LSAT Preparation and Study Group

The “Tipping Point” Has Arrived – LSAT Prep = Digital

(The “Tipping Point” is a book by Malcolm Gladwell.)

“Perhaps more than in any other category, test prep and college guide publishers are being challenged by a generation of consumers who seem permanently tethered to the internet via their laptops and phones, young people increasingly accustomed to getting whatever information they need right now and often at no cost.”

- Lucinda Dyer – Cramming for tests, trolling for schools – The
challenges of publishing guides for the young

The LSAT is one of the few remaining  “paper and pencil” based “standardized tests”. All test takers get the same questions.  GMAT, LSAT, GRE and a host of other tests are now computer based. Although, LSAT did experiment with computer based testing in the mid 1990s, there (as far as I know) are no plans to administer the LSAT on computer.

The way that people prepare for tests is a function of many things including:

-       the way they have prepared for tests in the past;
-       the way the test is administered
-       the modes that are available for test preparation (books, live classroom courses, tutoring, online, etc.)
-       the culture they live in

The cultural transition to the digital world is now almost complete. For most people their primary form of communication is digital. The connection to the online world has replaced the connection to the telephone line. This includes a combination a number of things including: email, text, instant messaging, social media, etc.

Online LSAT preparation has been available since the mid 1990s. Since that time it has never been considered to be a primary from of prep. It strikes me that the “tipping point” has now arrived. Online prep will become the primary form of LSAT prep. Books and live classroom courses will begin to become secondary forms of LSAT prep.

Let’s look at some interesting examples:

Online LSAT Prep Courses:

Category 1 – Live classes at scheduled times
Knewton is an interesting example of this.

Category 2 – Online prep at your convenience
LSAT Freedom is a new company that exemplifies this.

Law Services has begun LSAT learning seminars.

Actual LSAT Tests in Digital Format – Examples:

-       the free LSAT from Law Services is available only in digital format
-       test prep companies license the digital rights to LSAT tests
-       Cambridge LSAT is a company that sells digital LSAT tests online

LSAT Tutoring Over the Web:

There are numerous examples – do a search

LSAT Prep – iphone Apps – Examples:

-       Edupath
-       LSAT Proctor (now an iphone application)

I am sure that this will be a fast growing area.

LSAT Prep – Kindle and digital book readers

By way of example see: 101 Ways to Score High on the LSAT Kindle edition
For the general trend in publishing check  out:

LSAT Social Network Prep – Examples:

-       Grockit has developed an LSAT course that is a “Facebook” feel to it
-       Twitter has been used by LSAT tutors to tweet an LSAT solution a day
-       LSAT Blogs are used by many LSAT prep companies and LSAT tutors
-       LSAT Facebook pages and groups
-       YouTube channels are devoted to LSAT prep
-       LSAT discussion forums

Most of you reading this post will not understand why a post like this is necessary. This is understandable because you have just started to think about LSAT preparation. These are the options that are available to you.

Five years ago, not a single option that I have referenced in this post existed. The only options were: LSAT books, live classroom LSAT  preparation courses and tutoring.

John Richardson – Toronto, Canada

When should you take the LSAT?

Three Principles:

1. Applying  to law school and LSAT preparation is lots of work.  You must not let  the process of applying to law school interfere with study time that is necessary for high grades.

2. The application deadlines for law school are generally in the fall.

3. May law schools  use a process  of “rolling admissions”. This means that you will evaluate  applications prior  to the law school application deadline date.

The LSAT is administered four times a year in: June, October, December and February.

You should take the LSAT in June. Furthermore, you should  take the LSAT the first June that is convenient for you. There is no reason (and it may not be advisable) to delay until the June before  your law school application deadline.

The pros and cons of each LSAT administration:

June LSAT – This is your best option for  three reasons:

First, you will be  finished  with school and will be able to focus on LSAT prep during the month of May.

Second, you are  still in “exam mode” and have the academic stamina to  continue.

Third, if you need to take the LSAT again you will have the October LSAT.

October LSAT – This is your second best option.

It is early in the semester and should not cut into your “school  time” too  much. But, if you need to do a retake, you are  left with December  which can be a bit  late (you will have missed  some offers for early admissions). Furthermore, to take  the LSAT the first Saturday in December  will certainly cut into  your “study time”.

December LSAT – This  is not great. You  have  missed  “early admission” for some schools. But,  the bigger  problem is that the December LSAT is  in early December. You have other things to do (”study time”). Furthermore,  the only time for a retake is the February LSAT (see below).

February LSAT – Worst option if you want to start law  school  the following September.

Some  schools  will  accept a February LSAT score. Many people  have been admitted  to law  school. But, if you want to use the February LSAT as an “early bird” start then it is okay. In my current Toronto LSAT course, half of the people  in the class  are using the February LSAT as an “early bird” start. This  can work quite  nicely.

John Richardson

You should always begin with what LSAT says about their own test.

In order to help you get started I would recommend:

- LSAT information material from LSAT at: http://www.lsac.org/LSAT/preparing-for-lsat.asp

- Richardson LSAT Prep Primer at: http://www.prep.com/law/lsatprimer.html

- About the LSAT at: http://aboutthelsat.wordpress.com

This is the newest section of the LSAT. It is the only change in question format to the LSAT since 1989. For a complete discussion of LSAT comparative reading see: http://lsatcomparativereading.wordpress.com

Logical reasoning is a very old LSAT question type. It first appeared in the mid 70s and for a period of time actually replace the Reading Comprehension section of the LSAT. Sucess on LSAT logical reasoning question types involves a determination and understanding of “how the argument goes”.

For more information about LSAT Logical Reasoning question types see:

http://lsatlogicalreasoning.wordpress.com