Prepping for the LSAT as a Pre-Law Student!! 🏛️🎓
I started to prep for the lsat in November 2024, but didn’t get serious about it until May! I familiarized myself with the structure of the exam before diving into habits, and reframing my thinking. Building my way up to practice helped me become more confident with my abilities! 💪📈
Some sections of the exam I find simple, sometimes even fun. Most multiple choice in logical reasoning is similar to a puzzle to me. Logical Reasoning Flaws is what can sometimes hurt my brain. I always have the words in my head, but can never get them out on paper properly. However, exercising that skill is crucial to preparing for the exam. 🧠✨
I went into today’s session prepared for reasoning flaws, but found myself low on energy. I take ADHD meds, and ended up starting my session close to my drop, when they are leaving my system. Though, I still wanted to pull through. I changed the structure of today’s session to meet my needs, that way I could still study without overstimulating or burning myself out.
It’s not always about powering through the dips in energy, sometimes you can find a similarly effective bridge! Meet yourself in the middle, you’re human! ⏳
This routine is pretty specific to LSAT, but thats not to say it can’t be applied to any type of studying! There’s review, active recall, application, etc. If you guys are interested, I can post a college study routine once the semester starts again in the fall! 🍂🎓
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1. My computer is always a helpful tool in studying for LSAT! Not only do I play music to help me focus, but I can take practice tests alongside my readings and books! 💻
2. My iPad is mostly used to jot down notes. I prefer to use it for review type notes, or transferring the notes written in the margins of my self-practice books. 📱
3. Stationary is a must. While I use my iPad for review notes, all active thoughts go straight onto the page. I also do drills inside my books, so a pencil is great for when I need to retake anything! I like to mark drills with colored tabs. Depending on the color was the difficulty, that way I can test my confidence when I revisit sections (and see my progression!). ✏️
4. Headphones. No explanation needed. 🎧
5. My 1st LSAT prep book is a self guided resource. Each chapter explains habits, strategies, and provides drills for me to test what works for me. Each session should be confined to one chapter in the book! I initially went in for reasoning flaw, but was so low on energy. I decided to do a review on logical reasoning basics instead, strengthening my analysis skills later on in a separate book! I like to pair my books for unique study sessions, allowing me to exercise many different skills for each specified section! 📘
6. I took notes specifically on logical reasoning basics, and transferred some margin notes to the screen. That way I can go back to the one page and see where I was mentally during the chapter! It also has some strategies and mindsets I should remember to utilize. 📝
7. Since I did review in my first book, I chose to exercise in a different book. This way I am not simply memorizing questions from previous drills. This is an example of how I pair my study session material! Sometimes I learn new info and do a practice drill, sometimes I review and revisit a drill, sometimes it’s a review and a separate practice! I alter it to fit the needs of each session while maintaining my goals! 📚
8. This is my chosen book for my practice session. Now that I have reviewed my habits and strategies, I’ll build a new skill using that knowledge! 🔍
9. Today I chose to focus on question stems and analysis. By training your unconscious brain to make connections, you can progress a lot faster through the exam without doubting yourself. Instead of judging an answer based on gut, base it off of your analysis. It’s like building “common sense” for your test taking abilities (ie: elimination, deduction, reasoning in general). “Which of the following must be false” means 4 out of 5 answers will be true to the initial stimulus, and 1 HAS to be false. It sounds like a no brainer, but when paired with wordy text, jargon and subjects you are unfamiliar with, and equally wordy answers, it’s a lot easier to misread the question stem, or misunderstand it’s purpose! 🧩
Thanks for following today’s journey!!! ♡
Okay, so let's talk about the real game-changer in my LSAT prep: Mike Kim's 'LSAT TRAINER' book. When I first started looking into resources, I felt totally overwhelmed. There are so many options out there, but this one kept popping up in recommendations. What truly made it stand out for me as a self-guided resource was its incredibly clear, comprehensive approach. It’s not just a collection of practice questions; it’s a mentor in print, breaking down the LSAT into digestible, understandable concepts. One of the biggest struggles for me, as I mentioned, was logical reasoning, particularly those tricky logical reasoning flaws. The 'LSAT TRAINER' has dedicated sections that meticulously explain each flaw type, not just by naming them but by illustrating how they appear in different question stems and how to systematically identify them. This was crucial for me because I often had the 'general idea' but struggled to articulate it or apply it consistently under timed conditions. Mike Kim's explanations helped me bridge that gap, giving me the precise language and analytical framework I needed. I’d read a chapter, then immediately jump into the drills, trying to apply the strategies he taught. This active learning approach, where I wasn't just passively reading but actively engaging with the material, made a huge difference. I also found the book's emphasis on foundational thinking invaluable. It teaches you how to think like the test makers, rather than just memorizing patterns. For instance, its approach to analyzing question stems was revolutionary for me. Before, I'd often misinterpret what a question was truly asking, especially with phrases like "which of the following must be false." The 'LSAT TRAINER' broke down these common traps, helping me develop a systematic way to approach every single question stem, ensuring I was always answering what was actually being asked. I’d use my iPad to jot down my personalized strategies and mindsets, transferring key takeaways directly from the book's margins into a digital format I could easily review. This combination of the physical book for core learning and my iPad for active recall really solidified my understanding. Beyond the core content, what I loved about using the 'LSAT TRAINER' was its flexibility. On days when my energy was low, or medication was wearing off, I didn't feel pressured to tackle an entire new, complex section. Instead, I could revisit earlier chapters, focusing on review and strengthening my basics. This allowed me to stay productive without burning out. Later, as I built a stronger foundation with Mike Kim's book, I integrated other resources like the Kaplan LSAT Prep book for additional practice tests and specific, high-volume drills. This layering approach, starting with the deep conceptual understanding from the 'LSAT TRAINER' and then expanding with more practice, created a robust study plan. It wasn't about just getting through the material, but internalizing it, making those connections second nature. For anyone starting their LSAT journey or feeling stuck, diving deep into 'The LSAT Trainer' could truly be your turning point.
