Thinking LSAT

This week, Josh and Nate tackle the misconception that the Demon isn’t built for beginners—a belief that emerges from the absence of an introduction to LSAT “theory”. They explain that a bloated curriculum, disconnected from questions, often confuses students and can even reduce scores. The Demon advocates jumping right into questions and letting the test, paired with our explanations, be your tea...

After an influx of GPA addenda questions, Nathan and Josh address several examples in a rapid-fire segment. Their main point: you probably shouldn’t write one at all. Addenda highlight weaknesses and provide information that admissions committees may hold against you. Skip the sob stories and focus on showing why you’ll succeed in law school. ⁠Study with our Free Plan⁠ ⁠Download our iOS app⁠ ⁠Watc...

Ben and Nathan tackle Parallel Reasoning questions, a question type that some students prefer to skip. They assure listeners that these questions work just like any other LSAT question. Gimmicks—like reading the question first or diagramming—don’t help and only distract from the core task. Focus instead on reading for comprehension and understanding the argument. The key is to identify the reasoni...

On this week’s Thinking LSAT, Josh joins Ben to answer questions from students who feel stuck. They explain that plateaus often come from ignoring the core skill tested by the LSAT: “Did you understand what you read?” “Strategies” like skimming passages or completing 10 questions in 10 minutes distract from comprehension. Instead, you unlock the LSAT when you read each sentence carefully and make...

Law School Lemons & LSAT Ceilings Ben and Nathan discuss how law school admissions resemble a “market for lemons,” where students face steep information asymmetries. They highlight tools like the Scholarship Estimator and 509 reports that help applicants manage expectations and avoid overpaying. While there are several ways to strengthen an application, none are as effective as a strong LSAT a...

Ben and Nathan explore how AI is acing law school exams and what that says about legal education. They unpack Donald Rumsfeld’s “unknown unknowns” and how the LSAT helps uncover them. The guys break down what the LSAT curve really means (or doesn’t), then offer advice on predatory pre-law jobs. Then they revisit the difference between sufficient and necessary assumptions. Temple University is feat...

Law schools manipulate scholarships to obscure what they’re actually willing to pay for LSAT scores. Ben and Nathan reveal how some schools offer up to $40,000 per LSAT point. They introduce the “Disparity Index” to show how wildly different financial outcomes can be for students at the same school. Don’t settle for mediocre scores—top LSAT performance unlocks the best deals. Study with our Free P...

Michael Freedman joins Nathan on Thinking LSAT to share his story as a trial lawyer in some of the nation’s most high-profile criminal cases. Along the way, he shares candid advice for law students about finding their path, building experience, and starting a firm. Michael emphasizes the importance of treating law school like a job, embracing trial work, and nurturing every professional relationsh...

Ben and Nathan investigate income-debt ratios for average law students. Their findings paint a sobering picture for the average law school graduate. In many cases, students are paying champagne prices for beer salaries. Paying full price at even top schools can disrupt personal financial stability for a decade or longer.  Then, they review the newly released 2025/2026 LSAT schedule, flag another p...

Applying this late in the cycle shows desperation. And schools love to charge full price for desperation. There are two rules every applicant should follow. Apply early. Apply broadly. Neither of those things can happen at this point in the cycle. Instead, students should focus on getting the best LSAT score possible and apply at the beginning of the next cycle.  Ben and Nate discuss an article re...

Colleges use advanced data tracking to fine-tune scholarship offers based on what they think you’ll pay and to make you feel good about your price. Ben and Nathan explain how firms analyze digital behavior, like email click speed, to calculate offers. Wealthy students get merit aid, lower-income students get need-based aid, but both often pay the same price. The result is personalized pricing that...

Rachel Cohen, a former Skadden associate, joins Ben and Nate to discuss how Big Law is responding to recent executive orders aimed at major firms. They examine how the orders challenge the legal system, why firms are staying quiet, and the resistance staged by associates across the industry.  Later, Ben and Nate highlight Crushing 1L , the Demon’s new program for first-year law students. They also...

Logical Reasoning predictions rely on the basics: accept the premises, assume the conclusion is false, and don’t read the question first. Ben and Nathan explain how these steps make the section easier and why reading the question first often hurts performance. They also discuss how law schools use seat deposit deadlines to encourage students to accept weaker scholarship offers. The guys warn about...

The secret to scoring a 170 on the LSAT? Don’t finish the section—just slow down and focus on accuracy. Ben and Nathan share an excerpt from their new book, The LSAT Is Easy , that breaks down what it takes to reach score milestones. They also unpack common admissions gimmicks, share tips from a departing demon, and host another round of the Personal Statement Gong Show. Study with our Free Plan D...

Ben and Nathan break down the newly released U.S. News law school rankings, including an initial error that caused some confusion. They explain why slight shifts in rankings—like Cornell dropping out of the Top 14 or the new Top 17—shouldn’t heavily influence your law school choice. Instead, they stress applying broadly and focusing on schools with the best scholarship offers and employment outcom...

Ben and Nathan focus on shifting the power dynamic in law school admissions. From controlling scholarship negotiations to spotting misleading admissions practices, they offer practical advice for staying in control and making informed decisions. Sometimes, that means rejecting law schools that aren’t making the cut when it comes to scholarship offers.  Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app...

On Episode 500 of Thinking LSAT, Ben and Nathan tackle the most pervasive myths surrounding the LSAT, law school, and the legal profession. The core of the Demon philosophy shows up again and again in their myth-busting: read for comprehension, solve each problem, and don’t pay for law school.  Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 500 on Youtube 3:46 - Myth 1: Most Students...

 Ben and Nathan kick off the return of Thinking LSAT’s personal statement review segment with a listener's personal statement that had potential. But the statement quickly strays into the weeds, and Ben and Nathan “ring the gong.”  Then Ben and Nathan emphasize the importance of securing a full scholarship to minimize risk during a potential economic recession. They also reassure a listener th...

Law school tuition is designed to exploit the students willing to pay full price, even though very few actually do. This week, Ben and Nathan explain why the more you pay for law school, the more you subsidize your classmates' scholarships. Later on, Ben and Nathan warn students not to confuse understanding with memorization. They caution listeners against taking on significant debt with the hope...

The clock shouldn’t affect you on the LSAT—but you still need to practice ignoring it. This week, Ben and Nathan advise a student to use timed sections to learn how to take the test like the clock doesn’t exist. Then, the guys explain how to approach the LSAT in an intuitive way.  Later, Ben and Nathan encourage a student to try to get high school dual enrollment courses removed from their transcr...

If you don’t have a burning passion to do the work of a lawyer, don’t go to law school. This week, Ben and Nathan caution a listener who is considering giving up a successful career to attend law school.  Later, the guys emphasize the importance of accuracy when studying for the LSAT. And they encourage students not to write an addendum about an LSAT score increase. Study with our Free Plan Downlo...

Don’t Throw Away Your (Five) Shots (Ep. 494) You have five attempts at the official test. Should you use all of them? This week, Ben and Nathan encourage students to plan on taking the test five times, but not to waste their official attempts by signing up before they’re ready.  Later, they discuss a student’s question about requesting a sixth LSAT attempt, and they caution applicants not to make...

Nathan and Ben weigh in on the reports from some test-takers that the February LSAT featured more LG-style questions in Logical Reasoning. The guys also advise listeners on how to bounce back from a disappointing LSAT score. They caution applicants not to overshare in their law school applications. And they consider the importance of the LSAT Writing sample. Study with our Free Plan Download our i...

You don’t conquer the LSAT with fifty-fifty guesses. You do it by carefully solving each question. This week, Nathan and Ben outline their plan of attack in Logical Reasoning, counsel a student who’s feeling unmotivated to study, and identify a common cause of score plateaus. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 493 on YouTube 1:33 - Staying Motivated - An anonymous listener...

The best LSAT students frequently predict the correct answer. But what do you do if your prediction isn’t there? This week, Nathan and Ben revisit their adaptable approach to prediction. The guys also share test-week advice for a February LSAT taker. They weigh in on binding early deferral programs. And they examine a law school in turmoil. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episo...