Law School App Explanation Statements


LSAT Blog Law School App Explanation Statements
The below excerpt on "explanation" statements, a type of optional law school application essay, is from A Guide to Optional Essays and Addenda.

February 2015 LSAT Score Release Dates

LSAT Blog February 2015 LSAT Score Release Dates
UPDATE: Scores were released on Monday, March 2.

Good luck to everyone taking the February 2015 LSAT!

The February 2015 LSAT scores / results are scheduled to be released via email by Tuesday, March 3, 2015, so you'll have to wait for your LSAT score.

However, the scores usually come out a bit earlier than scheduled.

Let's look at the trend over the past several years (click to enlarge):

Why LSAT PrepTest Scores Fluctuate

Many LSAT test-takers think everyone has one "true" LSAT score, just like everyone supposedly has one "true" IQ score. Of course, taking an IQ test at age 20 and age 50 would likely generate different results. But I'd imagine that even taking two IQ tests a week or a day apart would likely generate slightly different results.

So, why do so many people think they should keep getting approximately the same LSAT score when taking timed LSAT PrepTests before Test Day?

This idea may have something to do with intuitions about grades, but even grades aren't necessarily constant. While people tend to be jealous of the person who "gets straight A's," I can't think of someone who got only As. I often got As, but I also got A-s and even (gasp) B+s.

For some people, this comes from the idea that the LSAT is a test you can study for, and improve on. "I've studied my way to a 170, so that's now my true score. How could I possibly get significantly lower scores? Am I getting dumber?"


Reasons your LSAT scores can fluctuate:

People often fail to consider that there is an element of randomness involved on standardized exams.

-With a limit on the number of questions that can be asked, some concepts that you're good at might not appear, leading your score to be lower than it would've been otherwise.

-A concept that doesn't always appear might show up on your test. If it's something you're shaky on, again, your score might end up being lower than it would've been otherwise.

As always, the safest course of action to guard against unanticipated low scores is to learn everything. No easy answers here, sorry.

Some other factors that lead to score drops - burnout, sleep deprivation, stress, and poor health. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat well, and get moderate exercise. This stuff really makes a difference.


New LSAT SuperPrep Book from LSAC

LSAT Blog New LSAT SuperPrep Book LSAC
Coming soon: A new LSAT SuperPrep book from LSAC

LSAC has announced that in Spring 2015, it will release LSAT SuperPrep II: a new LSAT book containing LSAC-written explanations for LSAT PrepTest 62 (December 2010 LSAT), LSAT PrepTest 63 (June 2011 LSAT), and a "never-before-disclosed test form."

Up to this point, LSAT SuperPrep was only book containing LSAC-written explanations for full LSAT PrepTests. That book contains the February 1996 LSAT, February 1999 LSAT, and February 2000 LSAT (PrepTests A, B, and C, respectively).

I'll update my day-by-day LSAT study plans to reflect the release of the Official LSAT SuperPrep II once LSAC releases it.

Aside from the SuperPrep books, you can get explanations for LSAT PrepTests here on LSAT Blog. There's a big list of them in Best LSAT Prep Books.

Digital LSAT? LSAC Studies LSAT Administration Via Tablet

LSAT Blog Digital LSAT LSAC Studies Administration Tablet
In the most recent LSAC newsletter, LSAC mentions it's looking into administering the LSAT via tablet (PDF, page 5). For those of you who don't know, the LSAT is the last major graduate-level exam to still be given only via paper and pencil.

But, at some vague point in the future, you (or your younger siblings, or your children) may be taking the LSAT on an iPad or some other type of computer-related device.

Here are the full details from LSAC:

Digital LSAT
LSAC is conducting research involving LSAT delivery options for the future. We are studying the feasibility of a tablet- based LSAT administration system, which will likely be field-tested sometime in 2015. No decision has been made regarding future implementation of such a system. In the 1990s, LSAC began researching the potential for electronic delivery of the test, and this is a continuation of those efforts.

Related:

If The LSAT Were A Computerized Test, Cheating, and Theft

Photo by smemon

LSAT Reading Comprehension Explanation - Philosophical Anarchism

LSAT Reading Comprehension Explanation - Philosophical Anarchism
Below is a complete explanation for the fourth Reading Comprehension passage of LSAT PrepTest 52 (September 2007 LSAT) and associated questions. It's an excerpt from Complete Reading Comprehension Explanations for LSAT PrepTests 52-61.

LSAT PrepTest 74 (December 2014 LSAT) PDF Download

Just wanted to let you all know that LSAT PrepTest 74 (the December 2014 LSAT) is available on Amazon.com

PrepTest 74 is the most recently released LSAT, so it's the best reflection of the LSAT's current state. It's especially crucial for anyone preparing for the February 2015 LSAT and beyond to thoroughly study this exam. The LSAT evolves over time.

You can get free video explanations for LSAT PrepTest 74 Logic Games. You can also get low-cost explanations for LSAT PrepTest 74 for instant PDF download.

December 2014 LSAT Logic Game Solution

I just made a video explanation for the first LSAT Logic Game from LSAT PrepTest 74 (December 2014 LSAT). It's the game where a six-members of a band perform. The band is composed of a guitarist, keyboard player, percussionist, saxophonist, trumpeter and violinist

I explained all questions in one video. (Get more free LSAT videos.)

Enjoy!

December 2014 LSAT Logic Game Explanation

I just made a video explanation for the second LSAT Logic Game from LSAT PrepTest 74 (December 2014 LSAT). It's the game where four art historians (Farley, Garcia, Holden, and Jiang) give lectures on lithographs, oil paintings, sculptures, and watercolors.

I explained all questions in one video. (Get more free LSAT videos.)

Enjoy!

LSAT PrepTest 74 Logic Games Solution

I just made a video explanation for the third LSAT Logic Game from LSAT PrepTest 74 (Decenber 2014 LSAT). It's the game where three rugs are woven from six colors (forest, olive, peach, turquoise, white, and yellow).

I explained all questions in one video. (Get more free LSAT videos.)

Enjoy!

LSAT PrepTest 74 Logic Games Explanation

I just made a video explanation for the fourth LSAT Logic Game from LSAT PrepTest 74 (December 2014 LSAT). It's the game where the manager of a photography business must assign photographers (Frost, Gonzalez, Heideck, Knutson, Lai, and Mays) to Silva and Thorne Universities.

I explained all questions in one video. (Get more free LSAT videos.)

Enjoy!

February 2015 LSAT Questions and Answers

The February 2015 LSAT is coming up, and I know many of you are planning to take it.

What questions do you have about studying for the LSAT and LSAT Test Day?

This LSAT Blog post is a place where you can leave comments and answer each others' questions about anything related to LSAT studying and law school admissions.

(If you're looking for general advice on improving your Logic GamesLogical Reasoning, or Reading Comprehension abilities, please note that I've already written plenty of blog posts on these topics. I also have plenty of advice in my LSAT study schedules.)

Keep at it. The February 2015 LSAT will be here before you know it!