Customer Reviews

Kaplan LSAT 180, 2006-2007

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I started studying for the LSAT I didn't fully understand the importance of studying with REAL LSAT questions. I purchased the basic Kaplan LSAT book + Kaplan 180. the basic Kaplan book was a COMPLETE waste of money, and the Kaplan 180 was little better. The questions just aren't from actual LSATs, and they simply aren't the same. Furthermore, the books were riddled with typos. If I could do it all over again in a more cost effective manner here is what I would get, respectively:
- LSAT Superprep, by LSAC. This gives you the basic rundown of the test, plus three real February LSATs WITH explanations by LSAC. A great starting point.
- Powerscore Logic Games Bible and Powerscore Logical Reasoning Bible. Powerscore uses REAL QUESTIONS in their books, so they are inherently better. Plus, with Kaplan, I always felt like the book was witholding information in hopes that I would shell out $1200 for their class. I didn't get that feeling with Powerscore (even though they do offer a course), and the explanations are infinitely more detailed than Kaplans. Use these books after the Superprep to get comfortable with the material and various strategies.
- 10 Actual, Official LSATs, 10 MORE Actual, Official LSATs, the NEXT 10 Actual, Official LSATs. Get these 3 books and you can PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!
- The most recently released preptests, by LSAC. They are $8 each, sold separately, and haven't been put into one of the compilation books yet. Practice!!!!!!

That's pretty much all you need! Again, I would NOT waste money with a company that does not use REAL LSAT QUESTIONS in their books. Powerscore books and books BY LSAC use real questions. I wish I had known that before I started! I hope you don't make the same mistkes I did!!

P.S. I'm not actually a lawyer yet-- this is my mother's amazon account and she's the lawyer :)

I have to say I am very disappointed and I may actually take Kaplan up on thier 100% money back policy. I purchased the Kaplan LSAT, Kaplan 180, Powerscore Logic Games Bible, Powerscore Logic Reasoning Bible and started with the Kaplan LSAT. How unfortunate, as Powerscore uses methods 100% more effective, in addition to using real LSAT examples.

I feel the Kaplan LSAT and Kaplan 180 have been a complete waste of time. In fact, I would have gladly paid them to tell me NOT to use thier books - I wasted countless hours trying to figure out subjects that were so much more clearly explained in the Powerscore books. At least now I don't feel bad about not shelling out $1000 for thier LSAT course.

My suggestion: under no circumstances should you buy this book or the Kaplan LSAT. I would do: Powerscore Logic Games, Logical Reasoning, following by as many Official PrepTests as possible. Be sure to use the Powerscore books to understand every answer (right or wrong) when you are doing the PrepTests. Also - I recommend doing everything timed to simulate the pressure of the real test.

This book isn't completely useless, though it's pretty close. I'd say that a couple of the Logical Reasonig chapters are useful, but that's about it. The games section is completely useless (get the Powerscore Logic Games Bible).

Honestly, there are plenty of released real LSAC tests to practice on. You don't need this book. Whatever the merits of Kaplan's fake games, they just aren't really reflective of real ones.

I didn't even look at reading comp, so maybe that is excellent. Though probably not.

If you do well on standardized tests, don't waste money on a prep course. This along with several books of real LSATs are all you need to score the points that will differentiate you from a top 3 school candidate from a top 20. No, these aren't real LSAT questions but they're the only fake ones worth your while. Why waste your study time answering questions you always get right? Sit down with these, then take the old LSATs and they'll seem easy.

These questions are HARD! However, they give you an opportunity to learn the weaknesses of your analytical strategies. Try not to get discouraged when you get 40% of the questions wrong. These questions are much harder than the ones on the real LSAT, but that should not deter you from studying with this book. You will learn a lot when you are done with this thing. Buy it.

This book is more for those further along in their LSAT studies, than beginners. Pretty useful stuff and good practice (if you don't mind getting owned).

I am using this book as well as some real LSAC issue prep tests right now for the Feb LSAT. Sometimes these questions seem a little different from the ones in my prep tests, but not a big problems for me. I like that this book has background advice, unlke the preptests. The section on analytical reasoning is more complete then my other Kaplan book. I still need help with analytical reasoning, I am going to try the games-only books and see if they can get me about the 70% level that I score right now.