Hi lawguy!
As a former SAT tutor, I recognize your situation well. (I was not
working with law students, but the desire to find a guaranteed way to
improve one's score quickly, easily, and cheaply is universal - at
least in the universe of standardized tests.)
My experience has taught me that there are techniques you can apply to
any standardized test to improve your 'uncoached' score... the only
requirement is that you be willing to work!! What follows is a
'budget' version of what a private tutor like me would likely have you
do. (Except that I'll leave the content-specific coaching to the LSAT
books & sites, and focus on testing tactics.)
To significantly increase your score, you'll want to use several
strategies. (Please pardon me if I give you some information you
already know.)
#1 - Get used to what's on the test.
This is the most obvious and common way to prepare... by using books.
You want material based on and directly from actual past tests. No
'invented', 'representative' questions. I looked through the many
(many!) resources available, and narrowed the options down to these:
NOVA's Master the LSAT (available in hard copy or electronically)
http://novapress.net/lsat/books.html
This book got the best reviews by far of all the prep books available
on Amazon... Check it out at
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1889057118/ref=pd_sbs_b_1/002-5143495-5702412
.
If you're interested, by linking to the items in "Customers who bought
this book also bought:" section, you'll find lots more prep books to
choose from.
30 Days to the Lsat (Arco's 30-Day Guides), by Mark Alan Stewart,
Frederick J., Ph.D. O'Toole
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN%3D0028618351/studyworldcom/002-5143495-5702412
I included this because it sounds like it was made for exactly your
predicament, but some of the reviews were not very flattering. It's
here FYI.
4Tests.com - provides free online practice tests.
http://www.4tests.com/exams/examdetail.asp?eid=15
Certainly worth a try, heck - it's free... but you'll benefit most
from taking written practice tests under the same conditions as the
actual test. So...
Official LSAT Preptests: 10 Actual (LSAT Series)
by Law School Admission Staff (Editor), Law School Admission Council
Inc
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0942639634/ref=pd_bxgy_text_1/002-5143495-5702412
Just what it says - 10 actual practice tests. Also available:
10 More Actuals Official LSAT PrepTests
( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0942639804/qid=1024954452/sr=2-1/002-5143495-5702412
)
#2 - Maximize your score by understanding how the test works and using
it to your advantage. You'll be surprised how significant a
difference this can make. There is a basic overview (what to bring,
how many of what kinds of questions, how much time, etc.) at
http://www.lsat-prep.com/page616423.htm . Here are some additional
facts, specific to the LSAT, that can help you once you know them:
- It's testing your ability to follow directions, not your knowledge
of the content. The directions are designed to trip you up.
Translation - Everything you need to answer correctly is in the
question - not in your head. Don't read into anything, don't
overthink it. Read the directions very carefully. The more practice
tests you take, the more you'll recognize what kinds of traps they're
trying to set. Get in the habit of asking yourself, "how are they
trying to trick me on this one?"
- It's intentionally timed tightly. Translation - they want you to
rush. Don't. Most of the mistakes people make on these tests are
careless ones they'd kick themselves for in hindsight. Avoid them,
and your score will improve greatly.
- Questions are not arranged in order of difficulty. Translation -
There's no reason to tackle the questions in order. Instinct will make
you think the easy questions are at the beginning of the section, and
you'll want to spend time there to avoid the harder ones at the end.
But that's not how this test is organized. If you don't feel
confident about any one question after a reasonable amount of time,
move on. Just make sure to mark the right answer on your answer
sheet!
- No question is worth more or less than any other. Translation -
Don't spend too much time on any one question. The easy ones are
worth just as much as the hard ones. If you feel like you're getting
stumped, move on.
- Your score is based entirely on the number of correctly answered
questions; There is no penalty for wrong answers. Translation – Leave
nothing blank! If you're almost out of time and have unanswered
questions, just start fillin' in circles... It can only help you.
#3 Develop & practice your strategy
Once you have familiarized yourself with the kinds of questions you'll
run into and the techniques to tackle them, it's time to combine that
knowledge with the logistics of the test. This is where those
full-length practice tests come in. Here's the approach I suggest you
start with...
- Get a simple stopwatch that does not beep, and that you know how to
use.
- When taking full practice tests, create an environment as close to
the actual test as possible. Turn off your phone(s) & stereo, sit at
a desk, have snacks & extra pencils ready. Time yourself just as the
test monitors will, including rest periods. Don't look at the first
page until time starts, etc. Heck, go to the library & take it.
Environment can really affect your score. You may feel silly, but it
really will result in a more accurate score and check on your
progress.
- Read each question only as fast as you can really absorb it. Check
in with your stopwatch every 4-5 minutes to see how quickly you're
moving through the section. If you're going too slowly, seek out the
questions you think are easy, then move to the ones you think you can
get right after a little work. If you're going fast, use 'extra' time
to check yuor answer by working backwards - plugging it right into the
question and seeing if it works. If you don't think you're going to
finish a section, use the last 2-3 minutes to make your best guess at
the unanswered questions, and make sure you're right on the ones you
answered.
- On questions where you're not confident about the right answer, try
narrowing down your choices with elimination. Look for buzzwords like
'always', 'never', 'all', 'none', or 'every'... 'Absolute' answers
like that are often incorrect. Try backtracking - plugging the
answers in to the question to see if they work.
- On Reading Comprehension sections, look first for questions that
refer you to a specific line or word. Those take less time to answer.
Then work on the more general questions. Remember that these will
most likely ask for some kind of re-statement of the theme or main
idea. Look again for those ‘absolute’ buzzwords, you can often rule
them out right away.
- Get to know thyself. Rather than just looking at your previous
scores, look at what kinds of questions you usually get right? Wrong?
What kinds of mistakes are you frequently making? Odds are there are
patterns, and understanding them will help you look out for the traps
you are most prone to, and find the questions you'll feel most
confident about. Re-evaluate after each practice test, and assign
yourself sections and questions between practice tests that target
your problem areas.
- Lather rinse repeat. You'll hate taking practice tests. Take them
anyway. Remember the goal. The more you feel like you know the test
and your testing personality inside-out, the better you'll do.
Additional Resources:
The University of Richmond has a great page about preparing for &
taking the LSAT.
( http://oncampus.richmond.edu/academics/as/polisci/prelaw/lsat.html#prepare
)
Frank X.J. Homer, Professor and Pre-Law Advisor @ University of
Scranton has a very informative page as well.
( http://members.iex.net/~jriley/lsat.htm )
LSAT Prep.com is just what it sounds like. It offers basic
information, techniques for each section, sample questions and a
sample test.
( http://www.lsat-prep.com/ )
The LSAT Center primarily offers a fee-based course & materials, but
there is some helpful free information, including a section breakdown,
registration information, basic tips, an FAQ, and more.
( http://www.lsat-center.com/lsat-page4.html )
I hope that answers your question without overwhelming you!!! Feel
free to request clarification or post comments asking 'what do I do
now?' And definitely let me know how your score improves! Google
Answers does not allow Researchers to post their email addresses, but
if you reach your goal, we'll find a way to get in touch.
Thanks for the opportunity to put my skills to work!
Best, Rebecca
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