<p>I just purchased The PERFECT LSAT Study Plan by Vera and it is amazing. It only costs $10 and gives you a perfect study plan for 2 months, 4 months or 6 months. I was considering self-study during the summer and then taking a full course at Testmasters before I took the LSAT, but now I don't feel that I need to take a course. One of several reasons many people choose to take a course is the strict schedule that forces you to study and also the efficient breakdown of materials over a specific time period. This study plan does this for you so you just need to purchase the materials: Logic Reasoning Bible, Logic Games Bible, NOVA Master the LSAT, Logic Games Ultimate Setup Guide, and LSAC Preptests. I purchased all of these on eBay and paid not even $200!</p>
<p>Hi mch- As a parent who also frequents law school discussion .org- I have seen many references to Vera's self study plan. I know alot of kids swear by the Powerscore Bibles (I got those for my kid based on the discussions on LSD and here) the Nova and LSAC books and past tests.<br>
I think if you can stay very dedicated and focused to the study process for approx 3 to 6 months, I think you should do ok studying on your own.
My d took Kaplan and did a lot of self studying too. She sort of liked the idea of getting together with an established group. Kaplan is good because she took around 4 practice tests under the same "time restraints" that the real test had. So if you do go the self-study route, please take a few practice tests under "real test" conditions.<br>
Some of the kids on the LSD website never did a practice with the exact timing needed and the were sorely at a disadvantage.
Also be aware that the reading comprehension is changing a bit so check the LSAC website after 2/07 once the changes are announced. I'd also suggest you get the newest book from LSAC which will have the new reading component. I assume it will not be made available until after 2/07.
Good luck.</p>
<p>I have also been following the LSD board over a year and I agree that many rave about Vera's self study plan. As Marni stated, it requires a lot of self discipline on your part and the draw back is if you don't know something or if you are having a problem with a concept or a game set up, you will not have the luxury of possibly getting a detailed explanation or learning from your peers (unless you put together a study group). The amount of time is also a factor, remember you are still balancing classwork, projects exams at the same time as your self study and there could be a tendency to put it on the back burner not that it cannot happen in a paid course, but sometimes the thought of paying out the $$ is enough motivation to go, do the assignments just to make sure you get your (of your parents) money's worth.</p>
<p>We did order prep books from the LSAC and D took a test under timed conditions (cold) just to get a feel for where she was at and what she would have to focus on. I also purchased the logic games and reasoning bibles (which she really likes). She did do some self studying while she was home but did not want to carry all of her stuff when she went abroad. She has the "luxury" of having a leave term this winter, where she will take a prepcourse whild living breathing lsat until the feb test, so we'll see how it goes.</p>
<p>D is currently taking a course while she is home on a leave term (she attends school with a quarter system) in preparation for the february exam. Right now she is attending classes 4 times a week for 4 hours. There is about 4 to 5 hours of home work each night ; drills, q & a's , identifying types of questions from each section and coming up with the best approach to answer the question. </p>
<p>Reading comprehension</p>
<p>Main Point Questions<br>
Passage Organization Questions<br>
Specific Reference Questions<br>
Function Questions<br>
Author's Perspective Questions<br>
Type Two and Type Three Questions </p>
<p>Logical Construct Questions<br>
List Questions<br>
Maximum Minimum Questions<br>
Justification Questions </p>
<p>Logical reasoning</p>
<p>Principle Questions<br>
Point at Issue Questions<br>
Sufficient and Necessary Problems<br>
Cause and Effect Problems </p>
<p>Type One Questions (1)<br>
Type Two Questions (2)<br>
Type Three Questions (3)<br>
Type Four Questions (4)<br>
Type Five Questions (5)<br>
Type Six Questions (6)<br>
Type Seven Questions (7)<br>
Type Eight Questions (8)<br>
Two-Three Combination Questions (2-3)<br>
Type 4F Questions (4F)<br>
Type 1M Questions (1M)<br>
Type 2N Questions (2N)<br>
Type 2S Questions (2S)<br>
Principle Questions (PR)<br>
Point at Issue Questions (PI)<br>
Sufficient and Necessary Problems (SN)<br>
Cause and Effect Problems (CE) </p>
<p>This is not counting practice tests. </p>
<p>There about 25 people in her class (4 are current undergrads and she is the only junior. The rest have graduated and have been working from 1 to 5 years). She thinks that her instructor is great. They work on questions in class, then they have "challenges" where they do sections under timed conditions. So far, taking the course has been great for her. It has raised her confidence, and she is more relaxed about the course. she has shaved some time off of each section as she because she is better able to cut to the chase to answer the question. Her score has gone up over 15 points since her first diagnostic test and she is constantly scoring in the mid 170s on the practice tests (lets hope this translates to the test).</p>
<p>Sybbie- sounds great and best of luck to your d. Even if the actual score dips a bit, she has it made.<br>
And for all you future test takes--
Being confident and RELAXED is a major factor. I think that some kids can get really too obsessed about this test (yes- it is VERY important) and they may actually be overly stressed when they take it. This can cause some kids to do worse on the actual test than the practice exams.
So to stay calm-- Be prepared-Relax- and be confident. </p>
<p>My d is going to check out her first law school next week. Her good friend is an undergrad at the school, so she'll have a place to stay. He'll be graduating in June, so she thought it might be a good time to look at the school while he is still there.<br>
Sybbie--
I can't believe they will be graduating next year!!</p>