Ben and Nathan explore how AI is acing law school exams and what that says about legal education. They unpack Donald Rumsfeld’s “unknown unknowns” and how the LSAT helps uncover them. The guys break down what the LSAT curve really means (or doesn’t), then offer advice on predatory pre-law jobs. Then they revisit the difference between sufficient and necessary assumptions. Temple University is featured in this week’s What’s the Deal With… Finally, another contestant in the Personal Statement Gong...
Jun 16, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 511
Law schools manipulate scholarships to obscure what they’re actually willing to pay for LSAT scores. Ben and Nathan reveal how some schools offer up to $40,000 per LSAT point. They introduce the “Disparity Index” to show how wildly different financial outcomes can be for students at the same school. Don’t settle for mediocre scores—top LSAT performance unlocks the best deals. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 510 on YouTube 0:30 – LSAT Buyer’s Club Ben and Nathan dig in...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 510
Michael Freedman joins Nathan on Thinking LSAT to share his story as a trial lawyer in some of the nation’s most high-profile criminal cases. Along the way, he shares candid advice for law students about finding their path, building experience, and starting a firm. Michael emphasizes the importance of treating law school like a job, embracing trial work, and nurturing every professional relationship. 4:00 – UC Hastings Michael recalls feeling bored during his 1L year but loving 2L because he fin...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 509
Ben and Nathan investigate income-debt ratios for average law students. Their findings paint a sobering picture for the average law school graduate. In many cases, students are paying champagne prices for beer salaries. Paying full price at even top schools can disrupt personal financial stability for a decade or longer. Then, they review the newly released 2025/2026 LSAT schedule, flag another price increase, and take on two flawed pieces of LSAT advice in a double round of Pearls vs. Turds. Th...
May 26, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 508
Applying this late in the cycle shows desperation. And schools love to charge full price for desperation. There are two rules every applicant should follow. Apply early. Apply broadly. Neither of those things can happen at this point in the cycle. Instead, students should focus on getting the best LSAT score possible and apply at the beginning of the next cycle. Ben and Nate discuss an article revealing how top universities fund tax-free faculty perks. They then move to law school strategy, urgi...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 507
Colleges use advanced data tracking to fine-tune scholarship offers based on what they think you’ll pay and to make you feel good about your price. Ben and Nathan explain how firms analyze digital behavior, like email click speed, to calculate offers. Wealthy students get merit aid, lower-income students get need-based aid, but both often pay the same price. The result is personalized pricing that favors schools. Later, they cover Yale Law Dean Heather Gerken’s push to ditch rankings and focus o...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 506
Rachel Cohen, a former Skadden associate, joins Ben and Nate to discuss how Big Law is responding to recent executive orders aimed at major firms. They examine how the orders challenge the legal system, why firms are staying quiet, and the resistance staged by associates across the industry. Later, Ben and Nate highlight Crushing 1L , the Demon’s new program for first-year law students. They also host another round of the Personal Statement Gong Show. And What’s the Deal With St. Thomas Universi...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 46 min•Season 1Ep. 505
Logical Reasoning predictions rely on the basics: accept the premises, assume the conclusion is false, and don’t read the question first. Ben and Nathan explain how these steps make the section easier and why reading the question first often hurts performance. They also discuss how law schools use seat deposit deadlines to encourage students to accept weaker scholarship offers. The guys warn about the return of student loan collections and emphasize avoiding debt without a solid repayment plan. ...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Season 1Ep. 504
The secret to scoring a 170 on the LSAT? Don’t finish the section—just slow down and focus on accuracy. Ben and Nathan share an excerpt from their new book, The LSAT Is Easy , that breaks down what it takes to reach score milestones. They also unpack common admissions gimmicks, share tips from a departing demon, and host another round of the Personal Statement Gong Show. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 503 on YouTube 0:37 - The LSAT Is Easy Ben and Nathan explain why ...
Apr 21, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 503
Ben and Nathan break down the newly released U.S. News law school rankings, including an initial error that caused some confusion. They explain why slight shifts in rankings—like Cornell dropping out of the Top 14 or the new Top 17—shouldn’t heavily influence your law school choice. Instead, they stress applying broadly and focusing on schools with the best scholarship offers and employment outcomes. A listener asks if retaking the LSAT is worth it after being rejected or waitlisted by all her t...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 502
Ben and Nathan focus on shifting the power dynamic in law school admissions. From controlling scholarship negotiations to spotting misleading admissions practices, they offer practical advice for staying in control and making informed decisions. Sometimes, that means rejecting law schools that aren’t making the cut when it comes to scholarship offers. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 501 on Youtube 0:35 – How Often Do Students Reject Schools - If you’re not turning dow...
Apr 07, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 501
On Episode 500 of Thinking LSAT, Ben and Nathan tackle the most pervasive myths surrounding the LSAT, law school, and the legal profession. The core of the Demon philosophy shows up again and again in their myth-busting: read for comprehension, solve each problem, and don’t pay for law school. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 500 on Youtube 3:46 - Myth 1: Most Students Pay Full Price to Attend Law School Only about 1 in 5 actually pay full price. Law schools use clever...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 500
Ben and Nathan kick off the return of Thinking LSAT’s personal statement review segment with a listener's personal statement that had potential. But the statement quickly strays into the weeds, and Ben and Nathan “ring the gong.” Then Ben and Nathan emphasize the importance of securing a full scholarship to minimize risk during a potential economic recession. They also reassure a listener that reapplying with a higher LSAT score won’t hurt her chances. Later, they offer advice on effective LSAT ...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 55 min•Season 1Ep. 499
Law school tuition is designed to exploit the students willing to pay full price, even though very few actually do. This week, Ben and Nathan explain why the more you pay for law school, the more you subsidize your classmates' scholarships. Later on, Ben and Nathan warn students not to confuse understanding with memorization. They caution listeners against taking on significant debt with the hope of loan forgiveness later. And they help a student pick a topic for his personal statement. Study wi...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 44 min•Season 1Ep. 498
The clock shouldn’t affect you on the LSAT—but you still need to practice ignoring it. This week, Ben and Nathan advise a student to use timed sections to learn how to take the test like the clock doesn’t exist. Then, the guys explain how to approach the LSAT in an intuitive way. Later, Ben and Nathan encourage a student to try to get high school dual enrollment courses removed from their transcript, and they investigate Baylor University School of Law. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS ...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 497
If you don’t have a burning passion to do the work of a lawyer, don’t go to law school. This week, Ben and Nathan caution a listener who is considering giving up a successful career to attend law school. Later, the guys emphasize the importance of accuracy when studying for the LSAT. And they encourage students not to write an addendum about an LSAT score increase. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 496 on Youtube 0:48 - Will My GPA Overshadow My Career Accomplishments? ...
Mar 03, 2025•54 min•Ep. 496
Don’t Throw Away Your (Five) Shots (Ep. 494) You have five attempts at the official test. Should you use all of them? This week, Ben and Nathan encourage students to plan on taking the test five times, but not to waste their official attempts by signing up before they’re ready. Later, they discuss a student’s question about requesting a sixth LSAT attempt, and they caution applicants not to make excuses when writing appeals. The guys also advise a listener about character and fitness requirement...
Feb 24, 2025•58 min•Ep. 495
Nathan and Ben weigh in on the reports from some test-takers that the February LSAT featured more LG-style questions in Logical Reasoning. The guys also advise listeners on how to bounce back from a disappointing LSAT score. They caution applicants not to overshare in their law school applications. And they consider the importance of the LSAT Writing sample. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 494 on YouTube 0:52 - New LSAT Dates - LSAC just announced test dates for the 2...
Feb 17, 2025•50 min•Ep. 494
You don’t conquer the LSAT with fifty-fifty guesses. You do it by carefully solving each question. This week, Nathan and Ben outline their plan of attack in Logical Reasoning, counsel a student who’s feeling unmotivated to study, and identify a common cause of score plateaus. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 493 on YouTube 1:33 - Staying Motivated - An anonymous listener struggles to stay motivated for LSAT study. Nathan and Ben recommend prioritizing quality over quan...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 493
The best LSAT students frequently predict the correct answer. But what do you do if your prediction isn’t there? This week, Nathan and Ben revisit their adaptable approach to prediction. The guys also share test-week advice for a February LSAT taker. They weigh in on binding early deferral programs. And they examine a law school in turmoil. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 492 on YouTube 1:30 - February LSAT Advice - Listener Max looks for test-week advice to help him ...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 492
Always read the fine print on your scholarship offers. This week, Nathan and Ben examine a low-ranked law school that reduces roughly two-thirds of its conditional scholarships every year. The guys also discuss the competitiveness of this year’s application cycle. They dismiss the idea that the LSAT is harder than it used to be. And they weigh the importance of law school rankings in deciding which school to attend. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 491 on YouTube 0:35 ...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 491
The law school application cycle is far from over, but some disappointed applicants are starting to wonder: “What did I do wrong?” This week, Nathan and Ben point out some potential red flags that may have hurt one listener’s applications. The guys also explain how to develop speed on the LSAT, caution applicants against oversharing in optional essays, and bemoan the confusing state of ABA 509 reports. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 490 on YouTube 1:22 - Tips from a ...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 490
Drilling is great, but you need to do timed sections too. This week, Ben and Nathan highlight the importance of timed practice and explain how to manage negative emotions from practice test scores. The guys also discuss letters of recommendation, reading speed in RC, and online law schools. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 489 on YouTube 1:05 - 175 or Bust? - Listener Andria is committed to pursuing a 99th percentile LSAT score. Nathan and Ben applaud Andria’s zeal but...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 489
Can you trust your pre-law advisor? Not necessarily. This week Ben and Nathan criticize schools that mislead pre-law students about their law-school prospects. The guys also share simple tactics for ignoring the clock on the LSAT, and they calm a listener who’s frustrated by their progress in Reading Comprehension. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 488 on YouTube 1:28 - Fighting Bad Habits - Ben and Nathan share some tips for regaining your composure when you catch your...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 488
Do law schools look unfavorably at applicants who retake the LSAT? This week, Ben and Nathan insist that any downsides to retaking the LSAT are negligible, while the upsides can be life-changing. The guys also dispel the myth of “overthinking,” rail against obscurantist 509 reports, and probe Ben’s alma mater: George Washington Law. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 487 on YouTube 3:49 - Law School Exams - A long-time listener describes how studying LSAT Logic Games hel...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 487
Nathan and Ben dig into newly released admissions data and discuss the impact of the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ban. Later, the guys advocate greater transparency in law school pricing, assess JD-Next as an alternative to the LSAT, and investigate the ascendent Texas A&M School of Law. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 486 on YouTube 4:25 - New Law School Enrollment Data - The ABA just released law schools’ Standard 509 disclosures for 2024. Ben and Nathan d...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 486
Good lawyers aren’t afraid to pause when they don’t understand something. They read and reread until they figure it out. This week, Ben and Nathan discuss why this lawyerly trait is crucial to mastering the LSAT. Later, the guys reject a purported downside to retaking the LSAT. They speculate about AI’s impact on the legal profession. And they consider the value of paying for the prestige of a top law school. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 485 on YouTube 1:46 - Every...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 485
The American Bar Association will soon allow law schools to admit more students without standardized test scores. Is that good for applicants? This week, Nathan and Ben discuss why test-optional admissions might not benefit students (and why you should probably still take the LSAT). The guys also outline the qualities of a successful law student, share tips on how to get faster, and investigate a well-regarded law school in New York City. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episo...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 484
Some have called Cooley Law School the “worst law school in America.” Is it? Nathan and Ben investigate. The guys also demonstrate their approach to Strengthen questions, advocate a spoiler-free method of review, and compare the importance of GPA and undergraduate institution prestige. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 483 on YouTube 2:41 - Logical Reasoning: Strengthen - Ben and Nathan explain why correct answers on Strengthen questions don’t simply repeat the premises...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 483
Planning to study isn’t studying. This week, Nathan and Ben urge listeners to stop overthinking their study schedules and to start doing LSAT questions—one day, one hour, one question at a time. The guys also discuss conditional scholarships, optional questions on law school applications, and Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 482 on YouTube 0:36 - Parental Pressure - An anonymous listener rages at their dad’s intrusion into their LSAT st...
Nov 25, 2024•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 482
