Cracking the LSAT, 2009 Edition (Graduate School Test Preparation) [Paperback]

Princeton Review (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0375428615 | ISBN-13: 978-0375428616 | Publication Date: June 17, 2008

Cracking the LSAT brings you proven techniques from the test prep experts! The 2009 edition includes 2 full-length practice tests in the book and exclusive free access to another practice exam and further review online. In Cracking the LSAT, we’ll teach you how to think like the test writers and

·Master specific strategies for answering every question type
·Solve even the toughest questions in Arguments, Reading Comprehension, and Games
·Get the most out of your prep time with the study plan that’s right for you.
·Practice online with a full-length LSAT practice test

We give you plenty of practice problems to help you master our proven techniques. Our practice questions are just like those you’ll see on the real LSAT–but with detailed answers and explanations for every question.

Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Review (June 17, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375428615
• ISBN-13: 978-0375428616
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #772,292 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the right product if you are looking for a high score...., June 2, 2009

By 

E. Rose - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cracking the LSAT, 2009 Edition (Graduate School Test Preparation) (Paperback)

I have used prep books from Kaplan, Powerscore, McGraw Hill, and now this book. I would say that only the McGraw Hill book was worse than this one. Its approach seems to be aimed at someone looking for more of an average score than someone looking for a really top score.. The book seems to suggest skipping whole questions in every section in order to have more time for the easier questions. This might be a good tactic if you are looking for a score in the 150-160 range, but in order to get a really strong score you are going to have to attempt every question. The book includes some valuable test taking tactics, but a lot less than what is provided in Powerscore or Kaplan. Also, one of the main pieces of advice for the Logical Reasoning (or 'Arguments' in Princeton's terminology) section is to read the question stem first. This is something that Powerscore directly contradicts, and offers much stronger reasoning for why NOT to do this.. While many people seem to dislike Kaplan, I have found their product to be fairly good, but there is no argument that if you are looking for LSAT prep, Powerscore is the way to go.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not actual former LSATs. Misprints on questions!, April 17, 2009

By 

Kristy (Des Moines, IA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cracking the LSAT, 2009 Edition (Graduate School Test Preparation) (Paperback)

I have taken three practice tests so far. Two were out of The Official LSAT SuperPrep, which uses actual former LSATs. The third test I took was the first test appearing in this book.

This book does not use real LSATs. This was very obvious when I discovered a significant typo (one that literally made a question impossible to answer and made me waste valuable time) in the first section of the test. How do I know it was a typo? Because the answer key reprinted the full question correctly. Taking a practice test is a serious time commitment. I don't have time to waste taking tests with results that may have been skewed because of poor editing.

Maybe I was having a bad day. Or, maybe other factors, like time-wasting typos and the fact that the questions may not be as rigorously tested as actual LSAT questions, influenced my score. Whatever the reason, I actually scored a full 10-15 points lower on this test than I had on my previous 2 LSAT tests. I seriously question whether or not Princeton Review practice tests are accurate predictors of actual LSAT scores. If not, who needs to have their confidence shaken before they take the test?

The only positive thing I can say about this book is that the practice tests do include the new comparative reading comprehension questions. However, this is to be expected since the book is dated 2009 and they came out with these questions in 2006. But unfortunately many other books don't have them because their tests are older. I just purchased all the individual tests available since June of 2006 at $8 each to be able to practice these. I haven't found a book containing the actual tests that is recent enough to include them (although honestly, I have so many general review books now that I didn't look that hard).

My advice is don't waste your money on this book. Use practice tests with actual former LSATs. And for studying help, I have read PowerScore is the way to go. Just bought their Logical Reasoning and Logic Games Bibles.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs more practice material, May 24, 2009

By 

Andres M. Pacheco-fores "Bohemian Empire" (Tallahassee, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cracking the LSAT, 2009 Edition (Graduate School Test Preparation) (Paperback)

It's good, but they could be more efficient with their explanations and fit more practice questions into it. A lot of it is fluff, though the actual substantive stuff in it is very good.