Question for those who have taken the LSAT

Background: I'm 25, and have been out of college for 3 1/2 years. I'm going to take the LSAT in february. I haven't done any preparation on my own; other than taking an old LSAT that was administered as a practice test at a college last year (they were trying to get people to pay to take a prep class). I did well enough on that test to get into most of the schools that I'd like to apply to, despite the fact that I completely bombed the "games" section b/c I didn't know how to go about diagramming the different parts of the question in order to more quickly obtain an answer. But I'd like to do well enough so that I can go to any school that I'd like. Here's my question: have those of you who have taken the LSAT taken any preparatory classes? If so, which class/classes were they, and did you find them helpful and worth your money? Any info is much appreciated; thanks in advance.

No prep course - just a study guide I bought at the university bookstore. Did just fine.

...I took it in 1980, did fine, but ended up not going to law school. No special courses, just a review book.

But I'm married to one and work for one (one in the same).

Any person that has come to visit and ask about law school my husband has sent to prepartory classes. I think for the same reason listed in your post. Why not get the highest score and pick where you want to go to school?

Good luck - I hear law school is a bitch (and the first few years of practice ain't no fun either).

I work for a company that specializes in online ethics and compliance training, and my main contacts are the GCs of large corporations. My cousin is also a lawyer in a large DC firm, so I've seen first-hand what he's had to go through. In spite of all that, I'm still interested :D

You can get fun LSAT practice software at the bookstore (comes with a study guide or something)

I got a 168 after starting with a 161.

is very helpful (I'm hoping to get at least a 168). Thanks again :D

If you get a 168, you should get plenty of schools to offer money.

That is like the 96th percentile.

I alway test well on standardized tests. I got an 800 Math. The problem is the artsy side of my brain doesn't work. I can remember any fact, but I can't put them into words that sound at all interesting to read. Thats why I'm an insurance lawyer, we are supposed ot be boring.

you can review the class at no charge in order to take it again..the better the score, the better chances you have that schools will help YOU get into them

the Kaplan course. Say hello to the hood of your car for me, and thanks again :D

twice but ended up getting into one of the top ten law schools with her second score on a full scholarship

:thumbsup:

course

But I think the law school prep classes are bullshit. To prep for law school, shoot me an message and I'll give you some free advice. Its not hard, its all about outlining and learning what to read.

I took it without any prep classes and scored high enough to get a full-ride scholarship into the university of my choice. It was also high enough to be a contender pretty much everywhere. I did the practice tests too and the scores were very reflective of what I actually got.

If you know where you want to go and your practice scores are high enough that you're virtually guaranteed entry, don't bother. However, if you're not sure where you want to go, desperately need a scholarship, or are on the admissions bubble, take the class.

*edited because my fingers went faster than my brain.

Also, I graduated from law school last year, so if any of you law schoolers have any questions, feel free to PM me.

:D

You said you got a 162. If you got at least a 3.3ish GPA you will get money from all but the top 10-15 schools. I got money from Boston U and Duke with the 161 and a 3.6 GPA. If you get a 168, you'll get money from the top ten schools. You are looking pretty good.

I'm sorry I didn't. I still got into a few schools but looking back, if I had investd in the courses, I probably would have had even more options.

I'm not complaining, since it all turned out okay, but if you have the $$, take the course. Almost everyone is doing it nowadays so you may as well too.

I make good enough money at my current job; it's just not something I want to be doing for the rest of my life. Your suggestion does make sense; I might as well give myself as much of an edge as possible. Thanks :D

I took the Kaplan class. My diagnostic there gave me these results:

Reading comp: 85%
Logical reasoning: 68%
Logic games: 35%

total score was 155.

After the class, I took that actual LSAT:

Reading comp: 85%
Logical reasoning: 72%
Logic games: 90%

My overall score was 162, which is the 87th percentile. I applied to 4 schools, and just heard back from the first one this week and was accepted.

I recommend the class for these reasons: Logic games is the hardest section, but it is the MOST catchable/trainable. your score WILL increase.

They will teach you how to write a clear, concise written section

I also used their program where they hook you up with a counselor to put your resume/personal statement together. This woman was the former dean of admissions for KSU law, and she was AWESOME.

That class as a little over a grand. The counseling was 100 bucks an hour (provided you sign up for that at the same time) and I used about 4 hours. Well worth it.

and i was thinking about taking the Kaplan course too. Thanks again :D

I took the class very, very seriously. All the required assignments, plus every single "suggested" assignment, and when I was done with those I started making up my own assignments in the practice book. By the time I took the test I actually though I had mono I was so burned out, but when I took that test I felt GREAT.

Why I am married to a lawyer and not a lawyer!!!

I just did the practice exams on my own and I did just fine. I bought a ton of old exams and did those over and over. I wouldn't worry too much about the game section--you can make up a lower score on that section with higher scores in the other sections. I think that the games section is just one of those things you get or you don't--just practice and don't fret about it. You might also find practicing GRE tests might help (I took the GRE before the LSAT and scored almost exactly the same percentile on both).
I have a friend who took the Kaplan review session and got a full scholarship to law school (I don't know what her score was, but I'm sure it was pretty high).
If you have any more questions about the LSAT or law school in general, feel free to PM me. (I'm a 2L).

:D

:)

:P

But I think it might be worthwhile to learn how to do the logic games section. I think if you are scoring very high, the courses probably make less difference, as the testimony of several here seems to indicate, but I also know I had less of a disparity between my logic scores and the rest than you do. I have heard many times that they can teach some strategies to use on the logic part that are very effective, and that the logic part of the test is much more teachable, so it sounds like it might be worth while to take a course. Might as well make sure.

:D

I just took old tests. I however, aced the "games" section :P

Expect to drop ten points from where your scoring at home. All the books say that, and they are right. Happened to all my friends too.