Archive for the ‘LSAT Resources’ Category
One of our most popular free tools is the free Virtual 4-Section LSAT Proctor and Timer and 5-Section LSAT Proctor and Timer. Students of our online course use them to take timed practice LSATs on their own. Since they're telling us that it's "useful as hell," "a brilliant idea," "SWEET!!!!!" - we thought we'd share the love. One of our students explains in detail why it's so helpful:
It's a great video for simulating actual testing conditions. It's really important to experience testing with a simulated proctor so you're not thrown off on the test day by a person announcing a five minute warning or by the lack of time between the first three sections. In a test that's as psychological as the LSAT, practicing dealing with those things is critical.
We agree.
You can conveniently download these video files as a small zip file, then play them on your computer. Or you can play them from this page here. Or you can download the app from the Apple App Store onto your iPhone.
4-Section LSAT Proctor and Timer:
5-Section LSAT Proctor and Timer:
You can also use this videos with the PrepTests that are included in our full online LSAT prep courses.
Study hard!
Free LSAT materials from the LSAC!
The LSAC, the makers of the LSAT, have provided a lot of good, free LSAT practice materials. But they're buried amidst a lot of dull administrative information, so I made a list of what you should read.
First, the LSAC provides general information about the LSAC. The best part about that page is the 19-minute video “About the LSAC”. I highly recommend it. It’s a great overview of the test, and it covers things that even many experienced students are unaware of.
Free Sample LSAT Explanations And Practice LSAT
Next, the LSAC provides sample questions for every section, along with explanations. These are a great orientation to the test, and it’s one of the few places where the LSAC provides *official* explanations for LSAT questions.
Lastly, the LSAC provides a full LSAT, for free. You can download and print the June 2007 LSAT. This was the first LSAT that used comparative reading. It’s a recent LSAT, and you should definitely take it before test day.
That’s about it. The sample questions I linked to can all be found on the LSAC’s prep materials page. Ignore the html versions of the sample questions and June 2007 test - they don't follow the regular format for LSAT questions.
There’s one more page you should read in full: Day Of The Test
It’s long, and a bit dull, but it’s extremely important. It tells you exactly what to bring and what not to bring on test day. Some highlights: No cellphones in the test center(!), only use wooden pencils, no rulers, no digital watches. Read the whole thing.
If you are enrolled in a full course you can use the Study Schedule Generator to make a study schedule customized to your needs.
Students often ask for LSAT study schedules, so we decided to release ours for free. It's based on problem sets and lessons from our online LSAT course.
This schedule is designed to be used 10 weeks before test day. This is the same schedule that our 7Sage Live! in person LSAT course uses. If you're studying with a bit more time or a bit less, don't worry. Just modify this schedule to go a bit faster or slower, and it will work just fine. There's considerable freedom with the 10 week schedule. It's a guideline. Many students skip around, focusing on just what they need to. Others do everything in it and then some. We want there to be flexibility with how you use this schedule so the curriculum is tailored to your needs specifically. To that end, our private tutors are here to help you make those decisions. Email J.Y. at jy@7sage.com to inquire more about private tutoring.
Start now with our 10 weeks day-by-day LSAT study schedule below!
Week 1
Monday, 9/24:
-Online Lectures at Home
-Watch all lessons in the Class "Introduction to Arguments." (1 hour 27 minutes)
-Watch all lessons in the Class "Main Point & Main Conclusion Questions." (1 hour 03 minutes)
-Watch all lessons in the Class "Grammar & Argument Part Questions." (1 hour 50 minutes)
-Online Lectures at Home
-Watch video explanations for questions from PrepTest 66 if you still don't understand after Blind ReviewTuesday, 9/25: 6pm-9pm
-Live! Class Meeting
-Complete Main Point & Main Conclusion Questions Problem Set 1 and check the answers.
-Complete Main Point & Main Conclusion Questions Problem Set 2 and check the answers.
-Complete Argument Part Questions Problem Set 1 and check the answers.
Wednesday, 9/26:
-Online Lectures at Home
-Watch all lessons in the Class "Most Strongly Supported Questions." (1 hour 11 minutes)
-Watch all lessons in the Class "Introduction to Logic." (3 hour 40 minutes)
Thursday, 9/27: 6pm-9pm
-Live! Class Meeting
-Complete Most Strongly Supported Questions Problem Set 1 and check the answers.
-Complete Most Strongly Supported Questions Problem Set 2 and check the answers.
-Complete Most Strongly Supported Questions Problem Set 3 and check the answers.
Friday, 9/28:
-Online Lectures at Home
-Watch all lessons in the Class "Assumptions & Weakening Questions." (2 hour 19 minutes)
-Watch all lessons in the Class "Strengthening Questions." (1 hour 15 minutes)
Saturday, 9/29: 10am-4pm
-Live! Class Meeting
-Complete Weaken Questions Problem Set 1 and check the answers.
-Complete Weaken Questions Problem Set 2 and check the answers.
-Complete Weaken Questions Problem Set 3 and check the answers.
-Complete Strengthen Questions Problem Set 1 and check the answers.
-Complete Strengthen Questions Problem Set 2 and check the answers.
Sunday, 9/30: Rest! Continue reading
LSAT proctors on test day are strict. They make you stop at 35 minutes, period. You get very little time between sections. You only get one break, after the third section.
Yet a lot of students practice with breaks between every section. They fill in answers past time. They give themselves liberties they won't get on test day.
When they write the actual LSAT, they're in for a shock. It's harder than the way they've been practicing.
Do yourself a favor, and take timed tests the right way, using official time. We've already made a virtual LSAT proctor which you can use for timed practice LSATs.
Now we've brought together a few more tools to help you practice accurately.
LSAT Proctor Instructions Video
Below you will hear us reading to you the official instructions given to LSAT proctors by the LSAC. This is what proctors use to run things on test day. Listen to these instructions being read aloud and you'll know exactly what is allowed and not allowed on test day. You might find it helpful to play them before taking a practice LSAT, and practice filling in the information on the scoresheet.
You don't need to do this every time, but doing it once will help give you a better idea what test day feels like.
For more useful tools, check out our free LSAT prep tools page.
Do you find it difficult to do LSATs under timed conditions on your own? Did you learn anything new in these LSAT proctor instructions? Let us know in the comments!
Here are our best LSAT Blog posts, all in one place.
Logic Games
Reading Comprehension
Logical Reasoning
- Blind Review - How to Review LSAT Questions
- Components of an LSAT Logical Reasoning Question
- 19 Common LSAT Argument Flaws
General LSAT Info and Tools
- Why You Must Skip (some) LSAT Questions
- Free LSAT Practice Materials
- Free LSAT Prep Tools
- LSAT Books
Prep for LSAT and increase your LSAT score with the latest LSAT prep test!
LSAT PrepTest 68 from the December 2012 administration is now available for purchase through an instant PDF download. In addition to the PDF, you will also get individual video explanations that cover every single question on the test.
The early bird 43% discount ($16.99) is on through Sunday. After that, the price goes back to $29.99. Purchase LSAT PrepTest 68 and all video explanations here.
Did you know that there's no such thing as a brand new Logic Game? It's true. Every LSAT Logic Games is only disguised to look like it is new when in fact, it is simply a reincarnation of older, existing Logic Games. Dwell on that for a second. That means you're never going to encounter a brand new Logic Game. That means every new LSAT PrepTest you take (including the one that actually counts) will have Games that you've pretty much have already seen before. Not exactly the same, but very similar. Isn't that awesome?
Think of it this way. Each Logic Game is a cookie. The LSAT's been baking for over 20 years and they've baked close to 300 cookies. But, back in the kitchen, there's actually only a few different cookie cutters that they use. Each cookie cutter cuts cookies that are very similar to the others cookies from the same cutter. So, a square cookie cutter will cut square cookies. All of these square cookies from the square cutter will resemble each other.
What does this mean for you?
You have to become acquainted with the cookie cutters (the Types of Logic Games) and not just the cookies (the Logic Games). Stop thinking that there's 300 different Logic Games. Instead, understand that there's only a few different types of Logic Games. Then, you have to get good at recognizing so called "new" games as old, familiar games. Old games that you've done already, games that you've already mastered through the Fool Proof Method.
You're probably thinking "How do I know which Games are similar to which other Games?" We're going to tell you. Right now, we are sorting all the Logic Games from LSAT PrepTest 20 (October 1996) - 68 (December 2012) into their Types (cookie cutters). We're publishing the results as they become available.
Below, you'll find the "In/Out" Game Type. If you're enrolled in our online course, you'll know that In/Out Games are the foundation of all Grouping Games (which is one of the two broad category of Logic Games, the other being Sequencing Games). In/Out Games are incredibly important to master. Here, we've sorted In/Out Games by similarity and difficulty.
How do I use this?
Look at the set below. Say you had trouble with the Logic Game 2 from LSAT PrepTest 33. You should do and redo (and redo and redo...) every Logic Game in its set (including itself), starting with the Games listed in its set. The ones listed in another set are less similar, though still quite similar because every Game on this page is an In/Out Game.
1. Print this list out and tape it to your wall. Games are displayed as LSAT PrepTest#.Game#.
Optional. Purchase the PDF with all the Games in the list (coming soon!)
2. Do these Game together in their set clusters using the Fool Proof Method.
3. Never miss a question on an In/Out Game again.
The Basic In/Out Games Set
PT33-Game2 | PT40-Game4 | PT45-Game3 | PT58-Game2
These are the "purest" In/Out Games. All the rules chain up very nicely. They require only an understanding of basic conditional logic.
The Basic+ In/Out Games Set
PT34-Game4 | PT41-Game3
Like the Games in the Basic group, these Games also have rules that chain up nicely. They are a little bit harder though. These Games are not immediately apparent as In/Out Games because the LSAT has disguised them.
The Easy In/Out Games Set
PT24-Game1 | PT29-Game1 | PT36-Game1 | PT48-Game1 | PT54-Game1
PT63-Game1
The Medium In/Out Games Set
PT20-Game2 | PT39-Game4 | PT47-Game2 | PT58-Game4 | PT59-Game3
The Difficult In/Out Games Set
PT31-Game2 | PT32-Game2 | PT49-Game3
These Games resemble each other less than the ones in the Basic Groups. Some of them require you to know Bi-Conditionals, De Morgan's Law, and some are also disguised. Some of these Games have fixed their slots some did not. You also need to be aware of when conditional rules trigger and when they become irrelevant.
The In/Out with Sub-Categories Games Set
PT24-Game4 | PT26-Game4 | PT33-Game3 | PT42-Game1 | PT50-Game2
PT65-Game3
These Games contain game pieces that fall into sub-categories. At first, they are challenging, but once you learn to recognize them and draw the game board correctly, they become manageable.
The In/Out with Sequencing Games Set
PT25-Game3 | PT30-Game2 | PT32-Game1 | PT40-Game2 | PT61-Game3
These Games require you to Sequence items within the In/Out groups. You should master Sequencing Games before attempting this set. Knowledge of Conditionals, Bi-Conditionals, De Morgan's Law are also required for some.
The Miscellaneous/Difficult In/Out Games Set
PT22-Game4 | PT23-Game2 | PT57-Game3
These Games are challenging and less similar to the other Games in the In/Out Games set.
Extended In/Out Games Set
PT33-Game2 | PT40-Game4 | PT45-Game3 | PT58-Game2 | PT34-Game4
PT41-Game3 | PT24-Game1 | PT29-Game1 | PT36-Game1 | PT48-Game1
PT54-Game1 | PT63-Game1 | PT20-Game2 | PT39-Game4 | PT47-Game2
PT58-Game4 | PT59-Game3 | PT31-Game2 | PT32-Game2 | PT49-Game3
PT24-Game4 | PT26-Game4 | PT33-Game3 | PT42-Game1 | PT50-Game2
PT65-Game3 | PT25-Game3 | PT30-Game2 | PT32-Game1 | PT40-Game2
PT61-Game3 | PT22-Game4 | PT23-Game2 | PT57-Game3
The LSAT is hard. There’s no getting around that. But it is a learnable test. If you know how to prepare for the LSAT, you can study for the LSAT and improve in a pretty dramatic way. Study hard and study right, and you will get better at the LSAT. There are three things you need to do to get a great LSAT score.
1. Master grammar and logic
The LSAT is a test of grammar and logic. Read that again. If you get good at grammar and logic, you get good at the LSAT.
Grammar? Yes, really. Grammar. Grammar is the law of language. The language used in the LSAT is intentionally confusing, yet precise. The LSAT tests your ability to parse and decipher complicated sentences. Sentences with triple negatives, referential phrases, and clauses within clauses.
Let this sentence be a warning if you never thought that a lack of grammar analysis abilities impacts how many students do on the LSAT in a negative manner or if you don’t find yourself seeing that it’s not unclear from this sentence that it actually has such an effect.
After reading, you need logic. Once you actually understand what the questions and answers say, you have to understand how the logic plays out. Concepts like validity, conditional statements, and premises should be near and dear to your heart.
How do you get good at logic? For starters, try to take courses like Introduction to Logic, or Formal Logic in undergrad. But really, a good LSAT prep course will teach you all the logic you need for the LSAT. If they don’t teach you logic, then they’re robbing you blind.
2. Practice until you want to stab your eyes out with a No. 2 pencil
Take as many real, timed, LSAT PrepTests as possible. There are enough old LSATs (over 70) available that you will lose all your friends before you finish all of them.
Take only real LSATs. Most LSAT books that you see in the bookstore do not use real LSATs. They make up their own questions to avoid licensing fees. Made up LSATs are a complete waste of time. Stay the hell away. The whole point of practicing is to get good at doing the LSAT, not Honest Sal’s LSAT-like Test.
3. Review your answers
So once you finished a practice exam, what’s the first thing you do? You check the answers and grade your test right? No, wrong.
You should do something we call “Blind Review”. When you take the practice tests, you circle every question you are unsure about. After the test is over, go through every one of those questions and take however long you need to on the question – without looking at the answer. Then when you mark your test you will have two scores. Your real score, and your blind review score. If your blind review score is low, then you need to work on your grammar and logic. If your blind review score is high, then you need to work on your speed.
This is a powerful way of learning that only works when you haven’t peeked at the credited answer!
What now?
So now you know the three things you need to do in order to do well on the LSAT. If you want to test the waters, sign up for a free trial. If you're ready to dive in now, register for the best and most affordable online LSAT Prep course you can get.
What are you waiting for? Jump in, beat the LSAT, go to law school and become a lawyer.
Nearly all LSAT experts agree that reading outside articles is helpful as prep for LSAT. In this lesson, I want to show you how to improve your LSAT score by doing that. Let's read this very interesting article from the Economist together. It's less than 400 words and it's about attractive women.
Article summary
First, we're told that the conventional wisdom/hypothesis holds that attractive women should get ahead in the workplace. Why? Because people project positive attributes like sensitivity and poise onto them. Indeed, this conventional hypothesis is backed up with empirical evidence in the form of studies that show that attractive women are promoted more often.
Naturally, we think that this same advantage attractive women have in securing promotions would be present in securing job interviews, no?
As it turns out, new research reveals otherwise. The new empirical evidence suggests that attractive women who applied to jobs with a photo had to apply to an average of 11 jobs for every one interview offer. Contrast this with the exact same applicant who applied without a photo who only needed to apply to an average of 7 jobs to get an interview offer.
What's going on?
A new hypothesis is submitted: The dumb blonde hypothesis. People must think that prettier women are dumber. But, this hypothesis is immediately shut down. Prior to the study, these photos were rated on perceived intelligence and attractiveness and no correlation was found.
A better hypothesis is submitted: The jealousy hypothesis. 93% of Human Resources departments are women and they are the gatekeepers to interviews. They are discriminating against attractive female applicants.
Isn't this fascinating? Okay, but more to the point, from this passage, we can build many Logical Reasoning questions. Some of you seasoned LSAT students probably already sense an LR question looming on the horizon. That's a good sign!
Resolve-Reconcile-Explain question
RRE questions commonly introduce two seemingly conflicting ideas. The two ideas could be hypotheses, phenomena, or data. To build a RRE question out of this article, the passage would read:
It is generally accepted that attractive women get promoted more often but a new study finds that attractive women who submit photos with their applications to new jobs have less than half the interview rate than the same candidate who does not submit a photo.
Which one of the following, if true, would best resolve the apparent discrepancy above?
Within the article, we can find two resolutions (i.e., correct answer choices). First, we can say that people tend to think that prettier women are dumber. Second, we can say that employees who are gatekeepers to interviews are mostly women and women tend to be jealous of other beautiful women.
Weakening question
To make a Weakening question, we simply have to move some pieces around. The stimulus would read:
A new study finds that attractive women who submit photos with their applications to new jobs have less than half the interview rate than the same candidate who does not submit a photo. This shows that people generally think that prettier women are dumber.
Which one of the following, if true, would best weaken the argument above?
Within the article, we can find two answers. First, we can say that these photos were previously rated on perceived intelligence and attractiveness and no correlation was found. Second, we can offer an alternative hypothesis that says employees who are gatekeepers to interviews are mostly women and women tend to be jealous of other beautiful women.
See if you can build your own Strengthening, Descriptive Weakening, Weakening, or Resolve-Reconcile-Explain questions.
Or check out other Economist articles. Their science articles are written like LSAT questions.
When are LSAT scores actually released?
Almost always before the scheduled release date. Below, I'm listing the scheduled release dates v. actual release dates (for the past couple of years) to give you a sense of when you can expect to get your LSAT score back from the June 2013 LSAT. But, before that, here are some interesting
Summary Statistics
Average release date: -3.7 days (before scheduled date)
Average release date for June only: -3.2 days (before scheduled date)
Since the LSAC scheduled the score release for July 5, you can expect your June score either on July 2 or July 3.
Scheduled Score Release Dates v. Actual Score Release Dates
| Test date | Scheduled | Actual | Difference | Days after test |
| Jun 10, 2013 | Jul 5, 2013 | Jul 1, 2013 | -4 | 21 |
| Feb 9, 2013 | Mar 6, 2013 | Mar 6, 2013 | 0 | 25 |
| Dec 1, 2012 | Jan 4, 2013 | Jan 2, 2013 | -2 | 32 |
| Oct 6, 2012 | Oct 31, 2012 | Nov 1, 2012 | 1 | 26 |
| Jun 11, 2012 | Jul 6, 2012 | Jul 2, 2012 | -4 | 21 |
| Feb 11, 2012 | Mar 7, 2012 | Mar 6, 2012 | -1 | 24 |
| Dec 3, 2011 | Jan 6, 2012 | Jan 4, 2012 | -2 | 32 |
| Oct 1, 2011 | Oct 26, 2011 | Oct 24, 2011 | -2 | 23 |
| Jun 6, 2011 | Jun 29, 2011 | Jun 27, 2011 | -2 | 21 |
| Feb 12, 2011 | Mar 7, 2011 | Mar 4, 2011 | -3 | 20 |
| Dec 11, 2010 | Jan 10, 2011 | Jan 6, 2011 | -4 | 26 |
| Oct 9, 2010 | Nov 1, 2010 | Oct 30, 2010 | -2 | 21 |
| Jun 7, 2010 | Jun 28, 2010 | Jun 25, 2010 | -3 | 18 |