Strategy LSAT Blog

Make-up LSAT Dates - Washington, DC

2010-02-13T14:48:00.008-05:00

Many students have reported getting the following email from LSAC:

February 12, 2010

Dear Candidates,

As you know, your test center was closed for the Saturday, February 6, 2010 LSAT administration due to inclement weather.

A make-up test is in the process of being scheduled for the following two Saturdays:

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Saturday, February 27, 2010

An e-mail containing your scheduled date, time and reporting address will be sent to you no later than the Wednesday before your scheduled make up date.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Regards,

Test Administration
LSAC

LSAT Practice Exams

To help you prepare, we'll host three proctored exams in our DC office between now and Saturday, January 27, 2010:

Wednesday, February 17, 2010 -- 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturday, February 20, 2010 -- 10:00 am to 1:30 pm
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 -- 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Each exam is $30 and includes an official LSAT plus one experimental section. You can pick any exam we have in stock, including the recently released PrepTest 59 (which is the December 2009 LSAT).

Sign up here:

Live Proctored Exams

Location:

Strategy LSAT Preparation
1875 I Street, NW, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 680-4561

Metro: Farragut West, Farragut North

Your Make-Up Date

When you learn your make-up date, feel free to post it here along with your test center:

LSAT Make-Up Date - February 2010

2010-02-08T20:31:00.003-05:00

Make-up Date

Was your LSAT canceled because of the recent snowstorm?

Although LSAC has not released an official make-up date yet, its representatives have said that the make-up exam could be as early as this Saturday (February 13, 2010) and that it's unlikely to be any later than next Saturday (February 2010).

Either way, LSAC will email you this week with a make-up test date.

Mini-Course ($115)

To help you prepare for the make-up exam, we're offering a Mini LSAT Course that starts tomorrow (Tuesday) at 6:30 pm. We've post the schedule and syllabus below.

You can sign up here:

Mini-Course

Thanks and good luck!

Statement Workshop ($35)

2010-02-08T20:10:00.000-05:00

The Personal Statement Workshop is next Monday:

February 15, 2010
7:00 to 8:30 pm

In this interactive workshop, you'll learn the five keys of persuasive personal statements and how to incorporate them into your own statement. Sign up here:

Statement Workshop

LSAT Center Closings in DC - Snow Update

2010-02-04T17:50:00.007-05:00

LSAC has already closed 10 test centers in the DC metro area. For an updated list, check:

Closed LSAT Centers

From LSAC:

"Please continue to check this website alert for any additional test center closings due to inclement weather. LSAC will contact you via email as soon as possible (most likely the week after the test date) regarding other options, including a make-up test."

Closed?

If you’re test center is closed, look at this as an opportunity to further prepare by taking more practice exams and reviewing those questions that give you the most angst. When LSAC finally does announce your new test date, you’ll be even more ready than you are now.

[Strategy is planning to offer a mini-course between now and the new test date(s).]

Not Closed or Unsure?

If you’re test center is not closed, plan on taking the test on Saturday. Give yourself plenty of extra time to get to your testing site and figure out the best way to get there despite the weather (Metrorail might be safer than driving, for example). On Friday night and Saturday morning, double check your LSAC account and reprint your ticket to make sure nothing has changed. Check the list of closings above as well. When in doubt, go to your testing center unless it is unsafe to do so.

What can I do to calm myself before the test?

2010-02-02T21:00:00.002-05:00

On the morning of the test you’re going to be tempted to think about many different things. It’s really important, though, to go into the test with a positive and excited attitude. Tackling the test with the right mindset is important; you want to be motivated and ready to do your best. Try not to let test-day jitters get the best of you.

Your Own Breakfast of Champions

One way to avoid the jitters: While you’re eating breakfast on test day, run through the following little mind exercise. It’s simple. Just write as many reasons as you can that explain why you’re going to do awesome on the LSAT. It doesn’t matter what the reasons are. You could write how well you did on that fifth grade spelling bee. Anything! The key here is to just keep writing. In this way, you force yourself to think nothing but positive thoughts for a good portion of your morning. You’re inevitably going to be thinking of something, so it might as well be how awesome you are!

Your Own Rocky

Another thing you can do is to just create a mix of your favorite songs that pump you up. Spend a couple minutes starring in your own personal Rocky sequel with Eye of the Tiger playing in the background, and then let that excitement and intensity carry you into the test.

Beating the Bell Curve

No matter how much the test makers like to praise their test’s objectivity and accuracy, they are secretly banking on your being nervous. To maintain the LSAT’s predictably smooth bell curve, they need many students to rush and miss the details. Otherwise, too many folks would do well, and they’d have to develop a better test. But if you take the time to really get excited about doing well and overcome your jitters, you’re going to beat them at their own game.

---------------
Related

How many questions can I miss on the LSAT?

What if it snows a lot on test day?

2010-02-01T12:08:00.001-05:00

I just got a good question about the predicted snow on Saturday.

It is possible that LSAC would cancel the test if it snowed too much, but that would be on a site-by-site basis. If that happens, they would contact you after the fact and probably reschedule you for sometime in the next two weeks; that's what they've done in the past.

That said, I would recommend not planning on this. When I took my test, I had to drive through 7 inches of snow that had fallen the night before. And not only was the test still taking place, I was the last one to arrive. They're not going to cancel the test unless it's impossible for them to hold it.

If you think your test might be canceled, I would check your lsac.org account to see if they've posted any updates either before you go to bed on Friday or when you wake up on Saturday. They might call or email you, but I wouldn't count on it.

In the meantime, make sure to give yourself double or even triple the time it would normally take you to get to your testing site.

How many questions can I miss on the LSAT?

2010-01-29T10:25:00.002-05:00

It's easy to get hung up on one or two problems while you're taking an LSAT only to feel that you've ruined your score. But what does a missed question actually do to your score anyway?

Most people would agree that a 170 is a really high score. Does that mean that you have to be perfect to score a 170? Not at all. In fact, on most tests you can miss 10 questions and still score a 170. That's two whole games!

Now let's see what you need to get a 160. As it turns out, you can miss about 25 questions on average and still get a 160. That's an entire section! You can miss one in every four questions and still get a 160.

The key here is figuring out how many questions you need to answer correctly to get what you want. If your goal is a 160, then trying to push yourself to get a 180 is likely to cause more harm than good.

This isn't to say that you have to sell yourself short. Pick a score that you think you can get, and if you reach it, then it's time to push yourself further. But don't let an unrealistic goal stress you out and get in the way of a great goal. Besides, once you reach your goal, you can always reassess and set a higher goal. Just don't worry about that until you get there.

In the meantime, pull out a score conversion chart from a modern test (ideally PrepTests 54+). Find the score that you want. What's the raw score you need to get that LSAT score? Subtract that from 100. That number is the number of questions you can miss and still get your goal. Divide that number by 4 to see how many questions you can miss in each section. By seeing how many questions you can miss, many students start to feel more relaxed, which helps them do better on the other questions. Find a score that seems doable but that pushes you a little. Once you get that score, reassess and try again.

Keep it up, and you'll do awesome!

....

Related:

LSAT Anxiety Release Program

List of Official LSAT PrepTests

2010-01-26T14:46:00.005-05:00

	LSAT	PrepTest	Published in

1991	June	1
	October	2	TriplePrep 1
	December	3	TriplePrep 2
1992	February	4	TriplePrep 1
	June	5	TriplePrep 1
	October	6	TriplePrep 2
	December	18	10 Actual
1993	February	7	10 Actual
	June	8	TriplePrep 3
	October	9	10 Actual
	December	Released as 16
1994	February	10	10 Actual
	June	11	10 Actual
	October	12	10 Actual
	December	13	10 Actual
1995	February	14	10 Actual
	June	15	10 Actual
	September	16	10 Actual
	December	17
1996	February	A	SuperPrep
	June	19	10 More
	October	20	10 More
	December	21	10 More
1997	February	No number
	June	22	10 More
	October	23	10 More
	December	24	10 More
1998	February	Not released
	June	25	10 More
	September	26	10 More
	December	27	10 More
1999	February	B	SuperPrep
	June	28	10 More
	October	29	The Next 10
	December	30	The Next 10
2000	February	C	SuperPrep
	June	31	The Next 10
	October	32	The Next 10
	December	33	The Next 10
2001	February	Not released
	June	34	The Next 10
	October	35	The Next 10
	December	36	The Next 10
2002	February	Not released
	June	37	The Next 10
	October	38	The Next 10
	December	39	PrepTest 39
2003	February	Not released
	June	40	PrepTest 40
	October	41	PrepTest 41
	December	42	PrepTest 42
2004	February	Not released
	June	43	PrepTest 43
	October	44	PrepTest 44
	December	45	PrepTest 45
2005	February	Not released
	June	46	PrepTest 46
	October	47	PrepTest 47
	December	48	PrepTest 48
2006	February	Not released
	June	49	PrepTest 49
	September	50	PrepTest 50
	December	51	PrepTest 51
2007	February	Not released
	June	No number	Official Sample
	September	52	PrepTest 52
	December	53	PrepTest 53
2008	February	Not released
	June	54	PrepTest 54
	October	55	PrepTest 55
	December	56	PrepTest 56
2009	February	Not released
	June	57	PrepTest 57
	September	58	PrepTest 58
	December	59	PrepTest 59
2010	February	Not released
	June	60	PrepTest 60
	October	61	PrepTest 61
	December	62	PrepTest 62

Key

10 Actual — 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests
10 More — 10 More Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests
The Next 10 — The Next 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests
SuperPrep — The Official LSAT SuperPrep
TriplePrep — LSAT TriplePrep, Volumes 1-3
PrepTest — Individual PrepTests

Should I retake the LSAT?

2010-01-18T11:13:00.001-05:00

If you think you can increase your score by 3 or more points, you should seriously consider retaking the LSAT. Even though schools no longer “need” to average your scores, they can if they want. Yale, Chicago, Cornell, and some other schools have said they won’t, for example, while NYU, Duke, Georgetown, and some others have said they will.

For most schools, however, whether they average depends largely on how well you do when you retake it. Consider these two students:

Vijay gets a 158 and then a 164.
Otto gets a 160 and then a 162.

The average for both Vijay and Otto is 161, but which average is better?

Most schools would likely peg Otto at a 161 and peg Vijay at a 164. Given the difference between Vijay’s first score and his second, his first score was probably a fluke or premature. Yet Otto’s 162 almost reaffirms his 160. The test makers themselves concede that the test has a margin of error of 3 points. So maybe Otto preformed exactly the same on each test but got a different result simply because the test is imperfect.

Vijay, on the other hand, might have gotten lucky, but probably not that lucky. His second score means something and should be given more weight than his first.

This example brings us back to our first sentence: If you’re likely to up by 3 or more points, you should seriously consider retaking. Granted, the more you go up, the better. By going up 6 points, for instance, Vijay made it easy for schools to disregard his first score. But even a 3-point leap can make a difference.

Just make sure you’re ready to make the leap!

Last Proctored Exams for September 2009 LSAT

2009-09-17T15:34:00.009-04:00

There are still six proctored LSATs left between now and the September 26, 2009 LSAT:

Thu, Sep 17, 2009 - 6:00 PM
Sat, Sep 19, 2009 - 9:00 AM
Sat, Sep 19, 2009 - 2:00 PM
Tue, Sep 22, 2009 - 6:00 PM
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 - 6:00 PM
Thu, Sep 24, 2009 - 6:00 PM

Sign Up Online to reserve your seat

(It's FREE if it's your first time taking a test with us.)

Looking ahead to the December LSAT?

Here are a few more proctored exams:

Sat, Sep 26, 2009 - 10:00 AM
Tue, Sep 29, 2009 - 6:00 PM

Most Common FAQ about LSAT

2009-09-10T15:20:00.004-04:00

Here are many of the most common questions about the LSAT. All answers quote directly from LSAC’s website:

How many times can I take the LSAT?

Normally, you may not take the LSAT more than three times in any two-year period. This policy applies even if you cancel your score or it is not otherwise reported.

However, you may retake the LSAT if a law school to which you are applying requires a more recent score than any you have on record, or approves your retaking the test, and the school provides LSAC with written proof of its requirement no later than the last day of registration for the test.

How will my scores be reported?

LSAC will automatically report the results of all LSATs in your file, including cancellations and absences, since June 1, 2004. The scores are averaged and also appear separately.

If you wish to have older scores obtained between June 1, 2000, and June 1, 2004, placed on a current file, you may do so by sending a signed, dated request to LSAC.

How can I cancel my score?

There are two ways you can cancel your score:

Complete the score cancellation section on the LSAT answer sheet at the test center. (You must blacken both bubbles in the score cancellation section.) Sign your full name and date for the certifying statement.
Send a written cancellation request to LSAC after the test. Your written cancellation must be in the form of a signed fax; overnight letter; or expedited, mailed score cancellation form, which you can access on this website immediately following your test administration. Your request must be received within six calendar days of the test. If you do not receive confirmation of receipt of your request within four calendar days after your request was submitted, contact LSAC immediately. If your request has not been processed, you may submit proof that your request was received at LSAC within the required period. Documentation of proof of receipt will not be accepted beyond 14 calendar days after the test.

How long after the test will I receive my results?

LSAT takers who have LSAC.org accounts will automatically receive their LSAT scores by e-mail approximately three weeks after taking the test. This is the quickest way to obtain your LSAT score, and there is no additional charge.

More LSAT Answers

How long should my law school personal statement be?

2009-08-22T09:11:00.002-04:00

Every law school has a different requirement. Some schools don't limit your length, while others cap it at a certain number of pages or words.

Most schools limit the length to 2 pages, double spaced, or about 500 words.

One strategy: Look at all the schools you're applying to, and pick the school with the shortest limit. Write your essay within that limit.

Granted, the more you can customize your statement for each school, the greater impact it will have on each admissions committee. But writing your statement within the shortest limit will allow you to use it for any school you apply to.

Here are some sample limits:

Georgetown

There is no minimum or maximum length. We do not feel that an applicant's personal statement should be limited. Please send in your personal statement with your application.

George Washington

Please try to keep your personal statement to 500 words – two pages, double spaced.

American

The average length is 2-3 pages. Reviewers appreciate it if you could keep the font size legible (at least 11 point) and double spaced.

George Mason

The application requires submission of a personal statement not to exceed 500 words, double-spaced.

Harvard

We ask that you limit your statement to two pages, double spaced, using a font size that is comfortable to read (not less than 11 point).

Stanford

Enclose a statement of about two pages describing important or unusual aspects of yourself not otherwise apparent in your application.

NYU

Because people and their interests vary, we leave the content and length of your statement to your discretion. You may wish to complete or clarify your responses to items on the application form, bring to our attention additional information you feel should be considered, describe important or unusual aspects of yourself not otherwise apparent in your application, or tell us what led you to apply to NYU School of Law.

Bowie denies, then gives 5 minutes to LSAT test takers

2009-06-20T22:31:00.005-04:00

One of our students, who took the June 2009 LSAT at Bowie, had this to say.

Too funny not to share:

LSAT went pretty well I think, though it was pretty interesting, they jipped us 5 minutes on the last section apparently and people started yelling about it and stuff. So she gave us an extra 5 minutes after it all went down. Was funny. Some guys also thought that we lost 5 minutes on the second section, but I noticed the time for that one and I was 99% positive that we got full time.

Lesson learned: Keep time so you can demand your 35 minutes?!

Hopefully this never happens again, LSAC. :)

LSAT Job Opportunities

2009-06-11T12:58:00.005-04:00

Strategy LSAT Preparation is looking for qualified individuals to join our DC office and expanding areas in Virginia and Maryland. We're looking for the following:

LSAT Instructors
LSAT Tutors
LSAT Proctors

To recruit the best talent, we pay our teachers above-average rates. Your exact rate, however, depends on your teaching and tutoring experience.

Requirements:

Official LSAT Score in the top 98%
Excellent teaching experience and abilities
Outgoing and friendly personality

Please do not apply if you do not meet these requirements.

Apply Online

Thanks for your interest. We look forward to meeting you!

LSAT Writing Sample Tips

2009-06-03T14:40:00.002-04:00

The LSAT will ask you only to evaluate two choices—not to evaluate an argument. Argument writing prompts were discontinued in June 2007.

A good writing sample is direct and gets to the point. Even though they give you a whole page, don’t feel like you need to use every line. Instead, state your conclusion—your main point—in your first sentence. Then support it. Then stop.

1. In the first sentence, state which choice you support.

2. In the next three to six sentences, give three reasons why you support it.

Make sure each reason relates to the two criteria.
Keep it short but substantive by not repeating yourself.

3. Show that you understand the benefits of the other choice by concluding with one or two sentences starting with “although.” Here’s a good format to follow:

Although the [other choice] has benefit X, person Y should still go with [your choice] because of reason Z.

That's it. No need to go further. Writing more for the sake of writing more will hurt your writing sample. They won't appreciate your verbosity.

When will I get my LSAT score?

2009-04-23T10:14:00.004-04:00

It usually takes about 3 weeks.

For the June 2009 test, for instance, LSAC says you'll get your score by June 28:

June 2009 Dates and Deadlines

But they often send the scores a few days early. It just depends on your luck.

Why is the LSAT so important?

2009-02-16T14:16:00.006-05:00

Yes, law schools will look at more than just your LSAT score. But in a sea of applicants, it's impossible not to rely on the exam. Some say that as much as 70% of the decision depends on your three-digit result from this four-hour test.

Not fair? Perhaps. But consider Georgetown Law School.

Georgetown's Numbers

In 2008, it received 11,000 applications for a class of about 400 students. How else is a small admissions committee to wade through all the chaos?

They could turn to everyone's GPA, but that, too, poses serious challenges. The main challenge is the lack of consistency. These GPAs come from schools all across the country (and, for that matter, the world) and represent every type of degree imaginable. Try to compare a physics-program 3.67 from NYU with an American-studies 3.92 from Stanford.

Not sure? Okay, just read all 11,000 personal statements.

But even personal statements are misleading. They favor those who know how to sell themselves. Granted, that's a talent that might suit a future lawyer well. But we're still looking at over 11,000 monologues of why so-and-so is the best applicant ever. There's simply not enough time.

Level Playing Field

This brings us back to the LSAT—the strictly monitored, standardized test. It's the easiest way to size people up in a heartbeat. So simple, in fact, a computer can do it.

It may not be fair, but it's the reality.

The Secret

Now for the least-understood secret:

The LSAT is no IQ test. The longer you study for it, the better you'll do. If you want to score high, just study more and beat the system.

That's why we created the 100-Hour Course. It's long, but it works.

Now imagine Harvard, Yale, Stanford . . .

When should I take the LSAT?

2009-01-30T13:09:00.001-05:00

Every year, the LSAT is administered four times—in February, in June, in late September or early October, and in December.

Most law schools start accepting applications in September and stop accepting them in February.

Applying Early

Because most schools start accepting students as soon as they get applications, it's better to apply as early as you can. UC Berkeley (Boalt Hall), for example, fills 75% of its seats by its application deadline, which is February 2 in 2009.

That said, every school is different. To give you an extreme example, ... more.

Online LSAT Timer and Proctor

2008-12-29T11:30:00.005-05:00

Some folks have asked about an online LSAT timer. Here's one we put online:

www.strategyprep.com/timer

It's free.

It's a proctor, really. You click "play" to start the 35-minute proctor, which tells you when to start, when you have five minutes, and when your time is up. We recommend using an analog watch with this online proctor to simulate the actual exam.

Let us know if you have any comments or suggestions!

Official LSAT PrepTests

Bye from DC!

Tips for Minorities Good for Everyone

2008-12-27T11:42:00.005-05:00

The LSAC has published a booklet for minorities on how to apply to law school. The tips, however, are good for everyone. Here are a few, quoted verbatim:

Apply early.
Contact each law school you’re interested in for specific information and requirements.
Prepare well for the LSAT; take timed practice tests.
Research the right school for you.
Talk to lawyers and find out what they do.
Have realistic expectations.
Know what you are getting into.
Prepare a well-thought-out and intriguing personal statement.
Do your best academic work as an undergraduate.
Round out your portfolio with activities and leadership positions.
Attend a Law School Forum.
Reach out to and consult with prelaw advisors.

We must comment on their advice to "take timed practice tests" since we proctor more timed tests in our 100-Hour Course than any other national preparation company. It's nice to read that LSAC agrees that this practice is key.

In the end, however, we go further: Our students actually end up taking over 20 timed, full-length tests when you consider the homework they do in addition to the proctored, in-class exams. And that doesn't include the over 3,000 untimed but official practice questions that students work on in class and at home. Yeah, it's intense, but fun -- and rewarding!

If you're a minority, check out the advice on addressing your ethnicity in your personal statement on page 4:

Pursue a Career in Law: Change the Odds

The other pages also have good advice for anyone considering law school. Enjoy!

Students Must Leave DC for LSAT

2008-12-22T08:04:00.002-05:00

This GW article is old news, but it seems to happen every year. So register early.

You can always change your test date -- even after the test. If you're signed up for the February 7, 2009 LSAT, for example, you can switch to the June exam as late as February 9, as long as you do it online and pay LSAC $33.00.

Although this article is talking about the September LSAT, which attracts the most test takers, it still makes sense to register early if you want to take the test in DC.

Also, the article mentions that the LSAT is "four hours." That's true, somewhat. The test itself is only 3 hours and 45 minutes. But when you take the actual test, set aside 7 hours. With so many people taking the test in DC, it usually takes 2 hours or so to check everyone in at the testing center.

Some students forced to leave D.C. for LSAT:

"Many law-school hopefuls in Washington are leaving the District Saturday to take the Law School Admission Test because all test centers in D.C. were filled nearly three months before the registration deadline. ..."

How many law schools should I apply to?

2008-12-16T23:07:00.012-05:00

Most applicants apply to 4 or fewer schools.

Over the last ten years, however, the number of applicants applying to over 11 schools has more than doubled from 8% to 18%. I suspect more people are getting more competitive by applying to more schools (factor number one listed below).

A whopping 27% of applicants in 2007 applied to only one law school. I guess they had the scores to pick and choose their destination or, more likely, they settled for a safe school.

How many applications you send out depends on

How much you want to go a top school. More want, more schools.
How high your LSAT and GPA are relative to other applicants. Higher scores, fewer schools.
How much money you have to spend on applications.
How picky you are. More picky, fewer schools.

Given the cost of law school, I'd err on the side of applying to too many. Granted, it may cost you a few hundred dollars, but you're about to dish out thousands. Make sure you give that money to the right school for you. Besides, consider your post-graudation salary, which is positively correlated with law-school rank. The higher the rank, the higher your likely salary. No joke.

Here's the application data, provided by LSAC:

Number of Applications per Applicant 1993-2007

DC Law School Forum - June 27, 2009

2008-12-12T10:41:00.005-05:00

The DC Law School Forum, hosted by LSAC, will be held:

Saturday, June 27, 2009
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Marriott Wardman Park
2660 Woodley Road, NW
Washington, DC

Admission is free.

You can register at the event or online (to avoid waiting in line):

Meet representatives from over 170 law schools
Attend workshops on:

Financing a legal education (10:30 AM and 4:00 PM)
Applying to law school (11:15 AM and 12:15 PM)
Being a lawyer (2:30 PM)
Taking the LSAT (11:30 AM)

Get admission materials and catalogs
Review LSAC’s LSAT preparation materials
Visit the prelaw advisors’ table for general advice on applying to law school

DC Law School Forum

Official GPA and LSAT Calculator

2008-11-29T14:54:00.016-05:00

Wondering whether you can into Harvard Law School or any school, for that matter?

Official GPA and LSAT Calculator

LSAC makes you read a disclosure! To skip it, scroll down and click on Return to Search Page.

After you enter your GPA and LSAT score (or estimated score), sort by Likelihood.

Day Before the LSAT

2008-11-14T19:58:00.011-05:00

Take it easy. Plan to do something fun, and don't plan on studying. If you like studying, it won't hurt. But don't feel the need to do so. You're prepared. Now is the time to relax and to get rested for the day ahead. That said, don't get all worried about getting enough sleep; you'll get through the test. Just say no to partying and you'll be good.
Figure out how to get to the testing center. And, if possible, go to the testing center. That will ensure you know how to get there, how long it takes, and where to park. Once you're there, if you can get in the building, check out where you'll be sitting, the clock (if any), restrooms, drinking fountains, and so on. The more you know, the more relaxed you'll be.
Print out your ticket even if you already have. Make sure your testing center hasn't changed; it's happened before.
Pack your zip-lock bag, which must be one gallon (3.79 liter) or smaller. Contents.
Set your alarm and go have fun. You've done all you can do.

What can I take to the LSAT?

2008-11-13T19:00:00.005-05:00

Almost nothing, except your clothes and a one-gallon, clear zip-lock bag with the following goodies:

Required

LSAT admission ticket
Driver's license or passport
No. 2 wooden pencils

ID Requirements

Current (not expired)
Government issued
Photo
Your signature
Your first and last name on your ID must match your ticket exactly. If not, you must request a new ticket well before the exam.

Optional

Wallet
Keys
Analog wrist watch
Medical or hygiene products
Highlighter
Erasers
Pencil sharpener
Tissues
Beverage in plastic container or juice box (maximum size 20 oz. or 591 ml)
Snack

Not Permitted

Cell phones
Ear plugs
Mechanical pencils
Anything remotely electronic, including digital watches

Wear a few extra layers of clothing just in case it's too cold because you can always take them off.

Famous vs. Familiar Recommendation Letters

2008-11-07T21:00:00.005-05:00

Every year some pre-law student interns for some U.S. Senator, hoping to get a great letter of recommendation. Nothing wrong with that, unless you never get to know your boss.

These letters from "famous" recommenders are far less influential than those letters from recommenders who are "familiar" with who you are and with how you work.

That doesn't mean you want to ask your dad, of course. But you do want to ask someone who's worked with you closely in school or at work, so they can really dig deep and show the admissions committee what you're made of.

For those who still have time, remember this and work really hard for someone before you apply so you can ask for a recommendation with complete confidence that it will get you in at your top school -- and not get in your way.

Which reminds me, if you're not sure whether someone will sing your praises, don't ask them to recommend you. If you're desparate and can't find anyone else, be direct:

"Would you be willing to write a strong recommendation letter for my law school application?"

If they hestitate (even slightly) and then say "yes," just tell them you'll get back to them. Then go with Plan B by either asking someone else or getting a new job so you can build up future recommenders.

Should I wait until February?

2008-11-03T22:44:00.006-05:00

Many people have been asking if they should take the test now -- in December -- or wait until February.

Short answer:

If you really want to go to law school in 2009, take the December LSAT.

Most schools don't accept February LSAT scores from students who want to attend the following fall. But even when schools do, they've usually filled up most of their incoming class by that time, so your chances of acceptance are much lower.

If you're willing to wait a year, take the February LSAT and apply early.

You'll be ahead of everyone else, you'll have more time to study for the LSAT, you'll be able to focus on your applications in the summer, and you'll know where you want to apply because you'll have your actual score. Then go get a cool internship over the summer that will give you a good recommendation letter and bragging rights on your resume.

Top 20 Law Schools in 2008

2008-09-12T20:53:00.007-04:00

Law School (total students)

Yale (600)
Harvard (1700)
Stanford (500)
Columbia (1200)
NYU (1400)
UC Berkeley (900)
University of Chicago (600)
Penn (800)
University of Michigan (1200)
University of Virginia (800)
Northwestern (1200)
Cornell (600)
Duke (600)
Georgetown (1600)
Vanderbilt (600)
UCLA (1000)
University of Texas (1300)
USC Gould (600)
Washington University in St. Louis (800)
George Washington (1400)

How many people take the LSAT?

2008-09-08T12:05:00.001-04:00

Every year, about 140,000 people take the LSAT.

Feb LSAT: 25,000
Jun LSAT: 27,000
Oct LSAT: 50,000
Dec LSAT: 41,000

These numbers are based on the averages for the last five years.

Which month is the easiest?

2008-09-02T20:42:00.004-04:00

Sorry, no shortcuts here.

LSAC, the organization that administers the LSAT, tries very hard to make every test equally difficult. It's true that some tests are harder than others, but it's not because they were given in a certain month.

That said, over time the test has gotten harder. As more and more students turn to outside help to prepare for the LSAT, the test writers have had to respond by making it harder so that it continues to distinguish students. Much like an easy college exam, if everyone gets an "A," there's no way to tell who knows the material best.

LSAT Score Fails to Determine Quality

2008-08-26T20:08:00.004-04:00

This article below is just an op-ed. The author doesn't rely on any study, but it's the kind of topic that many folks like to ask about.

In the end, however, how well the LSAT predicts future success is not that important because law schools think it does a good job. So the better your score, the better your school. And there is actual evidence, contrary to some comments posted after the article, that law-school rank and post-graduation salary are positively correlated.

Here are some comments from Stanford Law School worth quoting:

Stanford's website offers a refreshing dose of honesty when it professes, "Admissions officers downplay the role of the LSAT in admissions decisions, but don't believe them." Stanford claims further that a "perfect GPA, an abundance of extracurricular activities, and a background as unique as an honest politician will not get you into a top-five law school if your LSAT score is low."

Here's the full article:

LSAT Score Fails to Determine Quality

Are law school exams and the LSAT similar?

2008-08-20T15:31:00.004-04:00

Although it's not too surprising, an interesting study conducted in 2004 suggests that the LSAT does a better job of predicting how well you'll do on in-class tests than on take-home exams or assigned papers.

This power to predict, however, is important to admissions committees because most of your law school GPA depends on in-class tests. In fact, most classes base your grade on nothing but one three-hour final exam at the end of the semester. Much like your LSAT score, your grade depends on one great performance.

The study concludes that the LSAT's time constraints make it most similar to in-class exams. In short, speed matters on the LSAT and in law school.

Your GPA, on the other hand, does a good job of predicting how well you'll do in all three scenarios -- in-class exams, take-home exams, and assigned papers -- which is probably why law schools look at your GPA right after they look at your LSAT score. These numbers aren't perfect, but they start to reveal what you've done in the past and what you'll likely do in the future.

That said, preparing for the LSAT does more than just prepare you for the test itself. Students who invest themselves develop the very skills the exam is testing. And that prepares you for law school.

For those who are interested, here's the original study:

Speed as a Variable on the LSAT and Law School Exams

Beware, it's a 3 MB PDF.