Overcoming a Score Plateau (Ep. 453)

1L strategy coach Angela Vorpahl returns to Thinking LSAT to discuss five common but misguided pieces of advice for incoming law students. She explains why these conventional 1L strategies fall short and suggests more effective alternatives. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 454 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 3:08 - Class Prep vs. Exam Prep - Law professors insist that students should thoroughly read each assigned case. But reading every line of every case takes a huge amount of time. Angela advises students to invest their time in study methods that have a greater impact on their final grade. 20:15 - Note-Taking Strategies - Research suggests that students who take notes by hand might retain more information than students who type their notes. But for Angela’s preferred method of note-taking, handwriting notes simply isn’t fast enough. 33:05 - Study Supplements - Some law school traditionalists vilify study supplements like hornbooks, and they label students who use them as lazy. But these supplements aren’t shortcuts; they’re vital study tools—especially when professors routinely fail to teach the material in a straightforward way. 46:33 - Outlining Is Not Enough - A good outline may be necessary to succeed on law school exams, but it’s not sufficient. Angela describes the extra study step that students should take after outlining. 56:21 - IRAC - “Issue, Rule, Application, and Conclusion” (IRAC) has long been the popular structure for legal analysis in law school. But Angela argues that IRAC misses the most important part of how students score points on final exams. 1:07:28 - Intermediate Conclusions - Don’t worry too much about identifying intermediate conclusions. Focus on what the argument says. 1:16:26 - Academic Suspension - Nathan and Ben follow up on last week’s story about an applicant who wants to remove an academic suspension from their transcript. 1:18:46 - Word of the Week - Halo Top is execrable.

Ben and producer Erik team up to offer guidance on overcoming a score plateau. One key tip: Don’t fixate on your practice test scores. Later, Ben and Erik debunk the rumor that applicants hurt their admissions chances when they withdraw and reapply. They examine law schools’ employment outcome disclosures. And they discuss what it means to overthink the correct answer—and how to stop. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 453 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 5:52 - Score Plateau - How do you break out of a score plateau? Stop worrying about your score, and focus on fixing individual mistakes. 16:20 - Downside to Reapplying? - An anonymous listener applied late in the cycle and received disappointing scholarship offers. Will law schools treat Anonymous unfavorably for declining these offers and reapplying next cycle? 22:07 - Judicial Clerkships - Must listener Alex attend a highly ranked law school to obtain a judicial clerkship? Erik and Ben investigate schools’ employment outcomes at abarequireddisclosures.org. 29:50 - Overthinking - We’re more likely to overthink answer choices when we rush our reading of the passage and fail to predict the answer. Avoid this trap by spending more time unpacking the passage before reading the answer choices. 36:50 - Group Classes vs. Solo Study - Ben and Erik suggest that listener Hannah try a month of Demon Live in preparation for the June LSAT. 39:37 - GPA Addendum - Erik and Ben help an anonymous listener write a GPA addendum to address an anomalous semester of bad grades. 40:57 - Transcript Error - Ben and Erik encourage an anonymous listener to be persistent in trying to remove an error on their undergraduate transcript. 44:24 - LSAT Survey - LSAT Demon now appears in the post-LSAT survey. Thanks to LSAT Demon student Laura for sharing the news. 46:23 - Words of the Week - Misers ascribe no merit to spending money.

Ben and Nathan chat with Nick Hafen, the Head of Legal Technology Education at BYU Law. They discuss what law students should know about leveraging generative AI tools like ChatGPT in law school and beyond. The guys also review a tip for managing test anxiety, and they explain why they don’t diagram in Logical Reasoning. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 452 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 0:43 - Generative AI - Nick explains some generative AI basics that law students should know. The guys discuss how the technology might impact lawyers’ jobs. 8:57 - AI and Law School - Law schools are still deciding how to incorporate AI into their curriculums. Students shouldn’t rely on their professors to teach them everything they need to know. 17:39 - Getting Started with AI - Nick suggests a simple Google search to start learning about generative AI. Ben and Nathan encourage listeners to experiment with new use cases. 24:49 - Nick’s Career - Nick outlines his career path from big law, to solo practice, to working at BYU. 32:19 - BYU Admissions - The guys look at BYU’s admissions and scholarship data using LSAT Demon’s Tuition Roll Call. 39:29 - Nick’s LSAT Story - Nick shares the story of his nerve-racking experience taking the LSAT in person while studying abroad. 43:44 - Word of the Week - Whoever invented Halo Top should be defenestrated. 46:17 - Pearls vs. Turds - Listener Henry provides a tip for boosting confidence on test day. 52:25 - Don’t Diagram in LR - Nathan and Ben explain why diagramming conditional statements in Logical Reasoning can be more harmful than helpful.

Many law students pay nowhere near full tuition. Some pay no tuition at all. Law schools don’t offer reduced or waived tuition fees out of generosity—it’s a calculated business strategy. But this week, Nathan and Ben discover a law school whose outlandish scholarship numbers seem to defy business sense. The guys also discuss the new US News law school rankings, help listeners choose between law schools, and advise students to keep their study schedules simple. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 451 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 4:14 - Law School Rankings - US News just released its 2024 law school rankings. While the rankings have changed, their practical value hasn’t. They still provide poor justification for choosing one law school over another. 10:27 - Picking a Law School - Ben and Nathan help two listeners decide between offers of admission. The choice largely depends on answering a single question: “What do you want to do?” 33:48 - Bouncing Back - Listener Tyler stumbled during his April test. Nathan and Ben encourage him to learn from his mistake and to stay the course as he prepares for the June LSAT. 38:48 - There Is No Curve - How will the removal of Logic Games affect the curve on the August LSAT? Easy question. It won’t, because LSAT scores aren’t curved. 45:30 - Study Schedule - An anonymous listener with lots of time to study asks how to structure their study schedule. Ben and Nathan give a surprising answer: It doesn’t matter. 50:28 - Who Pays at Campbell? - The guys browse the scholarship estimator for law schools friendly to splitters with low GPAs. They find Campbell University School of Law, which reports that a staggering 94% of its students receive full-ride scholarships. 1:08:50 - Waitlist to Full Ride - LSAT Demon student Jason just accepted a full-ride scholarship to Texas A&M after being waitlisted by the school earlier this year. 1:13:52 - Word of the Week - We vituperate predatory law schools.

Tuitions are soaring at U.S. colleges and universities, and short-sighted student loan policies may be partly to blame. This week, Ben and Nathan discuss the latest round of student loan forgiveness, which treats the symptoms of high education costs but won’t fix the problem. The guys also correct a common misconception about “test-optional” admissions. They consider the scholarship chances of applicants with low GPAs. And they advise a listener to pick a new personal statement topic. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 450 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 3:48 - LSAT Optional - No, the LSAT is not “going away” in 2025. Law schools will continue to value the LSAT even if they aren’t required to use it. 15:32 - Low GPA - Applicants with low GPAs aren’t locked out of law school. Grade forgiveness may help some. But a high LSAT score is the real key to getting scholarships. 23:24 - GPA and Law School Rankings - An anonymous listener considers taking a course pass-fail to avoid hurting their GPA. Nathan and Ben approve. The guys explain why law schools are so invested in their GPA medians: it’s all in the rankings game. 31:40 - $100,000 a Year - Some colleges will soon charge $100,000 a year. Ben and Nathan bemoan the unhinged state of tuition hikes and student loans. 39:34 - Personal Statement - The guys advise an anonymous listener to avoid a vague personal statement. 43:00 - Graduate School - An anonymous listener wants to drop out of grad school but worries about what law schools will think. Nathan and Ben think the choice is clear. 46:38 - Extra Test Attempt - Leslie, LSAT Demon’s admissions guru, shares the story of a student who successfully appealed for an extra test attempt. 50:48 - Word of the Week - Listener Syd recommends Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Day.

The April LSAT is almost here. How should test-takers approach the final days leading up to their official test? Nathan and Ben advise listeners to treat test week like any other week of unhurried LSAT prep. Later, the guys explain why you shouldn’t skip tough questions. They shake their heads at UC Law SF’s solicitations. And they offer words of encouragement to a student who is concerned about how the elimination of Logic Games might impact their score. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 449 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 1:03 - April LSAT - Treat test week like any other practice week. Treat the official test like any other practice test. 6:35 - LSAT Demon Is Hiring - Want to join the team? LSAT Demon is hiring teachers and writers. Visit lsat.link/apply to submit your application. 7:47 - Skipping Questions - Listener Harry disagrees with Nathan and Ben’s advice not to skip or flag difficult questions. The guys clarify their position and reaffirm their mantra: “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.” 14:52 - Should I Quit My Job? - Ben and Nathan counsel listener Emna not to let law school admissions dictate an important career decision. 22:36 - UC Law San Francisco - Nathan scorns his alma mater’s pleas for more money. 30:12 - Is Law School the Right Path? - The best law students are fierce academic competitors. Applicants with low undergraduate GPAs should think long and hard before entering the fray. 42:05 - LG Study Schedule - Nathan and Ben describe their own study habits for Logic Games. 46:10 - LG Anxiety - An anonymous listener dreads losing the Logic Games after the June LSAT. Ben and Nathan encourage Anonymous to stay optimistic. 53:39 - Word of the Week - The best logic games are Daedalian puzzles.

Micah McCreary is an LSAT coach and law school admissions consultant through his company JurisPrep. He’s also a former LSAT Demon student and current 2L at Harvard Law School. Micah joins Ben and Nathan to share insights about the current admissions cycle, emphasizing the importance of a well-crafted diversity statement. The guys also discuss Micah’s experience at Harvard, the challenges of working in big law, and their shared focus on an accuracy-first approach to the LSAT. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 448 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 3:51 - Harvard Law School - Micah attended Harvard Law School virtually for his 1L year. He now appreciates the networking opportunities that come from attending law school in person. 8:52 - Big Law - Micah plans to work in corporate law, but he’s wary of the grueling hours and unrewarding assignments often faced by junior associates at big law firms. 17:32 - Don’t Pay for Law School - Micah shares the history and mission of JurisPrep, his LSAT and law school admissions consulting business. The guys explain the nuance behind the tagline “don’t pay for law school.” 27:13 - Ignore the Clock - Micah agrees with Ben and Nathan on their accuracy-first approach to the LSAT. They brainstorm ways for students to practice ignoring the clock when taking timed sections. 40:13 - Admissions Cycle - In an unusually slow admissions cycle, Micah has noticed that applicants with strong diversity statements have fared better than those without. 56:17 - Working While in Law School - Micah recommends that law students avoid working other jobs until after their 1L years. 1:05:49 - Words of the Week - Ben and Nathan proscribe LSAT gimmicks. They prescribe a commonsense approach that focuses on careful reading. 1:11:39 - Application Timing - Micah advises law school applicants to apply as early in the cycle as possible.

Two weeks ago, Ben and Nathan revealed a shadow ban targeting LSAT Demon on Reddit. The sole moderator of the r/LSAT subreddit, Graeme Blake from LSAT Hacks, responded with personal attacks and false accusations of “sockpuppeting.” He then banned LSAT Demon entirely. This week, Nathan and Ben recap the strange saga and question Graeme’s motives for attempting to silence LSAT Demon and its supporters. Later, the guys offer advice to a student who’s missing too many easy questions in Logical Reasoning. They correct a faulty approach to Logic Games. And they examine a possible case of T14 yield protection. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 447 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 2:47 - Reddit Ban - The guys break down the events leading to LSAT Demon’s ban on Reddit. 11:59 - Difficult LR Questions - Good news! You don’t need to get all the hard questions right to score well in Logical Reasoning. 17:38 - Missing Easier Questions - Listener Lawrence misses too many easy questions. Nathan and Ben instruct Lawrence to slow down and avoid making sloppy mistakes. 23:30 - Mastering LG - Logic Games are an opportunity, not an obstacle. Ben and Nathan advise an anonymous listener on how to master LG in time for the June LSAT. 29:30 - Waitlists and LOCIs - Listener Lauren has a stellar GPA and LSAT score, yet she was waitlisted at every school in the T14. The guys blame a combination of yield protection and bad luck. They encourage Lauren to write letters of continued interest and to reapply next year. 39:46 - GPA Addendum - Nathan and Ben recommend that listener Morgan write a brief GPA addendum to address some old grades. 44:28 - Admissions Course - Ben and Nathan invite you to join the waitlist for their law school admissions course. 46:26 - Word of the Week - Listener Kris provides a book recommendation for anyone with inchoate negotiation skills.

Testing accommodations are meant to give students with documented disabilities a fair shot. But recent LSAT scoring data suggests that the current time-and-a-half minimum might not level the playing field—it might give an unfair advantage to people with accommodations. Ben and Nathan discuss the problematic state of LSAT accommodations and what it means for students. Later, the guys weigh the costs and benefits of taking the test five times. They draft a short character and fitness addendum. And they urge students to avoid the comparison trap. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 446 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 1:26 - Aiming for 175 - You don’t get points for answering questions quickly. You get points for answering questions correctly. Nathan and Ben instruct listener Manan to slow down and focus on accuracy. 12:43 - Accommodations - Ben and Nathan probe the history of LSAT accommodations and question the fairness of the current system. Accommodated Test-Taker Trends (2017) The Department of Fair Employment and Housing v. Law School Admission Council Inc. 34:43 - Downside to Retaking? - Listener Finn worries that law schools will judge him harshly for taking the LSAT five times. Nathan and Ben assure Finn that law schools only care about his highest score. 40:46 - Character and Fitness Addendum - The guys help an anonymous listener draft a short addendum to address a minor character and fitness issue. 43:43 - GPA Addendum - Ben and Nathan advise listener Emme not to write a GPA addendum that risks victim signaling. 50:27 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon alumna Sierra says: “Don’t get too caught up on the numbers and how everyone else is doing.” 51:47 - Words of the Week - Only when LSAT teachers cease their obscurantism may they find absolution.

Love it or hate it, the r/LSAT subreddit is a popular forum for LSAT news and advice. Unfortunately, LSAT Demon students have been unable to engage fully with this community for almost a year. Their posts and comments about the Demon are secretly banned. Ben and Nathan recount the curious back story of LSAT Demon’s shadow ban on Reddit and ask for listeners’ advice. Later, the guys discuss upcoming changes to LSAT Writing. They share tips on becoming a gladiator of the English language. And they examine why some lawyers might be better off working in fast food. LSAT Demon LSAT Demon iOS App LSAT Demon Daily Watch Episode 445 Thinking LSAT YouTube LSAT Demon YouTube 1:11 - Reddit Shadow Ban - The guys detail LSAT Demon’s shadow ban on the r/LSAT subreddit. Read more in their blog post and share your thoughts at [email protected]. 14:19 - Changes to LSAT Writing - Big changes are coming to LSAT Writing. Starting July 31, 2024, the section will feature a more open-ended essay prompt that asks writers to defend an original thesis. Ben and Nathan weigh in on the upcoming changes. 20:18 - Improving at English - Lawyers are gladiators of the English language. Nathan and Ben share a few tips on how to improve your reading and writing. 31:22 - Pearls vs. Turds - Despite what some LSAT “experts” say, there are no shortcuts to success in LSAT Reading Comprehension. If you want to improve in RC, you must improve your ability to read. 39:54 - Law vs. Fast Food - Not every lawyer makes big law money. But lawyers at least earn more than fast-food workers, right? Not necessarily. 46:49 - Informational Interviews - Ben and Nathan advise listener Michael on how to solicit and conduct informational interviews with practicing lawyers. 52:07 - Focus on Accuracy - Listener Grace faces challenges in transitioning to the LSAT Demon approach after switching from another prep company. Nathan and Ben encourage Grace to stick with it and to prioritize accuracy over section scores. 56:18 - Tips from a Departing Demon - LSAT Demon student Nick shares a pearl of wisdom: “Don’t tell everyone you know that you are taking the LSAT.” 1:01:14 - Word of the Week - If law schools would put the kibosh on their unfair pricing schemes, Ben and Nathan wouldn’t have to inveigh against them.