Hi guys!
Since I just finished my first year of law school, I thought it would be a good idea to write a couple of blogs about that dreaded first year.
This section will be broken down into several posts that will deal with preparing for the first year and getting through the 1L year.
For those who just graduated/about to graduate, are thinking about law school and haven't taken the LSAT:
Right about now you are finishing up your finals. Graduate school may be the farthest thought from your mind. However, if law school has crossed your mind, then you know about the LSAT.
Put simply, the LSAT is hard. That is why everyone panics when that time comes. BUT! Don't stress, I will attempt to curb your fears.
What is the LSAT?Unlike the GRE and MCAT, the LSAT does not test any math skills, history or science. Even without having taken a single college class as long as you know how to solve logic problems and have good time management you should be able to take the test.
The test is broken down into 6 sections: 4 are graded and 2 are not.
The 6 sections are: logical reasoning (2 sections), logic games, reading comprehension, experimental and essay.
The first ungraded section is the experimental section. This section is there to test questions for the next set of LSAT takers. When you take the LSAT you will not know which section is experimental. In order to not have to work as hard on that section some try to guess which of the 5 sections may be experimental . However, that is just a guess. I would not recommend doing that. Ask yourself: Would you really want to risk getting a low score and having to take the test again just to avoid 1 section? So don't wast time trying to guess which section it may be, because you will end up choosing the wrong one and that will negatively affect your score.
The second ungraded section is the essay. Do put effort into the essay. Some law schools request your essays and go over them before they decide on who to accept.
So, if the LSAT doesn't test anything you learned in college, why is it so hard?
The reason the LSAT is so hard is because the whole test only tests logic. Remember those weird problems you had back in Algebra II where you had something like: A had a shirt, B went to the store, G had a dress...where did Z go and what was he wearing? The LSAT is full of that.
Do not panic!
It's true that those types of questions do come naturally to some, like those in engineering majors, while others struggle. Again, if you are a person that struggles with those types of questions, don't panic.
Just like you did back in Algebra II, you can learn how to solve those questions.
If you don't get it at first, you are not stupid. You are just not used to thinking in that particular way. For example: the test is usually easier for engineers because they are used to following and applying a set of rules without having to find away around the rule. Think of it like math where 1+1=2. Addition is the rule and you don't need to interpret it or think outside the box in order to find a way around the rule. You just apply the rule and don't try to add anything extra to it. This is what the LSAT tests.
The test is harder for those that come from other majors, such as: Political Science, Social Science and Journalism. Those majors center around ways to stretch a rule. People from that major always try to add extra things to the problem at hand by imagining what may happen or could happen. Those people tend to go outside the parameters of the problem and add in things that were not stated in the problem. The LSAT does not test this.
If you are getting many problems wrong in the beginning and don't understand why, it may be because you are subconsciously trying to add the "what if" factor to the problem.
See, you are all smart, it's just some of you are not used to thinking in the way the LSAT wants you to think.
How does the LSAT apply to Law School?You may take some practice problems and think to yourself "how in the
world does this apply to law and being a lawyer?" It does, trust me.
The LSAT tries to get you to start thinking about what is the issue
in the problem and what rule you should apply. During your whole law school
career, you will be trying to issue spot. Issue spotting is: finding the issue in the prompt and appling a rule to it.
See, it all relates.
What to do if you need help
I highly encourage everyone to take an LSAT prep class. Almost everyone takes one. The classes are very helpful. There are many different options, so it's up to you to pick the one you like best.
I took
testmasters. The course helped me to improve by 20 points and I learned how to quickly solve logic games and logic reasoning problems.
In order to make sure that all instructors are on top of their game TestMaster's instructors take the LSAT every year. The program uses real LSAT questions from old LSAT tests for all of your practice problems. Plus, they provide you with quick and easy steps to solving all the logic questions. (I am not sponsored by them nor am I paid by them to promote their company. I am writing this on my own based on my own experience with them).
Things to remember:
1. Don't stress and don't panic.
2. Be confident in yourself and your skills.
3. Take an LSAT prep class. (They are pricy, but think of it as an investment in your future).
4. Don't get frustrated if you don't get it right away. Again it comes easy to some and harder for others. Just do as many practice problems as you can and you will get the hang of it.
Good Luck!
For those who have taken the LSAT and enrolled in school:
You guys will have to stay tuned for the next few posts.
Here are a few tips and insights into the summer before your first day of class:
1. BUY YOUR BOOKS!- This is not undergrad. You cannot get away with not buying your textbooks. You will use them every day for your first year. You will have a love/hate relationship with them.
2. Look into other resources like: E&E, Emanuel's and CD's that explain each subject you are taking. (More on that in a later post).
3. You do not get to choose your classes, times or track for your first year.
4. Enjoy your summer. Your first year will be hard and very busy, so take all the time that you can to relax before school starts.
Good Luck!
Hope that helps you future lawyers. :)
