You Don't Need Diagrams in LR (Ep. 473)

Ben Olson's headshot.
Ben
Nathan Fox's headshot.
Nathan

Since the LSAT dropped Logic Games, anxious test takers have feared the rise of more “formal logic” questions in Logical Reasoning. So far, no significant changes to LR have been disclosed. No matter what happens, every LR question is perfectly solvable with some careful reading and common sense—no diagramming required. Need proof? This week, Ben and Nathan make quick work of a Must Be True question that’s chock full of conditional logic. But first, they help a burnt-out student build a sustainable study plan. They compare the benefits of national and regional law schools. And they offer words of hope to low-GPA splitters.

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5:04 - Application Fee Waivers

Law schools often waive their application fees. Just ask them.

8:52 - Scoring 160

Nathan and Ben prove that it’s possible to score 160 while only attempting 18 questions per section. It pays to slow down and focus on accuracy.

16:18 - Burnout

Listener Will considers taking a few months off to recover from LSAT burnout. Ben and Nathan advise Will to instead dial back his study to one or two quality hours per day.

23:50 - Confusing Language

Nathan and Ben share some tips for navigating confusing language on the LSAT.

32:20 - Small Town, Big School?

LSAT Demon student Will plans to set up shop as a probate lawyer in a small town. Should Will pursue law schools in the T14? Or is he better off attending a regional school?

41:15 - Academic Renewal

Ben and Nathan encourage an anonymous listener to persist in their efforts to scrub an F from their undergraduate transcript.

46:56 - Hope for Splitters

Listener Grace went to law school for free despite her low GPA.

50:13 - Don’t Diagram

Reports of more “formal logic” questions on recent LSATs are likely exaggerated. Regardless, you can solve any Logical Reasoning question without diagramming by reading carefully and engaging your common sense. Nathan and Ben demonstrate on a Must Be True question from PrepTest 123.

1:10:41 - Tips from a Departing Demon

LSAT Demon student Braden says: “Take the time to really understand each question, and you will get faster. Don’t try to go faster without understanding. That’s why I improved when I started digging into the RC passage.”

1:11:27 - Word of the Week

Treat your official LSAT with the same insouciance that you would a practice test.