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...]
1 Month to Prepare for the LSAT? Here’s Your Study Plan!
Assuming you aren’t taking a prep course, but are familiar with the PowerScore LSAT Bibles, the plan below should keep you on track for the test. This also presumes you can allow for 20-25 hrs of LSAT studying each week. Thing To Do NowRegister to take the LSAT. Most registration deadlines have already passed, but you may have one last chance to meet the late registration deadline. Obtain at least 8 practice tests released no earlier … [Read more...]
Taking the LSAT? Here Are Blog Posts You Should Bookmark
With the LSAT looming over you and everyone and their mother is offering you their tips, most everyone (we hope) means well. Sleep more! Study more! Worry less! Eat well! Exercise! etc. While we hope that our Blog is a reasonable voice in this cacophony of wisdom, there is no question that receiving just the right advice, and at the right time, is not always easy. (OK, it's a little easier if you pay for it).Especially if your LSAT test is … [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...]
The Ideal Way to Take an LSAT Practice Test
At some point in your studies full, timed practice tests will become part of the routine. As such, it’s critical that you understand exactly how to self-administer an LSAT practice test. Here I'm going to outline exactly how to craft the perfect practice test experience! What follows is a list of considerations related to practice test-taking. I’ve also included links to resources for each of these points in case you need more … [Read more...]
8 Weeks to the LSAT: What You Need to Know
With about eight weeks until an official LSAT administration, test day is right around the corner. In fact, it'll be here before you know it. Don't panic! I'm not here to freak you out. In fact, I'm here to help. Below you'll find a list of resources, links, and general suggestions, all designed to help you make the most of your final two months, and finish--or, as may be the case, start--strong! First Order of Business First things first, … [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...]
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...]
How to Walk into the LSAT and Destroy It
Leading up to the LSAT, many students ask me what they should be thinking about when they walk into the test center. I always tell them to focus on the following things:Relax. Stress is your enemy. Stop thinking about specific LSAT concepts—you've prepared enough at this point. Think instead about overall success, and visualize scoring well. Be confident. Scoring well is all about believing that you CAN score well. Get in the right frame … [Read more...]
The Power of Negative Thinking and the LSAT
We've always told you to look at this test as an enjoyable event. So, what's up with "negative thinking"? Balance the Positive With the Negative We always tell students to develop a positive mindset when it comes to the test. Cultivate the belief that success is guaranteed, and (virtually) anything is possible. Anything, indeed, including failure. True, there is much validity in the principle of so-called “self-fulfilling prophecy,” where your … [Read more...]
Tom Brady and the LSAT
Over in our free LSAT Discussion Forum, I've been trading messages with one of our students that is working towards a 170. He started at 143, and has increased his score over 20 points already. But, he was running into a few issues with confidence and having the words of others affect his perception of how he will perform. I won't recount what I've said to him publicly because it's right there on the forum. But I have also been chatting with him … [Read more...]
How to Be an LSAT Jedi
Star Wars is a classic. A particularly memorable scene depicts Ben Kenobi and Luke Skywalker heading to the nearby spaceport to find a ship to get them and their two droids (R2D2 and C3PO) off the planet. Their goal is to get back into the hands of the Rebel Alliance. R2 is carrying important information about how to destroy the Death Star. It's a great plan, but there's a problem. The Empire is looking for the droids and they've set up … [Read more...]