Barron's How to Prepare for the Lsat: Law School Admission Test

by Bobrow, Jerry; Covino, William A.; Siegel, Brian N.; Weisinger, Merritt L.; Kay, David A.; Spencer, Daniel C.

• ISBN13: 9780764172885
• ISBN10: 0764172883
• Edition: 9th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-02-01
• Publisher: Barrons Educational Series

Summary

This up-to-date manual prepares students for the Law School Admission Test with six full-length exams. All questions are answered and explained in detail. Analysis sheets accompany each test to help students examine each question, enabling them to strengthen areas where they need more study. They will find extensive strategies, techniques, and insights for analyzing question types in reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning, as well as instruction on writing an outstanding essay. The author offers extensive general study and preparation advice that includes a five-week study plan. Enclosed with this manual is a CD-ROM that presents all the bookÆs tests in computerized versions with automatic scoring. Computerized tests can be taken in an un-timed practice mode or a timed testing mode that reflects actual test-taking conditions.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Preparing for the LSAT: A Five-Step Approach	x
Acknowledgments	xiii
PART ONE INTRODUCTION
Getting Acquainted with the Test	1	(2)
INTRODUCTION TO THE LSAT	3	(34)
Answers to Some Commonly Asked Questions	3	(2)
Basic Format of the LSAT and Scoring	5	(2)
A Closer Look at the Timing---What It Really Means	6	(1)
Important Reminders	6	(1)
Some Words to the Wise	7	(1)
Ask a Few Questions	7	(1)
An Effective Study Program	8	(2)
A Five-Week LSAT Study Plan	8	(2)
Before You Begin	10	(5)
The Main Focus	10	(1)
Understanding the Thinking Processes	10	(1)
Some General Strategies	10	(1)
The One-Check, Two-Check System	10	(1)
The Elimination Strategy	11	(2)
Marking in the Test Booklet	13	(1)
The ``Multiple-Multiple-Choice'' Item (Not appeared recently)	13	(1)
Pitfalls---What to Watch Out For	14	(1)
The Common Mistake---The Misread	14	(1)
Distracters and ``Attractive'' Distracters	14	(1)
Analyzing Your LSAT Score: A Broad Range Score Approximator	15	(1)
Obtaining Your Approximate Score Range	15	(1)
A Diagnostic Mini-Exam	16	(21)
Examination	19	(12)
Answer Key	31	(1)
Mini-Exam Analysis	32	(1)
Explanation of Answers	33	(4)
PART TWO ANALYSIS
Understanding the Sections and the Key Strategies	37	(170)
Reading Comprehension	39	(26)
Introduction to Question Type	39	(3)
Active Reading	39	(1)
Example---Sample Passage and Questions	40	(2)
Four-Step Approach	42	(9)
Step One: Skim the Questions	42	(2)
Step Two (Optional): Skim the Passage	44	(1)
Step Three: Read and Mark the Passage	45	(3)
Step Four: Answer the Questions	48	(3)
An Alternative General Approach	51	(1)
Basic Training: Extra, Effective Practice	52	(1)
Extra Practice: Reading Comprehension	53	(12)
Answers and Explanations	61	(4)
Analytical Reasoning	65	(68)
Introduction to Question Type	65	(4)
When You Start a Set, Focus On:	65	(1)
Reading the Conditions	65	(1)
Marking the Conditions	65	(1)
When You Start Drawing Your Display, Focus On:	66	(1)
Finding Key Items	66	(1)
Drawing and Placing Information	66	(1)
Reasoning from the Conditions	67	(1)
When You Start Answering the Questions, Focus On:	67	(1)
Reading the Questions	67	(1)
Working with the Answer Choices	68	(1)
The Approach	69	(42)
Analyzing Types of Charts	69	(1)
The Connection Chart	69	(3)
The Position Chart	72	(10)
Position Chart with the Diagram Provided	82	(5)
The Map	87	(5)
The Numerical Display or Numerical Position Diagram	92	(6)
The Information Chart	98	(3)
The Elimination Grid	101	(4)
Pulling Out Information	105	(2)
Venn Diagrams/Grouping Arrows	107	(4)
In Conclusion	111	(1)
An Alternative General Approach	111	(1)
Extra Practice: Analytical Reasoning	112	(21)
Answers and Explanations	121	(12)
Logical Reasoning	133	(56)
Introduction to Question Type	133	(1)
The Approach	134	(34)
The Basic Components	134	(1)
The Passage, Argument, or Discussion	134	(1)
The Question	134	(1)
The Choices	134	(1)
Analyzing Question Categories	135	(1)
Author's Main Point or Main Idea	135	(2)
Author Information or Author's Purpose	137	(2)
Form of Argumentation	139	(1)
Strengthening or Weakening the Author's Statement or Conclusion	140	(3)
Author Assumptions, Presuppositions, Underlying Principles	143	(4)
Inferences and Implications	147	(2)
Deductions	149	(2)
Parallel Reasoning or Similarity of Logic	151	(3)
Argument Exchange	154	(1)
Syllogistic Reasoning	155	(3)
Conclusions	158	(1)
Logical Flaws	159	(2)
Situation Analysis	161	(3)
Passage Completion	164	(1)
Word Reference	165	(1)
In Conclusion	166	(1)
Review of Some General Strategies for Logical Reasoning	167	(1)
Extra Practice: Logical Reasoning	168	(21)
Answers and Explanations	183	(6)
Writing Sample	189	(18)
Introduction	189	(1)
General Directions	189	(1)
The Approach	190	(6)
Analyzing the Writing Sample Topic	190	(1)
The Phases of Writing	191	(1)
Phase 1---Prewriting	191	(1)
Phase 2---Writing	192	(1)
Phase 3---Reading	192	(1)
Two Completed Writing Samples	192	(3)
Review of General Tips	195	(1)
Practice: Writing Sample	196	(11)
PART THREE PRACTICE
Mastering Problem Types and Time Pressures	207	(338)
Model Test One	209	(54)
Examination	213	(36)
Answer Key	249	(1)
Model Test Analysis	250	(1)
Explanation of Answers	251	(12)
Model Test Two	263	(62)
Examination	267	(43)
Answer Key	310	(1)
Model Test Analysis	311	(1)
Explanation of Answers	312	(13)
Model Test Three	325	(60)
Examination	329	(42)
Answer Key	371	(1)
Model Test Analysis	372	(1)
Explanation of Answers	373	(12)
Model Test Four	385	(51)
Examination	389	(34)
Answer Key	423	(1)
Model Test Analysis	424	(1)
Explanation of Answers	425	(11)
Model Test Five	436	(53)
Examination	439	(36)
Answer Key	475	(1)
Model Test Analysis	476	(1)
Explanation of Answers	477	(12)
Model Test Six	489	(56)
Examination	493	(41)
Answer Key	534	(1)
Model Test Analysis	535	(1)
Explanation of Answers	536	(9)
PART FOUR FINAL TOUCHES
Reviewing the Important Techniques	545	(6)
A Summary of Strategies	547	(4)
Directions and Strategies	547	(2)
General Tips	547	(1)
Review of LSAT Areas	547	(1)
Reading Comprehension	547	(1)
Analytical Reasoning	548	(1)
Logical Reasoning	548	(1)
Writing Sample	548	(1)
A Final Checklist	549	(2)
PART FIVE ABOUT THE LAW SCHOOLS AND LAW PRACTICE	551	(25)
Overview of ABA-Approved Law Schools	553	(23)
Your Chances of Law School Admission	576	(1)
A Profile of Recent First-Year Law Students	576