Podcasts about lsat

Ben and Nathan tackle Parallel Reasoning questions, a question type that some students prefer to skip. They assure listeners that these questions work just like any other LSAT question. Gimmicks—like reading the question first or diagramming—don't help and only distract from the core task. Focus instead on reading for comprehension and understanding the argument. The key is to identify the reasoning and treat everything else as secondary.⁠Study with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠⁠Watch Episode 514 on YouTube⁠0:30 – How Cheating Spreads in Law SchoolBen and Nathan discuss a Wall Street Journal article on extended-time accommodations at Pepperdine Law, where 30% of students reportedly receive them. They argue that accommodations should level the playing field, not give an advantage. They question the value of timed essay exams and compare law school to gaining entry into an ABA-approved guild, suggesting that gaming the system might seem rational, ethics aside.LSAT Demon Scholarship Estimator27:25 – WashU Law Pre-Application TrapA listener is contacted for an interview by WashU Law before even applying. Ben and Nathan caution that this is a sales tactic: the school is trying to extract information and create perceived interest to reduce scholarship offers. They revisit their advice about the Candidate Referral Service, suggesting it might be time to reconsider what students share with schools early in the process.36:12 – Parallel Reasoning ClarityThe guys break down Parallel Reasoning questions on the LSAT. They emphasize that matching language or subject matter is secondary—what matters is aligning the logical structure of arguments. To succeed, students must first understand the core argument before worrying about technical parallels. A big-picture approach is key.53:20 – Tips from a Departing DemonA departing Demon, Vox, shares his advice for other students: keep your study streak alive. Even a single question can turn into an hour of productive study. Consistency compounds.54:56 – Zyns on the LSATRedditors wonder if nicotine pouches like Zyn are allowed during the LSAT. Ben and Nathan suggest that they aren't explicitly banned, but advise playing it safe and contacting LSAC directly. Better to assume they're off-limits.1:03:22 – Why Are Others Wrong?Listener Andrew is thinking about writing an LSAT addendum. Ben and Nathan advise him to focus on improving his score with his two remaining attempts. They argue that law school deans who encourage addenda are trying to get applicants to expose weaknesses. Schools are more interested in reporting the highest LSAT scores, driving denial numbers up, and collecting full tuition. Admissions advice is often self-serving.1:18:21 – Personal Statement Gong ShowDanielle sends in their submission for the Personal Statement Gong Show, the show where Ben and Nathan read personal statements and hit the gong when something goes wrong. The standing record to beat is ten lines, held by Greta.1:32:38 - What's the Deal With… Jacksonville University? Ben and Nate take a look at Jacksonville University, the newest school to receive ABA accreditation. While there are reasons why this may be a good fit, you shouldn't pay to be the school's guinea pigs. Catch up on all of our What's the Deal With… segments!1:42:50 - Word of the Week - Legerdemain “Commenting on the county counsel exception, the court termed it a 'legerdemain giving birth to a solution of dubious validity.'”Howitt v. Superior Court, 5 Cal. Rptr. 2d 196, 202 (App. 1992).Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library. 

Ben and Josh tell Eliza not to bother with a second LSAT writing sample. It adds risk without reward—one is enough unless the first was a disaster.Read more on our website. Email daily@lsatdemon.com with questions or comments. Watch this episode on YouTube!

A listener with a 173 LSAT and a scholarship offer considers deferring law school for a year. Ben and Josh advise reapplying instead, warning that the deferral terms eliminate flexibility and risk losing scholarship money.Read more on our website. Email daily@lsatdemon.com with questions or comments. Watch this episode on YouTube!

A listener asks if the June 2025 LSAT was unusually difficult. Ben and Josh explain that test difficulty is subjective, Reddit is unreliable, and focused prep remains the best strategy.Read more on our website. Email daily@lsatdemon.com with questions or comments. Watch this episode on YouTube!

Demon team member Rachel shares how she transitioned from the world of fashion and TV to a 174 LSAT score and a spot at Wake Forest Law. She talks with Josh about discovering LSAT Demon, studying through long workdays, and using her union negotiation experience to fuel her desire to fight for workers' rights as a labor and employment lawyer.Read more on our website. Email daily@lsatdemon.com with questions or comments. Watch this episode on YouTube!

On this week's Thinking LSAT, Josh joins Ben to answer questions from students who feel stuck. They explain that plateaus often come from ignoring the core skill tested by the LSAT: “Did you understand what you read?” “Strategies” like skimming passages or completing 10 questions in 10 minutes distract from comprehension. Instead, you unlock the LSAT when you read each sentence carefully and make sure you understand every word.⁠Study with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠⁠Watch Episode 513 on YouTube⁠1:01 – Be Careful What You ShareJosh and Ben unpack a NYT report on a white nationalist who won an award for a paper on originalism. They focus on a student quoted in the article who lost a job offer after telling a future employer about the interview. Their point: it's not about politics—employers want to avoid liability and bad press. The same logic applies to law school admissions, where offices will use any self-disclosed information to their advantage.7:15 – Save My RCEllie writes in hoping to “save” her reading comprehension. They urge her to slow down, spend more time digesting each passage, and treat every question as Must Be True—provable solely by the text.14:50 – Professors' Letter of RecommendationWhen Joshua's professors ask what to include in letters of recommendation, highlight experiences that prove future lawyer competence—research, writing, leadership, and advocacy. Ensure recommenders understand LSAC's credential assembly service upload process so letters arrive on time.19:12 – Retaking ClassesEmma wants to know if she should retake classes to boost her GPA. If your school removes old grades from your transcript, retaking a course can improve your GPA. If not, stack easy A's instead. Delay graduation if needed to add GPA-boosting coursework, and consider a gap year to raise numbers further—every decimal point can translate into larger scholarships.LSAT Demon Scholarship Estimator24:44 – Plateauing in ScoresThe guys diagnose Sydney's stall, where she was missing seven questions per section. She's fixated on speed. Strategies like “10 questions in 10 minutes” detract from accuracy and understanding. Instead, Josh and Ben prescribe concentrating on accuracy, ditching box-checking wrong-answer journals, and digging into the logic of each missed question instead of types. 37:56 – Applying Early DecisionApplying early decision is a scholarship-killer. You surrender negotiation leverage and forfeit the chance to apply broadly and early elsewhere. Keep your options—and bargaining power—open.42:46 - Word of the Week - Nimrod“In Wisconsin, as I was driving through, a hunter shot his own guide between the shoulder blades. The coroner questioning this nimrod asked, ‘Did you think he was a deer?'”Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library. 

What is the best way to practice for your standardized test? It seems like a simple and straightforward question, but in reality there are a lot of different ways to structure your study sessions. The two most effective are block training, where you focus on one topic at a time until you master it, and random training, where you work on multiple disciplines within the same practice session. Is one method more effective than the other for your test-day results?In this episode, Brett sheds light on this important question by relating insights from an NBA assistant coach, who has seen how block vs. random practice plays out on game day at the highest levels of athletic performance. Brett delineates key differences between block and random practice and explains that each has a different objective, and that they need to work together to build toward maximizing your test-day performance. Brett explains precisely how to balance block and random practice as you progress in your test preparation and shares an important tip for effective time management as well.Your study sessions should be intentional and follow a proven methodology that produces results. By the end of this episode, you'll have a better understanding of what that looks like and how to implement it.RESOURCES / LINKSArticle: Ideal Pacing Strategy for the Executive AssessmentVideo: The Learning Curve of Testing Mastery - When to Expect Breakthrough!SIMILAR EPISODESIf you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to check out these other similar episodes of The Dominate Test Prep Podcast:Episode 56: How to Use Practice Test (and What to Avoid!), with Vinay NarangEpisode 52: 5 Tips for Staying Consistent with Your StudyingEpisode 40: Proven Principles of Perfect Practice, with Mike BerginA DOSE OF MOTIVATION"Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented individual from the successful one is a lot of hard work." — Stephen KingConnect with Us Get more free content on the DTP YouTube Channel Register for a comprehensive prep course (GMAT, Executive Assessment, GRE, LSAT, SAT) Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts Questions? Comments? Email us at support@dominatetestprep.com.

With one admissions cycle closing and another about to open, Tajira McCoy and her panel of law school deans field a series of questions many applicants consider at this point of the admissions cycle:When does it make sense to reapply in the coming admissions cycle (and do I really need to change my personal statement)?What if I decide to attend the best school that admitted me and then try to transfer next year? What are the considerations for transfer admission, especially given new trends in legal recruitment?And, heck, have you ever wondered why you're doing this Our deans' give advice to their past selves about the doors and opportunities a legal education will open for them. All that - and more - is covered in the latest roundtable. And don't forget that for help with all things related to LSAT prep and law school admissions, you can check us out at 7Sage.com.

LJ wonders if outside knowledge is hurting their LSAT performance. Ben and Nathan explain that such knowledge can aid comprehension, but must never override the logic of the passage or question.Read more on our website. Email daily@lsatdemon.com with questions or comments. Watch this episode on YouTube!

This week, I'm joined by the vibrant and faith-filled Skylar Richardson, founder of SkyGardens in West Texas. Raised on a cotton farm, Skyler's journey took a turn from law school ambitions to flower farming—thanks to a canceled LSAT, a supportive family, and a deep sense of purpose rooted in faith and community. In this episode, we dive into what it really takes to grow delicate blooms in the middle of dust, drought, and 30 mph winds. Skyler shares the miracle moments behind her flower farm's beginnings, the challenges of farming in unpredictable conditions, and why inviting the community to experience the farm firsthand has been such a powerful part of her mission. If you've ever felt called to pivot your plans, lean into your faith, or just want to hear a story about beauty blooming where it “shouldn't,” this one's for you. Resources & Links: Bible Mysteries Podcast Join The Directory Of The West Get our FREE resource for Writing a Strong Job Description Get our FREE resource for Making the Most of Your Internship Email us at hello@ofthewest.co Join the Of The West Email List List your jobs on Of The West Connect with Skyler Follow SkyGardens on Instagram @skygardenstx  Follow SkyGardens on Facebook @skygardenstx Watch SkyGardens on YouTube @skygardenstx Visit SkyGardens website Connect with Jessie: Follow on Instagram @ofthewest.co and @mrsjjarv Follow on Facebook @jobsofthewest Check out the Of The West website Be sure to subscribe/follow the show so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't rush law school. Val should wait to apply until after hitting her goal LSAT score on timed practice tests—no matter the year—and plan to take the test multiple times for the best results.Read more on our website. Email daily@lsatdemon.com with questions or comments. Watch this episode on YouTube!

Law School Lemons & LSAT CeilingsBen and Nathan discuss how law school admissions resemble a “market for lemons,” where students face steep information asymmetries. They highlight tools like the Scholarship Estimator and 509 reports that help applicants manage expectations and avoid overpaying. While there are several ways to strengthen an application, none are as effective as a strong LSAT and GPA.⁠Study with our Free Plan⁠⁠Download our iOS app⁠⁠Watch Episode 512 on YouTube⁠0:26 – Law School Lemon LawDemon student Luca applies the “market for lemons” concept to law school admissions, emphasizing the information gap between applicants and schools. Ben and Nate note that schools often string applicants along without providing transparent pricing. Tools like 509 reports and the Scholarship Estimator help narrow this gap by showing what students might actually pay. Despite the added time and cost, applying broadly remains key to determining your market value.⁠The Disparity Index⁠LSAT Demon Scholarship EstimatorThe Market For Lemons17:36 – Getting In Isn't the GoalBen and Nathan discuss a Reddit post that shared an email in which the University of Oklahoma's law school advised an applicant to raise their LSAT score. Some were outraged, but the data supports it—Oklahoma's median LSAT is 160. They caution against accepting offers where you just meet the medians. Barely squeaking in often means overpaying.23:31 – AnnouncementsAugust LSAT Registration closes June 26th. See all registration details at lsat.link/dates. 25:22 – Holistic ApplicationsExtracurriculars and soft factors help, but only after your LSAT and GPA are competitive. Athletics, internships, and work experience can strengthen your application, but they won't offset weak numbers.29:48 – Tips from Departing DemonsRecent Demon students share what worked for them. Asma recommends “having a conversation with the test” to stay mentally engaged rather than going on autopilot. Another student, LT, shares that they ultimately decided not to pursue a JD, showing that sometimes the best move is to walk away.34:23 – What's My Ceiling?Seth asks if massive LSAT gains—30 or even 40 points—are possible. The guys say yes, but they stress not to rush toward specific schools or deadlines. Instead, slow down, focus on one question at a time, and aim for a minimum of 160. Below that, law school might not be the right investment.39:21 – Personal Statement Gong ShowAmy feels that the Personal Statement Gong Show has given her a great idea of what not to do. Now, she wants to know what makes an elite personal statement. Ben and Nathan highlight some essential lessons using a personal statement from the Gong Show's first celebrity contestant, Demon team member Stefan.1:04:32 - Word of the Week - Aegis[The memoirs] written by royalists, who opposed the Revolution, were published under the monarchy's aegis. Get caught up with our⁠ ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library. 

Ben and Nathan explore how AI is acing law school exams and what that says about legal education. They unpack Donald Rumsfeld's “unknown unknowns” and how the LSAT helps uncover them. The guys break down what the LSAT curve really means (or doesn't), then offer advice on predatory pre-law jobs. Then they revisit the difference between sufficient and necessary assumptions. Temple University is featured in this week's What's the Deal With… Finally, another contestant in the Personal Statement Gong Show and amanuensis is the word of the week. Study with our Free PlanDownload our iOS appWatch Episode 511 on YouTubeRegister for RC Prediction Fundamentals0:34 – AI is an A+ Law StudentBen and Nathan aren't shocked to hear that AI is pulling A's and B+'s on law school exams at the University of Maryland. The LSAT-style “racehorse” exams are all about spotting issues, which is something AI excels at. It's a reminder that the profession is changing, and lawyers who ignore these tools risk falling behind.Artificial Intelligence is now an A+ law student, study finds9:33 – Unknown UnknownsThe LSAT is the best teacher, and when paired with the explanations that come with every question, you can solve your “unknown unknowns.” When you miss a question, you've both picked the wrong answer and failed to pick the right one. You must understand both mistakes before moving on. The guys note that gimmicky strategies often muddy common-sense logic, turning solvable problems (unknown knowns) into confusing ones.17:46 – LSAT CurveDanielle's question about the LSAT curve leads to a breakdown: it's not a traditional curve, but a scale based on experimental data. LSAC aims for consistent difficulty across tests, and it's not worth stressing over. 26:37 – Predatory Pre-Law JobsA listener's $50k pre-law job in San Francisco turns out to be little more than coffee runs. Nathan warns against sticking with these roles unless there's upside—legal exposure, networking, or skill-building. While there's some value in doing grunt work well, make sure it's leading somewhere.33:10 – Sufficient vs. Necessary AssumptionBen and Nathan clarify the frequent confusion between sufficient and necessary assumptions. Sufficient assumptions prove the conclusion (open question), while necessary assumptions must be true (closed question). Although they can sometimes overlap, applying the same analysis across the two question types will trip students up on harder questions. 49:13 – What's the Deal with Temple Law?Ben and Nate take a look at what ChatGPT provided for this week's What's the Deal with… Pulling data mainly from Temple's website, the information was generally accurate. Temple offers regional value, if you can attend at the right price, as more than 75% of the class pays less than half of the sticker price. LSAT Demon Scholarship EstimatorThe Disparity IndexTemple Law Employment OutcomesChatGPT prompt: What are the five best and worst things about [insert law school]? Be brutally frank, please. Consider not only the quality of the school, but job outcomes and cost. Is it worth the money? Is it fair that some students get scholarships and others don't? 1:21:30 – Personal Statement Gong ShowB sends in their submission for the Personal Statement Gong Show, the show where Ben and Nathan read personal statements and hit the gong when something goes wrong. The standing record to beat is ten lines, held by Greta.1:26:40 - Word of the Week - AmanuensisReaders of African American autobiography have too readily accepted the presumption of these editors that experiential facts recounted orally could be recorded and sorted by an amanuensis‑editor. Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠ library.