Price is the most important factor in many students’ law school decisions. So why is law school pricing so shady? This week, Nathan and Ben imagine a kinder world where everyone pays the same price for law school. The guys also hear from a successful student who stopped taking notes in Reading Comprehension. They discuss their approach to Parallel Reasoning questions. And they share tips for dealing with anxiety in timed sections. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 479 on YouTube 1:07 - No Notes on Reading Comprehension - Listener Caroline followed Ben and Nathan’s advice to stop taking notes in RC. Caroline calls it the “best decision ever.” Now she’s not just transcribing passages—she’s engaging with them on a deeper level. 6:30 - Don’t Go with Your Gut - Listener Alyssa believes that she needs to go with her gut when picking between two answer choices. Nathan and Ben disagree. They insist that fifty-fifty guesses aren’t good enough and instruct Alyssa to read the passage more carefully. 16:05 - Reviewing Correct Answers - The guys explain why it can still be useful to review questions you answered correctly. 20:25 - Parallel Reasoning - Arguments in Parallel Reasoning questions can be flawed even if the question doesn’t explicitly mention flawed reasoning. 31:48 - LSAT Cancellation Addendum - An anonymous listener canceled an LSAT score for a test they took while sick with COVID. Ben and Nathan advise against writing an addendum to explain the cancellation. 39:16 - Timed Section Anxiety - Listener Ethan gets easily flustered by the five minute warning at the end of timed sections. Nathan and Ben share some tips on how to forget the clock. 47:52 - What’s the Deal with…? - Listener Bryan intends to practice law in Texas. Should Bryan apply to any out-of-state law schools? Ben and Nathan consider Bryan’s options and ask “What’s the deal with Tulane University School of Law?” 1:07:26 - GPA Addendum - The guys draft a short addendum for a listener whose university doesn’t award A+’s. 1:10:06 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Russell writes: “Trust the process. Slow down, read what it is saying, and find the answer that answers the question.” 1:11:56 - Word of the Week - Your old LSAT prep books might be offal.

Ben and Nathan aren’t impressed when you narrow an LSAT question down to two answer choices. This week, the guys discuss why those who conquer the LSAT don’t settle for fifty-fifty guesses. They also share common mistakes made by LSAT beginners, examine a troubling admissions practice, and weigh in on “Why X?” statements in law school applications. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 478 on YouTube 1:43 - Beginner LSAT Mistakes to Avoid - Nathan and Ben list some common mistakes made by beginner LSAT students. They encourage newcomers to focus on quality over quantity and to thoroughly review their mistakes. 9:53 - Confusing Answer Choices - The LSAT sometimes uses confusing language in the answer choices. Ben and Nathan suggest a backdoor approach to picking the correct answer: Refuse to pick a wrong one. 13:51 - Logical Reasoning: Flaw - The guys tackle a Flaw question from PrepTest 123. Try the question for yourself. Then listen to Ben and Nathan’s explanation. 35:06 - Getting Unstuck - An anonymous listener asks how to move forward when they’re stuck debating multiple answer choices. Nathan and Ben instruct Anonymous to reread the passage to discover the source of their misunderstanding. 45:06 - What’s the Deal with…? - The guys debut a new recurring segment by asking: “What’s the deal with the University of Washington Law School?” Listener Hannah unearths an admissions practice that some might call predatory. 1:03:01 - Canadian Law Schools - Listener Josh questions the importance of a high LSAT score for applicants to Canadian law schools. 1:06:09 - Target Schools - Ben and Nathan urge listener N not to limit their focus to a small list of regional target schools. 1:10:52 - Application Essays - Listener Josh relays some dubious advice regarding law school application essays. 1:16:19 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Leah says: “Keep drilling LR every spare minute. I drilled LR while walking the dog, on my lunch break, in line at Starbucks. If you have five minutes, try and do 2 LR questions.” 1:18:14 - Word of the Week - Extirpate gimmicks from your approach to the LSAT.

The best LSAT students make strong predictions before reading the answer choices, but they remain open to correct answers that don’t match their predictions. This week, Ben and Nathan outline their flexible approach to prediction. Later, the guys advise students to set aside plenty of time for reviewing mistakes. They also discuss the possibility of a more competitive law school application cycle. And they explain why it shouldn’t matter whether you take the LSAT at home or at a testing center. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 477 on YouTube 0:52 - A More Competitive Cycle? LSAT registrations are up 18% compared to last year. Does that signal a more competitive admissions cycle? 5:37 - Make a Prediction Nathan and Ben describe the process of predicting answers on the LSAT. Predict an answer, revise your prediction to fit the question, and remain open to other options when you read the answer choices. 15:35 - Study Schedule Listener Cali worries that she spends too much time reviewing mistakes and not enough time drilling new questions. Ben and Nathan assure Cali that review is the most important part of LSAT prep. 27:48 - Remote vs. Testing Center Should you take the LSAT at home or at a testing center? Nathan and Ben insist that the best LSAT students shouldn’t care where they take the test. 32:26 - Bar Passage Rates Top law schools tend to have high bar passage rates. But as LSAT students know, correlation does not equal causation. 36:05 - LSAT Timeline Ben and Nathan urge listener Connor to put off LSAT prep and focus on his undergraduate grades. 43:22 - FAFO Don’t FAFO in your law school applications.The guys implore listener Brad to apply only with his best LSAT score.  52:08 - Tips from a Departing Demon LSAT Demon student Camille says: “Please keep your faith in the process, and most importantly, yourself. Work hard, work smart, and keep pushing. You CAN do this.”

The LSAT tests three main things: reading comprehension, critical thinking, and work ethic. All of those are also crucial to success in law school. This week, Nathan and Ben discuss how LSAT prep goes hand in hand with law school prep. The guys also react to new restrictions on legacy admissions. They compare scholarship outcomes for full-time and part-time students. And they write the only LSAT addendum you’ll ever need. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 476 on YouTube 4:08 - Career Change - Ben and Nathan advise listener Shirley to do some research before she commits to a career change. The guys also recommend a consistent LSAT study schedule, and they press Shirley to aim for a score in the 160s or higher. 14:00 - Legacy Admissions - California recently became the fifth state to ban legacy and donor preferences in college admissions. Nathan and Ben are skeptical that the new law will have much of an effect. 20:55 - Score Variance - The guys assure listener Daniel that it’s perfectly normal to score in a ten-point range on practice tests. 23:44 - LSAT Addendum - Some law schools invite applicants to submit an addendum explaining any significant LSAT score increase. Ben and Nathan question schools’ motivation for soliciting this addendum. 33:56 - Law School Prep - Listener Jack is worried that a great LSAT score might oversell his ability to compete at a top law school. Nathan and Ben ease Jack’s concerns: LSAT prep is good law school prep. 43:02 - Apply in February? - Listener Jackson asks if applying as late as February would diminish his admissions chances. Ben and Nathan urge Jackson to apply next cycle. 47:52 - Scholarships for Part-Time Students - Law schools differ in how they award scholarships to part-time students. Applicants to part-time programs should check law schools’ ABA 509 reports before applying. 53:11 - Logical Reasoning: Conclusion - The guys tackle a Conclusion question from PrepTest 123. Try the question for yourself. Then, listen to Ben and Nathan’s explanation. 1:04:55 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Jimmy says: “You are going to hate the idea of slowing down to speed up. You are going to hate not finishing sections at times. However, it is Ben and Nathan's most important advice.” 1:09:59 - Word of the Week - Applying late in the cycle can be tantamount to applying with a lower LSAT score.

The most successful LSAT students are the ones who love the test—but finding that love can be challenging. This week, Ben and Erik discuss why positive self-talk is vital to your relationship with the LSAT. Later, the guys criticize law schools’ moratorium on AI use for applications. They explore possible causes of score variance. And they help a listener navigate family pressure to apply before they’re ready. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 475 on YouTube 5:35 - Learn to Love the LSAT - Listener Lani wants to love the LSAT, but she’s frustrated by her slow progress. Erik and Ben encourage Lani to adjust her mindset. They recommend a scaled-back study schedule that focuses on drilling instead of timed practice. 15:48 - AI and Applications - Law schools have taken different stances on whether applicants can use AI while preparing their applications. 25:06 - Losing Momentum - An anonymous listener worries that they’re losing momentum after a hot start to their LSAT journey. Ben and Erik assure Anon that progress is rarely linear. 31:15 - Score Variance - Erik and Ben explain what causes score variance and why it’s perfectly normal to score in a broad range. 36:36 - 20-Point Underperformance An anonymous listener underperformed their practice tests by 20 points on the September LSAT. Ben and Erik try to figure out what went wrong. 41:00 - Family Pressure to Apply - An anonymous listener faces parental pressure to apply to law school this year, but they’d rather retake and apply next cycle. Erik and Ben invite Anonymous’s parents to visit lsat.link/parents to learn how they can support their child’s LSAT journey. 48:53 - URM Bump - It’s too early to know whether minority applicants will continue to receive a “URM bump” in law school admissions. 55:11 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon Josh says: “When reading the passage, I often look away from the text and think about what I just read.” 58:50 - Word of the Week - Thinking LSAT listeners are adroit at the LSAT.

Many LSAT students believe that taking notes is critical to active reading. Nathan and Ben disagree. This week, the guys encourage listeners to drop their note-taking crutches and to engage with the LSAT on a more immediate level. Later, they discuss one-on-one LSAT tutoring, score cancellation, and falling URM enrollment at Harvard Law School. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 474 on YouTube 1:31 - Downward Trend - Ben and Nathan provide a simple fix for falling scores: do fewer questions. The guys also instruct listener Nicole to avoid overanalyzing her performance on specific question types. 10:36 - Taking Notes - Nathan and Ben explain why note-taking can be counterproductive on the LSAT. 16:43 - Pearls vs. Turds - When taking practice tests, is it OK to flag questions to review later? 25:53 - One-on-One Tutoring - Ben and Nathan discuss what a focused and productive LSAT tutoring session looks like. 33:47 - Scheduling Your Attempts - When you’re happy with your practice test scores, take each successive LSAT until you’re happy with your official score. There’s no need to space out your official attempts. 46:16 - Undergraduate Transcripts - Listener Alex considers excluding a community college transcript from their law school applications. Nathan and Ben urge Alex to disclose all information required by the Credential Assembly Service. 52:07 - Score Cancellation - In almost all cases, Ben and Nathan advise students not to cancel an official LSAT score. But listener Emma might be the exception to the rule. 55:37 - URM Enrollment - The Harvard Crimson reports that enrollment of students of color has dropped eight percent at Harvard Law School. 1:00:13 - Word of the Week - Law schools often arrogate prestige.

Since the LSAT dropped Logic Games, anxious test takers have feared the rise of more “formal logic” questions in Logical Reasoning. So far, no significant changes to LR have been disclosed. No matter what happens, every LR question is perfectly solvable with some careful reading and common sense—no diagramming required. Need proof? This week, Ben and Nathan make quick work of a Must Be True question that’s chock full of conditional logic. But first, they help a burnt-out student build a sustainable study plan. They compare the benefits of national and regional law schools. And they offer words of hope to low-GPA splitters. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 473 on YouTube 5:04 - Application Fee Waivers - Law schools often waive their application fees. Just ask them. 8:52 - Scoring 160 - Nathan and Ben prove that it’s possible to score 160 while only attempting 18 questions per section. It pays to slow down and focus on accuracy. 16:18 - Burnout - Listener Will considers taking a few months off to recover from LSAT burnout. Ben and Nathan advise Will to instead dial back his study to one or two quality hours per day. 23:50 - Confusing Language - Nathan and Ben share some tips for navigating confusing language on the LSAT. 32:20 - Small Town, Big School? - LSAT Demon student Will plans to set up shop as a probate lawyer in a small town. Should Will pursue law schools in the T14? Or is he better off attending a regional school? 41:15 - Academic Renewal - Ben and Nathan encourage an anonymous listener to persist in their efforts to scrub an F from their undergraduate transcript. 46:56 - Hope for Splitters - Listener Grace went to law school for free despite her low GPA. 50:13 - Don’t Diagram - Reports of more “formal logic” questions on recent LSATs are likely exaggerated. Regardless, you can solve any Logical Reasoning question without diagramming by reading carefully and engaging your common sense. Nathan and Ben demonstrate on a Must Be True question from PrepTest 123. 1:10:41 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Braden says: “Take the time to really understand each question, and you will get faster. Don’t try to go faster without understanding. That’s why I improved when I started digging into the RC passage.” 1:11:27 - Word of the Week - Treat your official LSAT with the same insouciance that you would a practice test.

If you’ve hit a score plateau, you might feel like you’re spinning your wheels—stuck in place despite your best attempts to make forward progress. How do you regain traction? This week, Nathan and Ben advise a discouraged student to ease up on the gas pedal and take it one question at a time. Later, the guys address the problem of tuition inflation in higher education. They frame law school as a trade school. And they tackle a Necessary Assumption question from PrepTest 135. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 472 on YouTube 2:39 - Stuck in a Plateau - Ben and Nathan guide listener Michael away from untimed practice tests and suggest a better way to review his mistakes. 14:48 - $81,000 Tuition - The guys shake their heads at Cornell Law School’s astronomical tuition. 24:03 - Student Loan Forgiveness - According to a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, “the CBO estimates that a quarter of new student debt issued next year—$22.1 billion—will get written off.” Nathan and Ben consider the failures of the student loan system and suggest ways to reign in the cost of higher education. 39:59 - Law Is a Trade - Listener Ben seeks a steady job in the law. The guys advise Ben to rethink his motivation for pursuing a legal career. 45:49 - Logical Reasoning: Necessary Assumption - The guys attempt a Necessary Assumption question from PrepTest 135. Try the question yourself. Then, listen to Ben and Nathan’s explanation. 54:31 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Senyo affirms the Demon way: “Read carefully, evaluate the argument (or think about the set of facts) before looking at the actual question, try to predict the answer, take as much time as you need to answer the question, review anything that gives you trouble, and do not move on until you fully understand it.” 56:46 - Word of the Week - The LSAT student was miraculously unfazed by their skirling neighbor.

Ben and Nathan share what they’ve learned from LSAC about whether the exclusion of Logic Games had any impact on test scores this August. The guys also celebrate listeners’ successes on the August LSAT. They react to news of declining URM enrollment at top colleges. And they discuss why LSAT students should consider cutting back on social media. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 471 on YouTube 0:36 - August LSAT Shoutouts - The guys celebrate listeners’ successes on the August LSAT. 7:45 - Underperforming on Test Day - LSAT Demon student Molly has twice underperformed her practice test scores on the official LSAT. Nathan and Ben instruct Molly to treat future tests like any practice test. 22:17 - August LSAT Scores - LSAC reports that scores for the August 2024 LSAT are in line with scores from previous years. 32:14 - Score Audit - Ben and Nathan advise listener David not to waste money on an LSAT score audit. 39:33 - College Demographics - The guys discuss new demographic data on the first undergraduate class since the Supreme Court banned affirmative action in college admissions. 47:29 - Pearls vs. Turds - Is social media hurting your LSAT study? 55:44 - Word of the Week - The library is a common haunt for law students.

LSAT growth comes from thoroughly reviewing your mistakes. But what does a thorough review look like? Ben and Nathan describe their approach and explain why they don’t recommend keeping a wrong answer journal. The guys also compare law school to wizard school. They reject an impatient admissions strategy. And they consider potential risks associated with the military’s Funded Legal Education Program. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 470 on YouTube 1:31 - Confusing Writing - In a new study, cognitive scientists at MIT explain why legalese is so difficult to understand. 9:13 - Improving in RC - An anonymous listener has been told that they won’t improve much in Reading Comprehension. Ben and Nathan tell Anonymous to ignore the haters. 14:18 - Review - Nathan and Ben advocate a deep review of every mistake. But keeping a wrong answer journal is likely a waste of time. 26:42 - Apply Now or Later? - Is it better to apply early with a subpar LSAT or to apply late with a great LSAT? Ben and Nathan ask: Why pick the lesser of two evils when you can avoid the evil entirely? 34:49 - Comparative RC Passages - The guys outline their approach to comparative passages in Reading Comprehension. 37:28 - JAG and FLEP - An LSAT Demon student warns listeners about potential risks associated with the military’s Funded Legal Education Program.   48:28 - Word of the Week - You can mollify your test anxiety by improving at the test.

Ben and Nathan warn listeners about tactics that some law schools use to make mediocre scholarships appear better than they really are. The guys also discuss a new ABA regulation meant to standardize 1L learning outcomes. They double down on their advice to apply broadly. And they model their approach to Logical Reasoning on a Weaken question from PrepTest 123. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 469 on YouTube 2:27 - Fee Waiver Changes - LSAC now requires students with fee waivers to test twice in LawHub before registering for an official LSAT. Fee waiver recipients must also take the interactive course “How Do I Apply to Law School?” 7:44 - New Rules for Law Schools - A new ABA regulation aims to make law school courses more uniform and give law students more feedback about their academic progress. Nathan and Ben doubt that the new rules will have their intended effects. 15:51 - Better School or Better Price? - Is it better to attend a great law school for an OK price or an OK law school for a great price? Ben and Nathan urge listener Daniel to apply broadly and to focus on the LSAT before worrying about his law school decision. 23:36 - Scholarship Shenanigans - Nathan and Ben shine a light on a shady scholarship practice. 41:02 - Logical Reasoning: Weaken - The guys tackle a Weaken question from PrepTest 123. Try the question yourself. Then, listen to Ben and Nathan’s explanation. 56:50 - Word of the Week - Adopt a parsimonious attitude regarding law school.

Nathan and Ben examine the root cause of underperformance on the LSAT: too much concern for the clock and not enough focus on understanding. The guys also poke fun at Nathan’s alma mater, share tips for staying focused on timed sections, and praise a listener’s decision to step away from a T20 law school. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 468 on YouTube 1:04 - Alumni Donations - The guys laugh at an “exciting opportunity” to donate money to UC Law San Francisco. 15:31 - Timed Sections - Listener Mike is avoiding timed sections until he improves at the test. Nathan and Ben explain why this approach is misguided—all LSAT students should make timed sections a cornerstone of their study. 18:43 - Staying Focused - An anonymous listener struggles to stay focused during timed sections. Ben and Nathan instruct Anonymous to zoom in on one question at a time. 27:44 - Score Drop - Listener Annabelle is flustered by a sudden score drop. Nathan and Ben blame Annabelle’s preoccupation with speed over accuracy. 33:23 - Why Law School? - The guys counsel a high-earning listener to reconsider their reasons for pursuing law school. 44:55 - Become a Good Test Taker - Listener Angelina describes herself as “an awful test taker.” Ben and Nathan implore Angelina to improve her self-talk by deciding to become a good test taker. 49:42 - GPA Addendums - The guys recommend more effective alternatives to writing a GPA addendum. 59:12 - Dropping Out - Nathan and Ben applaud an anonymous listener’s decision to drop out of law school. 1:06:19 - Words of the Week - A few students pay for law school. Few feel good about it.

Ben and Nathan discuss the new format for LSAT Writing and critique a practice essay submitted by an LSAT Demon student. Later, the guys delve into an LSAC report on test-taker statistics, and they question whether accommodations truly level the playing field. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 467 on YouTube 1:11 - New LSAT Writing - Nathan and Ben review listener Valerie’s response to the new LSAT Argumentative Writing sample prompt, offering guidance on how to construct a compelling essay. 44:35 - Accommodations Concerns - Ben and Nathan address listeners’ concerns about LSAT accommodations. They encourage test takers who qualify for accommodations to request the support they need. 54:09 - Accommodations Statistics - Nathan and Ben examine statistics from LSAC that call into question the fairness of the current system for LSAT accommodations. LSAT Accommodations Consent Decree Final Report of the Best Practices Panel Accommodations Trends from 2017 2024 LSAT Performance Report 1:19:14 - Words of the Week - Don’t let student debt cause you penury and immiseration.

Recent law school graduates have benefited from a hot hiring market, but there are signs that the market might be cooling off. Nathan and Ben consider the implications for future law students. Later, the guys affirm the importance of applying early. They discuss prediction strategy for Must Be True questions. And they advise students not to flag questions on timed sections. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 466 on YouTube 1:02 - Legal Hiring Slows - Law firm recruiting just hit an 11-year low. But a slowdown in legal hiring shouldn’t affect your decision to attend law school. 9:38 - Application Timing - How late is too late to apply? Ben and Nathan invite listener Sammy to ask a better question: When is the best time to apply? 18:24 - Creative Predictions - Must Be True questions are no place to flex your creativity. Nathan and Ben instruct listener Cleo to pick the boring, obvious answer on these and other closed question types. 28:59 - Don’t Flag Questions - The guys explain why flagging questions to revisit later might sabotage your score on timed sections. 37:08 - Pearls vs. Turds - Is there any value in combining the hardest questions from multiple LR sections into extra-difficult “supersets”? 42:25 - GPA Boost - An anonymous listener considers a costly means of boosting their UGPA. 48:50 - Gaining Confidence - An anonymous listener struggles with low confidence on “actual test day.” Nathan and Ben encourage Anonymous to draw confidence from their practice tests, all of which were actual LSATs. 1:00:46 - Word of the Week - Let your LSAT be a bulwark against law school debt.

Score variance isn’t a problem—it’s an opportunity. Nathan and Ben encourage LSAT students to pursue the upside of their score range by taking the test multiple times. The guys also share a key to getting faster at Reading Comprehension. They assure a conflicted student that it’s OK to pivot away from law school. And they lay out an approach to Logical Reasoning that balances caution and confidence. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 465 on YouTube 3:23 - Score Variance - Don’t aim to eliminate score variance in your practice tests. Score variance is your friend if you commit to taking the LSAT multiple times. 10:04 - What’s an Assumption? - Ben and Nathan explain the difference between necessary assumptions and sufficient assumptions. 20:17 - Rereading RC Passages - Skimming your reading assignments might have worked for you in college, but it won’t cut it in LSAT Reading Comprehension. 28:31 - Improving RC Timing - Want to get faster at RC? Spend less time debating wrong answers. 34:05 - Passive Skill Acquisition - A new study suggests that passive exposure to a skill can help you improve more quickly. Nathan and Ben discuss the implications for LSAT study. 40:27 - Staying Motivated - Listener Olivia lacks the motivation to study consistently. Ben and Nathan question whether she really wants to go to law school. 52:31 - Check Every Answer - Even if you predict the correct answer, you still have to check the wrong ones. 1:03:38 - Word of the Week - Critics agree: This week’s podcast was a success.

The LSAT is a rigorous test of reading comprehension and critical reasoning. Do you understand the information on the page? And do you know what must be true on the basis of that information? Also on the show, Nathan and Ben discuss GPA addendums, supplemental essays, and law school price discrimination. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 464 on YouTube 3:24 - When Am I Ready? - Don’t register for the LSAT until you’re happy with your practice test scores. 15:43 - Logical Opposites - Are success and failure logical opposites? Does “unlikely” simply mean “not likely”? It depends. 25:01 - Two Fundamental Skills - Ben and Nathan break down two critical skills that form the foundation of LSAT mastery. 40:26 - Master’s Degree - Nathan and Ben question an anonymous listener’s decision to pursue a master’s degree. 44:41 - GPA Addendum - Nobody wants to hear excuses for your bad grades. 50:47 - Supplemental Essays - If a supplemental essay allows you to write something positive about yourself, write the essay. Otherwise, skip it. 53:19 - The LAST Is Easy - An anonymous listener embraces LSAT Demon’s intuitive approach to the LSAT. 57:49 - Price Discrimination - Many businesses employ price discrimination. Law schools are no different. Ben and Nathan urge applicants to take advantage of an unfair system. 1:08:33 - Word of the Week - Student loan policies fail to consider that schools might behave like knaves.

Your LSAT and GPA are the most important parts of your law school application, but a strong personal statement can set you apart from other applicants with similar numbers. What makes for a well-crafted personal statement? This week, Nathan and Ben pull no punches as they critique a listener’s essay through the eyes of harried admissions officers. The guys also delve into Logical Reasoning prediction methods, urge a listener to fire their awful tutor, and unpack a new report that casts doubt on the golden-ticket reputation of a law degree. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 463 on YouTube 2:15 - Prediction and Review - The guys instruct LSAT Demon student Brian on how to review his mistakes. They emphasize prediction as crucial to success in Logical Reasoning. 13:09 - Awful Tutor - Nathan and Ben counsel an anonymous listener to fire their terrible LSAT tutor and to cut back on their full-time study. One to three quality hours of study per day is plenty. 23:26 - Comparative Passages - Ben and Nathan summarize their approach to comparative passages in Reading Comprehension. 28:34 - Tuition vs. Cost of Living - Listener Alex compares the cost to attend two in-state law schools. Nathan and Ben weigh Alex’s options and advise them to broaden their list of target schools. 35:26 - Earnings Outcomes - The guys discuss a Georgetown study on what lawyers are earning after four years of practice. Reuters’ Karen Sloan reports that outcomes vary wildly depending on which law school graduates attended. 45:14 - Personal Statement Review - Ben and Nathan give listener K a brutally honest appraisal of their personal statement. 1:07:25 - Word of the Week - Deposition is more than just a torturous legal exercise.

Every LSAT score release day leaves some frustrated test takers wondering: “Why did I score so much lower than on my practice tests?” This week, Nathan and Ben discuss the number one reason why some people underperform on test day. The guys also celebrate listeners’ success on the June LSAT. They question the viability of applying to law school with a GRE score but no LSAT. And they express a wish for American law schools to adopt the more equitable tuition practices of their Canadian counterparts. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 462 on YouTube 3:21 - Keep Studying? - Listener John fell short of his goal score on the June LSAT—his last shot at a test that included Logic Games, his best section. Should he keep studying for the August test, or is it time for John to declare victory over the LSAT? 8:29 - Reapply - Listener Carlos applied to law school earlier this cycle, but he improved his LSAT score substantially in June. Ben and Nathan encourage Carlos to withdraw his applications and reapply this fall. 12:10 - Test Day Struggles - Test takers who change their approach on test day are likely to underperform. Solution? Relax and treat the official test just like any practice test. 16:18 - LSAT Writing - LSAT Writing is changing soon. But if you’ve already completed LSAT Writing, there’s no need to retake it. 17:29 - Canadian Law Schools - Nathan and Ben argue that Canadian law schools are more civilized in how they approach pricing and scholarships. Canadian applicants should still weigh the costs and benefits of paying for law school. 29:55 - Turn Off the Clock - How do you stop worrying about the clock in Reading Comprehension? Turn off the clock. Speed will come naturally when you focus on understanding one sentence at a time. 39:13 - GRE or LSAT? - An anonymous listener wonders whether their high GRE score could allow them to bypass the LSAT. However, law schools’ ABA 509 reports suggest that very few students are admitted without LSAT scores. 45:31 - Letters of Recommendation - Some older applicants struggle to acquire academic letters of recommendation. Nathan and Ben suggest some alternatives. 49:42 - Tips from a Departing Demon - “I got so much from reviewing missed questions that I started reviewing correct ones also, which I believe enhanced my learning.” 52:24 - Words of the Week - The doddering professor developed a mercurial temper as he fell further out of touch with his young students.

There is no second best on the LSAT. On every question, one answer is definitely right, and four answers are definitely wrong. This week, Nathan and Ben discuss why a no-nonsense mindset is vital to LSAT success. Later, the guys compare lawyers to professional students. They question the value of law school consultants. And they explain why nothing on your law school application will make up for a low LSAT score. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 461 on YouTube 5:17 - No BS - An anonymous listener jokes that the LSAT is a “BS test.” 17:00 - Chasing Perfection - The guys warn listener Jonah that his quest for a perfect score might be hurting his accuracy. They instruct Jonah to slow down and focus on one question at a time. 21:33 - Free Yourself - Ben and Nathan share their most powerful advice for overcoming LSAT anxiety: forget your timeline. 29:43 - Professional Students - Listener Daniel asks how to improve on science passages in Reading Comprehension. Nathan and Ben challenge Daniel to embrace the life of a professional student. 35:39 - Law School or New Job? - Ben and Nathan advise listener Katherine to stay flexible with her law school plans. 40:52 - Law School Consultants - Nathan and Ben weigh the costs and benefits of working with a law school consultant. They suggest LSAT Demon’s upcoming admissions course as a cost-effective alternative. 44:47 - Character & Fitness - Ben and Nathan prepare an anonymous listener to start jumping through the hoops of character and fitness disclosures. 49:43 - Is the LSAT King? - Yes. 56:40 - Word of the Week - Avoid student debt and its concomitant headaches.

Jacqueline Schafer is the founder and CEO of Clearbrief, an AI-powered legal writing tool that helps lawyers search their discovery for relevant facts and cite them in legal documents. Jackie joins Ben for a conversation about what aspiring lawyers should know about the future of AI in legal tech. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 460 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 1:35 - Clearbrief - Jackie introduces Clearbrief and explains how it helps lawyers gather facts and create hyperlinked citations in their legal writing. 15:26 - AI in Legal Tech - Will AI replace lawyers? Jackie challenges this notion by asking: Did Excel replace accountants? She and Ben explore how AI is likely to augment, rather than replace, the roles of lawyers. 28:33 - From Big Law to Tech Entrepreneur - Jackie shares how her experience as a litigation associate in big law has remained invaluable throughout her career, from serving as an Assistant State Attorney General to starting a tech company. 38:49 - Advice for Future Lawyers - Jackie advises future lawyers to hone their writing and networking skills.