Law school is famously time-consuming. Many students consider quitting their jobs and relying on student loans for living expenses. In this week’s episode, Ben and Nathan discuss the feasibility of working while attending law school. The guys also help listeners decide when to register for the LSAT, and they shed light on the surprising similarities among differently ranked law schools.

LSAT Demon

LSAT Demon iOS App

LSAT Demon Daily

Watch Episode 431 on YouTube

Thinking LSAT YouTube

LSAT Demon YouTube

1:10 - Word of the Week - Mistrust law schools’ machinations.

6:33 - Split Strategy - Nathan and Ben support listener Jackson’s “split strategy” to target official test dates in both the current and next cycle. The guys are confident that Jackson can shore up his performance in Logic Games by the February LSAT.

10:10 - Abandon LG? - LSAT Demon student Alexis has a weakness in Logic Games. Should she abandon LG and focus on preparing for the August 2024 LSAT? In any case, the guys counsel Alexis not to rush into the 2024 application cycle.

15:45 - Working While in Law School - Roughly 85% of part-time students and 40% of full-time students work while attending law school, according to the Law School Survey for Student Engagement. Nathan and Ben believe that law students should have no problem balancing work and school if they set priorities and practice good time management.

48:44 - Don’t Rush Your Retakes - Listener Angela has already taken the LSAT three times, scoring 141 each time. Ben and Nathan urge Angela not to retake until she’s happy with her practice test scores.

53:36 - Legal Research - The guys advise listener Natalie not to put much stock in the “research interests” of law school faculties. They also press Natalie to reconsider whether her career goals demand a JD.

57:45 - Undergrad Prestige - Undergrad prestige is a soft factor in law school admissions. It may matter a little on the margins, but it’s nowhere near as impactful as an applicant’s LSAT score and GPA.

Lawyers are gladiators of the English language. Words are their weapons. So if you’re entering the arena of legal practice, you’d better hone your vocabulary. This week, Ben and Nathan encourage listeners to keep a dictionary handy and to embrace a growth mindset when it comes to their English proficiency. Later, the guys roast some of the internet’s most bizarre LSAT advice. They probe the motives of WashU’s “redacted  review.” And they consider the benefits of taking a gap year before law school.

LSAT Demon

LSAT Demon iOS App

LSAT Demon Daily

Watch Episode 430 on YouTube

Thinking LSAT YouTube

LSAT Demon YouTube

0:00 - January LSAT Registration - The January LSAT registration deadline is upon us. Ben and Nathan explain why November test takers should plan to retake in January.

8:32 - Vocabulary - Nathan and Ben explain how to approach unfamiliar words on the LSAT.

21:44 - Word of the Week - Ben and Nathan upbraid LSAT students who don’t make efforts to expand their vocabulary.

27:08 - Pearls vs. Turds - Nathan and Ben are flummoxed by a blog post that advises LSAT students to align their LSAT prep with their future law school specializations.

45:56 - Score Increase Addendum - Some law schools require applicants to write addendums addressing significant LSAT score increases. Nathan and Ben recommend a one-sentence response.

52:12 - WashU “Redacted Review” - Washington University School of Law allows applicants to redact their LSAT or GPA on their applications. What’s the catch? The redacted info is still considered when awarding scholarships. Ben and Nathan view “redacted review” as just another tactic to solicit applications.

1:10:45 - Scholarship Estimator - Year after year, law schools play the same old scholarship game. The LSAT Demon Scholarship Estimator helps applicants play along.

1:17:29 - Gap Years - Should you take a gap year? Probably. Nathan and Ben discuss how taking an extra year to increase your LSAT score can transform you as a law school applicant.

1:24:28 - Shoutouts - LSAT Demon student Tanya thanks teachers Ala and Brandon for helping her on her LSAT journey.

LSAT students have a limited-time opportunity to conquer Logic Games before they’re gone for good. This week, Nathan and Ben share insights on strategically planning your official LSAT attempts in anticipation of the upcoming changes. The guys also clarify what counts as an “assumption” in Logical Reasoning. They advocate a low-key approach to communicating with admissions offices. And they premiere a new “Word of the Week” segment.

LSAT Demon

LSAT Demon iOS App

LSAT Demon Daily

Watch Episode 429 on YouTube

Thinking LSAT YouTube

LSAT Demon YouTube

3:51 - January LSAT Registration - Ben and Nathan give listener Jason their conditional approval to register for the January LSAT despite Jason’s inconsistency in Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. The next four LSAT administrations are golden opportunities for students who have mastered Logic Games.

7:08 - LSAT Swagger - Listener Brennan hesitates to register for an official test despite scoring as high as 177 on practice tests. Nathan and Ben encourage Brennan to show some well-earned LSAT swagger and to stop giving the test too much respect.

13:44 - January LSAT Study Plan - Whether you’re taking the LSAT in a month or in a year, your study plan should remain the same.

22:16 - Assumptions - Nathan and Ben clear up a common misunderstanding about LSAT Logical Reasoning: An “assumption” doesn’t have to be unstated. It’s simply something that the author accepts as true without question.

27:36 - Application Timeline - Ben and Nathan advise listener Madeline to take some pressure off her January LSAT by planning to apply next cycle.

34:00 - Application on Hold - Listener Dylan’s application to Fordham University was recently put on hold. Nathan and Ben counsel Dylan to shift his focus to schools that demonstrate their interest through scholarships offers.

38:53 - Letters of Continued Interest - Ben and Nathan share some advice on how to communicate with law school admissions offices. You don’t need to hire a high-priced consultant to help you draft your emails. Just be brief, polite, and genuine.

46:48 - Retake a 175? - Canadian applicant Alex considers retaking the LSAT after scoring an official 175. The guys see no downside but little upside.

51:46 - Law Schools for JAG - An anonymous applicant seeks advice on how to pick a law school if cost and ranking aren’t a concern. Nathan and Ben highlight the value of attending a law school where you’ll stand out among your peers.

59:02 - Word of the Week - The guys kick off a new weekly segment in which they plumb the meanings of interesting words.

Test day doesn’t always go as planned. From tech problems to tricky logic games, unexpected challenges during an official LSAT attempt can be intimidating for many students. But the best-prepared test takers don’t hide from their fears—they plan for them. Also on this week’s pod, Ben and Nathan discuss why retaking is almost always the correct decision, how students can learn from their mistakes, and what low-GPA applicants can do to bolster their applications.

LSAT Demon

LSAT Demon iOS App

LSAT Demon Daily

Watch Episode 428 on YouTube

Thinking LSAT YouTube

LSAT Demon YouTube

1:45 - October LSAT Scores - Nathan and Ben applaud LSAT Demon students’ successes on the October LSAT. The guys encourage anyone who was disappointed with their score to retake.

11:09 - Test Anxiety - Ben and Nathan describe a powerful technique for dealing with test anxiety: anticipate test-day challenges, and plan how you’ll respond.

16:14 - Learning from Mistakes - The goal of review is to learn from your mistakes so that you don’t repeat them. The guys suggest some review questions to ask yourself to help accomplish this goal.

25:26 - “Lived Experience” Essays - Some law schools are now inviting applicants to write “lived experience” essays in place of traditional diversity statements.

30:42 - Low GPA - Nathan and Ben answer a series of listener questions about applying with a low GPA. The guys advise restraint in GPA addendums, and they remind listeners that nothing atones for a low GPA like a high LSAT score.

Law school isn’t a level playing field. First-generation college students face significant disadvantages in law school, as reported by the Law School Survey of Student Engagement. Nathan and Ben discuss the major challenges that await first-gen students—underscoring the importance of not paying for law school. Later, the guys explain their approach to questions that they can’t immediately solve. They urge a geographically limited applicant to expand their list of schools. And they deliberate on a listener’s choice between the LSAT and the GRE.

LSAT Demon

LSAT Demon iOS App

LSAT Demon Daily

Watch Episode 427 on YouTube

Thinking LSAT YouTube

LSAT Demon YouTube

2:28 - LR in the Real World - The guys use their Logical Reasoning expertise to criticize a sentimental bumper sticker. Ben reveals why he isn’t a big fan of poetry.

6:58 - First-Gen Students - The Law School Survey of Student Engagement sheds light on the challenges faced by first-generation college students attending law school.

19:46 - Timing - Nathan and Ben instruct an LSAT Demon student to ignore the clock and to answer questions at their own pace. The guys also advise against flagging questions to review later. And they explain when to move on from a question that you haven’t fully solved.

36:42 - Apply Broadly - Ben and Nathan encourage listener Nikki to apply broadly despite her limited geographical flexibility. Nikki can’t make a well-informed decision about law school without gauging her value in the marketplace.

42:26 - Applying with a Criminal Record - People with felony convictions aren’t immediately disqualified from practicing law in most states, but they face an uphill battle and increased scrutiny. The guys refer an anonymous listener to Yale’s page on applying with a criminal record.

47:27 - GRE vs. LSAT - Should listener Sarthak skip the LSAT and apply to law school with his strong GRE scores? Nathan and Ben give Sarthak their blessing—as long as he's ready to turn down bad offers.

57:04 - Gap Semester - The guys see no need for listener Minnie to explain why she took a gap semester in college.

58:23 - Touring Law Schools - Ben and Nathan consider a possible downside to campus visits. Law schools could charge higher prices to applicants who demonstrate a high level of interest in their schools.

Logic Games will soon be on their way out, and many LSAT students are now grappling with the decision of whether to study them. Should you invest time in mastering LG, or should you pivot toward preparing for a games-free LSAT? In this week’s discussion, Ben and Nathan advocate a balanced approach that prepares students for any version of the test. Later, the guys provide feedback on personal statement topics, share the key to unlocking perfect RC passages, and weigh the pros and cons of retaking the test.

LSAT Demon

LSAT Demon iOS App

LSAT Demon Daily

Watch Episode 426 on YouTube

Thinking LSAT YouTube

LSAT Demon YouTube

3:28 - Should I Keep Studying LG?

With Logic Games leaving the LSAT in August 2024, listener Amanda is unsure whether to continue practicing LG or to shift her focus solely to Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. Nathan and Ben propose a flexible study plan that allows Amanda to keep her options open.

10:59 - Personal Statement Topics

Ben and Nathan provide insights on several listeners’ personal statement topics. One applicant intends to explain a career change. Another wants to address their ADHD diagnosis. A third considers highlighting their ethnicity and cultural heritage.

32:24 - Perfect Passages

Listener Regan rarely scores perfectly on a logic game or RC passage. Nathan and Ben challenge Regan to pick an answer only when they’re certain it’s correct.

36:09 - Eliminating Wrong Answers

If you’re critical of the answer choices, you can eliminate wrong answers without fully explaining why they’re wrong.

40:32 - Parallel Reasoning

Some Parallel Reasoning questions present answer choices that rearrange the premises and the conclusion. Ben and Nathan demonstrate an intuitive approach to solving these questions.

46:34 - Drilling LR Question Types

Students often struggle to distinguish Necessary Assumption questions from Sufficient Assumption questions. Nathan and Ben see value in designating time to drill these and other commonly confused question types.

49:30 - Downside to Retaking?

Nolan worries that law schools might view him unfavorably if he retakes the LSAT and gets a lower score. Ben and Nathan assure Nolan that any potential downside of retaking is negligible, and the potential rewards could be game-changing.

The era of LSAT logic games is coming to a close. Beginning in August 2024, the exam’s Analytical Reasoning section will be removed, making room for a second section of Logical Reasoning. Ben and Nathan share their take on the news and offer advice to present and future LSAT students. Later, the guys cast doubt on income-driven loan repayment programs. They urge listeners to see the LSAT as a stepping stone, not a stumbling block. And they assess the admissions prospects of low-GPA splitters.

LSAT Demon

LSAT Demon iOS App

LSAT Demon Daily

Watch Episode 425 on YouTube

Thinking LSAT YouTube

LSAT Demon YouTube

1:28 - Logic Games Going Away

Nathan and Ben lament LG’s imminent demise.

20:37 - Pearls vs. Turds

Should listener Taylor attend an overpriced law school and trust a federal income-driven repayment program to help pay off their debt? Ben and Nathan caution Taylor to steer clear of loan forgiveness traps.

26:04 - LSAT Pressure

An anonymous listener struggles with burnout and anxiety. Nathan and Ben counsel Anonymous to accept a long-term LSAT study plan that doesn’t put life on hold.

39:50 - Return to Fundamentals

Despite recent success in their prep, an anonymous LSAT Demon student has reverted to some bad habits. Ben and Nathan recommend taking some time off from the LSAT and returning to fundamentals.

59:00 - Appealing to Retake

Listener TH shares the story of how they successfully appealed to take the LSAT a seventh time.

1:06:13 - Applying to HYS

An anonymous listener considers applying to a few elite law schools this year, then applying more broadly next cycle if necessary. Nathan and Ben worry that this plan could shut the door on scholarships from other excellent schools.

1:10:40 - GPA Questions

The guys address a series of questions from listeners with low undergraduate GPAs. Crushing the LSAT won’t erase an applicant’s low GPA, but it’s their best shot at tipping the scales in their favor.

Law schools thirsty for applicants may tell you that people rarely improve their LSAT score by more than a few points. This week, Ben and Nathan unpack the motivation behind this pernicious myth. Law schools don’t want you to improve your LSAT. They want your application now. Later, the guys discredit the impact of stamina on LSAT performance. They encourage listeners not to write addendums that draw attention to their weaknesses. And they consider the extent to which law school rankings matter outside of the T14.

LSAT Demon

LSAT Demon iOS App

LSAT Demon Daily

Watch Episode 424 on YouTube

Thinking LSAT YouTube

LSAT Demon YouTube

3:57 - Law School Transparency - Nathan and Ben react to news that the U.S. Department of Education will soon require law schools to disclose more information about student debt and career outcomes.

10:42 - Patience Pays Off - Don’t rush to apply this cycle. Patient applicants can make life-changing improvements to their LSAT scores. Ben and Nathan also warn listener Jacob that law school isn’t a business investment—it’s a box to check en route to becoming a lawyer.

29:10 - Unlocking LG - The guys ponder what’s keeping LSAT Demon student Aidan from unlocking perfect scores in LG. They preach accuracy over speed and suggest that Aidan stop trying to finish all four games in a section.

34:03 - Premise Indicators - Ben and Nathan explain how words like “for” and “because” indicate premises.

36:52 - Strengthen and Weaken - The guys use a football analogy to illustrate different approaches to strengthening or weakening an argument.

42:22 - Stamina - Listener Jewel blames her lack of stamina for lower scores in the later sections of practice tests. Nathan and Ben fear that Jewel is engaging in a self-fulfilling prophecy.

48:30 - GPA Addendum - An anonymous listener asks whether to address a past substance abuse problem that negatively affected their undergraduate grades. Ben and Nathan advise Anonymous to highlight recent career accomplishments instead.

55:52 - Résumé Addendum - The guys encourage listener Sydney to refrain from writing an addendum that draws attention to a gap in their résumé.

58:24 - Do Rankings Matter? - Listener Chris wonders whether ranking matters outside of the T14. Nathan and Ben reiterate their 2x rule for law school rankings: When comparing one school to another, you shouldn’t consider their rankings unless they differ by twice as much or more.

One high-quality hour of study per day is all you need to beat the LSAT. Still, many students struggle to commit. This week, Nathan and Ben prompt listeners to prioritize and make time for the LSAT. Later, the guys question whether undergraduate GPA inflation is making law school admissions more competitive. They examine scholarships for in-state applicants. And they break down how to approach an LSAT question when all the answer choices seem terrible.

LSAT Demon

LSAT Demon iOS App

LSAT Demon Daily

Watch Episode 423 on YouTube

Thinking LSAT YouTube

LSAT Demon YouTube

2:28 - September LSAT Scores - Ben and Nathan give props to LSAT Demon students who crushed the September LSAT.

12:30 - Two Practice Tests per Day? - Nathan and Ben question whether an anonymous listener’s extreme study schedule produces a placebo effect.

21:30 - Testing Center Procedures - Listener Serena shares news that in-person test takers may not use their own writing instruments. All scratch paper and pencils will be provided by Prometric. What to expect at a Prometric testing center

25:02 - Work-Life Balance - Listener Imani struggles to find time to study after a demanding day at work. The guys advise Imani to reconsider her priorities.

34:22 - GPA Inflation - Ben and Nathan assess Daisy's concerns about GPA inflation at top law schools. They recommend against writing a GPA addendum.

44:52 - Low GPA Admissions Chances - Nathan and Ben assure listener Andres that a good LSAT score could earn him scholarship offers from regional law schools despite his low GPA.

49:57 - In-State Disadvantage - Evidence and common sense suggest that law schools give bigger scholarships to out-of-state applicants.

54:31 - Picking the Least Bad Answer - Listener Sara asks how to find the correct answer when all options seem bad. Ben and Nathan push Sara to understand precisely what differentiates the answer choices.

Law school admissions is a competitive game, and schools are wary to admit applicants who are likely to enroll elsewhere. This week, Ben and Nathan examine a tactic that an admissions office may use to gauge an applicant’s interest in their law school. Later, the guys share some tips for overcoming test day anxiety, they evaluate a strategy for the closing minutes of timed sections, and they dig into the Flaw question type in Logical Reasoning.

LSAT Demon

LSAT Demon iOS App

LSAT Demon Daily

Watch Episode 422 on YouTube

Thinking LSAT YouTube

LSAT Demon YouTube

0:58 - Updating a Personal Statement - Why might a law school invite you to rewrite your personal statement? Nathan and Ben suspect that they’re gauging your interest in their school. The guys remind listeners that lawyers never shy away from extra work if it helps to make their case.

34:48 - Test Day Anxiety - Ben and Nathan share some tips on how to mitigate test day anxiety.

41:41 - Question Timing - LSAT Demon student Lucy suggests a new feature that would show students how much time they spent on each question of a timed section. Nathan and Ben are open to the idea but doubt that such a feature would be as helpful as Lucy thinks.

44:30 - Last Five Minutes - Listener Hanna sees value in another prep company’s “five-minute plan” for when time is running low. Ben and Nathan don’t want a five-minute plan to distract Hanna from her 35-minute plan.

52:11 - Apply Now or After October? - An anonymous listener considers withdrawing from the October LSAT to apply earlier in the cycle. Nathan and Ben offer an alternative: apply next cycle with a better LSAT score.

1:00:38 - Flaw Questions - Ben and Nathan break down two of the most common phrasings for answer choices on Flaw questions.

1:13:51 - Plug and Chug - Nathan and Ben discuss why solving Logic Games is never an either-or decision between opposing methods. Everyone will discover their own best approach, which is often a blend of worlds and “plug and chug.”

1:18:48 - Personal Statement Topic - Ben and Nathan encourage an anonymous listener to focus their personal statement on career successes rather than an early-career layoff.

1:22:32 - Scholarship Estimator - Nathan and Ben explain some of the methodology behind the LSAT Demon Scholarship Estimator.