Customer Reviews

Kaplan LSAT with CD-ROM 2003

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This is essentially the Kaplan Fifth Edition LSAT book (2001-2003) with a different cover -- all of the content and practice tests are the same. This version is printed on brittle, recycled paper -- like what Princeton Review does.

The explanations for practice exams are solid and consistent, but they don't include a "fifth" experimental section, so the exams are 35 minutes shorter than the real LSAT. I found this book more helpful as an administrative brochure than a studying tool -- everything on how, where, and when to register for the LSAT/LSDAS services are in here, as well as some helpful guidelines on strengthening the overall law school application.

Kaplan's LSAT prep book is an effective priming tool to those interested in taking the exam, but it shouldn't be relied upon by itself. Being a horrible standardized test taker, I appreciated the full package of the book -- Kaplan devotes a quarter of the pages to test-taking strategies, another quarter on exam-day details and the law school application/admissions process, and the final half to practice tests. The book is written in a very clear and informative style that contains quite a few effective strategies for the "completely ignorant" LSAT student. Anyone who has no idea what the LSAT is all about will surely find this to be a great primer when starting a study plan. Yet, I have the feeling that their Kaplan prep course reserves most of the best tricks for those willing to fork over the cash.

Ultimately, I think the Kaplan book was a worthwhile investment but get the CD-less package instead. You're paying extra for the CD and I found it was completely worthless -- it frequently crashed on my Windows 2000 computer and I didn't even need it to study because using a CD to study doesn't simulate a real test-day experience. Kudos for the book, but the CD is nothing more than a wasted coaster.

Buy the actual tests instead of this product.
The Kaplan tests don't have the same feel as the
actual tests. You are wasting your money with this
product. True understanding of the LSAT comes only through careful self-analysis of the actual tests. As cruel as this sounds, if you need someone to explain the answers to you then you shouldn't consider taking this test for the answers to all the questions are readily attainable if you are given the right amount of time.

This book is absolutely phenominal. I used it and I must say that my score significantly rose. I was getting in the 130ish range and after completing this couse I am scoring in the 160s. This book gets into the minds of the LSAC and shows you to solve the problem from THEIR point of view instead of wasting time by meditating on a problem for minutes without a general process of thought.