Master the LSAT

Rating:
Summary: one of the best general references
Review: I scored 167 the first time I took the LSAT, and 179 the second time, two months later. How did I move up from a rather average 167 to the upper echelons of the 99.9% club?

My method was simple: I just bought every past prep-test in existence and took every single one two or three times, and analyzed my weaknesses in order to correct them.

The far more interesting story is how I got to 167 in the first place. I have the rather ubiquitous problem of being a rather creative person, but lacking in brilliant analytical skills. Thus, at first, even the upper 160s were difficult to attain for me. Jeff Kolby's "Master the LSAT" helped me get there, and it continued to serve me again and again as a general reference after I started scoring in the 170s.

The prose is simple and the advice is sound. The greatest thing about this book is that it doesn't present any superfluous information. Everything useful is covered, and everything covered is useful. Along with the usual mixture of exercises and analytical methods, the most common (yet most vital) information is easily accessible. Did you forget how to diagram "unless" statements? No problem, just look at the big table. Did you want to make sure that you correctly understood the phrase "three seats apart" in a linear game? All the clarifications are consolidated in the book for easy reference-- you'll never worry about an ambiguous phrase again.

I don't want to give the impression that Jeff Kolby's book is only useful for those who test under 170. On the contrary, I continually referenced the book when I was in a mental block even when I was hitting the mid-170s. For example, I had difficulties in scoring consistently well on the reading comprehension sections until I followed some of the strategies in the book.

"Master the LSAT" works best as a reference and general strategy-oriented text. There is, of course, no "magic" text that will guarantee a high-score. But for the iron-willed person who doesn't want to take a course, yet who strongly desires a stellar score, a study package of this book, all the prep-tests that you can get your hands on, and a few intense months of study will not let you down.

Rating:
Summary: Great study guide
Review: This is a great book that will prepare you for the LSATs. It goes over all the sections and explains with examples and sample test questions. At the end of each section you can take an offical LSAT test. The book does not only guide you but also lets you adapt your own reading, problem solving techniques to maximize the use of the book.


Rating:
Summary: Avoid and Save Your Money!
Review: This book deserves a failing grade. The book and its methods are a disappointment because they are unable to simplify the required logic for the LSAT. In turn, it actually works to complicate matters.

I have prepared for the LSAT twice now. The first time I used this book. The second time I used a commercial course. The contrast between my two experiences (and scores) is striking; I now have the hindsight to evaluate this book. I recommend you do not purchase this book and use your money towards another training system.

Pros (i.e. what you *may* miss):
-- Good diagramming techniques for Games and Logical Reasoning.
-- Handy list of logical relationships.

Cons:
-- Too much information for dealing with LSAT logic. Example: Knowing DeMorgan's Laws as something separate from the Contrapositive is an UNNECESSARILY DETAILED APPROACH!! This is the largest and most common fault of the book.

-- Games are explained poorly and the book presents several gaming situations that are irrelevant for the exam.

-- CD-Rom is worthless. Exact same questions as are in book.

Good Luck.


Rating:
Summary: A great start for learning the LSAT
Review: I think that this book is a great starting place for learning about the LSAT. It's thorough, thought-provoking, and provides many many questions and explanations. Please buy the print version though -- the online eBook (the one I purchased) was good, but I think the print version would've been much better.

Rating:
Summary: Yeah, that makes sense...
Review: I plan on reading the book when I have time and it would be nice to print a couple pages and take them with me...

What the hell kind of description is this:
"Printable: Most publishers do not allow Adobe e-books to be printed."
That is so vague, It doesn't specify what the rule is for this book!!! I'm getting more upset just thinking about it, and yeah I guess it's my fault for not contacting Amazon before I bought it, but I would assume that maybe I could print this book, or at least some pages from it.

Also it's an eBook and it took them 3 day's to have it available for download...3 DAYS!!! I could have had it shipped to me in that ammount of time. I'm not normally one who complains or leaves feedback, but this entire experience with Amazon has made me realize that there are other companies online I would rather deal with.

Stupid is, Stupid does...

P.S. The book itself seems put together really well and seems to be filled with good advice and sound lessons.

Rating:
Summary: Very good prep book...
Review: I was very impressed with this book. The information was straight forward and it gave you nearly unlimited practices of the problems. I also liked how it incorporated many past test questions to have you practice and learn what you did right and wrong. The book takes from the beginning stages and helps you progress. It does this without speaking down to you or making you feel like a child. This book was very helpful in my test prep...

Rating:
Summary: E-Book Review Only
Review: If you were tempted to purchase this item as an e-book, don't do it! The authors certainly have loftly goals in their opening pages:
"Don't just read this book--write on it, study it, scrutinize it! When you have finished the book, it should be marked-up, dog-eared, tattered and torn."
But ironically, if you purchase the e-book, they don't permit you to print any pages out! Amazon and the publisher should describe their merchandise better. The inability to print was not stated explicitly. I thought I was saving S&H and time, but now I feel I've wasted my money. In short: order ahead and purhcase in print!

Rating:
Summary: After reading the prev. review from JimmyT
Review: JimmyT claims that he scored 194 on his real LSAT. I just wanted to let you know that the max. score possible for LSAT is 180.

Rating:
Summary: what a mess
Review: People, this is totally useless. Get the free material from the LSAT people. Don't waste the time, gas, money, or even the effort with this.

Rating:
Summary: If you never use e-book before Don't buy e-Book version.
Review: If you never use e-book before Don't buy e-Book version of the book. Plus, you can't even return it.