Thinking LSAT

Testing accommodations are meant to give students with documented disabilities a fair shot. But recent LSAT scoring data suggests that the current time-and-a-half minimum might not level the playing field—it might give an unfair advantage to people with accommodations. Ben and Nathan discuss the problematic state of LSAT accommodations and what it means for students. Later, the guys weigh the costs and benefits of taking the test five times. They draft a short character and fitness addendum. And they urge students to avoid the comparison trap.

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1:26 - Aiming for 175 - You don’t get points for answering questions quickly. You get points for answering questions correctly. Nathan and Ben instruct listener Manan to slow down and focus on accuracy.

12:43 - Accommodations - Ben and Nathan probe the history of LSAT accommodations and question the fairness of the current system.

34:43 - Downside to Retaking? - Listener Finn worries that law schools will judge him harshly for taking the LSAT five times. Nathan and Ben assure Finn that law schools only care about his highest score.

40:46 - Character and Fitness Addendum - The guys help an anonymous listener draft a short addendum to address a minor character and fitness issue.

43:43 - GPA Addendum - Ben and Nathan advise listener Emme not to write a GPA addendum that risks victim signaling.

50:27 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon alumna Sierra says: “Don’t get too caught up on the numbers and how everyone else is doing.”

51:47 - Words of the Week - Only when LSAT teachers cease their obscurantism may they find absolution.

Love it or hate it, the r/LSAT subreddit is a popular forum for LSAT news and advice. Unfortunately, LSAT Demon students have been unable to engage fully with this community for almost a year. Their posts and comments about the Demon are secretly banned. Ben and Nathan recount the curious back story of LSAT Demon’s shadow ban on Reddit and ask for listeners’ advice. Later, the guys discuss upcoming changes to LSAT Writing. They share tips on becoming a gladiator of the English language. And they examine why some lawyers might be better off working in fast food.

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1:11 - Reddit Shadow Ban - The guys detail LSAT Demon’s shadow ban on the r/LSAT subreddit. Read more in their blog post and share your thoughts at [email protected].

14:19 - Changes to LSAT Writing - Big changes are coming to LSAT Writing. Starting July 31, 2024, the section will feature a more open-ended essay prompt that asks writers to defend an original thesis. Ben and Nathan weigh in on the upcoming changes.

20:18 - Improving at English - Lawyers are gladiators of the English language. Nathan and Ben share a few tips on how to improve your reading and writing.

31:22 - Pearls vs. Turds - Despite what some LSAT “experts” say, there are no shortcuts to success in LSAT Reading Comprehension. If you want to improve in RC, you must improve your ability to read.

39:54 - Law vs. Fast Food - Not every lawyer makes big law money. But lawyers at least earn more than fast-food workers, right? Not necessarily.

46:49 - Informational Interviews - Ben and Nathan advise listener Michael on how to solicit and conduct informational interviews with practicing lawyers.

52:07 - Focus on Accuracy - Listener Grace faces challenges in transitioning to the LSAT Demon approach after switching from another prep company. Nathan and Ben encourage Grace to stick with it and to prioritize accuracy over section scores.

56:18 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Nick shares a pearl of wisdom: “Don’t tell everyone you know that you are taking the LSAT.”

1:01:14 - Word of the Week - If law schools would put the kibosh on their unfair pricing schemes, Ben and Nathan wouldn’t have to inveigh against them.

When Ben and Nathan say “the LSAT is easy,” it’s not to suggest that LSAT improvement comes effortlessly. This week, the guys elaborate on their motto. The LSAT becomes easy when you do it the Demon way. Later, the guys discuss strategies for negotiating scholarships with schools that claim not to engage in such discussions. They offer advice to a listener battling fatigue at the end of Reading Comprehension sections. And they urge a well-qualified applicant not to settle for a disappointing outcome this admissions cycle.

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1:18 - The LSAT Is Easy - Departing Demon Tatiana sends a message of support to her peers: “Keep showing up and don’t give up. Ben and Nathan are right—the LSAT is easy if you let it be.”

22:07 - Scholarship Negotiation - Some law schools claim not to negotiate scholarships. But every offer of admission opens the door to negotiation. Asking for more financial support carries no downside.

29:53 - RC Timing - Listener Jess asks how to tackle the fourth passage in Reading Comprehension with limited time on the clock. Ben and Nathan advise her to ignore the clock and to treat the final passage the same as any other.

34:03 - RC Fatigue - LSAT Demon student Cassidy is surprised by her fatigue at the end of Reading Comprehension sections. Nathan and Ben suspect that she’s reading too quickly. They urge her to slow down and focus on understanding.

42:16 - Go Now or Reapply? - Lauren was offered a stipend to attend WashU, but she’s disappointed by her offers from other top law schools. Ben and Nathan encourage Lauren to reapply next year and not to settle for less than she’s worth.

53:54 - Howard Law - Listener Morgan offers an explanation for Howard Law’s big law placement numbers, as discussed in Ep. 442: Don’t Become a Lawyer for the Money.

55:05 - Word of the Week - Thinking LSAT listeners invite opprobrium when they apply to law school without their best LSAT score.

What does it take to score 170 on the LSAT? A mastery of the English language, sharply honed reasoning skills, and a strong work ethic. But with the increasing trend of scores surpassing 170 in recent years, maybe we should now ask: What does it take to score 175? This week, Nathan and Ben explore the habits and traits of those who excel at the highest levels on the LSAT. The guys also contemplate the future of Logical Reasoning, delve deeper into law schools’ unjust pricing, and consider an unconventional transfer plan.

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8:46 - April LSAT Registration - An anonymous listener seeks guidance on whether to register for the April LSAT. Nathan and Ben are concerned by Anonymous’s relatively small amount of progress over a year of LSAT study. 

21:06 - The Future of LR - Some people have speculated that Logical Reasoning will feature more “formal logic” and formulaic Must Be True questions when the logic games go away. Ben and Nathan don’t envision a drastic change. They point out that most LSAT questions are already Must Be Trues.

33:23 - What It Takes to Score 175 - Top LSAT scorers exhibit diligence, patience, and humility.

49:02 - FAFSA Delay - The Department of Education recently announced a five-month delay in processing the FAFSA. Nathan and Ben lament how loans are labeled “aid,” and they examine more evidence of law schools’ unfair pricing.

1:14:09 - Scholarship Data - Listener Spencer shares data from lsd.law that indicates that some schools’ scholarship decisions are based solely on LSAT and GPA. What’s the takeaway? One LSAT point could save you tens of thousands of dollars.

1:17:43 - Transfer Down? - An anonymous listener considers transferring to a lower-ranked law school for a better scholarship and lower level of academic competition. Ben and Nathan propose an alternative: dropping out entirely.

1:29:00 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Rick suggests ditching your timelines and embracing a slow-and-steady approach to LSAT improvement.

1:29:57 - Word of the Week - Listener Kate is no milquetoast.

Many prospective lawyers dream of big law salaries. Far fewer achieve them. Ben and Nathan examine the disappointing reality of big law placement at non-elite law schools and insist that money is a terrible reason to pursue a legal career. The guys also warn listeners not to let application accoutrements distract from the LSAT. They reject a backward approach to Logical Reasoning. And they denounce law schools’ unfair pricing practices.

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1:16 - Focus on the LSAT - Listener Tony asks whether to highlight his masters thesis in his law school personal statement. Nathan and Ben tell Tony to bake his cake before he worries about frosting it.

13:51 - Grade Change - Persistence pays off for an anonymous listener in their campaign to change an A- to an A.

17:20 - Pearls vs. Turds - An LSAT Demon student finds a pearl of LSAT wisdom in an RC passage about the memory-altering effects of leading questions.

26:28 - Do LR Backward? - Ben and Nathan advise listener Madison to un-reverse her approach to Logical Reasoning.

31:47 - Big Law Placement - The guys question law schools’ self-reported data on big law placement. Outside of a few top schools, career outcomes for law school graduates are wildly uncertain. Your best bet is to attend a school where your scholarship sets you up to compete at the top of the class.

55:00 - Apply Broadly - An anonymous listener considers an accelerated JD-MBA program at their local university. Nathan and Ben unequivocally reject this option. They encourage Anonymous to apply broadly and to avoid law schools’ cash grabs.

1:10:14 - Don’t Do It for Money - Ben and Nathan urge listener Zeek not to let the prospect of a big paycheck lure him into big law. Chasing money is not a good reason to become a lawyer.

1:17:28 - Tip From a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Nathaniel shares his key to LSAT success: “Drill, drill, drill!”

1:18:37 - Word of the Week - Macropterous ostriches flocked to us.

Ben and Nathan address a frequently asked question: “Why the name LSAT Demon?” The name’s origin aligns with their belief that every LSAT question can be solved with certainty. Later, the guys critique some shortsighted advice for Logical Reasoning. They also explore strategies for negotiating scholarships, and they discuss a rare exception to their advice not to pay for law school.

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2:35 - January LSAT Scores - Listener Josie asks how to bounce back from a disappointing score on the January LSAT. Ben and Nathan pinpoint a problem with Josie’s mindset: too much concern for the clock and the calendar.

16:06 - Laplace’s Demon - The guys reveal the origin of the name LSAT Demon and its relevance to their teaching philosophy.

22:27 - Pearls vs. Turds - How important are question types in Logical Reasoning? Should you skip Parallel Reasoning questions for the sake of time? Nathan and Ben offer their insights.

42:11 - Reviewing Logic Games - Ben and Nathan discuss how to review and learn from mistakes in Logic Games. Hear Demon teachers Matt and Erik share their perspectives in LSAT Demon Daily Ep. 614: How to Review Logic Games.

47:47 - Accepted to Yale - Don’t pay for law school. But does this principle hold true even for Yale? Nathan and Ben weigh the costs and benefits of attending the most prestigious law school in the country.

56:49 - Scholarship Negotiation - The first and most important step of scholarship negotiation is to ask for what you want. As Jonea Gordon explains in Ep. 437, nothing bad comes from doing so.

1:05:56 - Comparing Scholarship Offers - Ben and Nathan help listener Leon pick between competing offers from two Florida law schools.

1:16:54 - Words of the Week - It would be impolitic to delimit cost as an ostensibly extraneous factor in picking a law school.

1:25:08 - Book Recommendations - The guys chat about the books they’ve been reading.

1:34:27 - Tips from a Departing Demon - Demon student Erik encourages current students: “Don’t stop, give up, or leave any points on the table.”

Nathan is joined by Maya Russell, chair of the Pre-Law Advisor National Council, for an insightful discussion of the law school admissions process. Maya provides expert analysis of the rapidly changing admissions landscape, highlights common mistakes made by law school applicants, and outlines key questions to ask when deciding where to apply and attend.

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3:09 - Application Timing - In a recent study focusing on application timing, AccessLex found that historically underrepresented applicants who apply early tend to have better admissions chances than those who apply late. Nathan and Ben acknowledge the findings, but they’re unconvinced by AccessLex’s methodology and recommendations. The guys express their concerns about the study and about law school pipeline programs in general.

25:08 - Maya Russell, Pre-Law Advisor - Maya Russell is a pre-law advisor at Furman University and chair of the Pre-Law Advisor National Council (PLANC). Maya recounts her path to becoming a pre-law advisor and describes what the job entails.

45:06 - Law School Scholarships - Maya and Nathan agree that law school is overpriced and that applicants should seek the best merit scholarships available to them. They discuss how successful applicants prioritize GPA before LSAT, apply broadly, and evaluate the potential return on their investment before committing to a law school.

1:11:02 - Admissions Advice - Maya encourages patience during this unusually slow application cycle. She attributes the slowdown primarily to last year’s Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action and suggests that law schools are testing new ways to attract and admit a diverse pool of applicants. Maya and Nathan consider the long-term impact of the SCOTUS decision. And they caution applicants not to be in such a rush to attend law school.

1:39:48 - LSAT Alternatives - Some law schools now accept LSAT alternatives, like the GRE or JD-Next. Maya believes that most applicants should stick with the LSAT.

1:46:43 - LSAT Writing - Maya explains why law schools may start paying closer attention to applicants’ LSAT Writing samples. She warns listeners to read applications carefully for restrictions on the use of AI.

1:50:56 - Medical Disclosures - Maya urges applicants to keep their medical histories out of their personal statements.

2:00:15 - Words of the Week - LSAT advice is often deranged. Ben and Nathan aim to elucidate the test.

Law school doesn’t have an age limit. But older applicants be warned: law isn’t a fallback career. This week, Nathan and Ben beseech listeners of all ages to examine their motivations for pursuing law school. Later, the guys consider some students’ contention that Logic Games on the January LSAT were unusually difficult. They share tips for LSAT study groups. And they clear up a misunderstanding regarding LSAC’s GPA calculations.

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2:18 - JD Advantage Jobs - In Episode 437, data privacy expert Jonea Gordon described how her legal background contributed to her success in jobs that don’t require a JD. Ben and Nathan nonetheless maintain that law school should be pursued by those who intend to practice law.

16:10 - Too Old for Law School? - Listener Melissa wants to make a career change, but she worries that she’s too old for law school. Nathan and Ben assure Melissa that her age isn’t an obstacle. They also counsel her not to treat law as a fallback career.

21:41 - January LSAT Logic Games - Some test takers thought that the January LSAT featured especially difficult Logic Games. Nathan and Ben aren’t surprised—they hear this complaint after almost every LSAT.

25:49 - Study Groups - Ben and Nathan advise LSAT Demon student Cameren on how to structure his study group sessions.

29:18 - Grade Change - The guys correct some misinformation regarding LSAC’s grading policy for Pass/Fail grades. In most cases, a “P” on an applicant’s transcript will not be included in LSAC’s GPA calculation.

37:49 - Tips from a Departing Demon - Departing LSAT Demon student Tara shares her advice for other LSAT students: study so much!

39:09 - Words of the Week - Ice on Mars sublimes to vapor. To this we ascribe the planet’s lack of liquid water.

The LSAT is a test of reasoning skills. But the best lawyers often go beyond reason—they set unreasonable goals and work unreasonable hours to attain them. If you have dreams of attending a top law school, you should embrace a similar level of commitment. This week, Ben and Nathan discuss how your work ethic impacts your success on the LSAT, in law school, and throughout your legal career. Later, the guys share tips for managing test anxiety. They critique a misguided approach to studying Logic Games. And they contemplate the biggest risks that the world faces in 2024.

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1:41 - What’s My LSAT Potential? - Don’t limit yourself to a “reasonable” score increase. Your LSAT potential comes down to how hard you’re willing to work.

19:15 - Test Anxiety - The guys discuss strategies for overcoming test-day nerves and treating the official test like an ordinary practice test.

29:21 - Overconfident and Underprepared - Listener Erica was surprised by how much she struggled with the Logic Games on the January LSAT. Ben and Nathan find an obvious flaw in Erica’s study routine: too much reading and not enough real practice.

36:36 - Survey Flaws - Nathan and Ben discuss the results of a survey about the top global risks in 2024. The guys list some of the most common survey flaws that appear on the LSAT.

1:00:36 - Worlds - Nathan quotes the No Stupid Questions podcast to describe LSAT Demon’s worlds-first approach to Logic Games: “mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive.”

1:13:50 - Optional Essays - Ben and Nathan explain why “optional” essays  should be treated as mandatory if you want your application to shine.

1:16:24 - First-Gen Students - Listener Madison asks whether first-generation students have any advantage in law school admissions.

1:18:22 - LSAT Writing - Nathan and Ben break down how to approach the LSAT Writing section.

1:23:35 - Words of the Week - The guys aren’t being cantankerous, they’re just trying to galvanize you.

Jonea Gordon left her job as a lawyer and quadrupled her salary. She’s now a data privacy expert who has worked with some of the biggest tech companies in the world on issues like artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Jonea joins Ben to share the story of her career, offer advice on networking and negotiation, and explain why her experience as a litigator remains invaluable to her work in tech.

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1:56 - Expectations vs. Reality in Legal Practice - Jonea recounts her path to legal practice and her discovery that litigation wasn’t right for her.

23:44 - From Law to Tech - Jonea prefers her work in data privacy to the toil of legal practice. But she doesn’t regret becoming an attorney. Jonea describes how the skills she honed as a litigator remain crucial to her work in tech.

33:51 - Networking - Jonea shares simple networking techniques that she used to advance and transform her career.

44:38 - Negotiation - Jonea encourages listeners to overcome their fear of negotiation and to advocate for themselves. As her career shows, good things happen to those who ask for what they want.

53:32 - Connect with Jonea - Jonea invites listeners to connect with her on her website or on social media @joneagordon_esq.

54:58 - LSAT Experimental Sections - Nathan and Ben discuss why test takers are unlikely to see Logic Games on future experimental sections.

1:07:34 - Words of the Week - Here’s some avuncular advice: beware of anomie in the legal profession.