The following is a concise guide on how to prepare for the LSAT for under $200.
First and foremost, you need the knowledge to understand how to work through the questions on the LSAT exam. For this, the best LSAT study material, hands down, is “The PowerScore LSAT
Bible Trilogy.” This is what you should start with to learn the basics behind the different types of LSAT questions including the 3 main section types (logic games, logical reasoning, and reading comprehension). You can get the following prep materials and save over $70 if you buy directly from Amazon with free super saver shipping:
The PowerScore LSAT Logic Games Bible
LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible: A Comprehensive System for Attacking the Logical Reasoning Section of the LSAT
The PowerScore LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible
The LSAC’s SuperPrep workbook includes complete explanations of 6 exams – 2 from each of the following 3 years: 1996, 1999, and 2000. I would suggest working through all of the bibles before you move on to this workbook. There is a new and older version. The difference is an eight page comparative reading passage and detailed explanation that only appears in the new version. Otherwise, both books are nearly identical. However, I would suggest getting the newer one with the additional reading passage since it only costs a few dollars more. Both are below:
The Official LSAT SuperPrep (New)
The Official LSAT SuperPrep (Old)
After learning about the types of questions with the bibles and working through some exams with explanations from the LSAC, you are going to want to start practicing taking the exams under actual conditions. For this, you are going to need actual, official LSAT preptests. The following 2 workbooks contain 10 previous exams each. They are fairly recent exams and will cost you less than $2.00 a piece compared to the later individual exams. Both are below:
10 More Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests (Lsat Series)
The Next 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests (Lsat Series)
When taking these preptests, you want to try to emulate the actual timing and rhythm of the exam that you can expect on test day. Use the Simugator: LSAT Edition DVD along with your preptests to get a real sense of timing and exam setting/environment. The DVD also provides a feature that will help you test your mental focus by giving you the option to turn on additional distractions. See below:
SimuGator: LSAT Prep Edition (Use with Official LSAT PrepTests)
Here are a few other free LSAT exams and sample questions provided by the LSAC available directly online that will help to supplement your study routine:
Free Sample LSAT Questions with Explanations
Free LSAT PrepTest 20 with Comparative Reading Dual Passages (Revised 2006)
Free LSAT PrepTest 20 (Regular Version)
Free Sample June 2007 PrepTest
Remember, you want to learn how to work each particular type of question on the LSAT. In each of the bibles (logical reasoning, logic games, and reading comprehension), you will find explanations of the different question archetypes that subdivide each section on the LSAT. You need to be able to understand how to approach each one of these different question types. Once you have mastered this, you should move on to the SuperPrep book to work through the questions and answers in the sample preptests provided. The explanations given by the LSAC for these preptests do not exist for any other preptest sold individually or as a package of 10. Finally, you want to practice taking preptests under timed conditions as close to the real thing as possible to both get a feel for the exam timing and setting. The Simugator: LSAT Edition DVD helps to maintain your focus and improve your rhythm by acclimating you to the testing environment prior to test day. When used in conjunction with actual, official preptests, the DVD can help greatly reduce the risk of anxiety and stress hindering your performance, which have been shown to cause significant differences between practice preptest scores and actual LSAT exam scores.
You also may want to check out the free sample questions, explanations, and preptests provided for free by the LSAC in the links above. If you are trying to determine whether you want to begin this time and labor-intensive preparation for the LSAT, these can provide you a taste of what you will be in for while studying. And if you are already studying, these can be a great supplement to your daily study regimen.
The final tally breaks down like this:
$197.74 - for the Package with the New SuperPrep book (prior to shipping and tax where applicable)
$191.26 - for the Package with the Old SuperPrep book (prior to shipping and tax where applicable)
If you buy used books, you may even be able to get the price down even more. Just be aware that you want to be able to solve the questions yourself. Markings and writing in the tests and questions may give the answers away and defeat the purpose of the prep materials in the first place. Be aware of this.
Please let me know if you have any questions or comments. I will try to update this guide as I can and will be coming out with different tiers for people with a higher price point threshold for their study plan.
How to Prepare for the LSAT for under $200
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