What are the best LSAT prep books and courses? Forum

[YankeesFever14]

Hi I'm fairly new to these forums and have only been browsing them for roughly 2 weeks. After 2 years of undergrad and a lot of thinking I've decided that I want to attend law school. Since I'll be starting my junior year in the fall. From what I've gathered ideally by the fall of my senior year is when I should start sending my applications to law schools. I realize that I'm a bit late into the whole LSAT prep process, but I'm aiming to take my first LSAT in February of 2011 followed by taking it again in June of 2011. So what that being said, I was just wondering if there was a general book or course that everyone recommends to prepare for the LSAT.

I know someone will probably point out the search feature on the forums or tell me to google search my question but I would prefer to get as many responses in this one thread as opposed to searching a forum that's probably been around for a couple of years and skimming through dozens of threads just like mine, while trying to find an answer that appears in the majority of threads. I would also hate to google search my question and go to a site were the majority of people have no clue what they were talking about(from what I could gather there seem to be quite a few people here who could actually provide helpful insight)

[romothesavior]

Hi I'm fairly new to these forums and have only been browsing them for roughly 2 weeks. After 2 years of undergrad and a lot of thinking I've decided that I want to attend law school. Since I'll be starting my junior year in the fall. From what I've gathered ideally by the fall of my senior year is when I should start sending my applications to law schools. I realize that I'm a bit late into the whole LSAT prep process, but I'm aiming to take my first LSAT in February of 2011 followed by taking it again in June of 2011. So what that being said, I was just wondering if there was a general book or course that everyone recommends to prepare for the LSAT.

I know someone will probably point out the search feature on the forums or tell me to google search my question but I would prefer to get as many responses in this one thread as opposed to searching a forum that's probably been around for a couple of years and skimming through dozens of threads just like mine, while trying to find an answer that appears in the majority of threads. I would also hate to google search my question and go to a site were the majority of people have no clue what they were talking about(from what I could gather there seem to be quite a few people here who could actually provide helpful insight)

Most people will probably tell you to go to the LSAT prep forum and follow the advice there. Pithypike's guide is especially good, I would search for it in the forum search and read it.

The absolute essentials to any LSAT prep would be:
-The Powerscore Bibles (especially the logic games one)
-Plenty of practice tests

From there, you can customize your own studies accordingly.

Most people will tell you not to take a class because it is a waste of money, but I personally benefited from one. My score went up 6 points after taking a Kaplan class. Kaplan isn't the most popular on here (I really don't understand why), but I found it to be helpful and thought their materials were excellent (especially their Mastery Guide).

[romothesavior]

Also, why are you aiming to take the test in February and June of next year? When are you planning to apply?

My advice: do NOT take the February exam if you can help it. It is non-disclosed, which means you'll never know what questions you missed and why. Not being able to re-read and analyze your exam for a potential June re-take would suck, because you would have no idea what you did wrong on the real test under real conditions. I'd go for a June first take and a September re-take.

[YankeesFever14]

Also, why are you aiming to take the test in February and June of next year? When are you planning to apply?

My advice: do NOT take the February exam if you can help it. It is non-disclosed, which means you'll never know what questions you missed and why. Not being able to re-read and analyze your exam for a potential June re-take would suck, because you would have no idea what you did wrong on the real test under real conditions. I'd go for a June first take and a September re-take.

I was planning on taking the Feb and June test because I wanted to start sending out applications by October of 2011. I'm graduating in 2012, and I've read on this site how important it is to send out your application as early as possible.

I really appreciate the advice. I wasn't aware that the February exam is non-disclosed. I wanted to take the test a few months apart because had I not reached my goal in February, I would have wanted ample time to prepare for the June exam.

[romothesavior]

Also, why are you aiming to take the test in February and June of next year? When are you planning to apply?

My advice: do NOT take the February exam if you can help it. It is non-disclosed, which means you'll never know what questions you missed and why. Not being able to re-read and analyze your exam for a potential June re-take would suck, because you would have no idea what you did wrong on the real test under real conditions. I'd go for a June first take and a September re-take.

I was planning on taking the Feb and June test because I wanted to start sending out applications by October of 2011. I'm graduating in 2012, and I've read on this site how important it is to send out your application as early as possible.

I really appreciate the advice. I wasn't aware that the February exam is non-disclosed. I wanted to take the test a few months apart because had I not reached my goal in February, I would have wanted ample time to prepare for the June exam.

June/Sept will give you plenty of time. You will get your September exam back with plenty of time to EA/ED and you will be among the first batches of applications that adcomms with rolling admissions review.

[ck3]

I have taken the Princeton Review course and I would recommend it. However, it is expensive and I can't compare it to others because I haven't taken any other course. I have reviewed some of the Powerscore Logic Games Bible and so far I conclude that Princeton Review is just as good. A lot of the methods of diagramming games and clues are similar. There are circumstances when they differ that I favor the Princeton Review notation method but that is a personal preference.

[JasonR]

I realize that I'm a bit late into the whole LSAT prep process

Jesus Christ, you're many months away from being "a bit late."

[LSAT Blog]

Kaplan isn't the most popular on here (I really don't understand why), but I found it to be helpful and thought their materials were excellent (especially their Mastery Guide).

Their Mastery Practice book is very useful since it groups questions together by type. However, I personally prefer the way the Traciela Grouped by Type books categorize things (especially since the Mastery Practice book doesn't distinguish between Necessary Assumptions and Sufficient Assumptions.)

The Endurance Practice book is also good, but I wish it didn't use sections from really old PrepTests for the 5th "experimental" section in each exam.

-Steve

[jeremydc]

I think you have a lot of time, I am planning on taking the feb lsat as well but most say itsa bad because you cant see your score(what you got wrong)?

I am actually graduating next Fall so that means I will send out my LSAT scores from Feb next sept (or however early each school allows)

Taking the Feb would be ideal because If I dont get a 170 in feb, itll give me more time to restudy for next june.

[rachelst]

To anybody looking to receive tutoring from Get Prepped: DO NOT UTILIZE THEIR SERVICES! Their refund policy (or lack thereof) is terrible. I received the same score after paying $1200 for private tutoring and was screwed over when I asked for a partial refund. Other companies have clearly outlined their financial compensation or classroom compensation for not receiving a higher score, but their policy for tutoring is basically "TBD." I don't want to throw my tutor under the bus because he was very helpful and my practice scores improved by around 12 points, but if you're looking to get LSAT tutoring, GO WITH ANOTHER TEST PREP COMPANY!

[Mchele2468]

I took ScoreitUp in Irvine, CA for the June 2012 LSAT and it did wonders for me. I reached all my admissions and scholarship goals as well as a 15 point increase in my LSAT score. What I valued the most from the course was that the Professor was always an email or phone call away and I was never left wondering about the answer to any question. I would definitely take advantage of it because he invests a lot of time outside of class helping his students which was almost equivalent to getting a private tutor. He really cares about his students and is passionate about teaching. I heard that the course is now offered online as well so it would be well worth looking into regardless of your geographic location. I made the drive of about 40 miles each way and it definitely paid off for me.

[suralin]

Huge necro.