Podcasts and LSATs . . .

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I know there are a few lawyers on the site here, and probably a few in law school as well.

I'm going to be writing the LSAT at the end of the month. I've always done well in school, have a fairly impressive academic background, not to mention have debated competitively. The only worry I have is that I've always sucked at standardized tests.

I signed up to take a prep course through Oxford Seminars (if you do a google search for LSAT they're the sponsored link that pops up at the top).

Regardless, the course is in Halifax, and I'm in Sydney. That said I have to drive there (about 4.5 hours if you take your time, stop for coffee and don't speed too much). I was thinking it'd be an excellent time to listen to a couple podcasts regarding the LSAT.

Does anyone have any suggestions on podcasts regarding the test? Google brings up Kaplan's and Princeton Review's (I've been working through the Princeton Review prep-book). Just curious if there were any others people were aware of.

In addition, if you've got any tips/tricks to cracking the LSAT I'm all ears.

Cheers

[JohnnyB]

I have no advice for podcasts, and no desire to go looking up anything to do with that test ever again really (not that it's really that bad), but my advice is to always train with a timer. That test is so much about just getting things done under the time constraints. I would say that's the biggest challenge.

[housejunk]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

I have no advice for podcasts, and no desire to go looking up anything to do with that test ever again really (not that it's really that bad), but my advice is to always train with a timer. That test is so much about just getting things done under the time constraints. I would say that's the biggest challenge.

I don't know if its possible to really prepare for the LSAT. Experience with practice tests is key, of course, but more for getting a feel for the types of questions you are going to encounter, and the time constraints involved. I don't really believe that practice will make your score incrementally better. For better or for worse, it just isn't that kind of test. Save the huge costs associated with a practice courses and just make sure you buy yourself lots of practice tests to go through.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

I know there are a few lawyers on the site here, and probably a few in law school as well.

I'm going to be writing the LSAT at the end of the month. I've always done well in school, have a fairly impressive academic background, not to mention have debated competitively. The only worry I have is that I've always sucked at standardized tests.

I signed up to take a prep course through Oxford Seminars (if you do a google search for LSAT they're the sponsored link that pops up at the top).

Regardless, the course is in Halifax, and I'm in Sydney. That said I have to drive there (about 4.5 hours if you take your time, stop for coffee and don't speed too much). I was thinking it'd be an excellent time to listen to a couple podcasts regarding the LSAT.

Does anyone have any suggestions on podcasts regarding the test? Google brings up Kaplan's and Princeton Review's (I've been working through the Princeton Review prep-book). Just curious if there were any others people were aware of.

In addition, if you've got any tips/tricks to cracking the LSAT I'm all ears.

Cheers

Well, you can solve part of your problem by driving 150km/hr and doing a practice exam by text message as you drive.

[troutman]

Just practice old LSAT exams over and over.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by troutman

Just practice old LSAT exams over and over.

Yup. After you've learned the basics the LSAT (by taking a course and/or reading the books), the only way to get better is by doing old LSAT exams. The more recent the better, as I've found that they have gotten harder over the years (I breezed through the logic games in old practice books and older exams, but then had difficulty with ones from more recent exams).

I agree with housejunk -- I personally did the Matt Damon approach to LSAT preparation (fifty cents in late fines at the public library ), and did as many actual practice tests as I could until I got sick of doing them and stopped improving

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by housejunk

I don't know if its possible to really prepare for the LSAT. Experience with practice tests is key, of course, but more for getting a feel for the types of questions you are going to encounter, and the time constraints involved. I don't really believe that practice will make your score incrementally better. For better or for worse, it just isn't that kind of test. Save the huge costs associated with a practice courses and just make sure you buy yourself lots of practice tests to go through.

I completely disagree with this statement, I think the more practice tests you do will increase your score immensely, people think you can go in "cold"...if you do, you will be disappointed.

I don't know about podcasts but again, like everyone says, old exams and work books over and over again are the best way to do well.

not to "shill" sites, but I run www.lawstudents.ca with another guy, it's mostly law school hopefuls sharing advice etc... so there is probably some good information or even podcast information on the site.

good luck!

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by troutman

Just practice old LSAT exams over and over.

Yup. I wrote in June 2004 and I wrote as many practice exams as I could get my hands on. Chapters/Amazon sell books that contain 10 actual LSAT exams from previous years. Get your paws on a couple of those and study the questions.

The biggest advice that I got when I prepared was actually the procedural crap that goes on before the exam. A lot of writers get jacked up and ready to write as soon as they get into the room. The reality is that the proctors read all the instructions out loud and slowly, you have to get finger printed, and you have to be seated and handed the exam in a certain way. Basically, allocate an hour from the time you walk into the exam room to when you start writing.

[flylock shox]

Check it yo:

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...highlight=LSAT

All the advice you need is probably already there.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by troutman

Just practice old LSAT exams over and over.

X2

I got into law school solely based on LSAT score. I didn't take a course just read through one of the books then practiced as much as I could. Get used to the style of question and doing them quickly.

[Flashpoint]

Timing is everything. Anybody can do well on the tests if they just try to answer the questions. You MUST do it under time constraints. So practice practice practice.

[troutman]

And then ask yourself: Do you really want to be a lawyer? Well, do ya?

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by troutman

And then ask yourself: Do you really want to be a lawyer? Well, do ya?

Yeah... It's not everything it's cracked up to be. Chances are you'll either end up (a) bored or (b) underpaid and/or (c) overworked.

Oh, and chicks don't dig lawyers much. For that you need med school.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

Yeah... It's not everything it's cracked up to be. Chances are you'll either end up (a) bored or (b) underpaid and/or (c) overworked.

Oh, and chicks don't dig lawyers much. For that you need med school.

Some chicks dig us - they would come to "study" in our library, and were known as SNAILS (Students Not Actually In Law School).

And none of us do detective work like those lawyers on TV. You never see those TV lawyers at a desk doing paper work.

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by troutman

Some chicks dig us - they would come to "study" in our library, and were known as SNAILS (Students Not Actually In Law School).

And none of us do detective work like those lawyers on TV. You never see those TV lawyers at a desk doing paper work.

I take it you went to UBC too?

And I like to bust the occasional perp every now and then, even if it's not technically in the job description.

And they're not technically a perp...

The support staff hate me.

[troutman]

Ubc -

Wreck Beach! Weed! Beer Up! Wexler! Salmon Bbq! Talent Show! Professors With Left Wing Agendas! Professors Who Are Not Allowed To Close Their Office Doors! Rain! The Fringe! Snails! Section 4! No Parking! The International Reading Room!

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by troutman

Ubc -

Wreck Beach! Weed! Beer Up! Wexler! Salmon Bbq! Talent Show! Professors With Left Wing Agendas! Professors Who Are Not Allowed To Close Their Office Doors! Rain! The Fringe! Snails! Section 4! No Parking! The International Reading Room!

Don't forget: home to the worst law school building anywhere in the civilized world.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

Don't forget: home to the worst law school building anywhere in the civilized world.

The views were nice.

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by troutman

The views were nice.

Yes. Because they all looked away from the building...

I think this thread has now been sufficiently derailed (and no one seems to care) that I can ask, for the original poster's benefit: Would you recommend UBC to prospective law students?

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by troutman

Ubc -

Wreck Beach! Weed! Beer Up! Wexler! Salmon Bbq! Talent Show! Professors With Left Wing Agendas! Professors Who Are Not Allowed To Close Their Office Doors! Rain! The Fringe! Snails! Section 4! No Parking! The International Reading Room!

Don't forget nude fat people