Logical Reasoning
When pregnant lab rats are given caffeine equivalent to the amount a human would consume by drinking six cups of coffee per day, an increase in the incidence of birth defects results. When asked if the government would require warning labels on products containing caffeine, a spokesperson stated that it would not because if the finding of these studies were to be refuted in the future, the government would lose credibility.
Which of the following is most strongly suggested by the government's statement above?
A. A warning that applies to a small population is inappropriate.
B. Very few people drink as many as six cups of coffee a day.
C. There are doubts about the conclusive nature of studies on animals.
D. Studies on rats provide little data about human birth defects.
E. The seriousness of birth defects involving caffeine is not clear.
The answer is...
C. "If the government acts before the study can be proven conclusively, it will lose credibility."
I got this one wrong because I completely ignored the last statement from the information given. Anybody with me on this one...?
Credits: petersons.com
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
LSAT Question #4
Logical Reasoning
In our city, the cost of housing is the single largest component of the cost of living for residents. Currently, housing costs in the city's North End are higher than in the city's West End but lower than in the city's East End. The cost of living in the West End is greater than int he East End.
If all of the above statements are true, which of the following must also be true?
A. Housing costs in the East End are greater than in the West End.
B. The cost of living in the North End is greater than in the West End.
C. The average cost of renting a house is greater in the East End than int he West End.
D. Housing costs in the East End are greater than in the North End.
E. Housing costs are greater int he North End than in the West End.
The answer is...
A. According to west.net, "All you need to answer this question is the second sentence of the passage. Given that the North End's housing costs are higher than in the West End but lower than in the East End, it must be true that housing costs in the East End are greater than in the West End."
I was caught between A and D. But then I was thinking too hard again and completely ignored the statement that clearly answers the question. Was it the same for you too?
Credits: west.net
In our city, the cost of housing is the single largest component of the cost of living for residents. Currently, housing costs in the city's North End are higher than in the city's West End but lower than in the city's East End. The cost of living in the West End is greater than int he East End.
If all of the above statements are true, which of the following must also be true?
A. Housing costs in the East End are greater than in the West End.
B. The cost of living in the North End is greater than in the West End.
C. The average cost of renting a house is greater in the East End than int he West End.
D. Housing costs in the East End are greater than in the North End.
E. Housing costs are greater int he North End than in the West End.
The answer is...
A. According to west.net, "All you need to answer this question is the second sentence of the passage. Given that the North End's housing costs are higher than in the West End but lower than in the East End, it must be true that housing costs in the East End are greater than in the West End."
I was caught between A and D. But then I was thinking too hard again and completely ignored the statement that clearly answers the question. Was it the same for you too?
Credits: west.net
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Deciding to go to Law School Part II
So, Letters of Recommendation
Honestly I've never been close with any of my professors. For some reason I have a strange fear of teachers. I blame it on my seventh grade English teacher who made it her goal to make me feel embarrassed in front of the class three times a day.
So I'll be referencing the University of Louisiana because most of the information on this post is from their site. If you want to get a great letter of recommendation, I suggest you find the nicest professor you have and suck up to him/her. And make sure you're getting an A in their class. The U of L suggests you do not get more than three letters. Most likely because they won't read it.
Personal Statement
Just like when you applied for college, you need to write a personal statement telling admissions why you stand out from everyone else. Honestly I had the hardest time with this. I also felt that it was a bit unfair. So because I haven't been through tragic events I can't get in? Anyways, U of L stated that you can also emphasize why you want to go to law school and be a lawyer. I think if you just write with some passion, you'll stand out pretty well.
Number of Schools to Apply to
U of L suggests that one school should be your dream school, three schools you would be satisfied with, and one school to fall back on.
Honestly, I think I'll be applying to two or three. Application fees need to be considered too!
Additional information will be added later, thanks for reading!
Credits: louisiana.edu
Honestly I've never been close with any of my professors. For some reason I have a strange fear of teachers. I blame it on my seventh grade English teacher who made it her goal to make me feel embarrassed in front of the class three times a day.
So I'll be referencing the University of Louisiana because most of the information on this post is from their site. If you want to get a great letter of recommendation, I suggest you find the nicest professor you have and suck up to him/her. And make sure you're getting an A in their class. The U of L suggests you do not get more than three letters. Most likely because they won't read it.
Personal Statement
Just like when you applied for college, you need to write a personal statement telling admissions why you stand out from everyone else. Honestly I had the hardest time with this. I also felt that it was a bit unfair. So because I haven't been through tragic events I can't get in? Anyways, U of L stated that you can also emphasize why you want to go to law school and be a lawyer. I think if you just write with some passion, you'll stand out pretty well.
Number of Schools to Apply to
U of L suggests that one school should be your dream school, three schools you would be satisfied with, and one school to fall back on.
Honestly, I think I'll be applying to two or three. Application fees need to be considered too!
Additional information will be added later, thanks for reading!
Credits: louisiana.edu
Friday, February 18, 2011
Deciding to go to Law School
First ask yourself: Do you REALLY want to go to law school?
Let's be honest, going to law school, those three years of your life is going to be complete hell. As stated by Bill Swinford, a pre-law advisor of the University of Richmond, "You should NOT go to law school simply by default, because law school is far too difficult, far too expensive, far too time consuming, and far too emotionally draining to do simply because you can't decide on anything better to do. There are few experiences in life more miserable than going to law school or being an attorney if your heart is not in it."
Still want to pursue law? Good, I was hoping you guys wouldn't exit out of this blog after reading that.
One of the most important thing in getting in to law school, is your GRADE. According to the University of Louisiana, the main contributing factors of your admission will depend on just numbers: your GPA and your LSAT score. They don't care if you worked at a law office, they don't care if you were captain of the water polo team in your college. Depending on the law school you want to go to, there is no particular GPA or LSAT score that will guarantee admission.
So in short: focus your time in your grades than your social life :]
Major does not really matter when getting into law school. According to the University of Louisiana, there is no major that will give you an advantage or disadvantage. Have you seen Legally Blonde? As long as your GPA is high, you're fine. So might as well pick a major you actually like.
However, your choice of major might help you with your LSAT and maybe also during your schooling in law school. Here's the three skills given by the p U of L with the majors that will help
I used to be an Economics major....but it was way too hard. I found that I am fairly good at writing essays so I switched to an English major with an emphasis in professional writing.
There's also letters of recommendation, personal statement, the number of schools you should apply, etc. And I will talk more about those in the next post while you take in the information I've given here.
Until next time~!
Credits: louisiana.edu
Let's be honest, going to law school, those three years of your life is going to be complete hell. As stated by Bill Swinford, a pre-law advisor of the University of Richmond, "You should NOT go to law school simply by default, because law school is far too difficult, far too expensive, far too time consuming, and far too emotionally draining to do simply because you can't decide on anything better to do. There are few experiences in life more miserable than going to law school or being an attorney if your heart is not in it."
Still want to pursue law? Good, I was hoping you guys wouldn't exit out of this blog after reading that.
One of the most important thing in getting in to law school, is your GRADE. According to the University of Louisiana, the main contributing factors of your admission will depend on just numbers: your GPA and your LSAT score. They don't care if you worked at a law office, they don't care if you were captain of the water polo team in your college. Depending on the law school you want to go to, there is no particular GPA or LSAT score that will guarantee admission.
So in short: focus your time in your grades than your social life :]
Major does not really matter when getting into law school. According to the University of Louisiana, there is no major that will give you an advantage or disadvantage. Have you seen Legally Blonde? As long as your GPA is high, you're fine. So might as well pick a major you actually like.
However, your choice of major might help you with your LSAT and maybe also during your schooling in law school. Here's the three skills given by the p U of L with the majors that will help
A. Analytic reasoning and problem-solving skills—e.g. logic, philosophy, math, civil liberties, business law, computer programming, etc.
B. Communication skills—English, rhetoric, and other courses with strong critical writing, speaking and listening components, as well as courses that develop general research and task management skills.
C. Substantive knowledge of the law’s basis —political science, public policy, history, economics, sociology, anthropology, criminal justice, philosophy, business, etc.
I used to be an Economics major....but it was way too hard. I found that I am fairly good at writing essays so I switched to an English major with an emphasis in professional writing.
There's also letters of recommendation, personal statement, the number of schools you should apply, etc. And I will talk more about those in the next post while you take in the information I've given here.
Until next time~!
Credits: louisiana.edu
Thursday, February 10, 2011
LSAT Question #3
Among the inventory at a certain vintage furniture store are seven lamps. Each lamp has either a ceramic or wood base, and each lamp comes with either a brown, red, or green shade.
More lamps have a ceramic base than a wood base.
Every red lamp shade is paired with a ceramic base.
No lamp with a wood base has a brown shade.
If the two and only two ceramic lamps are paired with lampshades that are the same in color, then which of the following must be true?
A. One of the seven lamps has a brown shade.
B. Two of the seven lamps have red shades.
C. Three of the seven lamps have a wood base.
D. Four of the seven lamps have green shades.
E. Five of the seven lamps have a ceramic base
And the answer is...
C. Three of the seven lamps have a wood base.
Answer and Analysis
I needed to use a scratch paper to be sure on this one. It took me a while to figure it out. There are many questions like this in the LSAT so practicing jotting down notes would be ideal. I was seriously tempted to just go to the answer because I didn't want to think too hard. How was it for you?
More lamps have a ceramic base than a wood base.
Every red lamp shade is paired with a ceramic base.
No lamp with a wood base has a brown shade.
If the two and only two ceramic lamps are paired with lampshades that are the same in color, then which of the following must be true?
A. One of the seven lamps has a brown shade.
B. Two of the seven lamps have red shades.
C. Three of the seven lamps have a wood base.
D. Four of the seven lamps have green shades.
E. Five of the seven lamps have a ceramic base
And the answer is...
C. Three of the seven lamps have a wood base.
Answer and Analysis
The correct response is (C). We know that at least four of the seven lamps have ceramic bases. Assuming that two and only two such lamps have shades that are the same color, the total number of ceramic lamps is limited to four (only three shade colors are available). Therefore, exactly three of the seven lamps are wood.
I needed to use a scratch paper to be sure on this one. It took me a while to figure it out. There are many questions like this in the LSAT so practicing jotting down notes would be ideal. I was seriously tempted to just go to the answer because I didn't want to think too hard. How was it for you?
Credit to west.net/~stewart
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
LSAT Question #2
Logical Reasoning
I actually got this question right. I think the key to these questions is to not over think. This might sound obvious but use the information given to answer the questions. Sometimes I think we make too many assumptions BASED on the information given. How did you do on this one?
Struthers College has built its reputation for academic excellence largely on significant contributions from wealthy alumni who are avid fans of the school's football team. Although the team has won ore national championships over the years than any other team in its division, this year it did not even win the division title, and so Struthers College can expect to see a decline in alumni contributions next year.
The above argument relies on which of the following assumptions about Struthers College?
A. The college's reputation for academic excellence depends on the performance of its football team.
B. Contribution from alumni are needed for the college to produce a winning football team.
C. Some Struthers alumni contribute to the college because they enjoy seeing its football team win.
D. The college's football team will continue its losing streak next year.
E. As a a group, the college's alumni will have at leas as much discretionary money to give away next year as this year.
And the correct answer is....
C. Some Struthers alumni contribute to the college because they enjoy seeing its football team win.
I honestly got this answer without thinking too much. However, here's the explanation given by west.net/~stewart
"This argument depends on a cause-and-effect link between the football team’s performance and the level of alumni contributions, doesn’t it? In other words, it assumes that the alumni who contribute to the college are motivated to do so (at least to some extent) by their interest in the football team and its success. "
I actually got this question right. I think the key to these questions is to not over think. This might sound obvious but use the information given to answer the questions. Sometimes I think we make too many assumptions BASED on the information given. How did you do on this one?
Credit to west.net/~stewart
Sunday, February 6, 2011
First Example LSAT Question
Among the inventory at a certain vintage furniture store are seven lamps. Each lamp has either a ceramic or wood base, and each lamp comes with either a brown, red, or green shade.
- More lamps have a ceramic base than a wood base.
- Every red lamp shade is paired with a ceramic base.
- No lamp with a wood base has a brown shade.
1. Which statement about the seven lamps CANNOT be true?
A. Five lamps have red shades
B. Five lamps have a ceramic base.
C. Five lamps have brown shades.
D. Four lamps have a wood base.
E. four lamps have green shades
First, read the question carefully! You are trying to figure out which option CANNOT be true.
The correct answer is D. Four lamps have a wood base
Why? It is stated that "More lamps have a ceramic base than a wood base."
There are seven lamps, so having four wood base lamps would mean there would only be three ceramic base lamps.
This is one of the easy questions that I could find. I was so overwhelmed with the questions, but practice always makes perfect! Tell me how you did on the first question!
Credit: west.net/~stewart
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Introduction to LSAT
You thought you were done after taking the ACT and SAT right? Well if you want to be a lawyer, you will most likely have to take the LSAT and just like the regular SAT, most law schools will examine the scores to determine acceptance.
According to The Law School Admission Council, there are five 35-minute multiple choice sections and a 35-minute writing sample. So in total that's 3 1/2 hours. Might want to wear comfortable clothes when you go to take the test.
The multiple choice sections has three different item types:
Reading Comprehension
Analytical Reasoning
Logical Reasoning
I was surprised about this, I thought I had to learn all these different laws and court cases. The LSAT was created to test your reading and verbal reasoning skills which are essential to your success in law school.
You can register to take the LSAT at www.lsac.org
It's like going to collegeboard.com to sign up for the regular SATs
Most law schools would like your LSAT scores the December before the fall admission. Taking the test early is recommended though. However you can only take the test three times in a two-year period. Also, the fee is a bit ridiculous. Here's the table that LSAC(Law School Admission Council) provides
Credential Assembly Service (CAS)$124
Test Center Change $35
Test Date Change $68
Handscoring $42
Former Registrant Score report $42
Law School Reports $12
Returned Check Charges $35
One-time fee for optional paper copies of LSAT ticket, LSAT score, Activity Updates,
and Master Law School Report for online account holders $25
Nonpublished Test Centers
Domestic $252
International $335
Refund
LSAT Registration Refund $48
Credential Assembly Service Registration Refund $48
LSAC also stated that only four of the five sections of multiple choice will be graded and counted towards your score. Apparently the one out of the five not being scored is just being used as an "experiment."
They don't tell you which section. They also didn't state specifically why they do this.
Also, when you retake the LSAT, the law school you apply to will have access to all your scores.
Anyways, I will post our first sample LSAT question soon.
Bye!
Credits to LSAC
According to The Law School Admission Council, there are five 35-minute multiple choice sections and a 35-minute writing sample. So in total that's 3 1/2 hours. Might want to wear comfortable clothes when you go to take the test.
The multiple choice sections has three different item types:
Reading Comprehension
Analytical Reasoning
Logical Reasoning
I was surprised about this, I thought I had to learn all these different laws and court cases. The LSAT was created to test your reading and verbal reasoning skills which are essential to your success in law school.
You can register to take the LSAT at www.lsac.org
It's like going to collegeboard.com to sign up for the regular SATs
Most law schools would like your LSAT scores the December before the fall admission. Taking the test early is recommended though. However you can only take the test three times in a two-year period. Also, the fee is a bit ridiculous. Here's the table that LSAC(Law School Admission Council) provides
2010-2011 US FEES (All US fees are in US dollars.)
Basic Fees
LSAT$136Credential Assembly Service (CAS)$124
Auxiliary Fees
Late Registration $68Test Center Change $35
Test Date Change $68
Handscoring $42
Former Registrant Score report $42
Law School Reports $12
Returned Check Charges $35
One-time fee for optional paper copies of LSAT ticket, LSAT score, Activity Updates,
and Master Law School Report for online account holders $25
Nonpublished Test Centers
Domestic $252
International $335
Refund
LSAT Registration Refund $48
Credential Assembly Service Registration Refund $48
LSAC also stated that only four of the five sections of multiple choice will be graded and counted towards your score. Apparently the one out of the five not being scored is just being used as an "experiment."
They don't tell you which section. They also didn't state specifically why they do this.
Also, when you retake the LSAT, the law school you apply to will have access to all your scores.
Anyways, I will post our first sample LSAT question soon.
Bye!
Credits to LSAC
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