When Should I Take the LSAT? (Ep. 395)
Novice LSAT students often sign up for test dates before they’ve even started studying. Today on the show, Ben and Nathan explain why it’s a mistake to register for the LSAT prematurely. They share the correct order of operations for deciding when to take the LSAT and apply to law school: (1) study for the LSAT, (2) sign up when you’re happy with your practice score range, and (3) apply with your best LSAT score on record, at the beginning of the cycle. Plus, the guys answer listener questions about LSAT Writing, GPA addenda, scholarship negotiations, and more.
0:00 - Don’t Register Until You’re Ready - The June LSAT registration deadline is coming up. But the test isn’t going anywhere. Ben and Nathan encourage listeners to register for an official LSAT only when your practice scores indicate that you’re ready to take the test.
1:38 - Don’t Rush Into Law School - An anonymous listener asks if applying to attend law school after undergrad will put them at a disadvantage compared to applicants who gain work experience before applying. Ben and Nathan maintain that everyone should take the time they need to get their highest LSAT score.
19:53 - Your Negotiation Power - An anonymous applicant asks for scholarship negotiation advice. Ben and Nathan share the most important factor in negotiation: your willingness to say no. As long as you’re willing to walk away, there’s always room to negotiate.
26:52 - UGPA Application Addendum - An anonymous listener asks for advice on how to write an addendum. Ben and Nathan caution applicants against making excuses. Put your best foot forward on your law school applications by highlighting your strengths, not your weaknesses.
36:20 - LSAT Writing Is Unscored - Listener Todd wonders what he should do to prepare for the writing portion of the LSAT. You can watch a Demon lesson and complete the LSAT writing portion online as soon as it’s available.
42:11 - LSAT Order of Operations - Listener Michael signed up for the LSAT before he started studying. The guys discuss why Michael, like many novice students, went about his LSAT journey in the wrong order. Students should begin studying for the LSAT first. Then, when you’re happy with your practice score range, sign up for the next official test date.
51:50 - Take the LSAT as Soon as You’re Ready - Student Aiden has been using the Demon for only two weeks and is currently scoring in the upper 150s. Nathan and Ben are confident Aiden can reach the 170s. They encourage him to take the test when he’s ready—which might be sooner than he planned.
56:58 - Don’t Lie on Your Resume - An anonymous listener is considering fudging dates of employment on their resume. Is lying worth the risk? The guys first note that March is way too late to apply to law school. Anonymous shouldn’t be applying now, and they shouldn’t lie on their resume when they apply in the future.
1:03:43 - Law School Employment Outcomes - Listener Pranav asks if he should avoid law schools with low employment outcomes. Employment outcomes are largely a function of the students’ merits, not necessarily the schools themselves. Going to a lower-ranked school and kicking ass will make you more likely to succeed than the average student.
1:12:56 - Get a Job - Anonymous is choosing between studying for the LSAT and a master’s program. Nathan and Ben suggest a third option: do neither. Get a job, and start earning money. You should take time to figure out what you want to do. Law school will always be there if you want to revisit it later.
1:18:53 - Don’t Apply Before You’re Ready -
Listener Jackson graduates next year and wants to apply to law schools this fall. He already took the LSAT before he was ready. Ben and Nathan advise him to push his application cycle.