Thinking LSAT

00:02:05 – The biggest message is: You’ve either put in the work or not. “The hay is in the barn.” 00:03:36 – Don’t get caught up in “small sample” glitches—it’s more about the last 5 PTs 00:06:40 – Good lawyers never feel prepared. 00:08:33 – Go see Wonder Woman (or any movie) the night before! 00:12:05 – Don’t go to bed early the night before, and other sleeping tips. 00:16:23 – Shut it down. No...

Ann Levine joins the top of the show to discuss the big news of the day, including: 00:01:20 – LSAC eliminates the “3 times in 2 years” rule 00:03:20 – What’s it going to look like when applicants take the LSAT 7 times? 00:08:33 – “People get these goal scores in their head that sound pretty” 00:14:49 – Harvard Law School junior referral program 00:16:59 – It’s still important to take the LSAT ove...

00:00:24 – We kick off the show with a comedy update about a listener who showed up for the digital LSAT pilot at the wrong time. 00:01:20 – We speculate on why the June test happens in the afternoon? 00:02:23 – We express our excitement about LSAC changes after the recent Harvard Law / GRE announcement. 00:03:20 – We admit our Yale April Fool’s Day blunder. Eff you, April Fool’s Day! 00:05:30 – B...

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Today’s show clocks in over two hours. A Thinking LSAT record? (We don’t know, because we’re too lazy to look through all the past episodes.)  In the show open, Nathan talks about his upcoming trip to Europe. He has a one-way ticket to Brussels, Belgium right after the June 2017 LSAT, with no clue where he’s going once he’s there. If you have suggestions for what to see and do, please send them to...

Alert! Today’s show notes were written by Nathan, so don’t be surprised if you find them saltier and less amusing than Andi’s usual sweetness and light.  Our first email comes from “George Town,” a fourth-time LSAT adventurer, on how to prep when you’ve already been at it for a year or more.(10:30) The discussion edges into spoiler territory as we discuss the fourth logic game from PrepTest 80–the...

Looking for an LSAT prep course? Consider Ben's 100-Hour Online LSAT course or Nathan's Fox LSAT On Demand Class. Also, try Fox LSAT's free trial course or check out Ben's free lesson.  Like many of you, Mark emails the show to let us know he will be taking the digital LSAT in May. He also confirms that LSAC will allow scratch paper during the test. Good luck to Mark and all of the...

Ben recommends a book that he’s been enjoying: What Doesn’t Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude and Environmental Conditioning Will Renew Our Lost Evolutionary Strength . Ben’s started taking cold showers, but Nathan remains unconvinced (and warm). (0:17) Looking for an LSAT prep course? Consider Ben’s 100-Hour Online LSAT Course or Nathan’s Fox LSAT On Demand class . Learn in-person, ov...

Vacillating in Vancouver has a dream to become a criminal defense attorney; he also has a dream of not regretting the pursuit of said dream. With an aptitude for reading, writing, and standardized test-taking, Vacillating is confident in his ability to score over 170 on the LSAT. The guys address his fears and attempt to root out their cause in the hopes of helping him make a decision. (0:43) We c...

Unfortunately, Ben just cannot deal! Ads with relentlessly poppy, upbeat, hand-clapping music are making him want to run for the hills. And if the tune features xylophones? Forget about it. Stay tuned at the end of the show for an example (not you, Ben!). (0:25) A BART ad in San Francisco seems to be recruiting people for their simple 5-step plan aimed at fighting President Trump’s devastating env...

Law School Expert Ann Levine joins Episode 87 to discuss Harvard Law School’s recent bombshell—they are now giving students the option of submitting their GRE score instead of their LSAT score. Ann is optimistic that this policy will create waves in the LSAC’s antiquated testing system and bring about changes that will ultimately benefit all applicants. The guys agree with her, however, Ben is uns...

Nathan introduces guest Chantal Renta , a Chinese-speaking, freelance-accounting, tax-law-loving 3L at Southwestern Law School. The show begins with Chantal, a self-proclaimed “tax queen,” warning students about the downside of federal loan forgiveness, an issue previously discussed on the Thinking LSAT podcast in episode 83. (1:30) Chantal discusses the mistakes that she feels she made in prepari...

An update from musician-turned-future-lawyer Peter notifies the guys that, despite their best efforts to dissuade him, he did indeed apply to Temple Law School with his 164 LSAT score. The good news is that Peter was accepted with a full-ride scholarship. The bad news is that Peter still is wondering whether he should retake the LSAT and reapply to get offers to higher ranking programs. At first,...

Laughter is the best medicine, Ben credits Melissa McCarthy’s Sean Spicer skit with adding three years to his life. He also enjoys the absurdity of a clip demanding unquestioning submission to the power of the President . Even with the real-life stress of Trump’s presidency, Ben hopes comedic therapy will yield an overall increase in his longevity. (0:40) Ben recommends an article discussing the e...

Nathan has two recommendations this week: Cadillac Desert , a thorough history of the American West’s pursuit of freshwater by Marc Reisner, and Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes , a cooperative video game where the players work together to defuse a virtual bomb that only one of them can see and manipulate. If you squint hard, this game can almost count as LSAT prep. (1:53) Matt in D.C. took the LS...

Ben recommends an article from The Atlantic , “ The For-Profit Law School That Crumbled ,” which discusses the downfall of the Charlotte School of Law due to its students' low LSAT scores, 45% bar passage rates, and dire employment stats. The piece spurs discussion about for-profit vs. not-for-profit schools, admissible LSAT scores, and whether helping disadvantaged students is really hurting them...

Remember to subscribe to the Thinking LSAT Podcast to be automatically notified each time a new episode goes online! “Timmy,” a 44-year-old who is established in a successful non-law career, is looking to achieve his Bucket List goal of earning a JD. After taking the December test and receiving a 162, Timmy is wondering whether he should continue studying to increase his score or just apply with h...

The (self-proclaimed) Greatest Podcast Hosts That God Ever Created discuss Donald Trump’s recent press conference. Ben wonders about people’s news and filter bubbles, while Nathan transforms current events into sufficient and necessary conditions. (0:30) A 30-something listener is concerned about her chances of law school admittance and success. She needs advice on who to use for references, how t...

Nathan gives five (death)stars to “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” while Ben shares a far more lukewarm review of his family’s new dog, a “Mountain Swissy” kind. (0:30) In Episode 78, the guys read part of an email from Alec, a student who took the December LSAT but canceled his score after encountering an “unusual” Logic Game. They continue with Alec’s questions here in Episode 79. Topics covered...

The guys open Episode 78 by discussing the need to submit a diversity statement with a law school application. Both agree it can be a valuable addition but caution applicants to beware of wasting the admissions officer’s time. (1:28) Nathan admits he has a drinking problem; the problem being his need to discuss the LSAT while drinking. The good news is he left a note for his sober self to discuss...

Nathan shares an email he received from David Faigman, Acting Chancellor and Dean of the University of California Hastings College of the Law. The email, sent to students and alumni of the program, discussed Hasting graduates’ “horrific result” on the July 2016 Bar exam. We talk about who and what is to blame for the low passage rate and what might be done to improve it. (2:36) Arye asks the guys...

Episode 76 is a nod to our Northern neighbors as Nathan records from Toronto, Ontario and we’re joined by Graeme Blake from Montreal, founder of LSAT Hacks. So kick off your ice hockey skates, grab a big mug of maple syrup, and listen in to the last episode before tomorrow’s LSAT exam! An article from the Wall Street Journal claims the American Bar Association is working on a rule that will revoke...

Phillipe (not his real name and probably not the horse from Beauty and the Beast…probably) is wondering whether he should quit his full time job so he can focus on studying for the LSAT. We both advise against this drastic plan and encourage Phillipe to focus on the quality of his study time rather than the quantity. He also asks for suggestions on managing stress and fatigue and we share some of...

Feeling down about the election/the country/the very fabric of your existence?? Fear not, dear listeners, Nathan knows what will turn that frown upside-down…more LSAT prep! In the wake of Trumpocalypse, he is offering a $200 discount on his online, on demand prep course . This offer ends November 15 so use code ‘Trumpocalypse’ to sign up , rock the LSAT, become a lawyer, and save us all! (7:40) We...

Nathan introduces a new Thinking LSAT feature: Really Dumb Move of the (September 2016) LSAT. A tutoring student of his receives the honors this time for discussing the test’s difficulty with a friend during break and then letting that discussion throw off her performance later. Honorable mention is awarded to a really loud wrist watch. (6:28) Nathan recommends a Rolling Stone article, Why We’re L...