Preparing for the LSAT

DJ-99

So, drawing my inspiration from the GRE thread, I figured this might be a good place to ask for advice on how to prepare for the LSAT, which I will be taking in about 2 months.

I don't want to do an actual tutorial course, so I decided that I will just rely on books. I took a Kaplan practice test (with a proctor and everything, so it was realistic) and did ok, but not as well as I would have liked to do. I got pretty much everything right in the logic games and reading comprehension sections, but didn't do so well at the logical reasoning.

I was browsing the LSAT prep books at Barnes & Noble today, but I'm wondering if anybody thinks some are better than others. The Princeton Review seemed to have a pretty good section for the logic games, but I feel like Kaplan could be pretty helpful as well.

So, what books should I buy to improve my LSAT score, especially for logical reasoning? Should I work through as many practice tests as possible? Any good online resources?

I'm willing to buy probably 3 or 4 different books.

Thanks for any advice.

Lewisham

Amazon reviews are usually a good place to find out stuff like this, even if you go to a brick and mortar store later.

Thanatos

I took as many practice tests as I possibly could, and that was pretty much it. If you're familiar with basic test-taking strategies, you're wasting your time and money with those ridiculously expensive courses, anyhow.

themightypuck

Off topic but a moment of silence for the hardy souls taking the bar exam. Tommorow is the MBE. Godspeed.

DJ-99

Thanatos wrote: »

I took as many practice tests as I possibly could, and that was pretty much it. If you're familiar with basic test-taking strategies, you're wasting your time and money with those ridiculously expensive courses, anyhow.

I agree that the courses are probably pretty useless (I went to a sample class), but I figure a couple $30 books couldn't hurt.

The problem is, I'm not sure if I am familiar with the basic strategies for the logical reasoning. The princeton review had about 60 pages just devoted to explaining how to break down arguments and stuff. So maybe I'm just not naturally good enough at the reasoning stuff and the instructional books could tell me something useful. Like I said, I did great on the other 2 sections, but I only got about 80% right in the logical reasoning sections.

I saw a book that offered 10 legitimate former LSATs, it sounds like that might be something you would recommend. I agree that practicing will help a lot, but I think that some strategical advice and breakdown of each answer might be helpful. I'm just not sure which book is the best at giving me the information I want, although I could just buy a few because they're not that expensive.

fightinfilipino

IMO the critical thing about the LSAT is not familiarity with the questions (although that is of course important). it's your timing strategies. the LSAT is designed to not leave you enough time to finish the test unless you take smart choices during the test.

you may also just want to pick up the actual practice tests published by the LSAC. the Kaplan and Princeton books, while possibly good for explaining how to answer some questions, are otherwise just extra paper on top of the LSAC's actual practice exams.

naporeon

I did not practice or prepare in any way, either of the times I took the test.

I also intentionally deprived myself of sleep the night before, didn't eat breakfast the morning of the test, and went in loaded to the gills on caffeine.

If I were going to take it again, I would repeat both of my experiences.

So really, it's all about what makes you feel comfortable and ready. If I had to make a generic recommendation, I would suggest buying a book of logic puzzles, and trying to do the hardest ones without the benefit of the matrix they provide. Just use the text and a piece of scratch paper.

Andrew_Jay

I just got one of those books with "10 Actual LSAT Tests" and just took the tests, doing a test or two every week.

You'll eventually get a hang of how the questions work after doing them and checking your answers.

Ihmhi

My advice? Relax.

Your life does not end if you get a bad score.

Study for the test and brush up on the skills you need to pass it, but do not kill yourself. Unless you are really shooting for Ivy League or something, when test day comes around just relax. Get a good night's rest and have a good breakfast the day of the test. The worst thing about it is it takes so many damn hours. Just chill out and try not to fall asleep. Good luck!