I'll begin this blog with a confession. The vast majority of the text below is not my own, but rather has been taken (with encouragement) from a post Dave Killoran wrote on our LSAT Forum. The advice is too good and too endlessly relevant not to share, so I'm reusing it here to ensure it reaches the widest audience possible. Specifically, Dave went to great lengths to explore and explain two of the most common concerns plaguing test takers. Namely, how to correct for wide-ranging performance variations and how to keep improving when it feels as though you've hit a permanent score … [Read more...]
The PowerScore 2020 LSAT Bibles: What Has Changed?
Each year I make revisions and updates to the LSAT Bibles, and there are several different reasons for that. First, at least three new LSATs release each year. I make changes to some of the content to account for new directions taken by the test makers. Second, I talk with many different LSAT students and also teach various sessions throughout the year. The feedback I receive helps me shape and improve parts of each book. Finally, the books have changed so much over time that providing new versions each year helps students know they are getting the most up-to-date methods and techniques … [Read more...]
The PowerScore 2019 LSAT Bibles: Changes and Updates
Every year I make revisions and updates to the LSAT Bibles, and there are several different reasons for that. First, at least three new LSATs are released each year, and I make changes to account for new wrinkles used by the test makers. Second, I talk with many different LSAT students and also teach various sessions throughout the year, and the feedback I receive helps me shape and improve parts of each book. Finally, as I discussed previously, the books have changed so much over time that providing new versions each year helps students know they are getting the most up-to-date information … [Read more...]
Using the LSAT Bibles: Should Your Score Go Up Immediately?
One frequent question I get comes from students reading the LSAT Bibles who wonder how much of a score increase they should see while reading the book. The answer is that while you are reading the books, you probably won't see much of a score increase. It's after you finish the book and start working with ideas where you will begin to see the greatest score increases! Let's talk about why that is the case.To be sure, many students do see significant increases while they are still reading the books. But, that's not the case for everyone, nor is it a surprise. This is because studying for … [Read more...]
Creating an LSAT Study Bible
If you take our LSAT course, you learn the importance of accurately identifying every element you encounter on the test. In Logical Reasoning questions it might be Assumption or Flaw or underlying conceptual ideas like Causality and Formal Logic. Within a Game, constructs like Grouping and Advanced Linear may be apparent. You must be able to distinguish them consistently from one another so you can be certain your plan of attack is the best one!It should come as no surprise that we devote plenty of class time and course text to examining these elements. First, we explain how each piece … [Read more...]
The PowerScore 2018 LSAT Bibles: Changes and Updates
Each year I make revisions and updates to the LSAT Bibles, and there are several different reasons for that. First, at least three new LSATs are released each year, and I like to make changes to some of the content to account for new directions taken by the test makers. Second, I talk with many different LSAT students and also teach various sessions throughout the year, and the feedback I receive helps me shape and improve parts of each book. And, finally, as I discussed last year, the books have changed so much over time that providing new versions each year helps students know they are … [Read more...]
Choosing a Prep Course After Reading the PowerScore Bibles
Which prep course should you take after reading the PowerScore LSAT Bibles? This is a fantastic question that we get frequently, and in today's LSAT Forum Post of the Day, LSAT expert Nikki Siclunov offers some tips to a student on how to find the best course fit for you. Here's a quick preview. But be sure to check out the full thread to read the entire explanation our team provided:The Forum posts selected for this series are chosen because they have a universal quality to them. In other words, we’ve selected posts that contain information that can be used by test takers of any … [Read more...]
Logical Reasoning in the Reading Comprehension Section
A student recently wrote in to ask about the relationship between Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension on the LSAT, and more specifically whether he should be looking to apply the lessons from the Logical Reasoning Bible to the Reading Comp section of the test. This is an interesting question, and one that I’ve heard before from students seeking to clarify the relationship and distinctions between the various sections of the test.The answer is Yes, because when an author makes an argument, it will be comprised of the components discussed in the Logical Reasoning Bible—a conclusion, … [Read more...]
The LSAT Bibles vs. the LSAT Bible Workbooks vs the LSAT Training Type Books
People often ask about the differences between our various books. Here’s a short guide: The LSAT Bibles: These books explain the concepts that underlie the section, and detailed techniques for solving each question. They are the foundation for learning how to approach each section. The LSAT Bible Workbooks: These books provide more drills and questions, and are based on the material in the LSAT Bibles. They help cement the ideas contained in each LSAT Bible. The LSAT Training Type Books: The books provide extended practice for each type of question, and allow you to repeatedly practice … [Read more...]
How is Everyone Else Preparing for the LSAT?
Do you ever wonder? Almost everyone does, but shouldn't. First of all, how others prepare for the LSAT isn't a big deal because it doesn't directly impact you. Second, it really doesn't matter because no one else will be taking the exam for you (unless you bribed someone to take your exam, in which case you've got way bigger problems heading your way than choosing a prep method!).Fortunately, instead of just guessing about what other people do, we can get a good general sense from the test makers themselves. LSAC's The Summary of Self-Reported Methods of Test Preparation by LSAT Takers for … [Read more...]
PowerScore LSAT Self-Study Tools
Are you planning on self-studying for the LSAT? Then we have a sweet set of tools for you, and the best news of all is that they are absolutely free! While we have long provided additional study support via our Free LSAT Help Area, these new tools are very focused and powerful, and are designed specifically for self-studiers. So, what do we have for you? Let's take a look:First, we have released a set of new, extremely comprehensive self-study plans based on our famous LSAT Bibles. These plans, which encompass 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, and 6 month horizons, lay out the optimal study approach each … [Read more...]
Combining the PowerScore LSAT Bibles for Self-Study
Students who buy two or three of the PowerScore LSAT Bibles often ask if there is some special way they should be combined during study to produce optimal results. Although each LSAT Bible is designed to stand as an independent entity, there are a few pieces of information that can help optimize your overall absorption of the material: 1. Start by reading the LSAT Bible that covers the section that concerns you most. You should always begin by attacking any perceived weakness that you have. For example, if you are concerned about Logic Games, begin by reading the LSAT Logic Games Bible. If … [Read more...]
Timing Your LSAT Course: Now or Later?
When choosing which LSAT course to take, students are often faced with a dilemma: should I take the course that starts early and ends early, or wait until later so my course ends closer to the test date? There are pros and cons of each decision. Let's look at what they are.Taking an early course is best if your target score range is way above what you are currently scoring, and you suspect it will be awhile before you reach your target. An early course is particularly advantageous if you don't think you can complete all of your homework while also taking additional practice tests in the … [Read more...]
Using the PowerScore LSAT Bibles: 3 Month Self-Study Plan
Students often ask about combining the LSAT Bibles when they are self-studying. You can find a full list of guides for your LSAT timeline on our Self-Study site, but here's an overview of what to do if you have 3 months to study for the LSAT. This plan assumes you have our 3 LSAT Bibles, our first Training Type Series (which includes LSAT PrepTests 1-20), and a plethora of actual LSATs, including some recent exams. You can purchase full digital prep tests and sections here. General Thoughts Studying for the LSAT is about consistency and diligence. This is not a test you can cram for, so … [Read more...]