Is a 5-point increase on the LSAT worth $10,000 to you? Forum

[LSAT Blog]

Above The Law just reported that someone on craigslist (LinkRemoved) is looking to pay a tutor $10,000 to boost their LSAT score from 155 (on practice tests) to 160+.

What would you do for 5 more points? Would you pay $10,000 for that kind of increase? Elie seemed rather dismissive of the idea, but he's also dismissive of the idea of going to law school in general.

(Also, I don't appreciate the fact that he referred to personal LSAT tutors as "nimrods." )

[ThreeRivers]

5 points no... I'd pay 10 k if I was guranteed 10 points on real LSAT nfp in a second lol

[birdlaw117]

I mean, from a purely cost-benefit perspective, the 5 point increase would likely net more than a $10,000 scholarship increase at any given school. So I suppose it isn't actually as crazy as it seems?

I don't know, I still wouldn't do it. But that probably has more to do with having an attitude that I could do it by myself through hard work rather than it actually being a poor investment decision.

[CanadianWolf]

Depends upon the starting score whether or not a 5 point increase is worth this sum. For example, an increase from a 162 to a 167 may yield a $140,000 scholarship offer from Indiana based on offers made last cycle whereas an increase from a 153 to a 158 is unlikely to yield worthwhile results.

An increase from a 169 to a 174 should yield valuable options among the nation's highest ranked law schools.

[freestallion]

If I was GUARANTEED an increase from my current 173 to a 178, hell yeah I would do it. That would probably get me into at least one of HYS which would totally be worth it for my long term career. OR it might give me a shot at a full ride from CCN.

No such luck now

[CanadianWolf]

A more interesting offer structure might pay an amount per point increase above 3 points higher since a three point range is assumed to be within one's testing range. For example, the anxious applicant might have offered zero payment for an increase of one to three LSAT points, $2,000 for the fourth point increase & increase the payment by $2,000 for each point increase above a three point increase.

[annyong]

Better question: How can I get a job as that tutor?

[CanadianWolf]

Advertise.

[xmrmckenziex]

I mean, from a purely cost-benefit perspective, the 5 point increase would likely net more than a $10,000 scholarship increase at any given school. So I suppose it isn't actually as crazy as it seems?

I don't know, I still wouldn't do it. But that probably has more to do with having an attitude that I could do it by myself through hard work rather than it actually being a poor investment decision.

Opportunity cost FTW.

[rabbitrun]

Yeah... I don't see that guy gaining 5 more points. In his craigslist post he says, " I have taken the Testmasters LSAT Prep Course twice; have the Powerscore, Kaplan, Blueprint, and LSAC LSAT books. I have also had a private tutor every weekend for 3 months and still was not able to achieve above a 155."
I don't know how having, "personal tutor with him everyday 6-8 hours a day for the next 45 days, training him on the LSAT" is going to help him. He needs to move on with his life

[bk641]

i wish i could tutor this person.

[bartleby]

Yeah... I don't see that guy gaining 5 more points. In his craigslist post he says, " I have taken the Testmasters LSAT Prep Course twice; have the Powerscore, Kaplan, Blueprint, and LSAC LSAT books. I have also had a private tutor every weekend for 3 months and still was not able to achieve above a 155."
I don't know how having, "personal tutor with him everyday 6-8 hours a day for the next 45 days, training him on the LSAT" is going to help him. He needs to move on with his life

wow, if that's true, i respect the guy for his determination. random big fish quote: there's a time when a man needs to fight, and a time when he needs to accept that his destiny is lost, the ship has sailed and only a fool would continue

[Jeffort]

The ad is a hoax attempting to agitate and troll some students and people that provide commercial LSAT prep services/tutoring.

For now I rank it #1 as the best single-post troll/flame/meme, incite and get people all around the internet to talk about it anonymous LSAT prep post this cycle.

[Bernie]

(Also, I don't appreciate the fact that he referred to personal LSAT tutors as "nimrods." )

I do not think it means what you think it means:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nimrod

[LSAT Blog]

(Also, I don't appreciate the fact that he referred to personal LSAT tutors as "nimrods." )

I do not think it means what you think it means:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nimrod

I doubt he was describing personal LSAT tutors as being "skillful hunters."

The word has multiple meanings, but if you want to take it as a compliment, be my guest.

See http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/nimrod#Noun

(chiefly US, informal, pejorative) A silly or foolish person; An idiot.

Don't stick your fingers in the fan, you nimrod.

Synonyms: (pejorative term meaning idiot): doofus, fathead, lamebrain, numbskull

[AriGoldButNicer]

How do you know this guy is legit?

I've found a pretty large correlation between GPA and how easy it is for someone to improve. Splitters are rare because most 3.0's just don't study that much, and most 4.0's take academic ventures more seriously. I'm only speaking about current students who study for the LSAT.

[AriGoldButNicer]

If this guy is real, it would definitely be fascinating to basically live with someone prepping for the LSAT. At least, s/he is serious, which is something you can't say about most people who get private tutoring.

I got this offer:

"I'm looking to be an LSAT tutor. I'm willing to pay for one lesson if you guarantee me a 170."
"Where are you starting?"
"Got a 138 in June"
"And your goals to be a tutor?
"Yes, I know I can do it. Just have 3-4 questions."

[Addicted to LSAT]

Doesn't sound like that great a deal for the tutor. That's what about $30/hr? I guess the guaranteed work is nice but it sounds like your student would be a real handful!

[john1990]

I'm scoring a 166-167 so yes i would pay $10,000 to up that to a 171-172. Even with my 3.26 i could probably get into an Ivy league
btw RC ftl

[john1990]

Doesn't sound like that great a deal for the tutor. That's what about $30/hr? I guess the guaranteed work is nice but it sounds like your student would be a real handful!

seriously how hard could it be haha if you do it quickly you can make a lot more than $30/hr Im scoring a 166-167 and i never studied more than 200 hours total, it couldnt take him 333hours

[CanadianWolf]

Based on the details in the Craigslist ad, the hourly pay is slightly above $27 an hour for 8 hours daily for 45 days, or about $37 an hour for 6 hours daily for 45 days. And, of course, the pay could be $0 per hour if he scores below 160.

[john1990]

Based on the details in the Craigslist ad, the hourly pay is between $27 an hour for 8 hours daily for 45 days, or about $37 an hour for 6 hours daily for 45 days.

That's ridiculous i hope anyone who puts in half that amount of time gets above a 160

[CanadianWolf]

Apparently, he has already put in more time than that since he has taken & presumably completed Testmasters LSAT prep course twice.

P.S. Did the ad specify payment in U.S. dollars ?

[KevinP]

In my opinion, the time invested for having a shot at 10k isn't worth the risk involved especially since this person might not score at least 160.

[JamMasterJ]

yes. 5 points could mean tons of money at a school that a previous score couldn't even get sticker acceptance to