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To those of you who have taken the LSAT.

My wife is scoring in the low 160's on her first 3 practice tests. She didn't take a class or anything, basically just read the logic games bible and the reasoning bible. She's crushing most of the test except for "Formal Logic". Is there a decent book for just that section. The test won't be taken until October, so we're looking for some solid improvement to get her into the 170's between now and then.

I'm basically looking for general tips AND on how you prepared and if it was worth it. Maybe some books that are stronger than others. Our plan is to just take the tests with explanations over and over, until hopefully something clicks. Spending a couple of grand isn't really an option right now on a Kaplan course.

We thank you in advance for your help.

Amity, I'm actually looking to take mine sometime next year. One of the guys that I work with recently took his.

From talking about it with him, a lot of the LSAT prep courses generally aren't worth the money. He said they basically just teach you how to study. That being said the logic games section is the section that gave him the most trouble as well!

I'll email him and see what books he actually used, and what his final score was. Basically he said his strategy for the test was to try to get an almost perfect in the other sections, that way he'd have a little wiggle room with the logic section ( since he knew that would be his weakest area). I know he was aiming for a score in the 160s.

I wrote my LSAT last summer and ended up with a 167 after scoring 154 on my first practise test. (I got the freakin dinosaur puzzle year which they introduced 2 brand new types of logic games that nobody knew how to diagram...17/25 on LG

I'll second what medic said -- the Kaplan courses really aren't that great. I signed up and got my books but I ended up distracted during class because the slow methodical process they teach just gets boring.

Some tips from my experience:
- Imitate the EXACT settings that she will be writing the exam. I was practising with a pencil and when I drew my little diagrams for logic games I would erase them to keep my boxes clean. Imagine my shock when you could only use pen!
Other things include being VERY stingy with your timing -- don't get used to taking an extra 5 seconds or filling in your scantron afterwards because you won't be allowed in the real thing. Others who did very well on the test even went so far as to find out which room/building they would be writing their test in and wrote their last 10-15 practise tests in that room.

-PRACTISE. This is basically the #1 and more important than anything else. I regret not getting the logic games bible and only doing 13 practise tests because each one was getting stronger and stronger (albeit not by much but it adds up).

It is funny that you describe your strategy as taking tests over and over "until something clicks" -- this is EXACTLY what happens. After doing 100 logic games, you begin to see patterns in the wording. She will all of sudden see a setup like (blue/green/red. dave/steve/ etc etc.) and read the first clue and be able to know exactly which deductions to make.

The logic games section is the hardest one to understand, but the easiest to master. I've never heard of anybody starting off getting more than 20/25 in LG (most are around 12-14) but I've heard dozens of people getting perfect scores on them and very few getting perfect on the other sections. These are easy points if you put the time in.

Finally, the day is a gruelling one. Sure the test takes 3 1/2 hours in theory, but in reality by the time I left my house and got back it was nearly 7 hours after all the BS administrative stuff and waiting for other test takers to file in, show ID, get seated, listen to instructions etc etc. Bring snacks and water and get a good nights sleep. Every year there are a couple people who just break down during the test and its because it is incredibly emotionally and physically tiring!


Let me know if you have any other questions. I had a lot of mentor-type advice so I'd like to pay it forward.

(PS - If she's getting low 160's like 2-3 months ahead of time she is in GREAT shape. If she does one a day, or even close to that, she can do every LSAT that has been written and I can almost guarantee a 170 barring some huge mistake on test day)

Step 1: Buy any basic book explaining how to diagram different game types

Step 2: Learn the highlighter trick: diagram everything in the game that can't change in highlighter and fill in the rest with pencil: this way when game conditions change in later questions, you can quickly erase the old rules with new rules without erasing the permanent stuff

Step 3: Buy a book with a bunch of games and practice a ton

As an aside, I would HIGHLY recommend against going to law school if you can't get into a top 13 school: even in a lot of schools within that tier it's getting harder to find jobs (I know a few people in Columbia who are struggling with fairly good grades) and in lesser law schools if you don't really excel finding a good job is hard. The legal profession has been crumbling lately and spending 3 years to get into 160k in debt (which isn't dischargeable in bankruptcy) without getting a job is absolutely devastating and life-crippling. Seriously seriously look into this because a lot of people think of law school as the safe option in times of economic downswings but this is far from the truth

Step 1: Buy any basic book explaining how to diagram different game types

Step 2: Learn the highlighter trick: diagram everything in the game that can't change in highlighter and fill in the rest with pencil: this way when game conditions change in later questions, you can quickly erase the old rules with new rules without erasing the permanent stuff

Step 3: Buy a book with a bunch of games and practice a ton

As an aside, I would HIGHLY recommend against going to law school if you can't get into a top 13 school: even in a lot of schools within that tier it's getting harder to find jobs (I know a few people in Columbia who are struggling with fairly good grades) and in lesser law schools if you don't really excel finding a good job is hard. The legal profession has been crumbling lately and spending 3 years to get into 160k in debt (which isn't dischargeable in bankruptcy) without getting a job is absolutely devastating and life-crippling. Seriously seriously look into this because a lot of people think of law school as the safe option in times of economic downswings but this is far from the truth

@ this last part about being in debt, what if we had the option to go and not be in debt? Worth it then? (Just trying to figure something out for myself )

Lauren is going into environmental law and through working in government has some prospects already lined up with some non profits she's already worked with as a biologist.

The LSAT goal is to basically get us some money to pay for school. She's pretty set on going and knows it's rough right now, but it's what she wants... so yeah. Along with a 3.86 GPA in biology from Florida State, we think there's a good shot at her getting some money with a 170.

If it doesn't work out then I'll just hike up my skirt.

I had a near perfect LSAT (179). I studied almost exclusively from the old tests you can order from the LSAC website. She should do them slowly at first, focusing on the process, then work on individual sections at actual test speed, and finally take full tests at actual test speed.

The don't go to law school unless you get into a T14 is good advice if all you're thinking is "I don't know what else to do, and they'll pay me 6 figures to do this right out of school." Borrowing 100k to go to a tier 3 or 4 school is really suicide, because only the top top students (like top 1-5% at some schools) get big firm jobs that can cover that kinda debt, and those schools don't have loan forgiveness programs.

On the other hand, for someone like your wife who wants to do something specific and non-biglaw, it's really surprising how many doors a law degree can open in some fields. The problem for many people is that student loan debt forces them into large firm jobs with salaries that can support those payments. Without the debt, there are many more options. If she's going to rely on loan forgiveness, check out the rules up front. They usually count your spouse's salary as well as your own to determine whether you qualify.

@ this last part about being in debt, what if we had the option to go and not be in debt? Worth it then? (Just trying to figure something out for myself )

Depends. lots of work and 3 years of opportunity cost. If you don't mind working shit hours at a job you probably won't like that much, taking the gamble on lining up a big law job is probably worth it

Lauren is going into environmental law and through working in government has some prospects already lined up with some non profits she's already worked with as a biologist.

The LSAT goal is to basically get us some money to pay for school. She's pretty set on going and knows it's rough right now, but it's what she wants... so yeah. Along with a 3.86 GPA in biology from Florida State, we think there's a good shot at her getting some money with a 170.

If it doesn't work out then I'll just hike up my skirt.

Sweet: sounds like law school on a scholarship is definitely a good idea, and even if you have to pay it's probably worth it. Good luck to Lauren.

P.S. Apparently "Logic Games Bible" is the best prep book for games