Thinking LSAT

Nathan Fox and Ben Olson

Ben Olson and Nathan Fox started the Thinking LSAT Podcast to become better LSAT teachers and have some fun. Please 1) subscribe, 2) rate and review, and 3) send us questions: help@thinkinglsat.com. Don't pay for law school!

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577 episodes
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Nov 27, 2023 · 1 hr 32 min
Expand Your Vocabulary (Ep. 430)
Lawyers are gladiators of the English language. Words are their weapons. So if you’re entering the arena of legal practice, you’d better hone your vocabulary. This week, Ben and Nathan encourage listeners to keep a dictionary handy and to embrace a growth mindset when it comes to their English proficiency. Later, the guys roast some of the internet’s most bizarre LSAT advice. They probe the motives of WashU’s “redacted review.” And they consider the benefits of taking a gap year before law school. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 430 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 0:00 - January LSAT Registration - The January LSAT registration deadline is upon us. Ben and Nathan explain why November test takers should plan to retake in January. 8:32 - Vocabulary - Nathan and Ben explain how to approach unfamiliar words on the LSAT. 21:44 - Word of the Week - Ben and Nathan upbraid LSAT students who don’t make efforts to expand their vocabulary. 27:08 - Pearls vs. Turds - Nathan and Ben are flummoxed by a blog post that advises LSAT students to align their LSAT prep with their future law school specializations. 45:56 - Score Increase Addendum - Some law schools require applicants to write addendums addressing significant LSAT score increases. Nathan and Ben recommend a one-sentence response. 52:12 - WashU “Redacted Review” - Washington University School of Law allows applicants to redact their LSAT or GPA on their applications. What’s the catch? The redacted info is still considered when awarding scholarships. Ben and Nathan view “redacted review” as just another tactic to solicit applications. 1:10:45 - Scholarship Estimator - Year after year, law schools play the same old scholarship game. The LSAT Demon Scholarship Estimator helps applicants play along. 1:17:29 - Gap Years - Should you take a gap year? Probably. Nathan and Ben discuss how taking an extra year to increase your LSAT score can transform you as a law school applicant. 1:24:28 - Shoutouts - LSAT Demon student Tanya thanks teachers Ala and Brandon for helping her on her LSAT journey.
Nov 20, 2023 · 1 hr 5 min
Last Call for Logic Games (Ep. 429)
LSAT students have a limited-time opportunity to conquer Logic Games before they’re gone for good. This week, Nathan and Ben share insights on strategically planning your official LSAT attempts in anticipation of the upcoming changes. The guys also clarify what counts as an “assumption” in Logical Reasoning. They advocate a low-key approach to communicating with admissions offices. And they premiere a new “Word of the Week” segment. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 429 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 3:51 - January LSAT Registration - Ben and Nathan give listener Jason their conditional approval to register for the January LSAT despite Jason’s inconsistency in Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. The next four LSAT administrations are golden opportunities for students who have mastered Logic Games. 7:08 - LSAT Swagger - Listener Brennan hesitates to register for an official test despite scoring as high as 177 on practice tests. Nathan and Ben encourage Brennan to show some well-earned LSAT swagger and to stop giving the test too much respect. 13:44 - January LSAT Study Plan - Whether you’re taking the LSAT in a month or in a year, your study plan should remain the same. 22:16 - Assumptions - Nathan and Ben clear up a common misunderstanding about LSAT Logical Reasoning: An “assumption” doesn’t have to be unstated. It’s simply something that the author accepts as true without question. 27:36 - Application Timeline - Ben and Nathan advise listener Madeline to take some pressure off her January LSAT by planning to apply next cycle. 34:00 - Application on Hold - Listener Dylan’s application to Fordham University was recently put on hold. Nathan and Ben counsel Dylan to shift his focus to schools that demonstrate their interest through scholarships offers. 38:53 - Letters of Continued Interest - Ben and Nathan share some advice on how to communicate with law school admissions offices. You don’t need to hire a high-priced consultant to help you draft your emails. Just be brief, polite, and genuine. 46:48 - Retake a 175? - Canadian applicant Alex considers retaking the LSAT after scoring an official 175. The guys see no downside but little upside. 51:46 - Law Schools for JAG - An anonymous applicant seeks advice on how to pick a law school if cost and ranking aren’t a concern. Nathan and Ben highlight the value of attending a law school where you’ll stand out among your peers. 59:02 - Word of the Week - The guys kick off a new weekly segment in which they plumb the meanings of interesting words.
Nov 13, 2023 · 46 min
Face Your LSAT Fears (Ep. 428)
Test day doesn’t always go as planned. From tech problems to tricky logic games, unexpected challenges during an official LSAT attempt can be intimidating for many students. But the best-prepared test takers don’t hide from their fears—they plan for them. Also on this week’s pod, Ben and Nathan discuss why retaking is almost always the correct decision, how students can learn from their mistakes, and what low-GPA applicants can do to bolster their applications. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 428 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 1:45 - October LSAT Scores - Nathan and Ben applaud LSAT Demon students’ successes on the October LSAT. The guys encourage anyone who was disappointed with their score to retake. 11:09 - Test Anxiety - Ben and Nathan describe a powerful technique for dealing with test anxiety: anticipate test-day challenges, and plan how you’ll respond. 16:14 - Learning from Mistakes - The goal of review is to learn from your mistakes so that you don’t repeat them. The guys suggest some review questions to ask yourself to help accomplish this goal. 25:26 - “Lived Experience” Essays - Some law schools are now inviting applicants to write “lived experience” essays in place of traditional diversity statements. 30:42 - Low GPA - Nathan and Ben answer a series of listener questions about applying with a low GPA. The guys advise restraint in GPA addendums, and they remind listeners that nothing atones for a low GPA like a high LSAT score.
Nov 6, 2023 · 1 hr 3 min
The First-Gen Disadvantage (Ep. 427)
Law school isn’t a level playing field. First-generation college students face significant disadvantages in law school, as reported by the Law School Survey of Student Engagement. Nathan and Ben discuss the major challenges that await first-gen students—underscoring the importance of not paying for law school. Later, the guys explain their approach to questions that they can’t immediately solve. They urge a geographically limited applicant to expand their list of schools. And they deliberate on a listener’s choice between the LSAT and the GRE. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 427 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 2:28 - LR in the Real World - The guys use their Logical Reasoning expertise to criticize a sentimental bumper sticker. Ben reveals why he isn’t a big fan of poetry. 6:58 - First-Gen Students - The Law School Survey of Student Engagement sheds light on the challenges faced by first-generation college students attending law school. 19:46 - Timing - Nathan and Ben instruct an LSAT Demon student to ignore the clock and to answer questions at their own pace. The guys also advise against flagging questions to review later. And they explain when to move on from a question that you haven’t fully solved. 36:42 - Apply Broadly - Ben and Nathan encourage listener Nikki to apply broadly despite her limited geographical flexibility. Nikki can’t make a well-informed decision about law school without gauging her value in the marketplace. 42:26 - Applying with a Criminal Record - People with felony convictions aren’t immediately disqualified from practicing law in most states, but they face an uphill battle and increased scrutiny. The guys refer an anonymous listener to Yale’s page on applying with a criminal record. 47:27 - GRE vs. LSAT - Should listener Sarthak skip the LSAT and apply to law school with his strong GRE scores? Nathan and Ben give Sarthak their blessing—as long as he's ready to turn down bad offers. 57:04 - Gap Semester - The guys see no need for listener Minnie to explain why she took a gap semester in college. 58:23 - Touring Law Schools - Ben and Nathan consider a possible downside to campus visits. Law schools could charge higher prices to applicants who demonstrate a high level of interest in their schools.
Oct 30, 2023 · 54 min
Should I Keep Studying LG? (Ep. 426)
Logic Games will soon be on their way out, and many LSAT students are now grappling with the decision of whether to study them. Should you invest time in mastering LG, or should you pivot toward preparing for a games-free LSAT? In this week’s discussion, Ben and Nathan advocate a balanced approach that prepares students for any version of the test. Later, the guys provide feedback on personal statement topics, share the key to unlocking perfect RC passages, and weigh the pros and cons of retaking the test. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 426 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 3:28 - Should I Keep Studying LG? With Logic Games leaving the LSAT in August 2024, listener Amanda is unsure whether to continue practicing LG or to shift her focus solely to Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. Nathan and Ben propose a flexible study plan that allows Amanda to keep her options open. 10:59 - Personal Statement Topics Ben and Nathan provide insights on several listeners’ personal statement topics. One applicant intends to explain a career change. Another wants to address their ADHD diagnosis. A third considers highlighting their ethnicity and cultural heritage. 32:24 - Perfect Passages Listener Regan rarely scores perfectly on a logic game or RC passage. Nathan and Ben challenge Regan to pick an answer only when they’re certain it’s correct. 36:09 - Eliminating Wrong Answers If you’re critical of the answer choices, you can eliminate wrong answers without fully explaining why they’re wrong. 40:32 - Parallel Reasoning Some Parallel Reasoning questions present answer choices that rearrange the premises and the conclusion. Ben and Nathan demonstrate an intuitive approach to solving these questions. 46:34 - Drilling LR Question Types Students often struggle to distinguish Necessary Assumption questions from Sufficient Assumption questions. Nathan and Ben see value in designating time to drill these and other commonly confused question types. 49:30 - Downside to Retaking? Nolan worries that law schools might view him unfavorably if he retakes the LSAT and gets a lower score. Ben and Nathan assure Nolan that any potential downside of retaking is negligible, and the potential rewards could be game-changing.
Oct 23, 2023 · 1 hr 22 min
Goodbye, Logic Games (Ep. 425)
The era of LSAT logic games is coming to a close. Beginning in August 2024, the exam’s Analytical Reasoning section will be removed, making room for a second section of Logical Reasoning. Ben and Nathan share their take on the news and offer advice to present and future LSAT students. Later, the guys cast doubt on income-driven loan repayment programs. They urge listeners to see the LSAT as a stepping stone, not a stumbling block. And they assess the admissions prospects of low-GPA splitters. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 425 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 1:28 - Logic Games Going Away Nathan and Ben lament LG’s imminent demise. 20:37 - Pearls vs. Turds Should listener Taylor attend an overpriced law school and trust a federal income-driven repayment program to help pay off their debt? Ben and Nathan caution Taylor to steer clear of loan forgiveness traps. 26:04 - LSAT Pressure An anonymous listener struggles with burnout and anxiety. Nathan and Ben counsel Anonymous to accept a long-term LSAT study plan that doesn’t put life on hold. 39:50 - Return to Fundamentals Despite recent success in their prep, an anonymous LSAT Demon student has reverted to some bad habits. Ben and Nathan recommend taking some time off from the LSAT and returning to fundamentals. 59:00 - Appealing to Retake Listener TH shares the story of how they successfully appealed to take the LSAT a seventh time. 1:06:13 - Applying to HYS An anonymous listener considers applying to a few elite law schools this year, then applying more broadly next cycle if necessary. Nathan and Ben worry that this plan could shut the door on scholarships from other excellent schools. 1:10:40 - GPA Questions The guys address a series of questions from listeners with low undergraduate GPAs. Crushing the LSAT won’t erase an applicant’s low GPA, but it’s their best shot at tipping the scales in their favor.
Oct 16, 2023 · 1 hr 7 min
The Biggest Myth about LSAT Improvement (Ep. 424)
Law schools thirsty for applicants may tell you that people rarely improve their LSAT score by more than a few points. This week, Ben and Nathan unpack the motivation behind this pernicious myth. Law schools don’t want you to improve your LSAT. They want your application now. Later, the guys discredit the impact of stamina on LSAT performance. They encourage listeners not to write addendums that draw attention to their weaknesses. And they consider the extent to which law school rankings matter outside of the T14. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 424 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 3:57 - Law School Transparency - Nathan and Ben react to news that the U.S. Department of Education will soon require law schools to disclose more information about student debt and career outcomes. 10:42 - Patience Pays Off - Don’t rush to apply this cycle. Patient applicants can make life-changing improvements to their LSAT scores. Ben and Nathan also warn listener Jacob that law school isn’t a business investment—it’s a box to check en route to becoming a lawyer. 29:10 - Unlocking LG - The guys ponder what’s keeping LSAT Demon student Aidan from unlocking perfect scores in LG. They preach accuracy over speed and suggest that Aidan stop trying to finish all four games in a section. 34:03 - Premise Indicators - Ben and Nathan explain how words like “for” and “because” indicate premises. 36:52 - Strengthen and Weaken - The guys use a football analogy to illustrate different approaches to strengthening or weakening an argument. 42:22 - Stamina - Listener Jewel blames her lack of stamina for lower scores in the later sections of practice tests. Nathan and Ben fear that Jewel is engaging in a self-fulfilling prophecy. 48:30 - GPA Addendum - An anonymous listener asks whether to address a past substance abuse problem that negatively affected their undergraduate grades. Ben and Nathan advise Anonymous to highlight recent career accomplishments instead. 55:52 - Résumé Addendum - The guys encourage listener Sydney to refrain from writing an addendum that draws attention to a gap in their résumé. 58:24 - Do Rankings Matter? - Listener Chris wonders whether ranking matters outside of the T14. Nathan and Ben reiterate their 2x rule for law school rankings: When comparing one school to another, you shouldn’t consider their rankings unless they differ by twice as much or more.
Oct 9, 2023 · 1 hr 4 min
LSAT Work-Life Balance (Ep. 423)
One high-quality hour of study per day is all you need to beat the LSAT. Still, many students struggle to commit. This week, Nathan and Ben prompt listeners to prioritize and make time for the LSAT. Later, the guys question whether undergraduate GPA inflation is making law school admissions more competitive. They examine scholarships for in-state applicants. And they break down how to approach an LSAT question when all the answer choices seem terrible. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 423 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 2:28 - September LSAT Scores - Ben and Nathan give props to LSAT Demon students who crushed the September LSAT. 12:30 - Two Practice Tests per Day? - Nathan and Ben question whether an anonymous listener’s extreme study schedule produces a placebo effect. 21:30 - Testing Center Procedures - Listener Serena shares news that in-person test takers may not use their own writing instruments. All scratch paper and pencils will be provided by Prometric. What to expect at a Prometric testing center 25:02 - Work-Life Balance - Listener Imani struggles to find time to study after a demanding day at work. The guys advise Imani to reconsider her priorities. 34:22 - GPA Inflation - Ben and Nathan assess Daisy's concerns about GPA inflation at top law schools. They recommend against writing a GPA addendum. 44:52 - Low GPA Admissions Chances - Nathan and Ben assure listener Andres that a good LSAT score could earn him scholarship offers from regional law schools despite his low GPA. 49:57 - In-State Disadvantage - Evidence and common sense suggest that law schools give bigger scholarships to out-of-state applicants. 54:31 - Picking the Least Bad Answer - Listener Sara asks how to find the correct answer when all options seem bad. Ben and Nathan push Sara to understand precisely what differentiates the answer choices.
Oct 2, 2023 · 1 hr 29 min
Law Schools Want You to Want Them (Ep. 422)
Law school admissions is a competitive game, and schools are wary to admit applicants who are likely to enroll elsewhere. This week, Ben and Nathan examine a tactic that an admissions office may use to gauge an applicant’s interest in their law school. Later, the guys share some tips for overcoming test day anxiety, they evaluate a strategy for the closing minutes of timed sections, and they dig into the Flaw question type in Logical Reasoning. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 422 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 0:58 - Updating a Personal Statement - Why might a law school invite you to rewrite your personal statement? Nathan and Ben suspect that they’re gauging your interest in their school. The guys remind listeners that lawyers never shy away from extra work if it helps to make their case. 34:48 - Test Day Anxiety - Ben and Nathan share some tips on how to mitigate test day anxiety. 41:41 - Question Timing - LSAT Demon student Lucy suggests a new feature that would show students how much time they spent on each question of a timed section. Nathan and Ben are open to the idea but doubt that such a feature would be as helpful as Lucy thinks. 44:30 - Last Five Minutes - Listener Hanna sees value in another prep company’s “five-minute plan” for when time is running low. Ben and Nathan don’t want a five-minute plan to distract Hanna from her 35-minute plan. 52:11 - Apply Now or After October? - An anonymous listener considers withdrawing from the October LSAT to apply earlier in the cycle. Nathan and Ben offer an alternative: apply next cycle with a better LSAT score. 1:00:38 - Flaw Questions - Ben and Nathan break down two of the most common phrasings for answer choices on Flaw questions. 1:13:51 - Plug and Chug - Nathan and Ben discuss why solving Logic Games is never an either-or decision between opposing methods. Everyone will discover their own best approach, which is often a blend of worlds and “plug and chug.” 1:18:48 - Personal Statement Topic - Ben and Nathan encourage an anonymous listener to focus their personal statement on career successes rather than an early-career layoff. 1:22:32 - Scholarship Estimator - Nathan and Ben explain some of the methodology behind the LSAT Demon Scholarship Estimator.
Sep 25, 2023 · 1 hr 18 min
Behind the Bench (Judge Nazarian) (Ep. 421)
Judge Douglas R. M. Nazarian has served on the Appellate Court of Maryland since 2013. He joins Ben and Nathan to share his journey to the bench and to pull back the curtain on the work of an appellate court judge. He also discusses the mission of the Legal Accountability Project, the qualities he looks for in a judicial clerk, and factors to consider when deciding where to attend law school. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 421 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 2:41 - Becoming a Judge - Judge Nazarian recounts the hard work, politicking, and luck involved in his multi-year journey to become an appellate court judge. 23:56 - How Decisions Are Made - Judge Nazarian describes the role of appellate courts. He explains why appeals aren’t simply “do-overs” and how lawsuits are shaped by individual discretion and the rules of evidence. 40:37 - Judicial Clerkships - Judge Nazarian discusses the Legal Accountability Project’s mission to bring greater transparency to the judiciary and more diversity to judicial clerkship hires. He also lists the qualities he looks for when hiring clerks and details the role that clerks play in crafting judicial decisions. Listen to Episode 418 for more on the Legal Accountability Project and judicial clerkships. 59:18 - Choosing a Law School - Judge Nazarian shares his advice for choosing the right law school. He deemphasizes rankings and assures listeners that where they go to law school won’t fully determine their career outcomes.
Sep 18, 2023 · 1 hr 14 min
Legal Burnout (Ep. 420)
Kate Bridal and Josey Hoff, hosts of The Legal Burnouts podcast, join Ben and Nathan to discuss why burnout is such a common problem for legal professionals. They advise future lawyers on how to plan for a healthy, sustainable career. Follow Kate @bridalpartyof5 on Instagram and TikTok, and follow Josey @jh_thelegalburnouts on Instagram. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 420 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 1:47 - Legal Burnout - Josey and Kate share their stories of burnout and warn listeners about the realities of legal practice. Toxic law firm culture, zero work-life balance, pervasive mental health and drug problems, and student loan debt all plague legal professionals. Even if you love the law, you may never enjoy working in the law. 26:08 - Nonprofit and Public Interest Work - Kate and Josey describe the emotional tolls of working for nonprofits in the public interest. While many people aspire to do this kind of work, systemic issues make it more challenging and less fruitful than they’d envisioned. Law students often feel constant pressure from their peers and their law schools to work in a traditional law firm—not in the public interest. And practically no one follows through on plans to leave big law for a nonprofit once their student loans are paid off. 1:02:48 - Advice for Students - Josey and Kate advise prospective law students to seek out lawyers and to gain law firm work experience before deciding to go to law school. They also explain the importance of setting personal boundaries in law school and with clients so that the law doesn’t consume your life. 1:07:00 - The Legal Burnouts Podcast - Kate and Josey share the backstory on how they met, why they decided to start their podcast, and who some of their favorite guests have been so far.
Sep 11, 2023 · 1 hr 26 min
Loan Forgiveness Traps (Ep. 419)
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPs) are often touted as silver bullets of student loan debt relief for low-earning public interest lawyers. But as good as loan forgiveness sounds, LRAPs are riddled with caveats and conditions that may leave some students with far bigger student loan bills than expected. This week, Nathan and Ben present a list of questions that any LRAP hopeful should ask. They conclude that an upfront scholarship should always be preferred over dependence on loan forgiveness. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 419 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 1:12 - Real-Life LR Flaw - The guys crack up over some car shopping advice that reads like a flawed argument from LSAT Logical Reasoning. 3:39 - LSAT Writing - Listener Dastin provides an update on the functionality of the LSAT Writing interface. You can use the cut, copy, and paste commands while writing your official submission, but not while taking notes in the “digital scratch paper.” 5:45 - New Test Dates - Additional test dates have been added to the October 2023 and November 2023 administrations of the LSAT. Sessions have been added on October 15 and 16 as well as November 8 and 9. 7:19 - August LSAT Shout-Outs - Ben and Nathan give props to LSAT Demon students who crushed the August LSAT. The guys implore listeners not to settle for a lower score than they’re capable of. 19:50 - August LSAT Disappointments - Not everybody who took the August LSAT was happy with their score. Nathan and Ben address some common reasons for underperformance on test day and share advice on how to avoid these pitfalls in the future. They also counsel patience to anyone who feels rushed to apply with a less-than-great LSAT score. 33:31 - Diminishing Returns on Retakes - How high do you have to score before retaking no longer makes sense? It depends on where you plan to apply. 36:35 - LSAT First, Apply Later - Nathan and Ben recap an admissions event that dished out some questionable advice for law school applicants. 54:57 - Loan Repayment Assistance Programs - A friend of LSAT Demon and current student at Yale Law proposes some questions to ask before committing to a top school’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). These programs may sound appealing, but they’re often far less helpful than you’d think.
Sep 4, 2023 · 51 min
Demystifying Judicial Clerkships (Aliza Shatzman) (Ep. 418)
Ben and Nathan are joined by Aliza Shatzman, founder of the Legal Accountability Project. Aliza describes the project’s mission to bring greater transparency to judicial clerkships and to promote positive clerkship experiences. She and the guys discuss why law schools sometimes obscure the truth about judicial clerkships, how the Legal Accountability Project will democratize information regarding clerkships, and what future law students can do now to prepare for clerking. You can find Aliza on LinkedIn and Twitter @AlizaShatzman. Follow the Legal Accountability Project on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @The_LAP_ LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 418 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 1:12 - The Legal Accountability Project - Special guest Aliza Shatzman recounts how the harassment and discrimination she faced as a judicial clerk led her to create the Legal Accountability Project. She advocates greater transparency and workplace protections for judicial clerkships. Read Aliza’s testimony before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. 11:51 - Clerkships Database - Aliza introduces the Legal Accountability Project’s Clerkships Database, which aims to democratize information about judges and serves as a “Yelp for clerkships.” Aliza describes how she’s working to gain the support of judges and law schools. 36:19 - Advice for Future Law Students - Aliza offers advice to future law students who may want to pursue judicial clerkships: Start networking with judges and professors early, apply broadly, and don’t assume that your law school’s guidance is sound. Aliza also explains why federal clerkships aren’t always better than state clerkships.
Aug 28, 2023 · 44 min
Are You Ready to Take the LSAT? (Ep. 417)
With the deadline to register for the October LSAT only days away, Nathan and Ben share some advice to students who are on the fence about registering. Simply put, your recent practice test scores will tell you whether you’re ready to take the test. The guys also consider what a “reasonable” price for law school would be, discuss how best to negotiate law school scholarships, and uncover a pearl of wisdom regarding Main Point questions in RC. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 417 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 2:20 - October LSAT Registration - Nathan and Ben counsel LSAT Demon student Nafosat on whether she’s ready to register for the October LSAT. 7:25 - U. Chicago Settlement - Ben and Nathan comment on a recent Reuters article about alleged price fixing by elite U.S. colleges and universities. The guys remind applicants that law schools are in it for the money. 14:24 - Don’t Pay for Prestige - An anonymous listener asks whether it’s reasonable to pay $40k annual tuition to attend an elite law school. Nathan and Ben discourage listeners from paying for “prestige.” 20:18 - Negotiating Scholarships - Listener Perrin asks how to negotiate law school scholarships. Ben and Nathan recommend applying broadly to discover your value in the marketplace, then using better offers as bargaining chips. LSAT Demon Daily, Ep. 163: How to Negotiate Law School Scholarships 24:51 - Saving Practice Tests - Ben and Nathan assure students that there’s no need to save newer practice tests for later. 25:32 - Pearls vs. Turds - LSAT Demon team member Elizabeth suggests a fun way to judge Main Point answer choices in Reading Comprehension. 28:51 - Personal Statement Topic - “I’m boring,” laments an anonymous LSAT Demon student struggling to pick a personal statement topic. Nathan and Ben encourage Anonymous to write about a work experience that showcases their work ethic and problem-solving skills. 32:22 - Focus on Accuracy - Listener Mason feels discouraged because he’s still scoring -10 in Logical Reasoning. Ben and Nathan instruct Mason to slow down and focus on accuracy. 35:43 - Test Limit Exemptions - When requesting an exception to LSAC’s limits on repeating the LSAT, it’s not enough to cite “underperformance” on official tests. Nathan and Ben consider the sorts of extenuating circumstances that might qualify for an exemption from the five-test limit.
Aug 21, 2023 · 1 hr 11 min
Legal Writing and AI (Ross Guberman) (Ep. 416)
Ross Guberman is one of the world’s top legal writing experts. He’s the author of Point Made: How to Write Like the Nation’s Top Advocates, and Point Taken: How to Write Like the World’s Greatest Judges. His newest project, BriefCatch, is an AI-powered legal writing tool that offers real-time editing suggestions on legal documents. Ross joins Ben and Nathan to discuss law school, legal writing, and the evolving role of AI in the legal profession. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 416 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 0:45 - August LSAT - Ben and Nathan address the technical difficulties that arose during the August LSAT. They encourage test takers to embrace such challenges rather than crumple under the stress. 9:33 - LSAT Demon Discounts - LSAC fee waiver recipients can get four months of LSAT Demon Basic for only $38, or 20% off any paid plan. Visit lsatdemon.com/plans or email help@lsatdemon.com to learn more. 13:07 - LSAT Demon Discord - LSAT Demon subscribers can join the LSAT Demon Discord to connect with teachers and fellow students. 13:31 - Updates to LSAT Writing - LSAT Writing no longer allows the use of physical scratch paper. Test takers will instead have “digital scratch paper” available in the testing interface. Read more about LSAT Writing’s requirements and prohibited items here. 16:49 - Introducing Ross Guberman - Legal writing expert Ross Guberman reflects on his career as a lawyer and legal writing consultant. 30:21 - The Value of Law School - Ross, Nathan, and Ben criticize law schools for inadequately preparing students to pass the bar and find legal work. 46:22 - Great Legal Writing - Ross describes how his experience conducting writing workshops for judges and lawyers led to the creation of BriefCatch, an AI-powered tool that aims to standardize legal writing. 59:59 - ChatGPT - Ross and Ben discuss how lawyers are currently using AI tools like ChatGPT and what sort of legal work such tools could automate in the future.
Aug 14, 2023 · 1 hr 14 min
Diversity in Law School Admissions (Sydney Montgomery) (Ep. 415)
Sydney Montgomery is the Executive Director and Founder of Barrier Breakers, a nonprofit that aims to increase access to higher education for BIPOC and other marginalized students. Sydney returns to Thinking LSAT to share her insights into what the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action means for applicants of color. She and the guys also discuss perils of student loan debt and Sydney’s work to help applicants secure their best possible scholarship offers. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 415 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 0:00 - Introducing Sydney Montgomery - Sydney Montgomery introduces her edtech software company, Outline It, Inc., which helps students organize and outline their writing projects. She then speaks about her admissions consulting work through Barrier Breakers and S. Montgomery Admissions Consulting. Sydney insists that anyone pursuing law school answer two questions: Why law school? And why now? 17:21 - Supreme Court Decision - Sydney reacts to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action in college admissions. She believes that the decision will lead to much confusion in law school admissions and increase the burden on applicants of color. She maintains, however, that the elements of a strong application have not changed. 29:37 - Student Loan Debt - Sydney acknowledges that graduate students of color have about twice as much student loan debt as their white counterparts. Barrier Breakers aims to help applicants and students make sound financial decisions at every stage in their journey. Law school should be an opportunity to break cycles of generational poverty and debt—not to create more. 57:48 - Scholarships - Sydney encourages applicants to apply broadly to increase their chances of receiving excellent scholarship offers. She also steers applicants away from conditional scholarships, which Nathan and Ben dub “scams.” Sydney and the guys agree that the best thing for many applicants to do is postpone their applications and work on increasing their LSAT scores.
Aug 7, 2023 · 58 min
Big Bad Law (Cece Xie) (Ep. 414)
Cece Xie is a lawyer, writer, and content creator who became wildly popular on social media while working as an associate at a big law firm. She joins Ben & Nathan to talk about her upcoming book. They discuss why law schools push students toward big law and what it takes to climb the law firm hierarchy. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 414 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube Follow Cece on Substack, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and her website. 0:00 - Introducing Cece Xie - Ben and Nathan welcome Cece to the show and ask what she’s been up to after leaving her job in big law last year. 8:22 - Cece’s Book - Cece shares some details about her upcoming book: part memoir, part exposé of big law culture. 17:56 - The Big Law Pipeline - Cece describes the mutualistic relationship between law schools and big law recruiting. She warns listeners that career services offices don't have students’ best interests at heart. And neither do law firms. 27:48 - Thriving in Big Law - The skills that make you a good junior associate won’t help you make partner. Cece explains why business development is crucial to advancing your career in big law. 38:38 - Big Law Compensation - Cece breaks down the reality of big law compensation and explains why it’s less stable than many people think. 42:45 - Making Connections - Knowing the law gets you only so far in big law. Cece shares how a successful lawyer forms strategic connections within the firm’s hierarchy. She encourages listeners to schedule face time with lawyers to explore different practice areas. 55:11 - No More Ctrl+F - Starting with the August test, the LSAT will prohibit the use of keyboard commands, including Ctrl+F. Test takers will now have the option to use a search bar in the test interface. Nathan and Ben still don’t recommend using the search function.
Jul 31, 2023 · 1 hr 42 min
Building Confidence in Reading Comprehension (Ep. 413)
Perfect accuracy on LSAT Reading Comprehension is within your reach. LSAT Demon teacher Chris Murphy joins Nathan to help listeners maximize their potential in RC. Chris and Nathan describe what confidence looks like in RC and why it’s crucial to success. They also praise the shift to online education, consider possible downsides to retaking the LSAT, and assess a Pearls vs. Turds candidate about leaving answer choices open. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 413 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 0:00 - August LSAT Pretest Pump-Up - Chris and Nathan invite August test takers to LSAT Demon’s Pretest Pump-Up on August 9. Come meet fellow test takers and get last-minute tips from LSAT Demon teachers. All you need to join is an LSAT Demon Free account. 3:27 - Online Law School - An anonymous listener worries that attending an online law school could hurt their networking opportunities. The guys explain why the opposite might actually be true. Nathan maintains that the future of law school and the legal profession is online. 31:48 - Building Confidence - An anonymous LSAT Demon student struggles to commit to answer choices in Reading Comprehension, frequently double-checking answer choices they’ve already eliminated. Nathan and Chris suggest how Anonymous can find some RC swagger. 47:14 - Perfect Accuracy in RC - Listener Joe has yet to achieve perfect accuracy on RC passages despite slowing down. Chris and Nathan remind Joe that slowing down is not enough. Start predicting answers, and embrace the idea that on Reading Comprehension, they’re all Must Be Trues. 57:12 - Downside to Retaking? - Is there ever a downside to retaking? Some listeners question Nathan and Ben’s recent advice about whether to retake a 174. Nathan reiterates that as long as law schools only care about your highest scores, there’s really only upside to retaking. 1:33:43 - Pearls vs. Turds - Chris and Nathan assess a student’s advice on not eliminating answer choices too quickly.
Jul 24, 2023 · 1 hr 42 min
Why We Don't Diagram in LR (Ep. 412)
Diagramming in Logical Reasoning is time-consuming, confusing, and error-prone. Ben and Nathan advocate an intuitive approach to Logical Reasoning that promotes real understanding and long-term growth. In this week’s episode, the guys warn listeners of the perils of LR diagrams and demonstrate a commonsense alternative. Later, they recommend an ASAP approach to reviewing mistakes, discourage school list disclosures on applications, and advise students not to skip “hard” questions in timed sections. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 412 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 1:53 - Meditation - A listener praises LSAT Demon’s guided meditations and reminds fellow students to breathe. 3:31 - Don’t Diagram in LR - “It’s painful, boring, difficult, and confusing.” Nathan and Ben explain why they don’t diagram in Logical Reasoning. They demonstrate a more intuitive approach using an example from PrepTest J. 37:59 - Review Immediately - An anonymous LSAT Demon student struggles to explain their mistakes when reviewing questions they drilled hours earlier. Ben and Nathan insist on reviewing mistakes right away—especially in drilling. 45:24 - Where to Start? - Listener Aidan asks if he should master his strongest section before moving on to the other two. Nathan and Ben instruct Aidan to study all three sections from the start. 50:26 - Disclosing Your School List - Some law schools ask you to disclose the full list of schools to which you’re applying. The guys recommend that applicants leave this question blank if it’s optional. Your answer won’t help you, and it might hurt you. 55:35 - “Stated” Questions in RC - An anonymous Ask Button correspondent bemoans how long it takes them to answer Stated questions in Reading Comprehension. Ben and Nathan diagnose Anonymous’s problem: reading the passage too quickly. 1:08:26 - ChatGPT for Applications - In last week’s episode, LSAC’s Kyle McEntee suggested that some law schools will start asking applicants whether they used AI in the creation of their applications. Listener Fran asks why anyone would disclose this information if the schools can’t determine it on their own. Nathan and Ben discourage using ChatGPT for law school applications in the first place. 1:13:25 - Don’t Skip Questions - Skipping the hard questions isn’t just a bad strategy—it might not even be possible. The guys dismiss question-skipping as an unhelpful gimmick that stymies real progress. 1:18:00 - Soft Factors - Listener Noah asks whether his work experience will give him a leg up on other applicants with similar hard stats. Ben and Nathan advise Noah not to use strong softs as an excuse to slack off on the LSAT. 1:26:04 - Income-Driven Repayment - Listener Justin suggests a new consideration for the guys’ discussion about President Biden’s student loan debt forgiveness plan. Nathan and Ben are unswayed.
Jul 17, 2023 · 1 hr 26 min
LSAC's Kyle McEntee (Ep. 411)
LSAC’s Kyle McEntee rejoins the pod to share info about LSAC’s resources for law school applicants. Kyle and the guys also discuss the recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, the difficulty of fixing the problem of student loan debt, and law schools’ responses to applicants’ use of AI. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 411 on YouTube Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 0:57 - Admission Unmasked - Kyle introduces Admission Unmasked, a free program of live events and on-demand learning modules designed to help applicants navigate the law school admission process. 7:27 - Supreme Court Decision - Kyle shares his perspective on how the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action will impact law school admissions: applicants shouldn’t let it affect where they apply. 11:01 - LSAC’s Mission - Kyle discusses LSAC’s mission to advance justice in the legal system and explains why the LSAT is a tool for equity in law school admissions. He points future law students to LSAC’s Ultimate Law School Prep course. 14:10 - Law School Forums - Kyle welcomes listeners to attend an upcoming LSAC Law School Forum. These forums give applicants a chance to meet directly with law school representatives and ask questions. 18:50 - Student Loan Debt - Kyle weighs in on the problem of law schools’ outrageous tuitions and argues that admissions officers share students’ concerns. Nathan and Ben emphasize the need for federal student loan reform—Kyle worries that capping student loans could hurt access and equity in college admissions. 34:09 - AI for Applications - Kyle urges caution to applicants using generative AI tools like ChatGPT. Law schools are still determining their policies regarding AI, and some schools may ask students whether they used AI to prepare their application materials. 45:17 - August LSAT Registration - Kyle provides an update on August LSAT registration. The registration system experienced some early glitches, but all tools are now back online and working. 53:22 - Income-Driven Repayment - Ben and Nathan react to an article from Reason magazine claiming that President Biden’s new income-driven repayment plan will probably drive tuitions even higher. The guys expound on the perils of debt and warn applicants not to listen to advice that comes directly from law schools. Freakonomics Radio, Ep. 377: The $1.5 Trillion Question: How to Fix Student-Loan Debt?