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Insight LSAT Prep Course - Lesson 1

Jul 3, 2024

Insight LSAT Mini Prep Course - Lesson 1: Introduction

Welcome

  • Instructor: Alvin
  • This is the first of 8 lessons, covering roughly 10 hours of LSAT instruction.
  • Focus: Every part of the LSAT, major question types, expert strategies.
  • Goal: Maximize potential as an LSAT test-taker.
  • Format: Mix of work and fun.

Instructor Background

  • Name: Alvin
  • Experience: Several years of tutoring, global student base.
  • LSAT Performance: Improved from 161 to a 179 using the Insight approach.
  • Education: Master’s and Bachelor’s in Philosophy from NYU.
    • Philosophy involves argumentation, logic – relevant skills for LSAT.

Introduction to the LSAT

  • Definition: Law School Admission Test
  • Purpose: Admission to US law schools
  • Nature: Skills exam, focused on argumentation and reasoning, not outside material.
    • Similar to logic-based games.
  • Relative Importance: Often weighed more than GPA, personal statement, etc.
    • Standardized measure, up to 70% of admissions value.
    • Major factor in scholarship decisions.
  • Format: Six 35-minute sections + 10-minute break.
    • Sections: 2 Logical Reasoning (arguments), 1 Analytical Reasoning (logic games), 1 Reading Comprehension, 1 Experimental, 1 Writing.
    • Experimental: Can be any type, unscored, indistinguishable during the test.
  • Scoring: 120-180
    • Competitiveness:
      • 150+ for decent law schools
      • 160+ for top-tier schools
      • 170+ for top ten schools & scholarships
      • 175+ for top-tier (Harvard, Yale, Stanford) and major scholarships
  • Registration: LSAC.org

The Insight Approach

  • Centric Philosophy: Practice-focused, personalized approach.
    • Heavy practice test focus: Use real LSAT questions and tests.
    • Emphasis on self-knowledge: Identify personal strengths and weaknesses across sections, questions, and even answer choices.
    • Reviewing Work: Understand why answers are right/wrong, deeper understanding of LSAT mechanics.
  • Methods: Expert knowledge combined with personalized strategy.
  • Available Resources: Inside-LSAT.com, private tutoring, personalized feedback.

Course Overview

  1. Lesson 1: Introduction to LSAT, Insight approach, and course structure.
  2. Lesson 2: Fundamentals of LSAT Logic – foundational skills across all sections.
  3. Lesson 3: Logical Reasoning – strategies, major question types, examples, homework.
  4. Lesson 4 & 5: Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games) – Diagramming, game types (Sequencing, Sorting).
  • Importance: Foundational skill for LSAT success.
  1. Lesson 6: Reading Comprehension – passage strategies, question types, examples.
  2. Lesson 7: Writing Section – Full essay example, structuring argument.
  3. Lesson 8: Test Day Preparation – Schedule, plan, beyond-test strategies (mental, physical preparation).

Course Engagement Advice

  • Mindset: Different from other test preps, intensive and self-directed.
  • Interaction: Engage with videos (pause, review, challenge ideas).
    • Answer instructor’s questions, use pencil and paper, do homework.
  • Homework: Use “The Next 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests” book by LSAC.
  • Timing: Ignore initially, focus on understanding and methods.
  • Private Tutoring: Consider as a supplement to course.
  • Progress Tracking: Use Insight worksheet from inside-lsat.com/worksheet.
  • Expect Uneven Progress: Plateaus and breakthroughs are normal.

Next Steps

  • Next lesson: Lesson 2 – Basics of LSAT Logic.

Full transcript