Categories: LSAT, LSAT Prep
Tags: Blueprint, blueprint prep, Blueprint the movie, June LSAT, October LSAT
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June LSAT scores were released within the last hour (just to contradict my prediction that they would be released last Friday). For those of you now focused on the October LSAT, Guest blogger Jodi Triplett of Blueprint LSAT Preparation gives some advice on the best way to prepare for the October LSAT.
Prepping for the LSAT tends to come in three varieties. Á la Goldilocks and the Three Bears, LSAT study, like porridge, can be too little, too much, or just right.
We’re all familiar with people in the “too little” category. This includes the guy who buys concert tickets from scalpers at the event, writes his term paper the night before it’s due, and studies for the LSAT two weeks before the test. Don’t be this person. First, he’s annoying and second, the LSAT is not a test for which you can cram.
You may also be familiar with the “too much” category. This is the type-A girl who reads the books before class begins, plans her vacations nine months in advance, and thinks that she needs to study for the LSAT for an entire year to be prepared. Don’t be this person, either. In fact, we’ve observed from our students that studying for the LSAT to great excess can actually result in a lower score.
So which LSAT study plan is just right? At Blueprint LSAT Preparation, we believe in typical cases that 200 to 300 hours is the magic number for study time. This equates to approximately two-three months of intensive LSAT immersion. If you put in that much work, and you’re using an effective methodology, you’re almost certainly going to see results.
For the upcoming October LSAT, you should begin your program of study some time between late June and late July. If you’re taking a class, enroll in one that begins in that time frame. Alternatively, develop a self-study schedule that begins some time during those months.
Don’t forget that you’ll need to put in consistent effort throughout this study period if you intend to see optimal results. If you’re taking a class, your lessons and homework should be spaced appropriately already. If you’re studying on your own, be sure to pace your sessions so you don’t wind up studying too little early on, then cramming a month before the LSAT.
In the beginning of your study, devote your time to learning the best way to approach every question type without worrying about your speed. As you get better at the concepts, you’ll naturally speed up in taking the exam. Be sure to reserve at least the last two weeks of study for review. We recommend studying until the Wednesday or Thursday before the test, then taking a break so you’ll go into the LSAT rested and alert.
The LSAT is a lot of work, but if you put in consistent effort and build upon a solid methodology, you’ll have a great foundation to sit in the right chair, eat the right porridge, sleep in the right bed, and get your fairytale LSAT score.
Categories: LSAT
Tags: canceling LSAT score, cancelling LSAT score, June LSAT, should I cancel my LSAT score?
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Ok! it’s done – you took the June LSAT. First, you should be enjoying the evening and eating junk food and sitting in front of a mindless tv show or movie. You should NOT be reading any law school discussion forums that are going to make you feel paranoid. You should only be reading this blog post if you are thinking about canceling your score.
If that’s why you’re here, then please take my first piece of advice: don’t make any major decisions today. There’s a reason you have six calendar days to make this decision (see LSAC for more info on canceling). Sleep on it and see how you feel over the next couple of days. That should give you plenty of time to read these helpful posts:
Blue Print Prep: Proper beers to celebrate Post LSAT life
http://blueprintprep.com/lsatblog/lsat-advice/the-proper-beers-to-celebrate-post-lsat-life/
LSAC.com: how to cancel your score
http://www.lsac.org/jd/lsat/lsat-cancellation.asp
Got your June Score?
http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/uncategorized/got-your-june-lsat-score/
When to cancel an LSAT score
http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/when-to-cancel-an-lsat-score/
LSAT Blog: June 2011 Score release dates
http://lsatblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/june-2011-lsat-score-release-dates.html
Categories: LSAT, LSAT Prep
Tags: June LSAT
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The following is a guest post by John Rood of Next Step Test Prep:
Regular readers of Ann’s blog <http://www.lawschoolexpert.com/blog/lsat/now-you-can-change-your-mind-about-the-lsat/> know that the LSAC recently changed its policies to include a withdraw option. This lets students decide up until the day before the test to chose to not take the exam without having to be marked absent or cancel a score.
This policy significantly increases student flexibility but comes with a price: students now need to give serious thought to whether they are ready to take a given exam since there is little penalty to postponing. Especially for June test-takers (who can easily postpone to October), this can be a tough decision. Here is some guidance:
1) Have you spent at least two months of focused LSAT study? Some students have successfully reached their top scores with under 4 weeks of study, but they are few and far between. Additionally, if you started with plenty of time but let your study taper off as Dancing With The Stars heated up, you might want to refocus. Another metric to consider is that if you haven’t done at least 10 timed LSAT practice tests, you’re probably not where you should be.
2) Have your LSAT scores leveled off? The goal is always to get the very best score possible; if you’re still seeing significant increases as you put in more work, it might be beneficial to hold off until you’ve started to plateau.
3) Are there areas where you fundamentally don’t understand what’s going on? Nearly everyone misses a few problems, but if there are particular issues that you can identify holding you back, you need to address those before sitting for the test. While you might have been able to stumble through algebra without knowing how to factor, if you don’t understand formal logic you really just aren’t ready to take the LSAT.
4) Is one section significantly weaker than the rest? While some variance is normal, if you routinely get 25/26 in LR but only 12/23 in LG, you probably have the aptitude to do a lot better on the games. Glaring weaknesses can usually be addressed.
If you just didn’t devote enough time to the LSAT, re-committing might be all that’s required. If you’re still missing some basic concepts, it might be time to consider a different set of books or an LSAT tutor.
Next Step Test Preparation provides complete courses of one-on-one tutoring with an LSAT expert for less than the price of a commercial prep course. Email us <mailto:info@nextsteptestprep.com> or call 888-530-NEXT (6398) for a complimentary consultation.
Categories: LSAT Prep
Tags: June LSAT, LSAT Prep courses, LSAT Preparation, LSAT tutor
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The June 2010 LSAT is just over two months away. For those of you thinking, considering, and/or planning, it’s time to start DOING.
Here are 3 easy no-reason-to-panic-yet steps to get yourself on the right path for the June LSAT:
1. Register for the June LSAT ASAP. Although you have officially until May 4th to sign up, the best locations fill up quickly so get on the ball.
2. Commit to an LSAT prep method and make it your commitment for the next two months. Your mindset should be “Do it once and do it right!”
“[LSAT] is a standardized exam that requires significant preparation. It is not something you can take blind or cold. . . unless you prepare adequately, you will not receive the score that truly measures your aptitude.” - The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert, pp. 32-33
Here are some resources for information about different prep options, including self study, lecture courses, online courses, and private tutors. Do your research. Don’t just pick the company that advertises the most. Think about how you learn, what your schedule is like, and what works best for your lifestyle. Ask questions!
Here are two of my previous posts with information about specific companies and considerations in hiring an LSAT prep company and/or tutor:
Choosing an LSAT Prep Course
Looking for an LSAT tutor
3. Refuse to panic. Map out your study schedule. Mark the date of May 16th on your calendar. If you haven’t really delved into studying, if you know you haven’t been as dedicated as you should, if you are not hitting consistent practice exam scores on timed exams, or if you still have a score in the 140s or below, then May 16th is your last “out” to opt out of the exam without penalty. If you don’t feel ready, go with your gut and regroup for the October exam.
Three easy steps. Now get going!
Categories: Advice, List: Law School Admission Advice Books, LSAT, LSAT Prep, Multiple LSAT scores
Tags: Blog Talk Radio Show, June LSAT, Law school admission guide, LSAT Preparation, The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert
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We’re about 2 weeks away from the June 8, 2009 LSAT. You should be scoring pretty consistently on practice tests, and you may be wondering whether to go ahead and take the LSAT or wait until September 2009. The following is a brief excerpt from my book, “The Law School Admission Game: Play Like an Expert“ addressing this issue:
How do you know if you’re really ready for the LSAT? If you don’t feel ready to take the LSAT, your instinct is probably right. You have a few options. You could take the test and if your score is halfway decent, you can apply. This is a poor strategy that usually goes worse than you expected and becomes something you have to later explain on your applications. Plus, it’s a huge ego-deflater to see a low score. Make sure to take many timed practice tests with five sections. It’s an endurance test and a speed test, so you must practice under these conditions. Practice in distracting conditions, not in ideal ones. It is better to take a test in a noisy coffee shop than in the silence and ideal environment of a library carrel of the 7th floor of your campus library.
The book is coming out tomorrow (!!!) and will be shipped on Tuesday. It can be ordered through “The Law School Admission Game” site for FREE SHIPPING or through Amazon.
For concrete tips and strategies for the week before the LSAT, listen in to my 45-minute BlogTalkRadio show on Monday, June 1st at 1 p.m. EST (10 a.m. PST) called “Last Minute Tips for LSAT Takers.” It will feature three LSAT tutors: Donald Viscardi, Master Tutor at Inspirica, Josh Morrison, owner of LogicPro LSAT Tutoring, and Bara Sapir, director of Test Prep NY. We’ll be talking about tips for the week before the test and deciding whether you’re really ready to take the exam. There will be time for questions from callers. If you can’t listen in at that time, you’ll be able to listen to the program anytime after by visiting this blog or by going to my page on BlogTalkRadio. I’m really excited about this show – we’re pulling together 3 of the premier LSAT strategists from outside the “big” prep companies and giving readers of the Law School Expert blog a unique opportunity to hear insights from real LSAT experts.
Click here for more tips about getting ready for the June LSAT.
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Oh, and I LOVE comments so please consider yourself invited to leave comments and ask questions on the blog – that’s what it’s here for!
Happy Memorial Day weekend, everyone!
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Ann K. Levine, Esq., former director of law school admissions for two ABA approved law schools, is a law school admission consultant and owner of Law School Expert,
