless nights waiting on the release of your LSAT scores.For many—and fingers crossed you’re among them—the LSAT is a memory. Prep books and course materials can be discarded as you see fit. For others and perhaps yourself, things didn’t go as well as … [Read more...]
Is the LSAT a Perfect Predictor of Law School Success?
The LSAT is intended to measure the skills you will need to do well in the study of law. But how good of a test is it? How important are “LSAT skills” once you get to law school? Can it act as a predictor of how well you'll do in Law School? Reading Comprehension Reading Comprehension is important, which is why it seems to show up on so many different standardized tests. Without question, people who want to go to law school should be able to … [Read more...]
Podcast Episode 94: Student Question Mailbag, Law School Admissions Part 2
It’s time for the 8th installment of our popular Student Question Mailbag series, this time devoted entirely to admissions. You can find Part 1 of this Admissions discussion here. Join Jon and Dave as they tackle a long list of key questions, like how to best write resumes and personal statements, what constitutes a realistic reach school and how to improve your chances, and many more! … [Read more...]
How and When to Create Templates in Logic Games
As people continue to prep for the LSAT, Logic Games weigh heavily on the mind. And a principal concern among most test takers is this: how can you tell when to draw out templates in your setup?More specifically, I was asked this question, "How can I quickly and easily identify when I should and should not template? I know that if I have a variable or variable set that can only go in one of two places, that can be a great hint, but it seems … [Read more...]
About to Start an LSAT Prep Course? Make the Most of It!
So you’re thinking about taking a prep course! Test prep is a huge time and financial commitment. On top of that, the vast array of bells and whistles that come with a course can be daunting. Regardless of which test prep company you go with (hopefully it’s us!), here are some steps you can take to make the most of your time… and money! Show Up to Class This one should be an obvious one. How do you make the most of it? Show up/log in and make a … [Read more...]