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Aug 03 2010

A Must-Have LSAT App

Posted by Beau in LSAT, Test taking, tags: Apps, LSAT Apps, Must-haves, Preptests, proctored lsat, Test taking

Ryan, a reader over at the LSAT Blog, has created an LSAT proctor app which is currently free to download via the iTunes store. The app prompts test-takers on when to start sections and end them, gives a five-minute warning and even builds in a break. Where this app differentiates itself from the stopwatch on your phone is its building in distractions so you can practice in test-day conditions in the comfort of your own home or a library. We wholeheartedly recommend this app to all of our students and anyone else planning to take the LSAT.

Download LSAT Proctor here.

[News via LSAT Blog photo via iTunes Store]

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Jul 12 2010

How distractions while studying can help improve your score

Posted by Beau in LSAT, Test taking, tags: Advice, lsat, study plan

Students often ask for recommendations on the best place to do LSAT studying. The answer depends on some extent to how you learn and where you are in the study process. At a high level, you generally want someplace without a lot of distraction or noise. In particular, when working through timed sections and full tests, if there are interruptions you will not get an accurate measure of your abilities. I see the breakdown going like this:

Initial month: (learning methodology): any reasonably quiet place, from a coffee shop to a library to your dorm room (door closed).
Middle months: (timed sections and full practice test with review): you definitely want to cut out noisier spots where you may be interrupted. Here it’s time to get serious and either find a quiet corner of your residence free of distraction or, better, go to the library
Final month: this is where ideal study situations change somewhat. During your last month of study, I believe it’s actually beneficial to not choose the most quiet spot in the world. This is because on test day there will be a variety of inevitable distractions: dropped pencils, sneezes, proctors answering the phone, etc. Taking full tests in absolute silence is an advantage you won’t have on test day; doing so in practice is akin to not filling in a bubble sheet on preptests. It’s just not the best simulation (especially because you can’t use earplugs on test day).
Final week: it won’t always be possible, but when it is it can pay to do a preptest or two in the building where your LSAT is going to be held. If this is a college, you can generally sneak into a lecture hall/classroom after hours. Being very familiar with your surroundings can be an important advantage on test day.

Next Step Test Preparation provides complete courses of one-on-one tutoring with an LSAT expert for less than the price of a commercial prep course. Email us or call 888-530-NEXT (6398) for a complimentary consultation.

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Jun 16 2010

Free LSAT Book Contest

Posted by Beau in books, Contests, LSAT, tags: books, Contests, Twitter

Because Next Step is dedicated to helping you improve your LSAT score, we have decided to give away one copy of The Next 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests to our followers on Twitter. The rules are simple: simply reply to our post, or post in #NextStepTestPrep and you will be entered. Limit one entry per account per day. The contest starts at 2:00PM EST today (Wednesday) and ends at 2:00PM EST Sunday. The randomly-selected winner will be announced on Monday. We really like this book, and its 4.5-star average score on Amazon (with a five-star review from LSAT Blog) suggests that you’ll like it too.