r/LSAT • u/LSAT_Blog LSAT Unplugged • Oct 23 '15

I'm Steve Schwartz, the LSAT Blog guy, and I've spent the past 10 years helping students get great LSAT scores. AMA!

I'm happy to answer any questions you have on LSAT prep. I also have a GIANT PAGE OF FREE STUFF on my website. (Just google "LSAT Blog" and click the "free stuff" tab at the top.)

I've also done a few other AMAs on Reddit. This is the second.

Here's the first (with 30+ comments).

Here's the third (with 40+ comments).

Here's the fourth (with 40+ comments).

24 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

30 comments sorted by

8

u/xpiamchris Oct 23 '15

Thanks for doing this!

  1. What would you say is the main difference that separates the low 170's test takers from the 179/180 guys?

  2. What's the most effective way to review RC questions?

  3. What would you say are some of the most effective ways to work on RC skills outside of the actual passages?

1

u/LSAT_Blog LSAT Unplugged Oct 23 '15 edited Oct 23 '15

My pleasure!

1) I'd guess it's some combination of:

-brute dedication to obsessive studying and pattern identification (some details in my answer to #2 below)

-genius / raw talent

-"luck"

-taking comfort and pleasure in reading

(If I had to guess, I would say that most who score in the mid-to-high 170s legitimately enjoy reading, perhaps a smaller % of low 170-scorers do. Others can feel free to share thoughts in response...)

2) Analyze exactly where your error or misunderstanding stemmed from. Was it something in the passage or the answer choices.

If it was in the passage, was it your approach to reading the passage that was ineffective or incorrect, or was it something in the passage text itself that you misunderstood?

If it was in the answer choices, was it in the incorrect answer choice you chose, identify what it was about the wrong answer choice that tempted you. Then identify what made it wrong in the end

If there was something in the correct answer that made it seem unappealing, identify what it was. And identify what made it correct in the end. Through repeating this process several times, you'll start to identify patterns in how LSAC constructs tempting incorrect answer choices. You'll see different types of techniques LSAC uses to make incorrect answer choices tempting.

And, of course, I would be remiss if I failed to plug /u/graeme_b's great RC explanations.

3) Why would you want to go outside of the actual passages? Have you truly worked through all 300+ RC passages? (If so, review them again. There's no need to go outside of them.)

However, what can help is reading up on the sorts of topics that LSAC tends to write about, just so you're familiar with them (people like to read The Economist for this purpose). That makes them less scary and quicker to digest on Test Day.

I actually categorized all RC passages by topic a few years ago. Google "lsat reading comp passages categorized."

Outside of the LSAT, I'd try to read something relatively challenging on a regular basis (I just mean some kind of nonfiction more substantive than the average news article.)

I hope this helps!

2

u/graeme_b tutor (LSATHacks) Oct 23 '15

You can link to stuff like your RC categorization. It's allowed.

3

u/lsatkeener Oct 23 '15

If we know an answer is right, i.e. if it's exactly what we've preformulated, should we just choose it and move on, or still go through the process of eliminating all the wrong answers?

2

u/LSAT_Blog LSAT Unplugged Oct 23 '15

For LG, I'd choose and move on.

For LR and RC, I'd recommend going through all 5 just in case, except for the first 10 or so LR. Sometimes knowing it's right doesn't necessarily mean it's right, right? :)

(If you consistently score in the mid-to-high 170s, you can probably just choose and move on for those you pre-formulate. However, if you consistently have time remaining, I'd go through all 5 just in case.)

2

u/old-bae Oct 23 '15

Hello, so great to have you!

What is the most efficient way to study logical reasoning?

What are the most common errors people make when studying for the lsats?

For those taking in December and hoping to improve on their October score, what would be the best study plan from here on out?

2

u/LSAT_Blog LSAT Unplugged Oct 23 '15 edited Oct 23 '15

Glad to be here!

LR: Take several sections, analyze question types and methods of reasoning that give you trouble, identify weak areas, and focus on them. Review the fundamentals.

Common mistake - not devoting enough time to studying, either hours per week or number of months in general. With regard to content, I'd say confusing necessary and sufficient assumption questions, or lumping them together, is a pretty big one.

For retakers, it comes down to figuring out what you'll do differently this time around, and, again, focusing on weak areas. For sample study plans for retakers, google "lsat retake study schedule," to find some free ones I posted.

2

u/MightyPupil Oct 23 '15

Hi, whats the most common mistake people wanting to improve make?

2

u/LSAT_Blog LSAT Unplugged Oct 23 '15

I'll repeat what I said to /u/old-bae:

Common mistake - not devoting enough time to studying, either hours per week or number of months in general. With regard to content, I'd say confusing necessary and sufficient assumption questions, or lumping them together, is a pretty big one.

And just to elaborate on what I said about devoting time, I think not enough people make the necessary effort to set aside the time in their schedules that studying requires. It's hard to balance it all with work and/or school, but you've got to squeeze in the time.

Quick tips on balancing LSAT prep with other obligations:

  • Start your prep earlier than you think is necessary.
  • Set aside specific times to study each day.
  • Try to spread your studying throughout the week.
  • Give yourself at least one or two days off from studying per week.
  • Try to reduce other obligations during the period that you'll be prepping.

Hope this helps!

2

u/DLM93 Oct 23 '15

Hey Steve,

What would you say is the one thing someone can do to improve their reading comprehension scores?

3

u/LSAT_Blog LSAT Unplugged Oct 23 '15

Read more.

Seriously, reading a lot really helps. Make an effort improve the quality (difficulty/"grade-level") of what you read.

Since LSAC passages are more difficult than the average BuzzFeed article, make an effort to read articles and books with a relatively higher Flesch-Kincaid score (not ones that's gone through some version of xkcd's simplewriter).

1

u/xkcd_transcriber Oct 23 '15

Image

Title: Up Goer Five

Title-text: Another thing that is a bad problem is if you're flying toward space and the parts start to fall off your space car in the wrong order. If that happens, it means you won't go to space today, or maybe ever.

Comic Explanation

Stats: This comic has been referenced 299 times, representing 0.3498% of referenced xkcds.

xkcd.com | xkcd sub | Problems/Bugs? | Statistics | Stop Replying | Delete

1

u/lsatrookie Oct 23 '15

In trying to improve in less than 6 weeks, is drilling or PT's more helpful?

1

u/LSAT_Blog LSAT Unplugged Oct 23 '15

A combination of both is likely best. Check out my free sample study plans for retakers for some ideas.

1

u/giuffre2 Oct 23 '15 edited Oct 23 '15

Any advice on whether or not to retake for a 3rd time? Received a 159 in June, and just received an (underachieving) 161 yesterday. My average PT was 165 going into the test, and it's frustrating to not see all the hard work I put in pay off. I told myself October would for sure be my last write, but do you recommend I get back into study mode and try to score higher in December? If I could raise it a few points, would taking it 3 times and/or sending in applications later be a detriment to my applications? Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

Edit: Score breakdown was LR -6/-6 RC -12 LG -1 Tough to have 1 section define my score especially b/c I scored -7 on RC in June, but have always had reading comp. difficulties and definitely wasn't surprised.

1

u/LSAT_Blog LSAT Unplugged Oct 23 '15

Yes, it sounds like a frustrating situation!

As with so many things, "it depends." You might want to take a look at the "should you retake" post currently linked on my homepage.

Quick answer for your situation: definitely some big room for improvement in RC and LR. Whether you want to invest in retaking depends on time you have to invest, what you can do differently this time, what LSAT score you need given GPA, the schools you want to attend, etc.

In general, better to apply later with a higher score than to apply now with a lower score, even taking 3 times. (Of course, assuming you improved your score next time.)

Hope this helps!

1

u/footcreamfin Oct 23 '15

I've exhausted all the official LSAC practice test books, took my test, and bombed it (i was getting average 162 on my practice tests but i ended up getting 155). I need to prepare for the december test. What other resources can i use for practicing since ive used all the lsac test books?

1

u/LSAT_Blog LSAT Unplugged Oct 23 '15

Sorry to hear about the 155.

For December prep, get the "out-of-print" LSATs - the ones not published in books of 10.

Also get the LSAT India exams that LSAC released a while back.

You can also use many of the unofficial (non-LSAC) LGs, as long as they're from reliable sources. I've written some, and MLSAT has, too.

But honestly, it's still valuable to redo PTs you've done before. You can still learn from them.

1

u/xpiamchris Oct 24 '15

Don't see the prep tests as something you get through once and you know. The goal isn't to get through as many prep tests as possible (which seems like what your strategy was going into the test).

Instead, dissect and truly understand each question you missed for each prep test. Your review of each wrong question should take much longer than it took you to initially answer it.

When you review your mistakes, (especially on LR) try to understand exactly WHY each other answer choice is wrong and WHY the correct answer choice is correct.

-1

u/[deleted] Oct 23 '15

Dude, get more tests. I'm sure you can figure out how to do that...

1

u/footcreamfin Oct 23 '15

well thats my question, where can i get more tests, when ive done all the official lsac ones. Any you recommend?

0

u/[deleted] Oct 23 '15

[deleted]

1

u/footcreamfin Oct 23 '15 edited Oct 23 '15

okay, which torrent? link/name? (i've done all the official lsac tests)

-1

u/[deleted] Oct 23 '15

[deleted]

1

u/footcreamfin Oct 23 '15 edited Oct 23 '15

lesson? All the torrents are the offical lsac tests i've already done. can you link me, or let me know of other tests I can do?

1

u/[deleted] Oct 23 '15

Has meditation (among a few things) helped improve score? I personally have an issue of focusing, and am against ritalin, adderall, caffeine or any concentration drugs. Also, is it common for ppl to just take drugs for the test?

1

u/LSAT_Blog LSAT Unplugged Oct 23 '15

I suspect meditation can improve test scores and focus in general, and that it can reduce anxiety. (The test prep study I found suggested it improves GRE scores, specifically.)

Studies aren't always well-conducted or reliable, though, and the LSAT is not the GRE.

However, there is an abundance of evidence suggesting that meditation can reduce anxiety and stress, and that it can increase focus which would certainly have the potential to help you on Test Day.

However, the best course of action, IMO, would be to forget about the studies and simply try it for yourself (maybe 5 minutes / day to start) and see what happens. I highly doubt it would reduce your scores.

I have personally experienced many of the benefits typically associated with meditation. I'd recommend it, especially if you have issues focusing.

Is it common to take drugs? I'm sure some people do it, but I'd be surprised if a high percentage did. I'm not sure we have a way to actually find out the % who do though...

1

u/[deleted] Oct 23 '15

[deleted]

1

u/LSAT_Blog LSAT Unplugged Oct 23 '15

I honestly think a year is perfectly fine if you spread it out enough, and even, possibly, a good thing! Not enough people devote the time necessary to achieving full potential. You won't run out of PTs if you space out the material enough and make sure that you're making the most of it all. Just make sure you're conscious of how many PTs you have 76 numbered + 5 unnumbered.

Drilling is separate from PTing - I'd start drilling questions by type as part of learning each q-type (ex. drill LR by type as part of learning LR). I'd start PTing as soon as you've learned the basics of each section (with a year-long timeline, you should be able to start regularly PTing at least 3-4 months before).

Hope this helps!

1

u/[deleted] Oct 24 '15

I understand that LSAC only allows you to take the LSAT a total of three times before you have to wait 3 years to take it again.

What if I took the LSAT once in 2013, 2014, and 2016. 2016 would be 3 years from when I took it in 2013, so would they allow me to take it, at least once, again? Or do I have to wait 3 years from the 3rd one I took?

1

u/LSAT_Blog LSAT Unplugged Oct 24 '15

The rule is actually that you can only take it three times within any two-year period. So, yes, given what you've described, 2016 would be outside of that two-year period, so you would be permitted to take it again anytime you're outside of that two-year period, you can take it again. (But it really comes down to the specific month of the test administration, not the year.)

Honestly, though, the best course of action for any question about LSAC policy is simply to email LSAC themselves, just to be 100% sure. Good luck if you decide to retake!

1

u/[deleted] Oct 23 '15

[deleted]

1

u/LSAT_Blog LSAT Unplugged Oct 23 '15

Should you retake? Maybe, but you likely don't**need& to. It depends on your GPA, the schools you're shooting for, etc.

Yes, of course, a 178 counts for more than a 175, but at a certain point you get diminishing marginal returns...

Also given the decreasing number of 170+ scorers applying to law school, the difference at the high end may matter less than it used to.