| OVERALL | | | | Focus on how a company teaches you methods |
| When choosing an LSAT course, instead of trying to | | | | rather than which company has the "best" methods. |
| determine which test preparation course is "best," | | | | Many focus on a course's Analytical Reasoning (Logic |
| you should instead concern yourself with which | | | | Games) methods, as this section oftentimes proves |
| course will best fit your needs. Determine what's | | | | the most difficult and unfamiliar to many test-takers. |
| important for you: Lots of practice material with | | | | Certainly this is an important section, but keep in |
| explanations and computer grading? Plenty of | | | | mind that the Logical Reasoning section consists of |
| classroom hours? Small classes with personal | | | | two full sections, compared to one section of |
| attention? Easy to learn material? Once you've | | | | Analytical Reasoning. As such, be sure to check out a |
| determined your needs, review each company to | | | | company's Logical Reasoning methods (and how they |
| see which will fit your needs best. | | | | teach those methods). |
| TEACHERS | | | | BOOKS/OTHER MATERIALS |
| What should a good LSAT teacher possess? | | | | This is an aspect in which the courses vary. Check |
| Experience with teaching the test and enthusiasm. | | | | each company to see what you get in addition to |
| When choosing a course, contact companies directly | | | | the class. Most preparation companies provide several |
| and ask who specifically will teach your course, rather | | | | LSAT PrepTests as part of the course. If you take a |
| than assuming that all teachers for a company are | | | | course that does not offer LSAT PrepTests, you |
| necessarily the same. In evaluating teachers, many | | | | should purchase these on your own. |
| students assume that a higher score equals a better | | | | SHOULD I TAKE AN ON-LINE COURSE? |
| teacher. This is not necessarily true. What's the | | | | If you think a preparation book is not enough, but a |
| difference between someone who scored in the 95th | | | | live course is too expensive, consider taking an on-line |
| percentile (about a 167) and someone who scored in | | | | course, which provides essentially the same content |
| the 99.1st percentile (about a 172)? Not much. | | | | as a live course would, yet via on-line. Many on-line |
| Indeed, above the 95th percentile, a higher score on | | | | course options provide you with an e-mail contact if |
| the LSAT oftentimes simply reflects the speed at | | | | get really stuck as well - a big advantage over a |
| which a test-taker reads, not necessarily how much | | | | book. If you're okay without a teacher but want |
| LSAT knowledge the test-taker has. As such, | | | | much more support from that in a book, consider |
| someone who scored in the 99th percentile probably | | | | on-line options. |
| reads slightly faster than someone who scored in the | | | | WHICH COURSE SHOULD I TAKE? Follow these |
| 95th percentile. Thus, the difference between a | | | | steps: |
| teacher who scored in the 95th percentile versus the | | | | Step 1- Decide what's important to you - Flexibility or |
| 99th percentile means very little. What does count is | | | | Structure? Plenty of Classroom Time or Loads of |
| how well the teacher can teach you how to score | | | | Practice Material? Serious Atmosphere or a Relaxed |
| well. What about the teacher's experience with law | | | | One? Small Classes? On-line Course? |
| school or law? This is a nice bonus, but for teaching | | | | Step 2- Contact the companies and get specifics on |
| the LSAT, it doesn't matter much. The LSAT tests | | | | your local teacher's experience and enthusiasm. |
| logic and reading, as such, no knowledge of law is | | | | Step 3- Choose a course. Optional - If you have not |
| required. If you have questions about law, law school | | | | taken a logic course, consider either taking one |
| or admissions, go to your school's pre-law counselor | | | | before your LSAT class, or purchasing Richard |
| or another source (many test preparation companies | | | | Feldman's Reason & Argument, an excellent |
| also offer law school admissions consulting). | | | | introduction to the basics of logic. |
| METHODS | | | | |