Reddit reviews 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests Volume V: (PrepTests 62–71) (Lsat Series)
We found 21 Reddit comments about 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests Volume V: (PrepTests 62–71) (Lsat Series). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Law School Admission Council
What's up dude. Took the LSAT in June. Went from a cold diagnostic of 154 to a 167. (Retaking in Sept for a 170+). Books I used/recommend:
https://www.amazon.com/LSAT-Trainer-remarkable-self-study-self-driven/dp/0989081508/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469539064&sr=8-1&keywords=lsat+trainer
https://www.amazon.com/PowerScore-Logic-Games-Powerscore-Preparation/dp/0988758660/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469539126&sr=8-1&keywords=powerscore+logic+game+bible
https://www.amazon.com/PowerScore-LSAT-Logical-Reasoning-Bible/dp/0991299221/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469539163&sr=8-1&keywords=powerscore+logic+reasoning+bible
Books I used but don't recommend:
https://www.amazon.com/PowerScore-LSAT-Reading-Comprehension-Bible/dp/099129923X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469539188&sr=8-1&keywords=powerscore+reading+comprehension
Get your practice tests here (seriously, do 20+ under timed conditions while filling out LSAT bubble sheets):
https://www.amazon.com/10-Actual-Official-LSAT-PrepTests/dp/0986045519/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469539233&sr=8-1&keywords=10+lsat+preptests
https://www.amazon.com/Actual-Official-PrepTests-Comparative-Reading/dp/0984636005/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469539233&sr=8-3&keywords=10+lsat+preptests
Also, use https://7sage.com/
Sign up for a free account, and use their logic game explanations. They also have analytics that will track your progress and spit out analysis concerning where your weak areas are.
Good luck!
They are cheapest if you buy the books of ten instead of single preptests. The titles are a little confusing, so check to see which test numbers are included. Here are the three most recent (and most relevant):
Preptests 72-81
Preptests 62-71
Preptests 52-61
First: you've already taken a huge step by recognizing the problem. Some people are so bad at this stuff that they don't even recognize that they're bad at it. That's an almost hopeless position to be in. Especially people in the sciences often have a false sense of confidence about this stuff.
Second: it's damn hard and there's no easy route to getting better. You might get a CT textbook, but, honestly, most of them aren't very good/helpful.
I teach CT at the university level, and, though it's a freshman-level class, It's one of the hardest classes Iv'e ever taught. I've wasted way, way more time and energy trying to figure out how to do it well than I should have.
Honestly, I'd have a hard time giving manageable bits of advice, but here's a go at it:
[1] Get a copy of a collection of old LSATs and work through a few problems every day/week/whatever. Like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/10-Actual-Official-LSAT-PrepTests/dp/0986045519/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1483462117&sr=8-2&keywords=lsat
These are really good little problems. They're better than the exercises in most college-level CT texts. Yes, they're multiple-choice, and short, and a bit cartoonish in a certain respect...but they're very well-crafted, and you can check the answers.
It's the so-called logical reasoning problems that are really most helpful--i.e. not the reading comprehension problems or the analytic puzzles (ten monkeys sitting around a table; first monkey passes a block to the third monkey blah blah blah)--though those are also helpful.
[2] Find and follow some people who are good reasoners. I'm mostly sort of a centrist liberal, so my recommendations will be a bit skewed, but off the top of my head:
Kevin Drum at Mother Jones
Fareed Zacharia at CNN
Jonathan Chait at various places
[3] Most importantly, strive for honesty and fair-mindedness. Don't be dragged into the cesspool of rhetoric and debate. Just honestly ask yourself: what are some reasons for the thesis? what are some reasons against it? Are there any obvious problems with any of those reasons? Most people err in one of two ways: (a) they just aren't curious and don't care, or (b) they care...and so they end up getting committed to one side of the disagreement...and start consciously or unconsciously cheating.
[4] Also, PM me if you like, and I can send you some stuff and talk more about this stuff. I'm actually way better than average as a CT instructor...which means, IMO, that I still suck at it...but not as much as most.
There's no magic bullet--but you can get yourself on a trajectory toward improvement.
[p.s.: I kinda sorta disagree with chriswrightmusic, because I think that the fallacies are often of limited value, especially if not handled correctly...but I don't completely disagree with him.]
Ugh, yes, please update your materials - those were outdated in 2015. Get some of these (later ones are better, so 52-61, 62-71, and the new ones are almost definitely enough if you study properly and efficiently):
Superprep isn't horrible, but there is much better strategy out there. A lot of people like 7sage and the Trainer for self-study.
Kaplan, Princeton Review, Blueprint, Powerscore, and Manhattan are all OK too, especially as classroom courses or tutoring (though that gets really stupidly expensive). They each have their strengths and weaknesses and one of them got the job done for me many years ago, but they tend to not be as highly rated on here for self-study.
https://www.amazon.com/10-Actual-Official-LSAT-PrepTests/dp/0986045519
Or you could buy them at bookstores. There are different sets of tests ranging something like 20 + years.
The three trustworthy LSAT prep are 7Sage, PowerScore, and LSAT Trainer.
I recommend learning logical reasoning (LR) for LSAT Trainer, logic games (LG) from the PowerScore logic games bible. Use 7Sage for their free LG explanations for when you move on to the prep tests.
So, for the self studying LSAT student, purchase:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0988758660/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1501893820&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=powerscore&dpPl=1&dpID=51OJB5MwfNL&ref=plSrch
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0989081532/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501893890&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=lsat+trainer&dpPl=1&dpID=41XYSgqXD6L&ref=plSrch
And as many of these as you can: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0986045519/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501893927&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=lsat+preptest&dpPl=1&dpID=41nM%2BRt7N9L&ref=plSrch
And here's 7Sage: https://7sage.com/
I'm posting on my phone, so I'm sorry for the format of all this
Mostly, you can find them on amazon for pretty cheap -
Like this one from PT62-71
This one goes to PT71 which is Dec 2013 (I believe). For even newer ones, you can buy them off of any test prep company like Manhattan for around 6-8 dollars per test.
Also, for finding answers and explanations, you can find them through 7sage online for free.
Let me know if you need any additional help finding any! Best of luck.
You might want to try /r/LSAT or /r/lawschooladmissions for this. Most of the people over here are already in law school.
But as far as studying for the LSAT, I think the most effective thing is to buy the PowerScore books and just do practice test after practice test from the LSAC. The LSAC sells books of ten LSATs (like this one) that you should be practicing on. The LSAT is incredibly repetitive as far as skills it tests, so it is likely to be a much better use of your time to just buy some basic books then take lots of tests. Unfortunately, all too often LSAT courses move at painfully slow paces that won't be as efficient as reviewing just the issues you're missing on tests you've taken.
The drill sets are based off the Actual LSAT exams that you buy directly from LSAC. Depending on which study plan you’re using the practice sets with differ I believe.
10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests Volume V: (PrepTests 62–71) (Lsat Series) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0986045519/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_CezBCb2J05F6Y
62-71 is what is used for the 12/16 week plans I think; the 72-81 exams are used for full prep tests at the end of studying, so I’d suggest buying both.
When I said "51 onward" I was referring to PrepTest 51 and onward. PrepTest, commonly abbreviated as PT are previously administered LSATs. Every LSAT is released as such, except for those pertaining to the February administration. The most recent PrepTest is number 77, which corresponds to the LSAT that was administered in December of 2015. Each PrepTest contains the four officially scored sections of the LSAT plus the writing sample question, it however does not include the experimental section as this would compromise future LSATs. When you purchase the LSAT PrepTest volumes, you do not receive explanations, only an answer key and percentile conversion chart to each exam. However, the LSAC has released a book called SuperPrep II which includes 3 PrepTests, of which is there not only an answer key, but official explanations to each and every question, explaining why the right answer to each is the, well right answer. Although the LSAC does not have an explanation for all of their PrepTests published, there are many forums, websites and even published books which will do so for you. For example, The Princeton Review will be shortly releasing "LSAT Decoded" which will explain all of the answers in corresponding LSATs(PrepTests) I listed the following books that I purchased and recommend. Go to your local bookstore and read a couple pages of the Prep Company's book and see if their method of teaching works for you, if not, find another. Lastly, I would like to say that it is of absolutely no trouble for myself, I am more than happy to help, and thus I wish you the best of luck in your endeavour! :D
I posted the links to the books I bought and have been enjoying, please take caution before purchasing it from these links, as I posted the Amazon Canadian links as I live in Canada. Anyway, I believe either the Kaplan Premier 2016-2017 or LSAT trainer are an absolute must, although you could get away with not getting a prep company strategy set, I strongly encourage getting at the very least a comprehensive all in one. Any more questions or concerns about anything related to the LSAT please feel free to send me a message/reply.
http://www.amazon.ca/10-Actual-Official-LSAT-PrepTests/dp/0986045519/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1457253768&sr=8-2&keywords=LSAT
http://www.amazon.ca/Official-LSAT-SuperPrep-II-Champion/dp/0990718689/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1457253768&sr=8-10&keywords=LSAT
http://www.amazon.ca/Actual-Official-PrepTests-Comparative-Reading/dp/0984636005/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1457253768&sr=8-9&keywords=LSAT
http://www.amazon.ca/LSAT-Trainer-remarkable-self-study-self-driven/dp/0989081508/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1457253799&sr=8-3&keywords=LSAT
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1937707784?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1937707776?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0990718697?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0986045543?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0986086231?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00
If you're referring to previous tests administered I believe there's over 80 available now. You can get them pretty cheap used on Amazon or at Barnes and Noble. They are called the "10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests Vol. ____" . I have provided a link to one of the test books here , the used ones start at $5
That should only cost you about $30 so yeah get them.
$20 for PTs 62-71 here: http://www.amazon.com/Actual-Official-LSAT-PrepTests-Volume/dp/0986045519/ref=sr_1_3/186-4394937-8139206?ie=UTF8&qid=1409063360&sr=8-3&keywords=10+actual+official+preptests
$8 for PT 72 here: http://everylsat.com/official-lsat-preptests-4-section-lsat-practice-tests-c-45_36/official-preptest-72-june-2014-p-397.html
You're going to learn that LSAC is VERY protective of their information, so there aren't really any free online resources for old tests. You're probably going to have to pay one way or another. I would recommend buying one of the practice books that have 10 tests in them, like this one here: https://www.amazon.com/10-Actual-Official-LSAT-PrepTests/dp/0986045519/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1468434136&sr=1-2
The link is broken right now, but the June 2007 LSAT is normally free: http://www.lsac.org/docs/default-source/jd-docs/sampleptjune.pdf
Otherwise, you can buy a book of ten LSAT preptests on amazon.co.uk. Should be enough.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Actual-Official-LSAT-Preptests-Volume/dp/0986045519/
So in college I actually didn't do a ton of extracurricular. I was part of a Fraternity (held a couple positions there), played intramural hockey, and was part of the Astrophysics Society, plus research and school. After that, I went on to get my Master's in Astrophysics, which I just got in December, but that was all I did in Grad school.
To prepare for the LSAT I bought [this] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0986045519?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s01) book back in December and just went through it and did all the tests. I was averaging around 170-173 so 177 was pretty unexpected!
I'd recommend purchasing at least the 20 most recent lsat preptest on amazon, and to take your diagnostic somewhere in the 62-71 book. They come in packs of 10 for around $40 CAD, dunno what it is in the US. I believe LSAC has a free test somewhere on their website as well but you're gonna need more anyway if you want to practice well for december.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/0986045519/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1509557680&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=actual+lsat&dpPl=1&dpID=41nM%2BRt7N9L&ref=plSrch
I have maybe a unorthodox suggestion: LSAT prep materials. I took the GMAT on a whim (to apply to a JD-MBA program) a week after taking the LSAT, and the GMAT's RC was cake, comparatively. The passages are shorter, more interesting, more straightforward, and you get way more time per question. You can buy ten-packs of previous LSAT tests on amazon (https://www.amazon.com/10-Actual-Official-LSAT-PrepTests/dp/0986045519/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481700897&sr=8-1&keywords=lsat+preptests).
On a related note, The "Logical reasoning" sections also translate well to the critical reasoning on the GMAT, though I though the difficulty was more comparable for this question type.
When are you taking it?...
http://www.amazon.com/10-Actual-Official-LSAT-PrepTests/dp/0986045519/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417620729&sr=8-1&keywords=lsat+62-71
Blackistheonlycolor, I largely agree with this post but I would like to share a few thoughts.
Self Study is THE way to prepare for the LSAT. I think an LSAT course is only a good option if you need more help grasping the basics than self study is providing.
The books that PhiPsiSciFi provided are certainly good, but I think there are a few changes which could maximize your prep. My book recommendation list would be:
Total is $461. Now I realize that is significantly more money that the list given above, but if you can swing it, you will get a lot more bang for your buck. The Manhattan LSAT books tend to be a little bit better than the Powerscore ones. The Powerscore Logic Games Bible is certainly a great asset to have, which is why I included it here, but the LR Bible doesn't flow as well as Manhattan's and the RC Bible is nowhere near as good. The next big difference is that my list includes PTs 1-40 only as drills instead of complete tests. The earlier tests are quite a bit different than the modern LSAT, so while you won't get an extremely representative score by taking the full PTs, you can get improve by having the questions broken down into drills. That said, if there was anything you wanted to take off this list, The Cambridge LR 1-20 and RC 1-20 aren't 100% necessary. They are certainly nice to have, but you can only realistically do so many drills and it will be better to do the more modern ones found in PTs 21-40. But if you are planning to study for 6+ months, get 1-20 as well as 21-40. You will want to get all of the Logic Games though. Personally, I think PDF works better because you will want to re-print several of them to complete multiple times. You will also want to re-do every logic game section from tests 40+, which isn't really necessary for the LR and RC sections.
The rest of my list is pretty much the same. I added PT 72 and you will want to get 73 when that comes out too. Overall, you will get 24 PTs from my suggestions (20 from the two books, 3 from SuperPrep, and PT 72. Obviously you hit 25 if you get PT 73 as well) which should be plenty. If you needed anymore buy the individual PTs from 41 up. I know this is a good bit of money, but it is soooo much cheaper than any reputable LSAT Course and it is more effective too.
The LSAT is divided into 5 multiple choice section plus a 6th essay section. The sections are all in a single booklet. They are numbered from 1 through 5 with the essay at the end.
Each section is 35 minutes long. During that section, you're only allowed to answer questions from that section. You can't look into earlier sections or later sections.
If you'd like, you can skip around WITHIN the section, but do not leave the section until instructed to start the next section because this is considered cheating and can affect your life.
I'm not sure what country you're in but if you have amazon there, order this book:
https://www.amazon.com/10-Actual-Official-LSAT-PrepTests/dp/0986045519/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1472802434&sr=1-1
they are actual LSATs that have been given in past years. The formatting on the LSAT will look like the tests in this book.
You can probably find it somewhere but honestly just pay the money and buy the books.
http://www.amazon.com/10-Actual-Official-LSAT-PrepTests/dp/0986045519/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1463626813&sr=8-1&keywords=lsat+practice+tests
Less than $20 and they're all printed out and easy to write on and take.
I was once in your position and fucked around with PDFs for a long time... and it's ok to an extent... but I think it's worth it to just fork over $15-20 and buy it. Law school is hundreds of thousands in tuition, living expenses, lost wages, and years of your life, if $15 improves your score even by 1 point and gives you a better chance at a good school or more scholarship money then it was worth it.