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Originally Posted On: https://odysseytestprep.com/blog/lsat-prep-courses/

Considering attending law school? Yes? In that case, successfully completing the law school admissions test (a.k.a. the LSAT) is likely going to be your first course of action towards application completion—arguably your most important, too. The best way to succeed on the LSAT is to learn the underlying logic of the exam in an instructional setting. Official LSAT study courses are available in various instructional formats (group-classroom, private, online, etc.), and while in years past the instructional format of an LSAT study course didn’t have a significant effect on a student’s performance outcome, with the LSAT turning digital, students that prepare digitally will have an upper-hand at reaching their goal scores. With that in mind, digital LSAT preparation has evolved drastically, and LSAT students now have the option to learn in a classroom-setting, on-demand setting, or private setting—online.

The cost of LSAT training can be burdensome; moreover, students that fail to achieve their LSAT goal scores after completing one preparation course often find themselves investing in a second (or even a third) method of LSAT preparation. When it comes to cost-effectiveness, a combination of two particular methods stands out—digital on-demand instruction and private online instruction. Several preparation companies (Blueprint LSAT, PowerScore, 7Sage, etc.) offer inexpensive go-at-your-own-pace online LSAT prep supplemented with video explanations, strategy discussions, and a platform to “drill” thousands of official LSAT questions and to take PrepTests digitally—these courses generally cost less than $200 per month, and are the most affordable option for students on a budget. While these courses are perfect to learn the LSAT basics, most students achieve complete LSAT proficiency only after having the platform to ask questions—as such, online private LSAT tutoring tends to be the best option for students that need to bridge the gap from basic LSAT understanding to becoming fully-proficient LSAT gurus.

Students dealing with financial difficulties should refer to the LSAC’s requirements for fee waivers. Students approved will have the fees waived for: two LSAT administrations, one LSAT writing sample, CAS registration, and six CAS law school reports. In addition, several LSAT preparation companies (including Odyssey Test Prep, Blueprint LSAT, and 7Sage) offer discounted preparation for students that have been approved for LSAC fee waivers.

The Best LSAT Prep Courses

There may not be a “best” LSAT prep—but there is a distinct line between good LSAT prep and bad LSAT prep. All good LSAT preparatory courses make use of official LSAT materials only; consequently, students should stay away from courses not listed on the LSAC’s website as having official LSAT licensing permissions. Not only do these bad LSAT prep courses constitute a large waste of money, students generally also fail to see improvements in their LSAT reasoning because they don’t get real LSAT logic practice.

When it comes to private-instruction and being the best prepared, students should pay attention to the two different types of private-instruction offered. Several companies, such as PowerScore, Blueprint LSAT, Kaplan, etc., offer private-instruction; however, their instructors are obligated to teach students using preset strategies, and while this approach may lead some students to success, others that have difficulty with the prescribed methods will be forced to struggle to learn and to implement them. This rigid learning structure may not be conducive to maximizing a student’s testing potential. Other companies, like Odyssey Test Prep, allow their instructors the flexibility to find and teach the method that works best for an individual student—thereby promoting an adaptable learning atmosphere and creating an environment positive for maximal growth. Students that have used one company for preparation unsuccessfully should refrain from enrolling in that particular company’s private instruction (if offered), as it’s likely that students will be subjected to the same learning methods and strategies that were ineffective for them the first go-around.

Online LSAT Course versus In-Person LSAT Course

The definition of an “in-person” classroom preparatory course has started to shift as advancements in online classroom technology have come to fruition; due to these advancements, the definition has expanded to include “live” classroom prep, or courses based out of an online classroom. Plenty of reputable preparation companies such as PowerScore, Princeton Review, Kaplan, Blueprint LSAT, etc., offer “live” online LSAT courses; different from the traditional sense of an in-person classroom LSAT course only in that students can access the course from the comfort of their own homes and the material is digitally presented. As such, students that are adamant about learning in a classroom setting can consider “live” online courses as equally effective alternatives to the traditional classroom approach. The same reasoning applies to in-person private instruction, and students that opt to prepare for the LSAT in a one-on-one fashion can consider private online instruction as another equally effective alternative to in-person paper-based private tutoring.