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LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:59 am
by Lsataddict175
For those that read both books, which one do you feel helped you more for the LR portion of the exam?

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 11:13 am
by Colgate87
Many people suggested that I buy both. I am two chapters away from finishing Manhattan LR guide, and I can say that it has been a huge help. I just started the LSAT Trainer two days ago. So far I find it to be a good source for LR. It really zones in on teaching "how to find flaws" which they say is the key to doing well on the LR sections. I also was told that the Trainer's approach to teaching RC is very good as well. I would say give them both a shot, I don't think it can hurt.

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 11:00 pm
by Lsataddict175
bump

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 11:43 pm
by DEO3029
Trainer then Manhattan would be my recommendation...starting with the trainer for LR is definitely the way to go ...then if the manhattan book can help you pick up even 1-2 extra points, it will be more than worth the expenditure...also using the manhattan forums when reviewing can be really helpful (the forums are free but they deserve your $ from the book for making such a great resource free)

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 11:50 pm
by blackbirdfly
The creator of the LSAT Trainer authored a good amount of Manhattan LR, so you can't go wrong either way. I would use both.

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 11:53 pm
by lsat_hopeful
Hey Lsataddict175,

I have both books, but tbh didn't get to finish all the LR sections in The Trainer (and thus, can't provide a strong comparison between the two). I found the MLSAT LR book very helpful - like many other TLSers, my score increased from about -10 to at worst -5/4 in an LR section. If you want to get an idea for how effective the Trainer is, I would suggest taking a few minutes to read over posts in Mike Kim's (author of LSAT Trainer) Q&A (link: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6&t=209573).

I think many people are comfortable with MLSAT LR since it's been around and has been established as a useful and effective guide for improving LR. I also believe that people have found LSAT Trainer to be very helpful, but because it is relatively new it may be the case that it is more difficult to find people who have used both and can thus give an accurate comparison of the two.

These links may be helpful as well:
Amazon reviews for the LSAT Trainer: http://www.amazon.com/The-LSAT-Trainer- ... 0989081508
Free chapters from LSAT Trainer: http://www.thelsattrainer.com/free-chapters
Free preview of MLSAT LR strategy guide: http://www.manhattanlsat.com/lsat-books.cfm

TLDR: If you want to play it safe, MLSAT LR has been established as a useful and effective guide for improving your score. If you are open to try other methods and possibly have the luxury of time and/or money on your side, you can try LSAT Trainer, see how you do and if you are not where you want to be by the end of that, you can buy MLSAT LR as a supplement.

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2014 11:02 am
by englandco
I've used both. I would say that the Trainer takes a broader point of view at first (i.e., telling you what common logical flaws are), and then narrows the scope (by question type), whereas MLSAT's book goes question type by question type.

I would do Trainer first and then MLSAT. Both are great.

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:08 pm
by paully
Stick with manhattan. I've been trying to do some review with the Trainer, and I just don't like it. It's superfluous, and not organized in a way that practically benefits studying for this exam.

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2014 11:07 pm
by withoutapaddle
Trainer + Bibles+ At least 30 PT's - RC Bible = Golden

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 4:06 pm
by Louis1127
I personally like the Trainer more because Manhattan seems to require me to keep more of the stimulus in my head, and I think the LSAT Trainer combats that by showing students to focuses on what's wrong with arguments. Just my opinion.

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 7:17 pm
by Nonconsecutive
I used both, and recommend both.

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 7:32 pm
by ket310
I would recommend look at trainer first, and then manhattan.
I did it the reverse way, but I think this way is better. Trainer is more of forest (although it goes over tree as well), as opposed to manhattan is more tree. So if you look at the forest first, and then dig deep into the tress, you'll be set. If you have to pick one (due to time limit, otherwise go over both), I recommend Trainer more.

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 8:53 pm
by ilikebaseball
Is this the LSAT trainer? I just wanna be sure before I make the investment

http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-LSAT-Traine ... 461d121c5d

I'm convinced by everyone here that it is simply of much more use then the bible

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 8:57 pm
by WaltGrace83
Louis1127 wrote:I personally like the Trainer more because Manhattan seems to require me to keep more of the stimulus in my head, and I think the LSAT Trainer combats that by showing students to focuses on what's wrong with arguments. Just my opinion.
???

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 8:59 pm
by ilikebaseball
If I was to buy a book right now to make the most significant impact (keep in mind im almost done with the bible and havent even tested to see my new results) which would I buy? I was at -12 for both combined. So I'm sure its a little less with the bible. But which should i get? This is for the september lsat so i gotta get it in and go lol

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 9:01 pm
by jk148706
Both were invaluable for me

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 9:02 pm
by ilikebaseball
jk148706 wrote:Both were invaluable for me
haha thats everyones answer...

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 9:07 pm
by MadwomanintheAttic
I would use MLSAT and drill. A lot. I didn't like how the trainer was organized and I felt MLSAT, since it's a dedicated LR book is able to go more in depth and offer more examples than the Trainer. MLSAT's LR Guide is 560 pages of straight LR while the Trainer is 600 pages covering all sections. Both are quality books, but I think if you want LR help I would invest in MLSAT—a dedicated LR guide full of in depth breakdowns of each problem type.

Re: LSAT Trainer vs. Manhattan for LR

Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 9:12 pm
by ilikebaseball
I just put my order in for the MLSAT... I hope you guys are right. It seems to me that its a win-win with them.