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If You Want to Go to Law SchoolNov 27 '00 (Updated Jan 04 '01) Write an essay on this topic.The LSAT was the toughest test I had ever taken up to that point in my life. Concentrating intensely for some 3 and a half hours was part of the challenge. Although I was able to score close to all correct on all the other sections, the infamous "logic games" section was my nemesis. The "logic games", known formally as analytical reasoning, consists of a scenario. The scenario could run like this: There are 6 chairs in the 1st Violin section of a chamber orchestra. Alvin, Beth, Calvin, Deidre, Edgar, and Fifi are the violinists who make up this section. Beth, Deidre and Fifi are women; Alvin, Calvin and Edgar are men. Alvin does not sit next to Francis. No women sit next to each other. There are two violinists per row. The logic game would then ask you a series of questions about this scenario. For example, it might ask: "If Calvin is the Concertmaster (seat 1) and Edgar is in the back row, where could Francis sit?" The only trouble I had with these logic games was time. If given enough time, I could take them apart. However, I found myself pressed for time. Developing good methods to approach these logic games is only part of the battle. One must hone the mental capacity to quickly calculate in order to do well. For some (like me) this is the toughest section. Others find it the easiest. Compared to the logic games found on the GRE and GMAT (I looked at samples), the LSAT logic games were perhaps twice as hard. The LSAT logic games had more variables, more rules and more factors to handle. No offence to the GRE and GMAT, but the LSAT logic games were appreciably more difficult. Thoughts on the other sections: Reading Comprehension: This section is similar to the Reading Comprehension on the SAT except raised a couple notches. This was my best section and I highly recommend the Kaplan training materials on this section. It may not work for everyone but these are things that helped me: 1) read the questions carefully before tackling the passage to get a strategic sense of what to look for in the passage 2) read to get the big picture but pay attention to details that the questions ask for 3) master the types of questions that come up (there's not too many types of questions) Logical Reasoning: This section is a hodge-podge of various types of questions. Question types include: 1) find the logical fallacy 2) inference questions 3) parallel reasoning (these were the toughest for me, and from what I hear, for others as well) 4) what is the assumption 5) what logically follows (conclusion) 6) and others. This section comprises 2 out of the 4 sections that go towards the 120-180 score. These sections constitute the numerical score. For more information on the additional sections, tips, and a general assessment of the LSAT, see: "The Magic Ticket to Law School".  |
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