A
Note on LSAT Books and LSAT Preparation
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NOTE:
The LSAC introduced two changes to the LSAT in 2007. Click here
for an explanation of the changes. You can
download a free copy of an updated version of the test from
the LSAC website. |
We strongly advise all prospective law
school applicants to consult at least two books before
taking the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test).
First, we recommend one of the
official guides
published by the LSAC (Law School Admission Council),
the test's author. This is the only
LSAT preparation book with material from the people who
write the actual test. There is a difference between the
official questions you will be asked on the exam and
the practice questions contained in all other books.
Secondly, we recommend one of several
"unofficial"
guides to the LSAT. There are indeed ways to study for this
test and to materially improve your score, and
these books can help you master them. The better unofficial
guides lay out many time-proven test-taking strategies, and
provide clear explanations for the reasoning behind
the correct answers
to the practice problems.
You will greatly increase your chances
of receiving a higher LSAT score if you
go to the test armed with LSAT test-taking strategies
(as given by one of the unofficial test guides) and are
familiar with actual questions from previous exams (as
laid out by the LSAT book).
Return to the book reviews for law school selection
and success strategies.
Official Guides
10 More Actual Official LSAT Prep Tests
(LSAT Series) by Law
School Admission Staff
 Buy this book from Amazon.com
We highly recommend this book, for
several reasons. It contains 10 actual LSAT exams,
tests that were used in prior years and that have since
been 'retired.' You can practice taking these
exams under simulated test conditions. Moreover, this
book is the only LSAT guide with questions that have
actually appeared on the test. You'll find that there is
a hugely material difference between the official
questions and the test questions fabricated by most, if
not all, of the test prep services – no matter how
good those services are in other respects. We have talked
with many clients who purchased this book, and they all
overwhelmingly recommend it. Many test-takers
said that
because they had worked through all 10 practice tests in the weeks
preceding the LSAT,
they were not surprised by any questions when they actually
sat for the exam.
The Official LSAT Prep Test
with Explanations by
Bonnie Gordon
 Buy this book from Amazon.com
This LSAT prep book provides a previously undisclosed
official version of the exam from February 1997. This book
provides fewer than the 10 LSAT tests presented in 10 Actual, Official
LSAT Preptests (above), but it has something that
book does not – quite helpful explanations (from the very same people
who write the LSAT) of the reasoning
that goes into determining the right answers. Overall, we like this book
and highly recommend it. However, we caution
clients that the test-taking tips it contains are
not of the same caliber as those contained in the unofficial
books listed further below.
Next 10 Actual, Official LSAT Preptests by
Law School Admission Council
Buy this book from Amazon.com
We have not spoken with any LSAT experts
who have detected a qualitative difference between any
of these 3 official books. Only buy this if you want
more prep test practice.
The Full Potential LSAT Audio Program by Bara Sapir*
 Buy this
5 CD set from TestPrepNY
The Full Potential program optimizes
your test-taking potential by enhancing your mental
retention, concentration, and relaxation.
*Mention
Z-Code "AC" to receive free shipping*
Unofficial Guides
Master the LSAT
by Jeff Kolby and Scott Thornburg
 Buy this book from Amazon.com
This review book is the consensus favorite
amongst our clients and consultants. Its greatest strength
lies in its easy-to-follow methodology for understanding the
"logic" behind
LSAT questions.
The book provides many detailed solutions to actual LSAT questions, and comes with
a helpful CD-ROM.
LSAT Answers: Unauthorized, Unofficial and Unsurpassed Explanations for 10 More
Actual Official LSAT Preptests
Buy this book from Amazon.com
All 1,010 questions from all 10 LSATs
are fully dissected with detailed explanations for all 5
(right and wrong) answer choices. Client feedback
indicates this book is superior to the Kaplan version.
Peterson's Logic and
Reading Review for the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT
by Edward J. Rozmiarek
 Buy this book from Amazon.com
This is, quite simply, the best book
that we know of for
preparing yourself to take the logic and reading
review sections of the exam. Our (relatively
rapid) review of the book did uncover a few errors in the text,
and we of course noted that the book is not written specifically for law school
applicants. However, our overall assessment is that this guide can help
you sharpen your analytical thinking and reading comprehension
skills – and, hence, your LSAT score.
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