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3 Study Habits That Won’t Help on the LSAT

By U.S. News & World Report

As regular readers of the Law Admissions Lowdown blog know, the LSAT is unique among standardized tests offered in the U.S. While it has some basic similarities to the SAT, GMAT and GRE, it is significantly more difficult than these tests and plays a much larger role in the admissions process.

Most people who take the LSAT have also taken at least one of the other exams, and a common general mistake that LSAT takers make is using the same study strategies they used for other standardized tests or for high school or college exams. Although these strategies are often helpful in other contexts, they often mislead those preparing for the LSAT.

[Erase three top LSAT preparation myths.]

Here are three common study techniques that may be counterproductive when preparing for the LSAT.

1. Cramming: For tests that require you to internalize content, such as facts and formulas, cramming — that is, devoting almost all your time to studying in the few days leading up to the test — can be helpful. On the LSAT, however, this can be deadly.

A key characteristic of the LSAT is that it is almost content-free. Instead of being asked to recall things you have learned, you are being asked to apply rules, processes and methods to new situations, just as law students do on exams and lawyers do in practice.

A good LSAT student will have internalized these rules, processes and methods weeks before the actual exam and will have spent the six to eight weeks before the exam practicing and refining the application of these methods. You simply cannot cram a method into your brain and then be able to apply it efficiently a few days later.

Instead, spend t he few days before the exam preparing yourself mentally and psychologically for the exam. This means doing almost no LSAT-related work, especially during the two days prior to the exam.

Instead, use that time to relax and make sure you are not too mentally taxed. This will make you fresh, sharp and focused on test day.

[Learn how to prepare the week before the LSAT.]

2. Studying too many hours a week: Just as cramming for the LSAT doesn’t work, neither does devoting all your time to the exam. In many academic and testing contexts, the number of hours you spend preparing, particularly as the test approaches, directly correlates to success. The LSAT requires a more nuanced approach.

Instead of trying to maximize the total number of hours you spend preparing, aim to prepare steadily and consistently over a long period. Ideally devote 10-15 hours per week to the LSAT over a period of approximately four months.

Zealous students will often plan on studying for 20, 30 or even 40 hours per week, especially in the month before the exam. The reason this doesn’t work is that LSAT preparation is extremely mentally taxing: You are essentially learning entirely new approaches to familiar situations and applying those approaches under extreme time pressure.

Because of the intensity of this preparation, devoting more than 15 hours in a week generally yields diminishing returns. Instead of trying to squeeze in another five or 10 hours of studying, make sure you are getting enough sleep and rest to give your brain the time to internalize the LSAT way of thinking.

[Create a four-month study plan for LSAT success.]

3. Forgetting about timing: Almost all other tests are designed to give you enough time to get to most, if not all, questions. The LSAT does the opposite: It is designed so that almost everyone doesn’t have enough time to answer every question. Unlike preparation for other tests, LSAT preparation should involve a significant amount of timed preparation.

Many LSAT students devote almost all of their preparation to isolated practice problems and untimed full sections. This approach may help you get to near 100 percent accuracy, but 100 percent accuracy doesn’t do much good if you are only getting to half the questions on the test.

Use the first two months on primarily untimed work. But during the final six to eight weeks, focus at least half your preparation on timed work, including full, timed practice tests and sections.

Students often avoid doing timed work because they know it is more difficult and will likely — at least initially — yield worse results than untimed work. But it is essential. You won’t be able to maximize your score on test day unless you practice under timed conditions.

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3 Study Habits That Won’t Help on the LSAT originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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