LSAT For Dummies (with Free Online Practice Tests)

LSAT for Dummies is a good, easy to understand, one-in-all prep book. That said, it isn't deep enough to really unlock your full potential and, like the comparable (and better) LSAT Trainer, needs accompanying books like the Powerscore Bibles or other section-specific material.That said, it does get the student started in the right direction so, is very decent for the very beginning of prep. I did supplement Dummies with the LSAT Trainer and found that book to be deeper and, overall, a better resource for the beginner.I'm currently consistently scoring 166+ on timed prep tests and have studied using Dummies, the LSAT Trainer, the Powerscore Bible trilogy, The Loophole in Logical Reasoning, ACE the LSAT Logic Games, the Fox Logic Games Playbook, Let's LSAT, A Cadre of Experts, 7sage forums, a subscription to The Economist (for RC) and have purchased 64 of the available LSAC Prep Tests. My initial timed test score was 157 and my highest prep test score to date is 173. My rec for new students is to get the LSAT Trainer first and supplement it with the Fox LG Playbook, The Loophole in Logical Reasoning, the Powerscore RC bible, and plenty of (at least 20) recent prep tests.

Great to start studying for the LSAT before yoire taking the online or in person course

I found this book to be helpful. Some of the practice problems were harder than the questions encountered in the actual LSAT.

I attempted several times to create an account, it kept telling me the access code was invalid - I went to the company page and chatted with an agent - who tells me that Safari is does not work for the product - that I'll need to use google chrome - I am not willing to do that - and, NOWHERE on the post or on the book does it advise this. I have already made notes in the book so I can't return it, but it is NOT a good purchase.

awesome price for an awesome product by an awesome company!

It was very comprehensive and an excellent study aid

If you want to get into the law school of your choice, or any law school for that matter, there is no doubt you are going to have to prepare for the LSAT. Simply being a good "test taker" is not going to be enough nor is that 4.0 you managed to hold onto for so long. There are a lot of people applying for a few slots and the competition will be hot. The difference can be how well you do on your LSATs. You're going to have to work hard, practice, think, and learn additional test taking strategies. Of course in reality there are very few "Dummies" who are prepping for law school.I've seen much "heavier" prep books, but this is what I'd call a starter book. It will get the prospective law student a good look at what they may encounter on the LSAT. It's not quite as daunting as a couple of seen. This book tends to be more user-friendly and conversational. For example I'm seeing statements like "Pick a Side--No Ridin' the Fence." It's a much more relaxed introduction stuck right in the middle of a very serious conversation about the writing sample that just could make or break admission to the law school of your choice. I'd lean toward recommending this book to those who either are certain they want to attend law school or to undergraduates who just want to consider it.If you intend to prep for a test, you need to dedicate some time and a few dollars. If you really feel you are deficient, perhaps you need a course, but if you simply need practice, you may wish to start with this book. I would also recommend buying some other books, other "brand" names included, to work with. The more you practice these tests, the more confident you will feel with your ability to not only answer the questions, but answer them within the allotted time frame. For example, I took a real life test a while back. I only took one practice test prior to the actual one and because I haven't taken any tests in some time I went over the time limit. When I was taking the "real" test, time was called just as I finished. You need to be honest in accessing your own skills. This book is not going to teach you anything new, but is intended to help you with your test taking strategies and give a general overview of what types of questions you can expect. The questions are from actual tests.This is not a book that teaches emotional strategies to keep you as stress free as possible, but rather one that will put you through the paces and make you think. As an aside, did you know that "The median LSAT scores accepted by the best law schools in the country, such as Yale, Stanford, and Columbia, range from the high 160s to the low 170s." That translates to a percentile figure of 95 and up." Interspersed throughout the book are icons that give you little warnings, indicate things you may wish to remember, tips, and technical information. Excellent intro, but if you really want to get into law school, you'll should do yourself a favor and purchase a wide variety of practice tests to work with.CONTENTS:Part I: Taking the LSAT Plunge.Chapter 1: The L Team: The LSAT and Its Sponsors.Chapter 2: Test-Taking Basics: Setting Yourself Up for Success.Chapter 3: The Lowdown on Law School Admissions.Part II: Analytical Reasoning: Players, Rules, and Logic.Chapter 4: Zen and the Art of Analytical Reasoning.Chapter 5: Analyze This: A Walk through Four Analytical Reasoning Problems.Chapter 6: Give It a Try: An LSAT Analytical Reasoning Section.Chapter 7: The Mysteries of Chapter 6 Solved.Part III: Logical Reasoning: Arguing Well.Chapter 8: Stay on Your Toes: The Basics of Logical Reasoning.Chapter 9: Conclusions, Assumptions, and Flaws in Logical Reasoning Questions.Chapter 10: Strengthening, Weakening, and Supporting Arguments.Chapter 11: Patterns of Reasoning, Explanations, and Resolving Discrepancies.Chapter 12: Be Reasonable! -- Logical Reasoning Practice Questions.Chapter 13: Check Yourself! -- Answers and Explanations for Chapter 12.Part IV: Reading Comprehension: Read 'Em but Don't Weep.Chapter 14: Everybody's Got an Axe to Grind: Reading Comprehension.Chapter 15: Getting Acquainted with Reading Comprehension Passages and Questions.Chapter 16: Comprehending the Incomprehensible: Practice Passages and Questions.Chapter 17: Answers and Explanations for Chapter 16.Part V: The Writing Sample: No Score but Can Count.Chapter 18: No Right or Wrong Answers Here: Just Pick a Side.Chapter 19: Practice Writing Samples.Part VI: The Real Deal: Full-Length Practice LSATs.Chapter 20: Some Rainy-Day "Fun": LSAT Practice Exam 1.Chapter 21: Practice Exam 1: Answers and Explanations.Chapter 22: Some More Rainy-Day "Fun": LSAT Practice Exam 2.Chapter 23: Practice Exam 2: Answers and Explanations.Part VII: The Part of Tens.Chapter 24: Ten (or So) Habits of Highly Successful LSAT-Takers.Chapter 25: Ten (Plus One) Myths About the LSAT.Chapter 26: Ten Kinds of Law You Can Practice.Index.

The ISBN 1118678230 (LSAT For Dummies, 2nd ed.) is a very well published and competent textbook for beginners. Though it covers all aspects with much fewer questions/examples than exclusively 1-aspect textbooks published by Manhattan Pre and Kaplan, it still contains enough questions to sufficiently check the preparation to LSAT.Its 432 pages of a larger than the standard size for the series are clearly divided into 7 parts and 22 chapters, and contains over 1000 multiple (4-5) choice questions/problems. Some questions/problems are preceded by a short description. A few other include schematics from various disciplines. The B&W schematics are simple and well drawn. The question numbers are boldfaced allowing to easier grasp the pages at 1st glance. After the initial reading, it can be used just for warming up.The front pastedown (endpaper) contains a scratch off access code to more practice tests online on the companion website. Approx. 35 pages of the book are shown by the Amazon.com's "LOOK INSIDE!" function. What cannot be seen is that the book is well printed on decent paper, and the flimsy soft covers, which are typical for the series, are prone to creasing.

This book served as an awesome introduction to preparing for the LSAT. It is much more accessible than the LSAC books and it has lots of information on applying to Law School as well. This book contains the same information as the books sold by the LSAC but the price and the ease of reading really help you get started in what can be quite a daunting undertaking!

Good prep book.