The LSAT Is Here to Stay (Ep. 350)
Law schools love the LSAT. Most weigh it far more heavily than any other application component—and with good reason: The LSAT is the single most accurate predictor of law school success. 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. Then, the guys pick apart a Pearls vs. Turds candidate and hear from a listener who successfully appealed LSAC’s three-tests-per-cycle rule. They wrap up with a Supported question from PrepTest 73.
Be sure to check out LSAT Demon’s free class with Rachel Gezerseh, author of The Law Career Playbook. The class will be held on May 21 at 1:00 pm EDT. All you need is a Demon Free account to join. Go to lsat.link/rachel for more details and to register.
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5.18.2022 — April LSAT scores released
6.10.2022 — June LSAT begins
6.28.2022 — August LSAT registration deadline
6.30.2022 — June LSAT scores released
8.12.2022 — August LSAT begins
8:02 - Is the ABA Eliminating the LSAT?
The ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar has recommended proposed changes to the Council’s standards that would allow “test optional” policies for law school admission. News of the recommendation sparked numerous headlines and miscommunications suggesting that the LSAT is going away. But don’t be misled by the hype. Nathan and Ben explain why the LSAT is here to stay.
If the proposed changes are approved, law schools would have the option not to require the LSAT. Even so, it’s unlikely that many would adopt the change. As friend of the show Kyle McEntee notes, studies consistently show the LSAT is the single most accurate predictor of law school success, and the predictive validity is consistent across all racial and ethnic groups. Studies further show that test optional policies do not improve diversity and may actually work against minoritized students. An analysis of the published index formulas used in law school admissions (data found here) indicates that law schools weigh the LSAT far more heavily than UGPA. All evidence suggests that law schools will continue to use the LSAT for the foreseeable future.
34:56 - Pearls vs. Turds
Demon student Samuel nominates a piece of advice that was suggested by a fellow attendee of Nathan’s biweekly study group. The advice recommends ceasing all LSAT practice for three days prior to taking the official test. The guys immediately call this suggestion a turd. Students shouldn’t change their study routines in the days leading up to an official test. Treat the official test just like any other practice test. Don’t give it too much power. Into the turd bucket this advice goes.
Scoreboard: 17 pearls, 60 turds, 24 ties
Got a Pearls vs. Turds candidate? Email help@thinkinglsat.com, or find us on social @thinkinglsat.
41:40 - Test-Taking Limits
An anonymous listener shares that she successfully appealed to LSAC for permission to take the official test four times within the same cycle. The guys ask Anonymous for more details on how she was able to persuade LSAC to make an exception. They remind listeners that LSAC frequently grants special accommodations to students who appeal.
46:57 - Test 73, Section 4, Question 12
The passage states some fun facts about book sales in general and cookbook sales in particular. As Ben points out, there’s no argument. It turns out to be a Supported question, which means the correct answer should be proven (or at least strongly supported) by the given facts. Try this question here, and then listen to Ben and Nathan’s full explanation.