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Thinking LSAT

Thinking LSAT
Author: Nathan Fox and Ben Olson
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© Nathan Fox and Ben Olson
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Ben Olson and Nathan Fox started the Thinking LSAT Podcast to become better LSAT teachers and have some fun. Please 1) subscribe, 2) rate and review, and 3) send us questions: help@thinkinglsat.com. Don't pay for law school!
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500 Episodes
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You don’t conquer the LSAT with fifty-fifty guesses. You do it by carefully solving each question. This week, Nathan and Ben outline their plan of attack in Logical Reasoning, counsel a student who’s feeling unmotivated to study, and identify a common cause of score plateaus.Study with our Free PlanDownload our iOS appWatch Episode 493 on YouTube1:33 - Staying Motivated -An anonymous listener struggles to stay motivated for LSAT study. Nathan and Ben recommend prioritizing quality over quantity and pursuing activities outside of LSAT prep.7:45 - Don’t Apply Late -Law schools’ application deadlines shouldn’t be on your radar. To maximize your chances, apply early and broadly.16:45 - Attack Each Argument -The vast majority of arguments in Logical Reasoning are bad. Excellence in LR comes from attacking each argument and finding flaws.32:31 - Gap-Year Employment -Any work experience can be good work experience. Law schools won’t look down on you for putting a retail job on your résumé.36:10 - Timed Sections vs. Practice Tests -Do your scores from individual timed sections accurately reflect how you’d perform on the official test?38:49 - Score Plateau -The guys diagnose the cause of listener Daniel’s score plateau: poor accuracy. They instruct Daniel to slow down and practice getting questions right.44:16 - Thirsty Law Schools -The University of Tulsa College of Law is offering unsolicited full-ride scholarships to students with LSAT scores at or above 160.53:55 - Word of the Week -Law students must master thepunctilio of legal writing.
The best LSAT students frequently predict the correct answer. But what do you do if your prediction isn’t there? This week, Nathan and Ben revisit their adaptable approach to prediction. The guys also share test-week advice for a February LSAT taker. They weigh in on binding early deferral programs. And they examine a law school in turmoil.
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1:30 - February LSAT Advice - Listener Max looks for test-week advice to help him crush the February LSAT—but Ben and Nathan don’t believe in last-minute tips and tricks. They urge Max not to take the LSAT until he’s happy with his practice test scores.
7:09 - Predictions and Question Types - Nathan and Ben discuss how to predict answers and what to do when your prediction doesn’t appear in the answer choices. Their approach is similar across question types.
24:39 - Learn from Your Mistakes - You don’t need to look for big lessons in every mistake.Your review should always address these two questions: (1) Why is the right answer right? (2) Why is the wrong answer wrong?
31:50 - Columbia LEAD Program - Ben and Nathan strongly discourage students from applying to binding early deferral programs like Columbia Law’s LEAD Fellowship.
38:22 - What’s the Deal with…? - Of all law schools in 2024, Penn State Law in University Park suffered the sharpest decline in their students’ LSAT scores. The guys investigate.
1:12:29 - Word of the Week - Other LSAT prep companies offer agglomerations of terrible tips and tricks.
Always read the fine print on your scholarship offers. This week, Nathan and Ben examine a low-ranked law school that reduces roughly two-thirds of its conditional scholarships every year. The guys also discuss the competitiveness of this year’s application cycle. They dismiss the idea that the LSAT is harder than it used to be. And they weigh the importance of law school rankings in deciding which school to attend.
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0:35 - A Competitive Cycle - Nathan and Ben check the numbers for this highly competitive application cycle. They speculate about what might be causing the upward trend in applicants and LSAT scores.
19:05 - Is the LSAT Getting Harder? - After every LSAT, some test-takers complain that their official LSAT was more difficult than their practice tests. They’re imagining it. The LSAT is as difficult as it’s ever been: not very.
24:28 - Ask of the Week - The guys highlight Elizabeth’s insightful Ask Button explanation about unrepresentative samples.
42:38 - Law School Rankings - How much should you care about law school rankings? It depends. Ben and Nathan urge listener Kenley to factor the cost of attendance into their decision.
51:20 - What’s the Deal with…? - Nathan and Ben look into California Western School of Law, a low-ranked school that doles out dubious scholarships or, as the guys call them, “scammerships.”
1:42:59 - Word of the Week - Students dread the panopticon of remote LSAT proctoring.
The law school application cycle is far from over, but some disappointed applicants are starting to wonder: “What did I do wrong?” This week, Nathan and Ben point out some potential red flags that may have hurt one listener’s applications. The guys also explain how to develop speed on the LSAT, caution applicants against oversharing in optional essays, and bemoan the confusing state of ABA 509 reports.
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1:22 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student James writes: “Don't give up! Fight like you’re the third monkey on the ramp to the Ark and it’s starting to rain!”
3:16 - Disappointing Cycle - An anonymous listener wasn’t offered the scholarships they expected. Ben and Nathan try to figure out what went wrong.
20:44 - Slow Down to Speed Up - The guys assure listener Adriana that speed will come naturally if she sticks with her accuracy-first approach.
25:56 - Optional Essay - An anonymous listener considers emailing law schools a diversity statement to belatedly add to their applications. Ben and Nathan oppose this plan.
30:02 - What’s the Deal with…? - The guys investigate another law school that’s been climbing the rankings in recent years: the University of Georgia School of Law.
1:00:36 - ABA 509 Scholarship Confusion - Nathan and Ben criticize the obfuscation of scholarship data in ABA 509 reports.
1:09:14 - Word of the Week - Straightforward 509 reports are the desideratum.
Drilling is great, but you need to do timed sections too. This week, Ben and Nathan highlight the importance of timed practice and explain how to manage negative emotions from practice test scores. The guys also discuss letters of recommendation, reading speed in RC, and online law schools.
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1:05 - 175 or Bust? - Listener Andria is committed to pursuing a 99th percentile LSAT score. Nathan and Ben applaud Andria’s zeal but question her insistence on attending a top-ranked law school.
10:57 - Letters of Recommendation - Older applicants may struggle to obtain academic letters of recommendation. Can they get by with letters from professional acquaintances?
19:58 - RC Pacing and Stress - Listener Maya is stressed about spending too much time on the first passage in RC. Ben and Nathan implore Maya to ignore the clock and to stop trying to finish sections.
31:40 - Timed Section Fear - Many LSAT students avoid taking timed sections. Nathan and Ben discuss why you should treat timed sections as opportunities for growth—and not as IQ tests.
45:07 - Note-Taking in Review - Ben and Nathan discourage note-taking when reviewing mistakes.
51:11 - Desperate Law Schools - The guys read some holiday-themed messages sent by law schools that are desperate for applications and seat deposits.
1:17:06 - Online and Hybrid Law Schools - Nathan and Ben support Abbie’s interest in online and hybrid law school—as long as the price is right.
1:22:39 - Word of the Week - Lawyers are often accused of solipsism.
Can you trust your pre-law advisor? Not necessarily. This week Ben and Nathan criticize schools that mislead pre-law students about their law-school prospects. The guys also share simple tactics for ignoring the clock on the LSAT, and they calm a listener who’s frustrated by their progress in Reading Comprehension.
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1:28 - Fighting Bad Habits - Ben and Nathan share some tips for regaining your composure when you catch yourself rushing on timed practice. Here’s a simple one: breathe.
7:37 - RC Blues - Listener De’Andre wants to improve faster in Reading Comprehension. Nathan and Ben instruct De’Andre to stop looking for shortcuts and to work on understanding one sentence at a time.
17:24 - What’s the Deal with…? - The guys pass judgment on the University of Kansas School of Law.
1:06:09 - 3+3 Program - An anonymous listener declines some unhelpful guidance from their prelaw advisor.
1:12:22 - Word of the Week - We accept as an axiom that the LSAT makes perfect sense.
Do law schools look unfavorably at applicants who retake the LSAT? This week, Ben and Nathan insist that any downsides to retaking the LSAT are negligible, while the upsides can be life-changing. The guys also dispel the myth of “overthinking,” rail against obscurantist 509 reports, and probe Ben’s alma mater: George Washington Law.
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3:49 - Law School Exams - A long-time listener describes how studying LSAT Logic Games helped prepare them for law school exams.
13:30 - T14 Scholarships - The guys discuss a T14 law school’s deceptive messaging about scholarships.
21:59 - Overthinking - LSAT students often blame their mistakes on “overthinking.” But you’re far more likely to miss a question because you didn’t think about it enough.
32:21 - Ask Button - Nathan and Ben celebrate the LSAT Demon Ask Button team.
34:47 - Retaking with a High Score - Ben and Nathan revisit a recent discussion about the potential downsides of retaking the LSAT when you already have a high score. The guys maintain that there’s only upside to retaking.
56:03 - What’s the Deal with…? - Nathan and Ben look into George Washington University School of Law, a regional law school in Washington, D.C.
1:29:52 - Word of the Week - We offer this podcast for your delectation.
Nathan and Ben dig into newly released admissions data and discuss the impact of the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ban. Later, the guys advocate greater transparency in law school pricing, assess JD-Next as an alternative to the LSAT, and investigate the ascendent Texas A&M School of Law.
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4:25 - New Law School Enrollment Data - The ABA just released law schools’ Standard 509 disclosures for 2024. Ben and Nathan discuss what the numbers mean for URM admissions following the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ban.
14:55 - Scholarships - ABA 509 reports now define full-tuition scholarships as “scholarships that cover tuition and mandatory fees.” Listener Emma wonders if this definition allows law schools to obscure their scholarship numbers. Nathan and Ben consider solutions to law schools’ discriminatory pricing model.
31:20 - JD-Next - Some law schools now report the number of enrolled students who took JD-Next, an alternative law school admissions test. So far, those numbers are low.
34:30 - What’s the Deal with…? - Ben and Nathan look into Texas A&M University School of Law, which has rocketed up the US News rankings in recent years.
1:16:56 - Read Every Answer - The guys explain why you should read every answer on every LSAT question.
1:21:57 - Word of the Week - Thinking LSAT listeners should avail themselves of LSAT Demon’s free classes at lsatdemon.com/free.
Good lawyers aren’t afraid to pause when they don’t understand something. They read and reread until they figure it out. This week, Ben and Nathan discuss why this lawyerly trait is crucial to mastering the LSAT. Later, the guys reject a purported downside to retaking the LSAT. They speculate about AI’s impact on the legal profession. And they consider the value of paying for the prestige of a top law school.
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1:46 - Every Word Matters - LSAT beginners and veterans alike make most of their mistakes because of sloppy reading. Ben and Nathan urge listeners to read like lawyers: every word matters.
23:32 - Pearls vs. Turds - Will law school admissions officers brand you as a “perfectionist” if you retake the LSAT? Would that label hurt your admissions chances?
34:41 - AI and Law - Listener Charlie worries about AI’s impact on the legal profession. Nathan and Ben argue that AI will empower attorneys, not replace them.
44:47 - Pay for Prestige? - Listener Trip wants to practice family law in a small city. The guys advise Trip to attend a regional law school on a full-ride scholarship rather than pay for the prestige of a higher-ranked school.
50:55 - LSAT and ADHD - Listener Victoria feels overwhelmed by the length of the passages in Reading Comprehension. Ben and Nathan encourage Victoria to focus on one sentence at a time.
57:26 - Tutoring - The guys discuss when students should pursue one-on-one LSAT tutoring and how to make the most of it.
1:03:21 - Low GPA - Soft factors don’t make up for—or excuse—a low GPA. Nathan and Ben urge listener Elis to prioritize grades over extracurriculars.
1:07:67 - Word of the Week - The University of Texas at Austin School of Law prefers “Texas Law” to the more pithy sobriquet “UT.”
The American Bar Association will soon allow law schools to admit more students without standardized test scores. Is that good for applicants? This week, Nathan and Ben discuss why test-optional admissions might not benefit students (and why you should probably still take the LSAT). The guys also outline the qualities of a successful law student, share tips on how to get faster, and investigate a well-regarded law school in New York City.
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9:21 - Law School Is for Nerds - Listener Steve struggles to shake off his underperformance on the November LSAT. Ben and Nathan question whether Steve is cut out for law school.
20:58 - When Should I Take the LSAT? - The guys double down on their advice not to register for the LSAT until you’re happy with your practice test scores.
31:29 - Test-Optional Admissions - Some law schools might soon bypass the ABA’s admission test requirement, allowing them to admit more students without LSAT scores. Nathan and Ben have doubts about whether this is good for law school applicants.
40:30 - Getting Faster - An anonymous LSAT Demon student asks how to get faster while maintaining high accuracy. Ben and Nathan advise Anonymous to pursue even greater accuracy and to dismiss wrong answers more confidently.
51:01 - There Can Be Only One - Fifty-fifty guesses aren’t good enough. The guys explain why the best LSAT students eliminate all five answers more often than they debate multiple answers.
56:40 - What’s the Deal With…? - Nathan and Ben examine the admissions numbers and employment outcomes at Fordham Law School, which has a reputation as a non-T14 pathway to NYC big law.
1:13:58 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Caleb writes: “To anyone that is beginning their LSAT journey or their time with the Demon, learn to love it. Make it a game.”
1:16:58 - Word of the Week - Not all law schools are located in cities with salubrious climates.
Some have called Cooley Law School the “worst law school in America.” Is it? Nathan and Ben investigate. The guys also demonstrate their approach to Strengthen questions, advocate a spoiler-free method of review, and compare the importance of GPA and undergraduate institution prestige.
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2:41 - Logical Reasoning: Strengthen - Ben and Nathan explain why correct answers on Strengthen questions don’t simply repeat the premises. Then the guys tackle a Strengthen question from PrepTest 123. Try the question for yourself, then listen to their explanation.
37:26 - No Spoilers - Nathan and Ben encourage LSAT Demon student Vivian to reattempt the questions that she misses before reviewing the Demon’s explanations.
47:01 - Military Personal Statement - The guys advise listener Matt on how to write a personal statement that highlights his military experience without overselling it.
52:12 - Undergraduate Prestige - Your GPA matters more than the reputation of your undergraduate institution.
1:00:42 - What’s the Deal With…? - Ben and Nathan examine the admissions statistics and bar passage rate at Cooley Law School.
1:23:12 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Isabella writes: “The Demon really works, and it is actually easy! I thought that was a lie, but by the end of prep, I could make predictions on every question (usually multiple predictions). Doing a real focused hour every day gave me a 24-point improvement.”
1:24:45 - Word of the Week - Law schools goose their rankings by giving tuition discounts to high-scoring applicants.
Planning to study isn’t studying. This week, Nathan and Ben urge listeners to stop overthinking their study schedules and to start doing LSAT questions—one day, one hour, one question at a time. The guys also discuss conditional scholarships, optional questions on law school applications, and Pepperdine Caruso School of Law.
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0:36 - Parental Pressure - An anonymous listener rages at their dad’s intrusion into their LSAT study. The guys encourage Anonymous to have a little sympathy.
9:06 - Study Schedule - You can make great progress with one focused hour of study per day. Ben and Nathan outline the best ways to use that hour: mix timed and untimed practice, promptly review mistakes, focus on understanding, and don’t overthink your study schedule.
39:41 - Conditional Scholarships - An anonymous listener received a scholarship offer that would require them to remain in “good academic standing.” Nathan and Ben assure Anonymous that this is normal.
50:10 - Alumni Connections - Some law school applications invite you to share any personal connections to alumni. Ben and Nathan discuss how applicants might use these connections without losing focus on what’s most important.
56:28 - Disclosing Your School List - Law schools might ask you which schools you’re applying to. Nathan and Ben explain why some law schools ask this question and how you should respond.
1:00:52 - What’s the Deal With…? - The guys pull back the curtain on Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, a conservative-leaning private school in Malibu, California.
1:26:26 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Samuel writes: “There are no gimmicks that can possibly match the value of skill.”
1:28:35 - Word of the Week - There are too many extant law schools.
Confusing correlation for causation is one of the most common flaws that you’ll encounter on the LSAT. Until you learn to spot it, you’re leaving points on the table. This week, Nathan and Ben demonstrate a three-step process for objecting to an argument that confuses correlation for causation. Later, the guys analyze a listener’s underperformance on her official tests. They weigh in on practice test frequency. And they investigate a low-ranked law school that offers a laughable perk to early decision applicants.
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1:44 - Logical Reasoning: Weaken - The guys tackle a Weaken question from PrepTest 141. Try the question for yourself, then listen to Nathan and Ben’s explanation.
18:19 - Test Violation - Remote LSAT test takers are prohibited from using mobile hotspots. An anonymous listener didn’t know this and their test was canceled as a result. The guys advise Anonymous on how to proceed.
23:26 - Don’t Rush Your Applications - Listener Melany isn’t ready to apply to law school, but she risks getting kicked out of her prelaw assistance program if she doesn’t apply this cycle. Ben and Nathan discuss Melany’s options and urge her not to settle for a low LSAT score.
33:52 - Replicating Practice Test Success - Listener Victoria has underperformed on two official test attempts. Nathan and Ben share tips on how to replicate her practice test scores when she takes the official test.
45:45 - Practice Test Schedule - LSAT Demon student Jess asks if she should avoid taking full practice tests until she’s improved her timed section scores. Ben and Nathan encourage Jess not to overhype her practice tests.
50:39 - What’s the Deal with…? - Nathan and Ben investigate the admissions stats and job outcomes at Liberty University School of Law.
1:11:55 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Reese writes: “Feign interest and read carefully. There is no need to highlight. Just ensure you're understanding what you're reading, and you'll be fine.”
1:16:15 - Word of the Week - Ben and Nathan show predatory law schools their due obloquy.
The only reliable way to get faster on the LSAT is by slowing down and solving one question at a time. This week, Nathan and Ben remind students of their simple mantra for going faster on the LSAT: Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. Later, the guys discuss why applicants taking the January LSAT should wait until next cycle to apply. They share some high-level tips for Reading Comprehension. And they outline the process for submitting letters of recommendation.
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1:13 - Eliminating All Five Answers - If you follow Ben and Nathan’s advice, you will occasionally eliminate all five answer choices. This is not a mistake. It’s a symptom of a healthy approach to the LSAT.
12:24 - Stop Chasing Speed - LSAT Demon student Nathan is frustrated that he isn’t reaching the final passage in RC. Nathan and Ben double down on their advice to ignore the clock and focus on accuracy.
21:11 - Is January Too Late to Apply? - Listener AB plans to take the January LSAT. Can they still apply this cycle? Ben and Nathan urge AB to focus on the LSAT before committing to an application timeline.
26:22 - Retaking Classes - An anonymous listener considers retaking two classes in order to improve their GPA. The guys explain why this might not have the impact that Anonymous expects.
30:13 - RC Tips for a High Scorer - Nathan and Ben share some RC tips for a high-level student: Make predictions, treat Inference questions like they’re Must Be True questions, and build confidence with thorough review.
40:00 - Will I See My LORs? - Ben and Nathan outline the process for submitting letters of recommendation.
43:03 - Scoring 170 - Nathan and Ben warn listener Manan not to chase a set number of questions per section. The guys insist that goals like these are always counterproductive.
48:33 - Logical Reasoning: Supported - The guys tackle a Supported question from PrepTest 141. Try the question for yourself. Then listen to Ben and Nathan’s explanation.
1:00:40 - Word of the Week - Scofflaws are unlikely to thrive as lawyers.
Price is the most important factor in many students’ law school decisions. So why is law school pricing so shady? This week, Nathan and Ben imagine a kinder world where everyone pays the same price for law school. The guys also hear from a successful student who stopped taking notes in Reading Comprehension. They discuss their approach to Parallel Reasoning questions. And they share tips for dealing with anxiety in timed sections.
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1:07 - No Notes on Reading Comprehension - Listener Caroline followed Ben and Nathan’s advice to stop taking notes in RC. Caroline calls it the “best decision ever.” Now she’s not just transcribing passages—she’s engaging with them on a deeper level.
6:30 - Don’t Go with Your Gut - Listener Alyssa believes that she needs to go with her gut when picking between two answer choices. Nathan and Ben disagree. They insist that fifty-fifty guesses aren’t good enough and instruct Alyssa to read the passage more carefully.
16:05 - Reviewing Correct Answers - The guys explain why it can still be useful to review questions you answered correctly.
20:25 - Parallel Reasoning - Arguments in Parallel Reasoning questions can be flawed even if the question doesn’t explicitly mention flawed reasoning.
31:48 - LSAT Cancellation Addendum - An anonymous listener canceled an LSAT score for a test they took while sick with COVID. Ben and Nathan advise against writing an addendum to explain the cancellation.
39:16 - Timed Section Anxiety - Listener Ethan gets easily flustered by the five minute warning at the end of timed sections. Nathan and Ben share some tips on how to forget the clock.
47:52 - What’s the Deal with…? - Listener Bryan intends to practice law in Texas. Should Bryan apply to any out-of-state law schools? Ben and Nathan consider Bryan’s options and ask “What’s the deal with Tulane University School of Law?”
1:07:26 - GPA Addendum - The guys draft a short addendum for a listener whose university doesn’t award A+’s.
1:10:06 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Russell writes: “Trust the process. Slow down, read what it is saying, and find the answer that answers the question.”
1:11:56 - Word of the Week - Your old LSAT prep books might be offal.
Ben and Nathan aren’t impressed when you narrow an LSAT question down to two answer choices. This week, the guys discuss why those who conquer the LSAT don’t settle for fifty-fifty guesses. They also share common mistakes made by LSAT beginners, examine a troubling admissions practice, and weigh in on “Why X?” statements in law school applications.
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1:43 - Beginner LSAT Mistakes to Avoid - Nathan and Ben list some common mistakes made by beginner LSAT students. They encourage newcomers to focus on quality over quantity and to thoroughly review their mistakes.
9:53 - Confusing Answer Choices - The LSAT sometimes uses confusing language in the answer choices. Ben and Nathan suggest a backdoor approach to picking the correct answer: Refuse to pick a wrong one.
13:51 - Logical Reasoning: Flaw - The guys tackle a Flaw question from PrepTest 123. Try the question for yourself. Then listen to Ben and Nathan’s explanation.
35:06 - Getting Unstuck - An anonymous listener asks how to move forward when they’re stuck debating multiple answer choices. Nathan and Ben instruct Anonymous to reread the passage to discover the source of their misunderstanding.
45:06 - What’s the Deal with…? - The guys debut a new recurring segment by asking: “What’s the deal with the University of Washington Law School?” Listener Hannah unearths an admissions practice that some might call predatory.
1:03:01 - Canadian Law Schools - Listener Josh questions the importance of a high LSAT score for applicants to Canadian law schools.
1:06:09 - Target Schools - Ben and Nathan urge listener N not to limit their focus to a small list of regional target schools.
1:10:52 - Application Essays - Listener Josh relays some dubious advice regarding law school application essays.
1:16:19 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Leah says: “Keep drilling LR every spare minute. I drilled LR while walking the dog, on my lunch break, in line at Starbucks. If you have five minutes, try and do 2 LR questions.”
1:18:14 - Word of the Week - Extirpate gimmicks from your approach to the LSAT.
The best LSAT students make strong predictions before reading the answer choices, but they remain open to correct answers that don’t match their predictions. This week, Ben and Nathan outline their flexible approach to prediction. Later, the guys advise students to set aside plenty of time for reviewing mistakes. They also discuss the possibility of a more competitive law school application cycle. And they explain why it shouldn’t matter whether you take the LSAT at home or at a testing center.
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0:52 - A More Competitive Cycle?
LSAT registrations are up 18% compared to last year. Does that signal a more competitive admissions cycle?
5:37 - Make a Prediction
Nathan and Ben describe the process of predicting answers on the LSAT. Predict an answer, revise your prediction to fit the question, and remain open to other options when you read the answer choices.
15:35 - Study Schedule
Listener Cali worries that she spends too much time reviewing mistakes and not enough time drilling new questions. Ben and Nathan assure Cali that review is the most important part of LSAT prep.
27:48 - Remote vs. Testing Center
Should you take the LSAT at home or at a testing center? Nathan and Ben insist that the best LSAT students shouldn’t care where they take the test.
32:26 - Bar Passage Rates
Top law schools tend to have high bar passage rates. But as LSAT students know, correlation does not equal causation.
36:05 - LSAT Timeline
Ben and Nathan urge listener Connor to put off LSAT prep and focus on his undergraduate grades.
43:22 - FAFO
Don’t FAFO in your law school applications.The guys implore listener Brad to apply only with his best LSAT score.
52:08 - Tips from a Departing Demon
LSAT Demon student Camille says: “Please keep your faith in the process, and most importantly, yourself. Work hard, work smart, and keep pushing. You CAN do this.”
The LSAT tests three main things: reading comprehension, critical thinking, and work ethic. All of those are also crucial to success in law school. This week, Nathan and Ben discuss how LSAT prep goes hand in hand with law school prep. The guys also react to new restrictions on legacy admissions. They compare scholarship outcomes for full-time and part-time students. And they write the only LSAT addendum you’ll ever need.
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4:08 - Career Change - Ben and Nathan advise listener Shirley to do some research before she commits to a career change. The guys also recommend a consistent LSAT study schedule, and they press Shirley to aim for a score in the 160s or higher.
14:00 - Legacy Admissions - California recently became the fifth state to ban legacy and donor preferences in college admissions. Nathan and Ben are skeptical that the new law will have much of an effect.
20:55 - Score Variance - The guys assure listener Daniel that it’s perfectly normal to score in a ten-point range on practice tests.
23:44 - LSAT Addendum - Some law schools invite applicants to submit an addendum explaining any significant LSAT score increase. Ben and Nathan question schools’ motivation for soliciting this addendum.
33:56 - Law School Prep - Listener Jack is worried that a great LSAT score might oversell his ability to compete at a top law school. Nathan and Ben ease Jack’s concerns: LSAT prep is good law school prep.
43:02 - Apply in February? - Listener Jackson asks if applying as late as February would diminish his admissions chances. Ben and Nathan urge Jackson to apply next cycle.
47:52 - Scholarships for Part-Time Students - Law schools differ in how they award scholarships to part-time students. Applicants to part-time programs should check law schools’ ABA 509 reports before applying.
53:11 - Logical Reasoning: Conclusion - The guys tackle a Conclusion question from PrepTest 123. Try the question for yourself. Then, listen to Ben and Nathan’s explanation.
1:04:55 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Jimmy says: “You are going to hate the idea of slowing down to speed up. You are going to hate not finishing sections at times. However, it is Ben and Nathan's most important advice.”
1:09:59 - Word of the Week - Applying late in the cycle can be tantamount to applying with a lower LSAT score.
The most successful LSAT students are the ones who love the test—but finding that love can be challenging. This week, Ben and Erik discuss why positive self-talk is vital to your relationship with the LSAT. Later, the guys criticize law schools’ moratorium on AI use for applications. They explore possible causes of score variance. And they help a listener navigate family pressure to apply before they’re ready.
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5:35 - Learn to Love the LSAT - Listener Lani wants to love the LSAT, but she’s frustrated by her slow progress. Erik and Ben encourage Lani to adjust her mindset. They recommend a scaled-back study schedule that focuses on drilling instead of timed practice.
15:48 - AI and Applications - Law schools have taken different stances on whether applicants can use AI while preparing their applications.
25:06 - Losing Momentum - An anonymous listener worries that they’re losing momentum after a hot start to their LSAT journey. Ben and Erik assure Anon that progress is rarely linear.
31:15 - Score Variance - Erik and Ben explain what causes score variance and why it’s perfectly normal to score in a broad range.
36:36 - 20-Point Underperformance
An anonymous listener underperformed their practice tests by 20 points on the September LSAT. Ben and Erik try to figure out what went wrong.
41:00 - Family Pressure to Apply - An anonymous listener faces parental pressure to apply to law school this year, but they’d rather retake and apply next cycle. Erik and Ben invite Anonymous’s parents to visit lsat.link/parents to learn how they can support their child’s LSAT journey.
48:53 - URM Bump - It’s too early to know whether minority applicants will continue to receive a “URM bump” in law school admissions.
55:11 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon Josh says: “When reading the passage, I often look away from the text and think about what I just read.”
58:50 - Word of the Week - Thinking LSAT listeners are adroit at the LSAT.
Many LSAT students believe that taking notes is critical to active reading. Nathan and Ben disagree. This week, the guys encourage listeners to drop their note-taking crutches and to engage with the LSAT on a more immediate level. Later, they discuss one-on-one LSAT tutoring, score cancellation, and falling URM enrollment at Harvard Law School.
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1:31 - Downward Trend - Ben and Nathan provide a simple fix for falling scores: do fewer questions. The guys also instruct listener Nicole to avoid overanalyzing her performance on specific question types.
10:36 - Taking Notes - Nathan and Ben explain why note-taking can be counterproductive on the LSAT.
16:43 - Pearls vs. Turds - When taking practice tests, is it OK to flag questions to review later?
25:53 - One-on-One Tutoring - Ben and Nathan discuss what a focused and productive LSAT tutoring session looks like.
33:47 - Scheduling Your Attempts - When you’re happy with your practice test scores, take each successive LSAT until you’re happy with your official score. There’s no need to space out your official attempts.
46:16 - Undergraduate Transcripts - Listener Alex considers excluding a community college transcript from their law school applications. Nathan and Ben urge Alex to disclose all information required by the Credential Assembly Service.
52:07 - Score Cancellation - In almost all cases, Ben and Nathan advise students not to cancel an official LSAT score. But listener Emma might be the exception to the rule.
55:37 - URM Enrollment - The Harvard Crimson reports that enrollment of students of color has dropped eight percent at Harvard Law School.
1:00:13 - Word of the Week - Law schools often arrogate prestige.
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This podcast is fantastic. It keeps me literally "thinking LSAT" on my commute, so when I have time to study in the evening my brain is primed and ready to learn. I have learned so much from Nathan and Ben and definitely recommend the Demon if you are studying for the LSAT.
Hi Ben & Nathan, new listener here and enjoying your podcast so far. The piece you read towards the end of this episode of a woman's personal statement relating to a hockey game immediately bored me - her statement :/ not your comments. That's fine though because I wanted to share an article so I just looked that up, you may have seen it already, but it applies to your segment on student's inability to read or write... And when the time comes for me to write my own personal statement I'll send it in and let you destroy mine as well. Side note, my younger sister attended a high school in South Carolina (class if '09-'10) in which the proctors for their senior final exams had to read questions out loud for some students who couldn't read. I suppose the students only had to choose an 'A, B, C, D' answer so they had that much figured out. Many students over the years held protests over this issue, rightfully so. At least they didn't have the added hardships of dealing with bitter cold weat
Ask them what they want to with this degree...step back and really look in the mirror as to what their true passions are
I am incredibly grateful to this podcast! It is a hilarious podcast with lots of tough love, good advice, and interesting content. I greatly appreciate the honesty of Ben and Nathan. Thanks y'all for all you do.
this is very useful, and will benefit many people if they choose to listen.
i like