<p>I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for a good, all-encompasing LSAT prep book, or perhaps a combination of a few. Actually any advice on LSAT prep in general (such as courses, websites, all that jazz) would be great, but specifically the books.</p>
<ol>
<li>powerscore logic games bible</li>
<li>do real LSATs. Time yourself.</li>
<li>be religious about it.</li>
<li>have a philosophy major tutor you in logic.</li>
<li>read. learn to read critically.</li>
</ol>
<p>I have enjoyed that Kaplan CD Rom lsat prep. I also have "10 actual, official lsats" and "the next 10 actual, official lsats" </p>
<p>I have also heard good things about the logic games bible. But-regardless of what books you get, you have to use them often for them to be any good. If you can't make your self study regularly, take a course.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help...On a side note, are there majors that historically do well on the LSAT (philosophy, pre-law, poli sci), and ones that are at a disadvantage (ie my major: architecture)? Or is it designed to test more inherent skills?</p>
<p>i think it really has to do more with how you process information naturally, and draw conclusions and inferences from complex sets. aptitudes in this area would probably lead to self-selection for particular majors, but i don't think that choosing a major you're not interested in just to prep yourself for a single exam would be a fruitful use of 4 years and many thousands of dollars. not that i think you'd do that, or am suggesting that you would consider it.</p>
<p>architects need to be able to apply creative solutions within strict parameters. sounds like good prep for the lsats to me!</p>
<p>Yeah, in my opinion, architecture rivals traditional prelaw majors as an indeal prep for law school because we are constantly judged on our work and taught to think critically about everything. Plus my workload now will prepare me for anything to come.</p>
<p>Generally, philosophy majors are already trained in formal logic, which they can apply to the logical reasoning section. Math and engineering major tend to be trained in solving logic game type situations, which could theoretically help them on the test. It stands to reason that English/History majors do well on reading comprehension since they are taught to critically exmaine long wordy documents.</p>
<p>But, as far as I know, there are no hard and fast numbers to back this us, just peoples general overall assumptions.</p>
<p>..here's a link to one study of how well various majors do on the LSAT:</p>
<p>that's hilarious. prelaw is below the mean. heh.</p>
<p>what i think is important to realize is that it isn't necessarily the fact that one has studied physics or mathematics that helps one do well on the test, but rather that one who chooses such a major is probably more likely to, well, how do i say this gently, er, BE SMART TO BEGIN WITH. ahem.</p>
<p>also, as with any statistical study, it is important to look at majors and extrapolate from soft data, even anecdotal data in order to draw conclusions.</p>
<p>an example: psychology students are a large sample. anecdotally, i know that some psych majors are 'hard-science-focused' and some major in it 'because it's really neat.' the 'because it's really neat' group will likely fare more poorly on such a test as the LSAT. a student who is more interested in, say, cognitive science or neuroscience, probably has the aptitude for a major like physics or math, but prefers a biochemically applied variant of science. that student is likely to fare well.</p>
<p>in my opinion, anyway, which is probably next-to-worthless.</p>
<p>heh.</p>
<p>I would say that there is probably some self-selection, but certain majors will also develop your logical/analytical/RC skills more. </p>
<p>For example, I know people who did well on their SAT's, but did signficantly better on their LSAT's, probably because their minds were further developed by studying at a competitive university. </p>
<p>That is the point of education, after all -- to make you smarter. Sometimes, it actually works that way.</p>
<p>(Interestingly, Engineering is above the mean, but below a number of liberal arts majors.)</p>
<p>I am just worried that an architecture degree will do little to prepare me for my future in law and/or the LSAT. And it is especially unsettling to think of all the hard work i have to put into it, and the low gpa's architecture gives out.</p>
<p>"I am just worried that an architecture degree will do little to prepare me for my future in law and/or the LSAT. And it is especially unsettling to think of all the hard work i have to put into it, and the low gpa's architecture gives out."</p>
<p>Couple questions:</p>
<p>Why are you studying architecture? Do you find it fascinating? Do you think you may want to do it, and simply consider law school an alternative possibility? </p>
<p>If so, then stick with it, because architecture is probably a more secure profession than law, generally speaking. (We probably need architects more than we need more lawyers at this point.) It may also well be more interesting if that's where your interests lie.</p>
<p>However, if you simply thought you might like it, and now find you don't, then by all means drop it. Choose something else you find more interesting, because you'll probably do better, especially if they grade easier.</p>
<p>"We probably need architects more than we need more lawyers at this point"</p>
<p>It's funny you should mention that because it is actually quite the opposite. Most people think that we need architects but in actuality "architecture" in the United States is a contractor choosing the window placement of an office building, this is a large reason I am giving it up. Architecture is actually a VERY unsecure profession and (not that I am a money-whore) the average starting salary, WITH a masters, is 25K a year...some construction workers make more. Architecture still does fascinate me but I find everything about the profession appalling, it seems as if architects have become consultants and are focused more on building installments (basically large pieces of art) as opposed to actual structures.</p>
<p>Even if architecture isn't that secure, law may not be any more so (or more interesting), so research that as well.</p>
<p>If you're not interested in architecture as a career, then the question becomes whether your interest and/or aptitude outweighs any potentially harder grading. Only you can answer that question. Anything else you want to study?</p>
<p>Other than architecture subjects like politics, philosophy, and journalism all interest me. Law in itself is not the most intereting subject but I have noticed that many great minds of the previoulsy mentioned disiplines got their start in law and theren lies my motivation to study it. Also, one thing I have noticed in my short career as an architecture student is that I really enjoy sitting around and studying/talking about/writting about anything and everything. This very general desire to learn is usually interupted by the "nitty and gritty" of architecture (hard representational studio work that amounts to 95% of an architect's time) and is what is drawing me to subjects such as poli sci and philosophy. Would you care to expand upon your point that law is not particularly secure?</p>
<p>Well, many people feel that law is a guaranteed ticket to a good income. But there are so many people going into it that the market is pretty saturated in certain respects. If you go to a top law school, you'll probably get a high-paying job. But if you don't, it becomes much more of a gamble. Outside of the top 25 or so, you'll generally have to do pretty well in your class to have good employment possibilities. And many people from those other schools end up struggling to find work. (Even people who get good jobs initially may not be able to keep them that long. There's major turnover in large firms.) </p>
<p>That said, if you really have a strong interest in law, I would pursue it, because you'll probably be able to make it work if your interest is sincere and genuine. I just wouldn't choose it simply because you feel it's a secure option. There's plenty of risk in the profession, and if you don't feel an actual interest and engagement in the law itself, it's probably not worth the risk and investment. Too many unhappy lawyers already.</p>
<p>P.S.: I thought I already noted this, but I have a written summary of LSAT study tips if you want them. Just PM me for it.</p>
<p>TAKE A POWERSCORE OR TESTMASTERS CLASS!! (i know all caps is annoying)</p>
<p>Actually, the proper testmasters site is <a href="http://www.testmasters180.com%5B/url%5D">www.testmasters180.com</a>. </p>
<p>The other site is an inferior course, based in Texas. It simply used the name first for SAT prep.</p>