LSAT Preparation

LSAT Preparation

Tuesdays & Thursdays

April 28 - June 4, 2020

6:60 - 8:30 pm

Salem State Unviersity

 

This class is a full prep course for the LSAT. Students will learn the strategies for mastering every portion of the test. This includes learning how to efficiently diagram and complete logic games, how to accurately identify reasoning questions and apply successful strategies, as well as improving reading comprehension through focused exercises and research-based strategies. Students will also learn the logical principles used in the LSAT, and the basics of critical thinking. In addition, students will take pretests and post-tests, as well as receive practice with timed drills and the new digital format of the LSAT. All practice tests and problems are taken from officially approved LSAT tests.

Course Outline

Week 1:

1.      All about the LSAT

a.       LSAT facts, statistics, data.

b. What to expect on the LSAT

c.       Getting the most out of practice: self-assessment and goal setting

d.      Mastering the nuts and bolts: logic and critical reasoning on the test.

 

2.      Analytical Reasoning (Logic Games)

a.       Anatomy of the Game

b.      Diagramming and Setting up the Game

c.       All the logic you will ever need for Logic Games

d.      The two types of logic games + variations 

Week 2:

1.      Logic Games: Inferences and Questions

a.       After Diagramming: Now what?

b.      Inferences and how to find them

c.       The “Secret” to finding important inferences every time

d.      Question types and Question strategy

 

2.      Logic Games: Advanced games and strategies

a.       Unusual games and unusual questions

b.      Practice, practice, practice

c.       How to get faster and stay accurate.

Week 3: Logical Reasoning

1.      Question Types and Critical Reasoning

a.       Primary question types ranked by difficulty

b.      Role of critical reasoning and common CR concepts

c.       The parts of an argument

d.      The simplest questions on the LSAT

 

2.      Question Types and Question Strategies

a.       The conditional: The most important logical relationship on the LSAT

b.      Application to specific problem types: Principles and Assumptions

c.       How to spot and how to exploit

d.      Necessary and Sufficient Assumptions

Week 4: Logical Reasoning Continued

1.      Categorical Reasoning and Common Concepts

a.       All, some, most, none questions

b.      All of the types of arguments that appear on the LSAT

c.       Strengthening, weakening, and finding assumptions

d.      Assumptions and Causes

 

2.      Fallacies and Vulnerabilities

a.       How to answer fallacy and vulnerability questions

b.      The most common fallacies on the LSAT

c.       How to identify mistakes in argument

d.      Logical Reasoning Dos and Don’t’s

Week 5: Reading Comprehension

1.      Passage types and Question Types

a.       What you’ll be reading and how to read

b.      Question types: similarities and differences with logical reasoning

c.       Reading strategies and reading skills

 

2.      Application of Strategies

a.       Strategic Questioning

b.      Information and Inference

c.       Synthesis and Synopsis

d.      Troubleshooting difficult passages and vocabulary

Week 6: Timing and Testing

1.      How to Use your Time

a.       Strategies for time management

b.      Timed drills and practice

c.       Learning your speed

 

2.      Test day and Test Results

a.       Interpreting your post-test

b.      Looking ahead

c.       How to keep improving

 

Instructor:  Dr. Michael Deere is a Professor of Philosophy with 15 years of experience teaching logic and critical reasoning. He has developed and taught courses in Critical Reasoning and Law as well as Philosophy of Law. In addition to working as an LSAT tutor for over four years, Dr. Deere has taught LSAT prep courses for Salem State’s Pre-Law Society.

 

NOTE: A parking permit will be emailed to all registered/paid participants shortly before the class date. 

REFUND POLICY: 

In-Person Class Refund Policy: 100% refund before the first class meeting; 50% before the second class meeting. No refunds after the second class meeting. 

Online Class Refund Policy:  In the case of a Salem State Online class, 100% refund before the scheduled start date. No refunds once the Salem State Online class begins. For all other online classes (Gatlin, Ed2go, or MindEdge) no refunds of any kind will be issued). Please call Andrea DiVirgilio at 978-542-6302 for more information