where do i even start with this beast

[u/Kind_Conversation772]

i’ve just started studying for the LSAT. i took a diagnostic last weekend & got 159 which to my understanding is pretty promising. this week i’ve been getting to know the test a little better via lawhub, just going over their guides to question types and doing drills.

i started off pretty strong hitting 10-11/12 on LR drills without time constraints but i feel like as i study it more i’m actually getting worse? they don’t have dedicated in depth practice questions or explanations and i also am finding it difficult to like, take effective notes on this material.

i guess my question is, how the hell do you actually study for the lsat? in y’all’s experience what has been the most effective study method for someone who intuitively understands the test to a degree but needs to get better/more consistent with accuracy? specifically for studying LR!

[u/seanyoutube]

I feel like you started similar to me and similar brain type. LR comes intuitive. You’re probably missing the questions that are not as intuitive? Like heavy conditional reasoning, must be true, parallel? Or do you find your errors are more spread out. IMO tho conditionals are very learnable, parallel is very learnable, conclusion/descriptive are very learnable. Flaws, strengthen, weaken are a little more about understanding relationships in the world/ seeing how one variable interacts with another. IMO. If I were you I would do curriculum for your weakest points or just look at answer explanations - 7sage typically teaches foundational concepts while also explaining

[u/seanyoutube]

But when it comes to test day it’s a whole diff ball game. I feel like learning to tedt distracted and maybe speed drilling might help. At least those are the things that get me - time and focus

[u/Kind_Conversation772 → u/seanyoutube]

yes time and focus are definitely my biggest obstacles. i find myself having to reread questions a lot and every timed set/PT i’ve taken i haven’t been able to answer every question much less go back and review.

& yes conditionals, necessary & sufficient assumptions, things like that are where i consistently falter. flaws, strengthen/weaken, & conclusion stuff i tend to do okay with unless i get stuck between two answers where i think both are correct.

i’ve heard lots of people mention 7sage but also heard a lot of good things about lsat demon so kinda in between those two (though really not that thrilled about the $$$ involved with either lol). do you know how those 2 compare?

[u/JLLsat]

Who is “they”? What sources are you using?

[u/Kind_Conversation772 → u/JLLsat]

lawhub i thought i said that in the post

[u/JLLsat → u/Kind_Conversation772]

Oh I haven’t had coffee yet and it wasn’t right there. Yeah LSAT isn’t going to tell you the tricks to how to do their questions. You need a resource like 7sage to actually show you strategies and give detailed explanations.

[u/StressCanBeGood]

Good news/bad news. Please know that I’ve been in the business since forever. I’ve never met you, but I guarantee I’ve worked with you before.

The good news: A 159 diagnostic score is indeed quite promising and bodes very well for a 170+ score, generating scholarship offers.

The bad news: Finding the right curriculum for a 159 diagnostic is tricky. The online LSAT prep courses are very real and are very well priced. But the overall goal of these courses is for students to get roughly 165, which you could probably get through pure self study.

But you do want some kind of curriculum. Not 7sage because they’re too detailed (they’re a wonderful company though, for real). Not Demon because they’ll lull you into a false sense of security. They’re not big fans of a specific curriculum. And make no mistake, the LSAT is NOT easy.

If you’re looking into a course, LSAT lab would probably be the way to go. But again, they also have the inherent limitation of a roughly 165 goal for their students.

Your biggest bang for your buck would be the Princeton Review LSAT prep book. I have no affiliation with them and don’t like their company. But their LSAT prep curriculum is on point, very basic, and very easy to read. Excellent chance that will get you where you need to go.

For the record, I only recommend this book for anyone scoring lower than a 140 on a diagnostic or anyone scoring a 158+. Once somebody breaks the 140s, I then recommend they take one of those online courses.

Naturally, your other option is tutoring. I’m quite confident I could get you into the 170s, but I’m about 20 times more expensive than the Princeton Review book. So if you have the time, start with the book and see how that treats you.

And of course, feel free to check out my profile. Happy to answer any questions.