Which Book to get for "early" prep? Forum

[pkrtbx]

I am a rising junior and planning on taking the LSAT in June '11. I am studying abroad this fall and will be taking 18+ credits in the spring, so I want to get some foundation for the LSAT before March/April of next year because coursework is usually crushing about that time.

I am naturally really good at RC and alright with LR; I'm mostly worried about LG. Ideally, I want to do a few logic games a day and have a book that will explain to me the different types of games and their respective strategies so that the process is second nature by the time I get into PTs. I'm thinking I will do this until December, do some one-on-one LSAT tutoring during winter break, and then shift back into low gear until about April, when I'd launch into practice tests.

From what I've read, PowerScore LG Bible is the most helpful, but I don't want to get it now if the problems in there are going to be really important for my studying during the home stretch. Are there any other books that will allow me to practice without exposing me to the best practice questions too soon, or should I get the LG Bible now?

[HiLine]

From what I've read, PowerScore LG Bible is the most helpful, but I don't want to get it now if the problems in there are going to be really important for my studying during the home stretch. Are there any other books that will allow me to practice without exposing me to the best practice questions too soon, or should I get the LG Bible now?

252 official logic games in total have been released. I don't think you'll miss much by getting exposed to just a few of them in a book. There always have to be some games sacrificed for the sake of understanding question types and learning effective approaches. You should redo games at some point in your prep schedule anyway. And you don't want to practice with fake questions.

Other books will provide you with fake examples or different techniques or both and I'm not sure if you want either of those.

[pkpop]

From what I've read, PowerScore LG Bible is the most helpful, but I don't want to get it now if the problems in there are going to be really important for my studying during the home stretch. Are there any other books that will allow me to practice without exposing me to the best practice questions too soon, or should I get the LG Bible now?

252 official logic games in total have been released. I don't think you'll miss much by getting exposed to just a few of them in a book. There always have to be some games sacrificed for the sake of understanding question types and learning effective approaches. You should redo games at some point in your prep schedule anyway. And you don't want to practice with fake questions.

Other books will provide you with fake examples or different techniques or both and I'm not sure if you want either of those.

+1

At MOST there are just 5 games in a specific classification ( I think the Basic Linear and Grouping there are 5 and for advanced linear, there are 3.) with very detailed examples explaining each game. I've found it very useful when I was starting out in LG to complete those and go through how the book breaks down each type - especially if you think LG will be your weakest section. They don't use any game since test 51 ( at least in the edition I have), and there are only 2 of them. I'd say start with the bible and sort out older tests to drill yourself on the different game types. Work your up from there. Good luck.

[glucose101]

Agreed.

I don't understand why people think the LGB has A LOT of previously-administered exams. It doesn't. It only has a handful. In those handful, you're learning how to approach the games anyhow, so it's beneficial.

[Unshake]

I was in your situation not too long ago. I chose rather than study LSAT specific materials, to do other things (like Ken Ken puzzles, read an informal logic book by Walton, and other activities like generally reading more). I don't regret it but only because I have lots of prep time now. Not sure if this is entirely applicable, but just thought I'd share my opinion.

[LSAT Blog]

If you get the older version of the LGB (2003 edition), you'll expose yourself to fewer games from recent exams. (Alternatively, you can get the newer edition and just skip any game from ~2004 onwards.)

For early LR prep, I love A Rulebook for Arguments.