Thinking LSAT

Nathan Fox and Ben Olson
  • 4.6 (881)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Ben Olson and Nathan Fox started the Thinking LSAT Podcast to become better LSAT teachers and have some fun. Please 1) subscribe, 2) rate and review, and 3) send us questions: help@thinkinglsat.com. Don't pay for law school! Learn more at lsatdemon.com

  1. 2D AGO

    Ben and Nathan Get Roasted (Ep. 538)

    The internet is full of opinions, and not all of them are kind. This week, Ben and Nathan dig into a reddit thread, reacting to some of the tougher criticisms aimed at the Demon and our co-hosts. Also in this episode: - Ben and Nathan react to Washington’s decision to retroactively lower its bar passage score - A listener asks whether applying Early Decision makes sense for top law schools - Whether a law school increasing its class size improves your odds of admission Study with our Free Plan⁠ ⁠Download our iOS app⁠ Watch Episode 538 on YouTube Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library 0:00 Making a Last Push on Next LSAT 7:18 Should I Take the LSAT Again? 23:48 Washington Lowering Bar Passage Requirements 42:03 We Read Our Mean Comments 1:03:10 Law Schools Increasing Class Sizes 1:11:22 Can Early Decision Be Beneficial? 1:22:55 Personal Statement Gong Show 1:39:40 Word of the Week — penumbra

    1h 51m

  2. DEC 15

    FTC Labels ABA a Monopoly (Ep. 537)

    The FTC submitted a letter to the Texas Supreme Court supporting its decision to drop the ABA as the state’s official accreditor. Ben and Nathan agree that the ABA has been slow to modernize and often lags behind student needs, but they don’t fully align with the FTC’s reasoning.  Also in this episode: - A listener asks whether to choose a part-time or full-time law program. - Whether to cancel an official score that comes in lower than a prior LSAT. - A personal statement  with an unusually bold opening. Links Mentioned: FTC Letter to Texas Supreme Court Study with our Free Plan⁠ ⁠Download our iOS app⁠ Watch Episode 537 on YouTube Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library Questions? help@thinkinglsat.com 0:00 When to Take Practice Tests 6:11 FTC Claims the ABA is a Monopoly 21:43 Full-Time vs. Part-Time Law Programs 29:47 Tips from Departing Demons 35:02 Performing Worse on the First Section 43:19 Cancelling a Lower Score 46:45 Personal Statement Gong Show

    1h 30m

  3. DEC 8

    The One-Point Difference (Ep. 536)

    Ben and Nathan dig into a striking chart showing dozens of schools clustering their LSAT medians at 150 and 160, while almost nobody reports 149 or 159. They break down why schools chase these round-number medians, how it leads to irrational admissions behavior, and what it means for applicants trying to play the rankings game. Also in this episode: - How applying without a GPA can affect your admissions chances - Success stories from Demon students who crushed the November LSAT - Why the University of North Carolina has climbed so quickly in the rankings Links Mentioned: Derek T. Muller Article Study with our Free Plan⁠ ⁠Download our iOS app⁠ Watch Episode 536 on YouTube Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library 0:00 Retaking to Beat New Medians 5:37 Applying with No GPA 14:05 November LSAT Success 20:05 The Irrational Pursuit of Round LSAT Medians 27:20 Lower Scores When Timed 34:50 Meeting with an Admissions Counselor 39:35 What’s the Deal with University of North Carolina 55:56 Word of the Week — Prolixity

    1h 4m

  4. DEC 1

    How to Take Your Last LSAT (Ep. 535)

    A listener writes in asking how to handle the pressure of their final official LSAT attempt. Ben and Nathan remind them that their highest score on record, a 165, is already strong enough for full scholarships at many law schools. They encourage the listener to let go of perfectionism, be comfortable with not finishing a section, and approach test day expecting  incremental improvement. Also in this episode: - An update on an LSAC cheating allegation - Ben and Nathan react to the ABA lifting its probation of Cooley Law - Advice from Demon students who recently crushed the LSAT Study with our Free Plan⁠ ⁠Download our iOS app⁠ Watch Episode 535 on YouTube Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library 0:00 Update on Cheating Allegations 5:24 ABA Lifts Probation for Cooley 10:50 How to Approach Your Last Official Attempt 21:44 Tips from Departing Demons 34:25 Chances at a T14 as a Super kJD 41:10 Pearls vs. Turds 43:27 Personal Statement Gong Show 57:12 Word of the Week — Percolation

    1h 5m

  5. NOV 24

    Law School Lowballs (Ep. 534)

    A listener writes in after a disappointing first round of scholarship offers. Ben and Nathan explain that initial offers are rarely a school’s best, they’re just the starting point. They reassure the listener that more and better offers are still on the way. Also in this episode: - Whether taking the January LSAT is too late to apply this cycle - Questions about Harvard’s Junior Deferral Program - A deeper look at one of the newest members of the T14: WashU Links Mentioned: Derek T. Muller Article Study with our Free Plan⁠ ⁠Download our iOS app⁠ Watch Episode 534 on YouTube Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library 0:00 - Is the January LSAT Too Late? 23:45 - Receiving Bad Scholarships 35:24 - When Do I Know When I’m Ready? 43:05 - Follow–Up on Cheating 45:18 - Harvard’s Junior Deferral Program 1:07:45 - Demon Team Tracker 1:09:19 - What’s the Deal with… WashU 1:36:54 - Word of the Week — Propinquity

    1h 46m

  6. NOV 17

    Retaking a 173 (Ep. 533)

    A listener writes in asking whether they should retake a 173, worried that a future attempt could be lower. Ben and Nathan explain why they should be willing to use all four remaining attempts: law schools only care about your highest score, and every point, especially for higher scores, can turn into thousands of dollars.  Also in this episode: - When applicants can expect scholarship responses from law schools - Advice from Demon students who crushed the LSAT - Another brave contestant steps up for the Personal Statement Gong Show Links Mentioned: https://lsat.link/grades Study with our Free Plan⁠ ⁠Download our iOS app⁠ Watch Episode 533 on YouTube Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library 0:00 - Following the Demon Way 3:30 - When Will I Hear Back on Scholarships? 9:31 - Medians Above 4.00 24:25 - Tips from Deparing Demons 31:40 - Should I Retake a 173? 36:35 - Light at the End of the Tunnel 50:56 - Personal Statement Gong Show 1:05:23 - Word of the Week — Anachronism

    1h 10m

  7. NOV 10

    Cheating or Genuine Score Jump? (Ep. 532)

    When LSAC accused a student of cheating, claiming his score jump had “Powerball odds,” Ben and Nathan dig into the details. They break down LSAC’s vague statistical claims and explain why big score increases are both possible and common for serious students. They also urge the student to document their prep to show clear evidence of progress. Also in this episode: Early 1L and 2L law firm hiring trends A student asks whether to keep taking undergrad classes to boost their GPA Should you ask law schools for an application fee waiver? Links Mentioned: https://lsat.link/grades  ⁠Study with our Free Plan⁠ ⁠Download our iOS app⁠ Watch Episode 532 on YouTube Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segmentsGet caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library 0:00 - Is It Ever Worth Paying for Law School?  23:40 - LSAC Accuses a Student of Cheating  49:20 - 1L and 2L Law Firm Hiring Trends  56:37 - Should I Keep Taking Classes?  1:03:37 - Community Colleges Offering A+ Grades  1:09:59 - Pearls vs. Turds  1:15:06 - Should You Ask for a Fee Waiver?  1:19:44 - Word of the Week — Demarcating

    1h 26m

  8. NOV 3

    Stop Blaming the Test (Ep. 531)

    Since the October score release, there's been some online chatter claiming the October LSAT was unusually difficult. Nathan and Ben respond to one student's concerns by pointing to numerous Demon students who crushed the LSAT this month. They remind listeners that every test administration sparks the same rumors, but the LSAT remains consistent from one test to the next. That consistency should inspire confidence. If your practice test scores match your goal score, you’re ready for the real deal. Also in this episode: - Ben and Nathan explore community colleges awarding A-pluses - Demon students share their parting advice for LSAT success - They critique a prep company that promotes a “blind review” score Links Mentioned: lsat.link/grades Northeast Community College Course Search: https://reg-prod.ec.northeast.edu/StudentRegistrationSsb/ssb/term/termSelection?mode=search Foothill College Course Search: https://foothill.edu/schedule/ Arizona State University Universal Learner Courses: https://courses.ulc.asu.edu/  ⁠Study with our Free Plan⁠ ⁠Download our iOS app⁠ Watch Episode 531 on YouTube Check out all of our “What’s the Deal With” segments. Get caught up with our ⁠Word of the Week⁠⁠ library.  0:30 - Was the October LSAT Harder? 7:45 - Drill Rating System 12:51 - Colleges with A-pluses 25:32 - Tips From Departing Demons 39:24 - Blind Review Score 53:08 - Lived Experience Essay 1:00:00 - Personal Statement Gong Show 1:07:55 - Word of the Week — incommunicado

    1h 13m
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Hosts & Guests

4.6
out of 5
881 Ratings

About

Ben Olson and Nathan Fox started the Thinking LSAT Podcast to become better LSAT teachers and have some fun. Please 1) subscribe, 2) rate and review, and 3) send us questions: help@thinkinglsat.com. Don't pay for law school! Learn more at lsatdemon.com

Information

  • Creator
    Nathan Fox and Ben Olson
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2025
  • Episodes
    545
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Nathan Fox and Ben Olson
  • Show Website
    Thinking LSAT

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