Just wondering if anyone could give me some advice on taking the LSAT. Is it a good idea to sign up for a $300 prep course or just buy some sample test books from Borders? Thoughts opinions from anyone who has taking the test or one of those prep courses would be appreciated.
i took the prep course and found it helpful...at the very least, it forced me into a comfortability with what would be on the test. it's been a long time...but i think if you're serious about going to law school, the prep course is the way to go.
The prep course was helpful for me as well, although I think it was because of the structured exposure to the test rather than any specific instruction. In any case, I ended up increasing my score 10 points (from the first practice test to the real thing). I will say that if you are a highly organized and motivated person, you probaby just need to buy some LSAT prep books, as the courses won't be of any extra help to you.
Take Princeton Review. I have friends that swear by it. Well worth the $1100. Plus there's a guarantee, where if you're not satisfied, you can retake the exam.
I took KAPLAN this summer. I'm taking the LSAT in a week (Oct 4). Kaplan I heard is better for the LSAT than Princeton Review but who knows.... they both offer the same guarantee. (if you don't like it you can take the course over again) Anyways, KAPLAN was good for me to get a starting grasp of the stuff, but thats it.. its only good to get a jump start. The most important thing to learn the LSAT is buying 10 Real LSATS from Borders, and then 10 MORE Real LSATS. Do a section a day or so and study your mistakes. Take a full practice test every week (very important) under the same time restrictions that would be given under the test. This should prepare you enough. While I was taking Kaplan, I only improved 5 points from 150 to 155. But the improvement isn't supposed to make you better DURING the course (cause it was only a month) but you have to practice those techniques in your own practice tests. (this is why taking practice tests are so important). Since then I've raised my score to 170. Kaplan is nice and all, but the REAL improvement comes from HARD, CONSISTENT work on taking real LSAT tests. In hindsight.... $1100 for that class? Quite ridiculous actually. If you have the money then do it, cause the LSAT is the most important qualification for Law School, but if its even a slight question of money, then don't take any of those courses cause 1100 isn't worth it. Oh yea, here's something else I forgot to say. This is VERY HELPFUL. I found that KAPLAN does NOT teach Logic Games very well. Order the "LSAT Logic Games Bible" from Powerscore (you can get it off amazon.com) This book has helped SOOO much with logic games. That section used to be my hardest, but now its where I get my points and a jump on the competition. Good luck.
