A major difference between the LSAT and other standardized tests is the number of official tests available. The Law School Admission Council makes over 60 full, real LSAT tests available for purchase, including one free test, and another 20 or so tests are available to be licensed to tutoring companies.
With so many tests, it is near impossible — and inadvisable — to try to take each of them as a timed practice test. It is also important to know the differences among the older and more recent tests and how you should use each group most effectively during your LSAT preparation.
[Create a four-month study plan for LSAT success.]
— Explore available tests: The LSAC has made available almost every test administered in June, September or October , and December since 1991. Instead of referring to them primarily by test administration date, the LSAC has adopted a numbering system.
The numbers reflect the chronology of the tests: the lower the number, the older the test; the higher the number, the more recent the test. Note, however, that the numbering system does not perfectly correspond chronologically for the oldest tests.
The LSAC offers five books with 10 tests each, broken down as follows: tests 7, 9-16 and 18; tests 19-28; tests 29-38; tests 52-61; and tests 62-71. In addition, the following tests are available as individual tests: June 2007 — between tests 51 and 52 in the LSAC numbering system and the only test available as a free download on the LSAC website — and tests 62-78. Test 79, the Sept . 24 LSAT, will be published in November.
— Understand test differences: The most significant change in the LSAT since 1991 was the introduction of the comparative reading passages in the reading comprehension section, which first appeared in the June 2007 test. The June 2007 test and tests 52 and up all contain a comparative reading passage.
There have been other, somewhat subtler, changes as the test has progressed, primarily in the logic games section. Older logic games, for example, tend to have larger, more complicated setups and more deductions in the setup, but they tend to have easier questions. More recent tests, on the other hand, have simpler setups with fewer upfront deductions, but answering these questions can be more difficult.
[Learn how to improve your LSAT logic games and reading comprehension prep.]
In addition, certain question types on the logical reasoning have fallen in and out of favor. More recent tests tend to contain more variety in the “principle” question type, and the flaw questions tend to be more assumption-oriented and less oriented toward formulaic flaws such as ad hominem attacks.
The big lesson here is that, in general, the more recent the test, the more similar it will be to the test used during the next administration.
In light of these differences, it is important to use these tests strategically as you prepare. Below is a guide for how to use older tests — those numbered 38 and lower — and newer tests, June 2007 and tests 52 and beyond, to maximize your score.
— Employ older tests strategically: Older tests are best used for three purposes: as problem sets, for general practice and to add a fifth section.
T hese 30 tests will allow you to practice specific question and game types. Although they won’t always feel exactly the same as those you encounter in more recent tests, the practice is valuable.
[Read these tips on approaching the hardest LSAT questions.]
Once you are comfortable with the individual question and game types , going through full sections, either timed or untimed, is a good way to consolidate your knowledge and test your ability to distinguish question and game types.
Finally, as you approach your test date, make sure you are simulating the real experience to the greatest extent possible, including the experimental section. Sections from old exams are excellent for this purpose.
— Try newer tests later: Use newer tests for full, timed practice in the eight to 10 weeks before the exam. Since these are the tests that are most similar to future tests, your best strategy is to keep these tests pristine for use as practice.
In addition, redo most — if not all — of the comparative passages after having you have completed them as full, timed practice tests. Since these don’t appear in older tests, redoing these passages is the only way to get extra practice on these tests.
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Make the Most of LSAT Practice Tests originally appeared on usnews.com
