Law School Discussion

I'm planning on spending 4 hours a day, 4-5 days a week in the library working on homework, and once I'm finished it's LSAT time. I've scheduled a few lessons out of the Princeton Review book a day, and between now and December I will have taken between 4 and 6 practice tests.

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Can someone either tell me if I'm on the right track or suggest alternative methods?

If you can get in around 30+ hours a week between now and test day just on LSAT stuff you will be golden. At minimum it should be 20-25 on an off week. There are many reasons why but here is possibly the most practical reason why...

Whatever study method you use you should break things up between Timed and Un-timed practice. Timed practice should really only come when you are in the Un-timed 175+ range. Why? If you can't answer the questions without the clock, there is no way you can answer it with the clock. If you as using a proven method (like those taught in powerscore/kaplan, etc.) then you are practicing an efficient way of tackling the test. This way you will never feel the need to go faster and the only real timing skills that will come into play are game/passage/question ordering and bubbling techniques.

How do you get to the Un-Timed 175+ range? First, as I said, you MUST be using an efficient method - which you will learn once you start powerscore/kaplan. Second, when you are studying the method - answer the questions actively, not passively. Be 150% sure that the answer you pick is without a shadow of a doubt the correct answer AND (important AND) understand why the other 4 answers are without a shadow of a doubt the wrong answers. Write notes as to why the answers are wrong (i.e. "Out of scope because of ____" or "Faulty formal logic" or "Strengthens the argument (presuming you need to weaken it)") .. of course don't do this in the actual test/timed test but it is important at this stage. If you do this correctly, when you are checking your answers you will either be exceptionally annoyed at the fact you even had to check it because you got it right OR your entire world implodes as the ground beneath you crumbles because you got it wrong. Nonchalant v. Depression.

If you are studying like that, it will take you hours to get through a certain game type/question type etc.

This practice is crucial early on when you are working the fundamentals. With more exposure it will become easier to see why an answer it right or wrong and your efficient method will become quicker - making predictions, deductions etc.

One more thing - outline all the LSAT books you use. Use the outline when you are practicing to make sure you are doing everything right and remembering any tricks. If you want I can send you my Kaplan Outline?

Good luck.

I did the princeton review book (Cracking the LSAT) and would really advise against. Its ok if you are just going to go through it quickly and get a fundamental understanding of what is going on - but don't waste your time understanding how Princeton tackles problems. There are a lot of methods that are ok if you are just shooting for mid 150s maybe 160 but is NOT the best way (doubtful you'll get mid 160s+ with it). The book seems more like a crash course if you only have a few weeks to study. There are a LOT of bad habits that the Princeton Review gave me that I am still breaking using the Kaplan Method. Also, I was almost insulted by the lack of attention given to the Reading Comprehension section - it just gives you like 2 or 3 examples and says "Don't forget to circle important words ... good luck."

That being said, Powerscore seems to be the best out there. Once I am done with Kaplan I am going to move on to Powerscore.

Also, what BU law school are you talking about? Is that Belmont University?

If so, beware. I went to Belmont for my Undergrad and absolutely LOVED it. Beautiful campus and in an amazing town. The law program, however, is yet to be accredited. Though I'm sure by the time you graduate it would become accredited - note that there is the slight possibility that it wont - and you will have spent $150,000+ on awesome knowledge and a worthless piece of paper. If you really want Belmont I would personally wait until it becomes accredited - but thats my own opinion.

Note that once Belmont gets accredited and builds up a strong foundation I am sure it will have one of the leading IP and Pharmaceutical Law programs.

I'm planning a long term study for LSAT as well...

No matter what you do you have to get your fundamentals down tight. If you can't answer questions un-timed theres no way you can answer them timed. Spend the majority of your time early on on getting a good handle on all those things (understanding question, game, passage types and all the strategies to tackle them).

I would recommend getting a book course like Kaplan (what I am using) or Powerscore (what I will be shortly starting) and follow it. Outline all the methods/steps and tricks. Use your outline when you are practicing each section - make sure you stick to the methods. If you are looking for a 160 then be able to at least get a 170 untimed before working on your timing (if not 175). At this point you shouldn't have much of an issue to get 160 and will just need to work on bubbling techniques and game/passage/question ordering.

One more thing - even though you have time on your side, don't think you can just spend 5-6 hours a week. If you have 10 months then put in at least 20 hours a week from now until you take the test - and the last few months you should bump that up to 30 hours a week.

I don't know about the courses themselves but I just finished the Kaplan book set and loved it - very methodical and clear.

What you will find in mostly all comments is that all the reputable prep courses (like Kaplan and Testmasters) offer essentially the same knowledge - the only difference is the professor. So - pick which course has the absolute best professor. Find this info by student comments/rating.

The advanced courses are really designed for people already scoring in the mid 160s trying to bump up into the 170s range. If you are not there yet - this course may be a waste of time and money.

If money is not an issue I would look into a private instructor - again the best you can afford/find.

Think of it like this...

In music school they say off the bat you MUST be practicing at least 21 hours a week - which matches up with your 3 hours a day. This, however, is a long term plan (for 4 years of practice). If you have a year + to study for the LSAT, 21 hours a week shouldn't be all that bad. I have personally found 4-6 hours a day to be ideal for my improvement. If you are trying to get into the high 160s within 3 months - try 30+ hours a week. My goal is the low 170s - which may take 6 months+ at 30 hours a week for me.

If you are serious about the LSAT and law school, structure you day so that you can squeeze in as much efficient LSAT study as possible. Even on days you can't get a whole lot in still keep your mind on LSAT. Read through sections you have done, review methodology - question types, etc. Read online resources about the LSAT, like this forum. Keeping your mind on the LSAT is just as important as studying for it. A day shouldn't go by without you at least looking at something LSAT related.

One more thing - taking the diagnostic test is fine but make sure from here on out you focus only under un-timed conditions. Once you have a firm grasp of fundamentals (once you can answer all the questions correctly un-timed) then move on to timed tests. Why? If you can't answer the questions un-timed - theres no way you will be able to answer them timed. Once you can score in the 175+ range on an un-timed test - then move on to time management. Make sure that you are learning an efficient method (which all of the major prep companies have) so you can bring your time down when it is relevant. You will also notice, however, that once you have a firm grasp on fundamentals, timing should become less of an issue. Remember, its not speed but efficiency.