The PowerScore LSAT PodCast

In Episode 24, Dave and Jon begin their multi-part analysis of Flaw in the Reasoning questions, first providing a detailed overview of this tricky question type and then exploring three common but misunderstood flaw categories: Evidence Errors, Source Arguments, and Circular Reasoning. Within each they break down how the error operates and ways to spot it, common scenarios using specific examples, and finally how the test makers represent these flaws in the complex wording of answer choices.

Episode 23 picks up right where 22 left off: with Jon and Dave continuing last week’s discussion of conditional reasoning! Specifically, they ramp up the complexity and outline how to handle unusual language like “unless” statements and “either/or” constructions, make conditional chains and spot the inferences they provide, tackle scenarios with multiple sufficient and necessary elements, and even master the elusive double-arrow. This is conditionality at its highest level.

In the PodCast’s 22nd Episode, Dave and Jon begin what will become a multi-part look at conditional reasoning, one of the test’s most critical concepts. In this first discussion they explore the nature of what makes statements conditional, define the key distinctions between sufficient and necessary conditions, and offer insights on making the right kind of inferences when faced with conditionality (while also avoiding the traps the test makers so frequently employ).

Episode 21 tackles one of the most powerful—but frequently misunderstood—techniques for attacking Logic Games: utilizing Templates to represent limited outcomes and solutions. In this discussion, Dave and Jon outline exactly how and why Templates work, the wide range of clues to help you recognize their presence, and safety measures to prevent you from pursuing them when you shouldn’t. Anyone struggling to reach perfection in games needs to hear this!

The PodCast’s 20th episode is dedicated to the July 2019 LSAT, from its shaky rollout to its section-by-section content to its unique experimental section treatment. Jon and Dave run through a host of stories from the first-ever digital administration—some good, most shockingly bad—then turn their attention to the test itself and offer their take on what it contained and the scale it will likely produce, as well as what they suspect happened with the LR experimentals.

Jon and Dave once again tackle July’s impending digital transition, breaking down the multitude of questions they’re still receiving about the new format and LSAC’s mysterious rollout. If you’re taking the test as part of the 50/50 audience, or simply curious about the experience of those who are, this is one you won’t want to miss!

In Episode 18, Jon and Dave bid farewell to the last-ever paper test with a deep dive into the just-released June 2019 LSAT. Section by section, they deconstruct the exam, running through LR’s most notable features and their favorite questions, analyzing all four RC passages and the highlights (and lowlights) of each, and finally providing a thorough breakdown of every Logic Game, guiding you through the trickiest rules, key inferences, and most intriguing problems. Spoilers ahead!

Dave and Jon use Episode 17 to explore some game-changing news from LSAC concerning their new retake policies, severely restricting the number of times test takers can sit for the LSAT despite it being administered 10 times each year. While this information hasn’t been made public by LSAC yet, we’ve got you covered with a detailed overview of precisely how these repeat limits will affect your prep plans.

Episode 16 of the PodCast features a detailed review of the recently-administered June LSAT, as Jon and Dave discuss the test section by section and highlight the toughest content, overall student impressions (as well as some unfortunate test day horror stories), and our official curve prediction. There’s also a brief look ahead at July and an overview of PowerScore’s new digital testing platform!"

Episode 15 of the podcast is all about the LSAT Writing Sample, as Jon and Dave discuss its purpose and potential impact on your app, upcoming changes to its administration, what the new digital format will mean when submitting your essay, and, perhaps above all, precisely how to craft a response that satisfies even the most inquisitive admissions committee.

The 14th episode of the PodCast is a Student Question Mailbag edition, where Jon and Dave tackle submitted inquiries about admissions—including undergrad vs grad school GPA usage and why your college GPA and LSAC GPA may not match—as well as some big-picture curiosities about using older LSAT Bibles, when to read the question stem in LR, and the best guessing strategy to employ as time runs out.

In Episode 13, Dave and Jon do a deep dive into the upcoming Digital LSAT, exploring everything from the hardware and software being used to section-specific strategies to help you take full advantage of the interface’s features. If you have questions or concerns about tablet testing this episode has your answers!

Episode 12 continues the discussion from last time by looking at the other Assumption question type: Sufficient Assumptions (also known as Justify the Conclusion). Dave and Jon provide an extensive analysis of this unique LR task, exploring everything from how to spot Justify questions to the relationship between Assumption and Justify—key similarities and differences—to powerful mechanistic techniques like the Justify Formula to help you confidently solve even the trickiest examples!

Episode 11 centers on one the LSAT’s toughest LR question types: Necessary Assumptions. Jon and Dave break down how these questions operate, describe what makes them unique (and how to keep them separate from Sufficient Assumptions, which are covered next week!), and provide several powerful strategies for solving any Assumption question, whether Supporter or Defender. If you struggle with this tricky concept you won’t want to miss this episode!

The 10th episode focuses on the four March LSAT administrations students just experienced—North American, two International, and a Sabbath-observer—detailing the scored topics section by section, the original appearance of any reused tests, student reactions, and overall impressions of difficulty, including curve predictions. There’s also a discussion of the keep-or-cancel decision and advice on what to do if you’re unsure about your next steps!