LR - Powerscore vs Manhattan Forum

MAPP · Post by **MAPP** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 5:18 pm

I worked through most of the powerscore LR bible over the summer and it was a little confusing and in some cases didn't explain certain question types very well. I've seen some people say the Manhattan LR book is better? Can anyone confirm this? Are the two books that different when it comes to LR?

Also, how much improvement comes from taking PTs versus going through prep books? I haven't taken any PTs yet, but was wondering if things become clearer and easier taking PTs vs. spending more time in prep books?

Phoenix97 · Post by **Phoenix97** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 9:52 pm

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kcho10 · Post by **kcho10** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:21 am

I agree. I got Powerscore originally because it was really hyped up by all the articles I read, but I was extremely disappointed. Studied hard for a while and saw very minimal improvement, and a lot of the question type explanations weren't enlightening (i.e. "strengthen questions will strengthen the argument")

I studied sporadically switching from Kaplan to Manhattan whenever certain question types didn't click, and they both were much more helpful to me.

And yes, i would say improvement comes after PTs or at least individual question practice, which is when you really start to understand the concepts and skills necessary for the test

ThePiedPiper · Post by **ThePiedPiper** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:24 am

I think the Manhattan books are better. The Manhattan Series is much more engaging. I found the Powerscore series to be very dense and dry and didn't engage me as much. I like Manhattan explanations as well.

MAPP · Post by **MAPP** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 1:52 pm

This is a relief to hear, I was originally planning on going back and working through the powerscore LR book again but I think I'll just buy the Manhattan book. Do you recommend the Manhattan lsat trainer or just the Manhattan book focusing on LR?

brief_little_candle · Post by **brief_little_candle** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 1:54 pm

i think the manhattan 10 tests group questions covers the 10 tests not published by lsac.

also the online manhattan forum is pretty good, where you can see arguments by different people

brief_little_candle · Post by **brief_little_candle** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 1:57 pm

also, after you get familiar with LR question types, you should start to drill on these 50+ pt with limited time. they are quite different from the old one and you really need to work on speed and accuracy.

i drilled my green book at least three times before i took the october one.

MAPP · Post by **MAPP** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 11:55 am

So no preference over the lsat Trainer or Manhattan's LR strategy guide?

SirArthurDayne · Post by **SirArthurDayne** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 12:11 pm

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MAPP · Post by **MAPP** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 3:21 pm

SirArthurDayne wrote:
MAPP wrote:So no preference over the lsat Trainer or Manhattan's LR strategy guide?
I used both, but if I could only have one I'd go with Manhattan.

Since you used both, what do you think about using both in this way: going through the Trainer's LR, then taking some PTs, then using Manhattan LR guide for specific LR question types that I didn't PT well on?

The idea here is that since the Trainer goes less in dept than Manhattan's guide (at least I assume that is the case since it comprises all three lsat categories) I save time and can focus on sections that I struggle with by reading a more in-dept guide provided by Manhattan.

SirArthurDayne · Post by **SirArthurDayne** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 3:55 pm

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MAPP · Post by **MAPP** » Sat Oct 24, 2015 12:59 pm

SirArthurDayne wrote:
MAPP wrote:
SirArthurDayne wrote:
MAPP wrote:So no preference over the lsat Trainer or Manhattan's LR strategy guide?
I used both, but if I could only have one I'd go with Manhattan.
Since you used both, what do you think about using both in this way: going through the Trainer's LR, then taking some PTs, then using Manhattan LR guide for specific LR question types that I didn't PT well on?

The idea here is that since the Trainer goes less in dept than Manhattan's guide (at least I assume that is the case since it comprises all three lsat categories) I save time and can focus on sections that I struggle with by reading a more in-dept guide provided by Manhattan.
If you want me to be completely honest with you, it seems like you are trying to quickly rush through the material. If you haven't gone thru either one of those books yet, you need to choose one and go threw the whole thing. And once/as you do, you will have to put in a significant amount of time drilling individual question types. LR really requires patience. It requires you sitting down and writing explanations for the questions you didn't understand and identifying weaknesses. You should read both books, and in doing so take you time to make sure you understand the material. Focusing on how you could possibly save time by jumping around is counterproductive and not the right approach

I appreciate the honesty, however, I think you may have slightly misunderstood. I did say I was going to go through the Trainer, drilling question types as I go. Then, as necessary, I would use the manhattan guide for specific LR question types that I was still doing poorly on

SirArthurDayne · Post by **SirArthurDayne** » Sat Oct 24, 2015 1:42 pm

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MAPP · Post by **MAPP** » Sat Oct 24, 2015 1:49 pm

SirArthurDayne wrote:
I apologize if I came off as rude, I'm just trying to emphasize how important it is to really learn the fundamentals of LR. I would read both books front to cover, twice.

Hey no worries, you didn't seem rude

. If I was offended by your comment I would have problems. You seem to know your stuff, might I ask what your study schedule looked like for LR (e.g. for how many weeks, when you read which book, when you took PTs, if you read them cover-to-cover twice or skipped around the second time, etc)?

Btw did you use powerscore LR at all?

SirArthurDayne · Post by **SirArthurDayne** » Sat Oct 24, 2015 3:28 pm

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