How did students pre-1991 study? Forum

[Dr. Dre]

We have LSAC's preptests, companies like BP, MLSAT, PS, and we have TLS.

But what did the ancients have, pre-1991?

How did they study? What materials did they use? What prep companies were around back in those ancient LSAT days?

[guano]

We have LSAC's preptests, companies like BP, MLSAT, PS, and we have TLS.

But what did the ancients have, pre-1991?

How did they study? What materials did they use? What prep companies were around back in those ancient LSAT days?

LSAT was a lot less important in those days

[Trajectory]

Interesting question. Have you looked at some of those old tests? I found something awhile ago with a few, or maybe it was one, old test...pretty crazy. Nothing like the LSAT now. I felt glad I am taking it now, not then. Although it could be just looks and very well be easier. To me it didnt seem like it. I dont know how they would have studied for that...

[Dr. Dre]

Can you send me a link to where I can purchase LSAT's pre-1991?

[RhymesLikeDimes]

In the early days, I don't think schools gave it a whole lot of thought. By the time it was taken seriously, I would imagine that a fair number of PTs/prep-courses were made available.

[guano]

Interesting question. Have you looked at some of those old tests? I found something awhile ago with a few, or maybe it was one, old test...pretty crazy. Nothing like the LSAT now. I felt glad I am taking it now, not then. Although it could be just looks and very well be easier. To me it didnt seem like it. I dont know how they would have studied for that...

You have to keep in mind that the rise in prevalence of standardized tests came hand in hand with a rise in applicants, and it became an easy way for adcoms to reduce their workload.
Used to be that the hardest part of matriculating even top schools was being able to afford the tuition. But when, say, HLS gets 10 applications for every seat (15 at Yale), it becomes an easy way to both cut the size of the stack and to discourage many potential applicants who are unlikely to be accepted (how many potential students are discouraged from applying because their score is too low?)

[Cambridge LSAT]

Can you send me a link to where I can purchase LSAT's pre-1991?

Be prepared to shell out some coin:
The Official LSAT PrepKit
The Official LSAT Sample Test Book

[chadbrochill]

I did an alumni-interview with a 99th percentile scorer in the mid-80's. He said he listened to a cassette tape and did a few practice problems before taking the test. A total of ~3 hours of prep.

He acknowledged the amount people prepare nowadays is way more, but its just an arms race to keep up with the status quo and be competitive amongst applicants.

[Dr. Dre]

Can you send me a link to where I can purchase LSAT's pre-1991?

Be prepared to shell out some coin:
The Official LSAT PrepKit
The Official LSAT Sample Test Book

damn that's a lot.

do you know how the prep companies get their hands on them?

The PS LG bible always talked about the games in the 80s.

[Cambridge LSAT]

Robin took the test in '88, so he probably had the old materials. Since he and Dave (PS) used to be on the same team, that would explain the LG Bible's discussions of old games. Otherwise, prep companies nowadays don't have any special access to the old test content to my knowledge.

[Dr. Dre]

Oh ok.

All this studying has made me very curious about the old tests.