UB Pre-Law Students! Our office has a focus group that currently needs more Pre-Law students. They are slated to meet once a month. The group asks the student members their opinions on a variety of academic and campus-wide topics. It’s fun and interesting and a great way to provide your own perspective on what’s happening at UB! If interested, please email me at bonebrak@buffalo.edu and I’ll be sure to pass along your interest.
There are several different ways to prepare for the LSAT exam. The three different approaches consist of self-preparation, a professional course, or hiring a private tutor. You might want to try a combination of these, starting with self-study and then taking a course. Or you might wish to refine your skills in a particular area with a tutor. Everybody approaches this differently.
Do you prefer classroom learning, and wish to have a set-schedule and homework provided by an instructor? Or instead, would you prefer creating your own schedule by studying on your own and are confident you can “stick with it” and study diligently?
Based on a study a few years ago, there is little difference in LSAT test results according to preparation method. The most crucial underlining factor is time commitment. If you are planning to take the LSAT, please prepare for it months in advance. Also, take advantage of the free workshops we provide. Check here for workshop schedules. KAPLAN on-campus provides free diagnostic tests and a very helpful LSAT workshop, as listed in my workshop information.
Also, the Law School Admission Council has an excellent online guide for the LSAT. Check that out, or even take a sample LSAT. (Warning, both files are Adobe Acrobat PDF files).
Here are some resources for you to look into for all three different study methods.
Self-Preparation
10 Actual, Official LSAT Prep-Tests. The quint-essential LSAT study aid. This book, and it’s companions (The Next 10 Actual, Official LSAT Prep-Tests, 10 More Actual, Official… and so on) consist only of previously administered exams. Purchasing several of these books and taking the practice tests under TIMED CONDITIONS will prove invaluable.
The Official LSAT Super Prep. This book is a perfect companion to the preceding booklets mentioned. It provides an analysis of LSAT questions and how best to break them down.
The PowerScore Logic Games LSAT Bible and the Logical Reasoning Bible are wonderful books that dissect the two most challenging sections of the LSAT exam.
Professional Courses
KAPLAN.
Test Masters 180.
PowerScore.
Princeton Review.
Get Prepped.
Private Tutoring
Kaplan Tutoring
Integrated Learning.
Princeton Review Private Tutoring.
This past December the Law School Admission Council removed statements in their publications emphasizing that an average of multiple LSAT scores is the best estimate of ability.
As of June, the American Bar Association voted to no longer require law schools to report an average of multiple tests-taking. Now the ABA instructs them to report the higher LSAT score.
The mandatory reporting policy was changed mainly due to concerns of extenuating circumstances not being factored in when law schools weigh applicant ability. Law schools will be asked to report only the highest score for multiple-test takers. This is the score that will be included in their Official Guide to ABA-Approved Law Schools when reporting median and percentile scores, and also the information provided to the U.S. News & World Report.
Schools will still retain their own criteria in selecting students however, which may still include an averaging of scores, but now probably with a greater emphasis on exceptions and circumstances. This could bode very well for some of you who under-performed the first-time around due to various reasons (insufficient preparation, illness, disruptive testing environment) and are planning to retake the exam with the assumption that you can meet your diagnostic test standards.
Keep a few things in mind, here. Over the past several years, the average improvement of multiple test-takers was 3 points. This change may flatten those numbers, since more students may consider retaking the exam when they actually performed optimally the first time around. Students are still encouraged to concentrate on taking the exam only once! Prepare as well as you can for the exam and do the best possible the first and hopefully only time. It’s a waste of time and money if you’ve already scored at your ability.
For two explanations and explanations of this change (Kent Syverud and Philip Shelton) please read the LSAC July Report found here. This is also where I got my source material.
Their statements of caution for law schools can be found here.
Hello Everyone,
Wanted to make note of an upcoming event that all UB Pre Law students should attend this Fall!
Save the date!
The 2nd annual Greater Western New York Law School Fair sponsored by the Western New York Association of College Career Centers (WNYACCC) including UB CAREER SERVICES will be held on Monday, September 25th 2006, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Buffalo-Niagara Marriott, 1340 Millersport Highway, Amherst, N.Y. More details regarding this event will be coming in September.
This is a great way to talk to law school representatives directly and speak with them about their programs and how you fit in at their school. I will post more on this as soon as it comes in - Wayne Porterfield from Career Services is organizing this event and all inquiries can be directed to him by calling 716) 645-2232 ext. 130, or emailing at wp9@buffalo.edu
Update: list of partcipating law schools.