Episode Archives

Ben and Nathan advise listeners to approach the LSAT in a way that makes it impossible to settle for less than your best.

Scholarship data from ABA 509 reports show that most students don’t pay anything close to sticker price. Are law schools due for a tuition reset?

How long should you struggle with the LSAT before calling it quits? The guys discuss why people who are meant to be lawyers will always tough it out—and why it’s okay if you’re not one of those people.

Ben and Nathan counsel listeners whose misconceptions about law school admissions have distracted them from what’s truly important.

Ben and Nathan review a law school’s streamlined application process that doesn’t require a personal statement or letters of recommendation.

Ben interviews Angela Vorpahl, a consultant who guides law students through their 1L year.

Ben and Nathan discuss LSAT score ranges and why your confidence in your ability shouldn’t rise and fall with your practice test scores.

Ben and Nathan celebrate Demon students’ successes on the October LSAT—and encourage more students to retake the test.

Ben and Nathan discuss LSAC’s upcoming Analytical Reasoning Field Study and assure listeners that the Logic Games aren’t changing anytime soon.

Nathan and Ben discuss how the LSAT differs from other tests of IQ and why it’s possible to make huge improvements to your LSAT score despite its correlation with IQ.

Ben and Nathan take a glimpse behind the curtain at a law school’s approach to scholarship negotiations.

Today on the show, Ben and Nathan discuss why law schools care only about your highest LSAT score—and why that means there’s only upside to retaking the test.

Nathan and Ben are joined by special guest Megan Smiley, who coaches lawyers seeking to leave legal practice.

Ben and Nathan are joined by special guest Alison Monahan, cofounder of Law School Toolbox.

Admissions officers may say that you have to pay for law school. Nathan and Ben disagree.

Savvy listeners who applied early this cycle continue to receive scholarship offers.

Today on the pod, Ben and Nathan celebrate two LSAT Demon students who increased their scores by a whopping thirty-one points.

Most law schools have begun accepting applications for fall 2023 admission. Nathan and Ben predict when the first scholarship offers of the cycle will come in.

Listeners can now indulge in an episode of Thinking LSAT every day for a year. Nathan and Ben reflect on some of the hiccups and highlights of their podcasting partnership.

Ben and Nathan address a myth that rising LSAT scores will make future application cycles more competitive.

LSAC just made Score Preview available to all test takers. Ben and Nathan discuss the change and why it’s inconsequential.

The guys unveil LSAT Demon’s new Law School Rankings page, which charts U.S. News and Above the Law rankings over the years. Spoiler: Rankings are basically worthless for deciding where to go to law school.

On this week’s episode, Ben and Nathan rebrand their “100% rule” as the “2x rule” for law school rankings. The guys also discuss how to study like someone scoring in the 170s, advise a struggling student not to let the LSAT dominate their life, and write a GPA addendum.

Law school can leave you with a lifetime of debt if you aren’t careful. On today’s episode, Nathan and Ben discuss a cautionary tale of a recent law school graduate who is $347,000 in student debt and can’t find a job.

The guys give another listener tips on how to ease test-day anxiety. They discuss the benefits of taking a gap year—or several—before law school. Plus, they talk about part-time lawyering and the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

June LSAT scores have been released, and lots of Demon students are riding high. Today on the show, Ben and Nathan share a bucketload of inspiring LSAT success stories submitted by listeners. They also discuss LSAT prep timelines and answer some law school admission questions.

Admissions season is almost here, and listener questions are rolling in. The guys cover topics from LSAT tips to how to apply to law school.

On this week’s episode, the guys welcome questions from new listeners and provide a full explanation of the Demon’s approach to the LSAT.

Nathan and Ben discuss the lawsuit that prompted redevelopment of the LSAT’s Analytical Reasoning section and reminisce about the old days of paper testing.

Today on the show, Ben and Nathan advise listeners who don’t love school to think carefully about whether lawyering is the right path for them.

On today’s episode, Ben and Nathan explain why focusing on individual questions is the key to progress. Plus, Demon teachers and rising 3L’s Matt and Rebecca discuss how the LSAT prepares you for law school.

As hybrid-online law programs make their way into the eye of the ABA, Ben and Nathan toy with the idea of creating their own law school. But first, the guys take another dive into the listener mailbag and answer questions about application addenda.

Today on the show, Nathan and Ben offer advice to an international student who describes his lack of proficiency in English as a barrier to achieving his desired LSAT score. In keeping with the international theme, the guys answer another listener’s questions about law school scholarships for international applicants.

The ABA has recently announced a recommendation to allow “test optional” policies for law school admission. Ben and Nathan share their thoughts and explain why the LSAT isn’t going anywhere.

The LSAT is arguably the best predictor of your success in law school. It’s no wonder that law schools weigh the LSAT heavily in the admissions process. But just how much weight is an applicant’s LSAT score given relative to their UGPA? Nathan and Ben analyze the index formulas used by law schools and share a surprising realization.

Today on the show, Ben and Nathan are joined by financial advisor Derek Brainard to help educate students on the realities of law school debt and loan forgiveness programs. But before that, the guys roast a Pearls vs. Turds submission regarding the correlation-to-causation flaw. They also tackle another Logical Reasoning question from PrepTest 73 and denounce a law school “scammership.”

The guys answer listener questions about whether it’s ever worth skipping answer choices to save time on the LSAT, how scholarship offers vary with law school rankings, and more. Plus, they announce a Demon discount for university pre-law societies and roast a marketing email from a law school.

If you want to go to law school for free, you have to start getting greedy with your LSAT. Tune in to hear tips on Logical Reasoning, scholarship negotiation, and more!

If you want to improve at LSAT Reading Comprehension, remember what your job is: Read the sentences, not the passage.

On today's episode, Ben and Nathan interview Judy the YouTube Lawyer, and talk through different areas of law you might want to practice.

Finding a job after law school doesn’t have to be stressful. Learn to get a leg up with today's guest, Rachel Gezerseh.

What does LSAC’s recent acquisition mean for the future of Law School Transparency? Tune in this week for an eye-opening interview with LST founder Kyle McEntee.

It might not solve all life’s problems, but a high LSAT score is the closest thing to a panacea for law school application troubles.

It takes a “special type of crazy” to really enjoy doing the work of a lawyer. Make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into before deciding to embark on a three-year quest for a JD.

If you’re an undergraduate student earning anything less than straight A’s, you don’t need to be thinking about the LSAT yet. Now is your opportunity to maximize your GPA.

Ben and Nathan take another dive into the listener mailbag and answer questions about law school admissions.

On this week’s episode, Ben and Nathan interview Harvard-trained economist Laurence J. Kotlikoff! But first, the guys answer a bucketload of listener emails about LSAT strategies, law school admissions, undergraduate majors, GPAs, and more.

Your LSAT score can be a strong indicator of your future success in law school. This week, Ben and Nathan discuss the relationship between the LSAT and 1L grades while dissecting some admissions advice from Dean Z of Michigan Law.

Today on the show, Ben and Nathan discuss the four phases of learning and why LSAT students should strive to achieve “unconscious competence” in the material.

Ben and Nathan explain why study methods that overemphasize strategy—at the expense of understanding—are counterproductive.

Tune in this week to hear the lowdown on LSAT affirmations, law school scholarships, part-time lawyering (is that a thing?), personal statement topics, and more.

On today’s episode, Ben and Nathan explain why it’s a good idea to “burn your boats” and go all-in on your LSAT prep if you want to start your legal career on the right foot.

This week, Ben and Nathan drive home the importance of building a strong LSAT foundation. Even students who think they already have a decent understanding of the test can improve their performance by mastering the easier questions at a comfortable pace.

Today’s episode is all about law school admissions. The guys reveal the telltale signs of law school “scammerships.” They also discuss cycle updates, application myths, addendums, and law schools averaging applicant LSAT scores.

On this week’s episode, the guys answer some burning questions from a Space Force staff sergeant—and explain why it’s not a good idea to set your LSAT goal at 180. Then, they critique Rabbi Ben’s personal statement.

Tune in to hear Melissa Anderson, former Demon student and current Harvard 2L, chat about boosting her score by 17 points, applying to law school as a "splitter," and adjusting to student life at Harvard Law School.

The ABA has recently given the GRE their stamp of approval for use in law school admissions. The guys discuss how this decision might impact future applicants.

After starting the show with a logical reasoning question, the guys jump into the mailbag to help some students decide when to apply to law school—and whether they should even go at all.

The guys kick off this week’s episode with a discussion of some apoplexy-inducing proctor issues that one November test taker reported. Then, they pick apart a Strengthen question and consider a Pearls vs Turds submission.

On this week’s podcast, the guys take on some bad admissions advice and encourage two students to retake the LSAT and apply next cycle. After that, the guys discuss law school accelerated programs and read a personal statement.

On this week’s podcast, the guys break down a Must Be True question with a tricky wrong answer. Then, they evaluate an English professor’s tips for professional writing in a Pearls vs. Turds submission. They close the show with a solid personal statement.

In this episode, Ben and Nathan break down basic strategies for every question type on LSAT Logical Reasoning. Then, they give some advice on how to know if you should go to law school or not.

The guys answer questions about logic games and discuss how their difficulty has changed over the history of the test. They also offer some encouragement to low-GPA applicants.

Today on the show, Ben and Nathan discuss a turd regarding LSAT diagnostic tests. The guys also go over LSAC’s recently released data and host the personal statement grand finale.

Ben and Nathan read bad personal statements and call out violations. But first, they tackle a Flaw question and read emails from Demon students finding LSAT success.

Ben and Nathan read the best personal statement in weeks followed by a frenzy of violations. But first, the guys tackle a Parallel Reasoning question from PrepTest 73 and dispel a myth about diagramming arguments on the LSAT.

Today on the show, Nathan and Ben uncover a rare pearl of LSAT wisdom. The guys also relay some important announcements from LSAC and review some cringey personal statements.

Listener personal statements have been rolling in, and Ben and Nathan are doing their best to respond to as many as possible. But first, they hear from a listener who improved his official score by 27 points using LSAT Demon, and they tackle a Reasoning question from PrepTest 73.

Today’s show features answers to personal statement questions and five more personal statement critiques. But first, the guys tackle another Logical Reasoning question from PrepTest 73 and evaluate an admissions tip for Pearls vs. Turds.

Today, the guys review six more personal statements. But first, it’s back to some classic Thinking LSAT content, including an Excuse of the Week, Pearls vs. Turds, and a Logical Reasoning question.

Nathan and Ben kick off this week’s episode with a logical reasoning question. Then, they evaluate four more personal statements.

Today on the show, Ben and Nathan tackle another batch of personal statements.

By popular demand, the guys spend yet another episode shredding listener personal statements. Learn what to do and what not to do on your statement by listening to their feedback.

Before diving into Personal Statement-Palooza, Nathan and Ben discuss a lengthy Pearls vs. Turds candidate, answer a logical reasoning question from PrepTest 73, and remind you why you should never miss a Sufficient Assumption question.

It’s the first-ever Thinking LSAT Personal Statement-stravaganza! In this special episode, Nathan and Ben become mock law school admissions officers as they read and compare four personal statements.

On this week’s episode, the guys discuss how much merit the bar exam has and weigh in on one state’s recent proposal to drop the requirement.

Ben and Nathan review an article that advises a more concrete timeline and compare it to their own advice. They also respond to listener questions about résumés and personal statements, share some helpful tips from a rising 2L, and explain how to overcome a “score plateau.”

On this week’s episode, Ben and Nathan review a personal statement. The guys also break down an LSAT Conclusion question from PrepTest 73, and Nathan stumps Ben with a brainteaser.

Today’s action-packed episode also includes updates on the August LSAT, Pearls vs. Turds, a discussion about law schools paying students to defer enrollment, and a question about whether you should care more about a school’s overall ranking or their ranking in a specialty program.

The guys tackle a logical reasoning question and break down one of the LSAT’s most common flaws, evaluate back-to-back submissions in a Pearls vs. Turds double segment, and dig through the listener mailbag.

The guys review a personal statement and hear another frustrating ProctorU story. Then, they share some updates on the international LSAT.

Ben and Nathan share their thoughts on international students not having as many chances to take the LSAT. They also break down another logical reasoning question from PrepTest 73, contemplate the agony of working 100 hours a week in big law, and shed light on the Demon’s new rating system.

On today’s episode, the guys reevaluate their long-standing advice to take the day off. They also review a personal statement from a listener who missed the mark in attempting to follow Nathan’s template.

This episode kicks off with the guys reviewing a personal statement. Then, they evaluate a Pearls vs. Turds and reminisce about the old days of in-person LSAT classes. They end this episode by attempting a Logical Reasoning question from PrepTest 73.

The guys discuss what Nathan calls the fundamental paradox of the LSAT on this week’s episode. They also evaluate a submission for Pearls vs. Turds, tackle another logical reasoning question from PrepTest 73, and answer a variety of questions from the listener mailbag.

Nathan and Ben offer up a template to help organize your personal statement. The guys also answer another Logical Reasoning question from PrepTest 73, take a look at an article about law school debt, answer questions from the listener mailbag, and discuss the perils of mixing alcohol with LSAT prep.

Today’s show features an interview with Nathan Lowry of Service to School, a national nonprofit organization that provides guidance and resources to veterans applying for law school. Ben and Nathan also discuss a new Excuse of the Week and dig into the listener mailbag.

Ben and Nathan consider whether all the questions on LSAT Reading Comprehension are “Must Be Trues,” answer lots of questions from the listener mailbag, and meet Ben’s biggest fan—Copper, the Golden Retriever.

In this week's episode, Ben and Nathan dig through the listener mailbag, uncovering an Excuse of the Week, stress over multiple LSAC snafus, and an update from a former listener who took some—but not all—of their advice when applying to law school. They answer questions about reading comprehension, personal statements, and when to start prepping for the LSAT. They also tackle a Paradox question from PrepTest 73.

Nathan and Ben debate a hypothetical legal entanglement amidst answering listener questions. They also read listener mail about negotiating a full ride to Berkeley, choosing which law school you should pay for (hint: none of them), how to prep in a retake situation, whether to ask for accommodations (probably), and much more.

In an action-packed show, the guys hit all the bases: pearls vs. turds, excuse of the week, the latest news from the law-school universe, law school admissions success stories, and advice for 1L hopefuls.

Nathan and Ben serve up some tough love to a bunch of students trying to decide where to attend in the fall. Plus, the guys hear an excuse of the week and pick apart another LR question from prep test 65.

The guys weigh some LSAT wisdom from a particularly misguided guidance counselor, they hear an excuse of the week from a surprisingly self-aware student, they help a “non-traditional” candidate with an addendum, and they hear some success stories about students heading to law school for free.

n today’s show, Ben and Nathan talk to Harvard Law grad and college admissions consultant, Sydney Montgomery, about ethics and law school admissions. Plus, the guys answer another LR question from prep test 65, they answer a question about scholarships for older candidates, check-in on changes to the U.S. News rankings, and hear a story of an LSAC fee waiver denial that got reversed.

Nathan and Ben sit down with immigration attorney, Nicole Black, to talk about the realities of immigration law. Plus, the guys chomp thru another LR question from PT 65, they weigh some advice from Reddit and answer a bunch of listener mail.

In what may be some kind of record, the guys dig thru their overflowing mailbag and answer a bunch of listener emails, plus they find time to hear an Excuse of the Week, play a round of Pearls vs. Turds, and answer an LR question from prep test 65.

Ben and Nathan are joined by Henry Carras, a 3L at GW who is preparing to go into the JAG (Judge Advocate General’s) Corps. The guys also take a look at an excuse of the week, and get into another LR question from prep test 65.

In this episode, the guys take a look at some advice that they agree every person studying for the LSAT should keep in mind. Nathan and Ben also hear from folks who aren’t feeling so surefooted on their paths to law school—if they’re struggling with RC, does that mean they’re going to suck at law school?

Nathan and Ben hear from a student who’s considering a retake at 174, they advise a listener who fears they’re too old to go to law school, and they hear from a student who’s got a handful of full-ride offers.

The guys field a question about how much one can expect to improve on the LSAT after studying for a few months, they hear an LSAT Demon success story, they consider some advice for improving reading comprehension, and they burn through another LR question from prep test 65.