Ben and Nate review a letter from the ABA council chair outlining the standards behind ongoing accreditation revisions. Line by line, the guys conclude the same thing: the ABA underperforms in its efforts to protect law students, from the lack of transparency surrounding the actual price of law school to the ever-increasing cost of a legal degree. Protect yourself by crushing the LSAT, applying early and broadly, and attending the right school at the right price. Study with our Free PlanDownload our iOS appWatch Episode 524 on YouTube0:31 – Tips from Departing DemonsBen and Nate share the top tips from departing Demon students who crushed the August exam. Andrew: Just read the damn words.Mario: Don’t take an official test until your scores show you’re ready. Stevan: Get greedy. Megan: The advice to “slow down” applies to you. Sam: It takes hard work. 7:59 – ABA Standards and ValuesThe ABA council chair’s recent letter highlights their guiding standards for revised accreditation. They claim to act in the name of consumer protection and professional integrity, but many of their standards read like lip service. Ben and Nathan point out how the ABA underperforms by its own values—especially around transparency. Simply put, the law school pricing system is stacked against students. This makes it vital to focus on the actual price paid rather than the sticker price. The best way to protect yourself: crush the LSAT and attend the right school at the right price.36:26 – Is Going to an ABA School Necessary?Gabriel is weighing a top-tier ABA school against a state-accredited option. While elite schools are useful for breaking into big law, the bigger question is whether you understand the path to practice. Price should still be your top concern. $75,000 isn’t cheap, but with the right LSAT performance, you can likely find a school for free.44:35 – Practice TestsMehdi asks whether practice tests are still relevant after the latest changes to the LSAT. Ben and Nate suggest avoiding Reddit. The LSAT has always been a test of reading and comprehension. The removal of logic games doesn’t change that. Mehdi mentions planning for the November test. Ben and Nathan push back, insisting that choosing a test date in advance is premature.53:32 – A JD Isn’t a Gravy TrainJohn shares a story about meeting a law grad now working at a building supply store. It’s a reminder that a JD alone doesn’t guarantee financial stability or prestige. Listeners should carefully weigh the cost of law school against realistic career outcomes.56:00 – What’s the Deal with Mitchell Hamline School of Law?Ben and Nate dive into John’s story by looking at the supply clerk’s alma mater: Mitchell Hamline School of Law, “Minnesota’s Law School of Choice.” Check out all of our What’s the Deal with segments. 1:17:09 – Word of the Week: Lacunae“A common law prosecution is not possible, therefore, unless there is a true gap in the statutory system, and today there are few lacunae.”Get caught up with our Word of the Week library.
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1:20:51
Personal Statement Gong Show (Ep. 523)
Ben and Nathan host a special marathon edition of the Personal Statement Gong Show. They kick things off by laying out the fundamentals of personal statements—what they are, what to write about, and when to start. Then, nine students face the gong, each vying to set a record and earn their place in Thinking LSAT Gong Show history. Study with our Free PlanDownload our iOS appWatch Episode 523 on YouTube3:33 – Personal Statement, Not Resume RecapBen and Nathan introduce the starting point for a personal statement: bringing one bullet point on your resume to life. Your personal statement should show, not tell, how a particular experience from your resume is going to make you a successful law student and lawyer. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is trying to cover too many positions or experiences. The personal statement is a chance to illustrate your character, not an unnecessary resume recap. 9:41 – When to Start WritingIsaac finds himself with several hours of free time every day, even after his LSAT studying. The guys give him the green light to start working on his personal statement, but the LSAT still has to come first. They also suggest spending time on professional development through networking and research to make informed decisions about his legal career. 17:46 – Personal Statement on RunningJust because you don’t have legal experience on your resume doesn’t mean you don’t have a valuable story to share. Riley asks about writing a personal statement about marathon running. While Ben and Nathan don’t dismiss the idea outright, they explain why it might not be the best option. Customer service, familiarity with regulation and compliance, and tenacity are among the lawyery attributes that Sean could highlight from his experience in retail and landscaping. 22:37 – Personal Statement Gong Show MarathonIn a special edition of the Personal Statement Gong Show, Ben and Nathan bring nine contestants who are looking to break Sophia’s record of 34 lines. The rules are simple: Ben and Nathan read until they find an unforgivable mistake—then ring the gong. Check out all of our Gong Show Segments!
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2:19:37
Confusing Answers Are Wrong (Ep. 522)
When you substitute understanding with gimmicks, you hamper your score now and in the long term. Tips like “10 questions in 10 minutes” or “If you don’t understand an answer, it’s probably correct” excuse poor reading and rushed test-taking. When you accept that the LSAT is easy and every question is solvable, you’re more likely to commit to a problem until you solve it. No shortcuts needed. Study with our Free planDownload our iOS appWatch Episode 522 on YouTube0:40 – Structuring StudyMila started with a 150 and plans to study two to three hours a day while in school. Ben and Nathan suggest limiting LSAT time to one focused hour and prioritizing perfect grades. After she’s secured perfect grades for the semester, she can switch to LSAT prep. Mila and other candidates looking to boost their GPA could also consider enrolling in a few community college courses that offer A+ grades. 5:21 – Undergrad Involvement in Pre-Law ClubsKyle wonders whether joining pre-law clubs is necessary. The guys explain that clubs and extracurriculars are negligible compared to GPA and LSAT. A 4.0 GPA paired with a great LSAT score will always outweigh résumé fluff. Schools may pretend otherwise, but admissions officers prioritize numbers.15:17 – Graduate School ConundrumCarson asks if finishing grad school before law school makes sense. Ben and Nathan point out that lawyers learn what they need on the job—grad degrees won’t add value. Universities push unnecessary certificates and programs because they profit from them. Don’t pair bad LSAT prep with wasted tuition. Learn freely, but don’t pay for credentials you don’t need.26:53 – Pearls vs. TurdsDemon team member Beatriz shares a questionable piece of advice that one of her students heard from another prep company: “If you don’t understand what the answer is saying, it’s probably correct.” Turd. This advice is antithetical to the Demon approach. Wrong answers don’t need to make sense, but right answers do. If you understand the passage, you should be able to understand why the right answer is right. The LSAT is easy if you approach it correctly.32:57 – UC Law San Francisco Welcome EmailNate reads a verbose welcome email from his alma mater, UC Law San Francisco (formerly Hastings). It’s a wall of text showing what students pay thousands for—law school administrators framing business interests as justice. The email is more about promoting the school’s image than welcoming students.39:50 – Choosing the Right Law SchoolSean wants advice on picking the right school. Step one: get your best LSAT. Step two: apply broadly and early. Step three: compare offers. Rule of thumb: rank schools by cost, not prestige. If a more expensive school is ranked higher, double its rank and see whether cheaper options fall within that range. Going cheaper often means graduating at the top of your class, with better job prospects and stronger networks.59:57 – Question TypesMcKenna asks whether she should study question types. The guys explain that focusing on question types is a distraction. Meaning is in the words on the page, not labels. Most struggling students overemphasize question types instead of careful reading. 1:07:53 – Personal Statement Gong ShowCelebrity contestant and Demon teacher Kaley shares a lived-experience essay. 1:19:05 - Word of the Week - InexorableAmong them was a rigid belief in the inexorable power of logic to change the opinions of others.Get caught up with our Word of the Week library.
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1:20:38
You’re Never Early with a Bad Score (Ep. 521)
Ben and Nate break down the measurable cost of applying late in the law school admissions cycle. Your LSAT score has the most value on the day that applications open. By rushing your LSAT or applying late in the cycle, you sacrifice points and leave money on the table. With AI poised to disrupt the legal market, it’s more important than ever to go to law school for free. Study with our Free planDownload our iOS appWatch Episode 521 on YouTube0:32 – AI Making Law School Obsolete?Ben and Nate discuss an article from a former Google exec claiming AI will make law and medical degrees obsolete. The guys acknowledge that AI is improving, but it still makes mistakes. While they agree that a law degree isn’t a guaranteed gravy train, they also note that the law itself is a barrier to modernization, which will slow AI’s impact on legal education. The schools most at risk are bottom feeders churning out lawyers for grunt work. Their advice: don’t pay tuition at weak schools.14:50 – LSAT Suspended in Mainland ChinaLSAC halts testing in China after evidence of cheating. A Reddit post earlier this year even advertised cheating services. While tough for honest test takers in China, applicants should appreciate LSAC’s effort to safeguard exam security.24:03 – Cost of Delaying AppsHow late is too late? While early applications are stronger, it’s never worth rushing the LSAT. The best strategy is to get your best LSAT and then apply at the start of the next cycle. A University of Chicago Journal of Law and Economics article finds that delays weaken applications. Waiting 100 days is equivalent to dropping 2.1 LSAT points or 0.26 GPA points. Schools review applications in waves, and the earliest applicants are often the strongest. Missing the first wave, even by a day, can carry measurable costs.Dynamic Decision-Making under Rolling Admissions: Evidence from US Law School Applications47:43 – Main Point vs. SummaryA summary lists information, but a main point answers “why.” It’s what the author is trying to convince you of, not just what they said.52:31 – Doing LR BackwardsListener Blair wants to work backward in Logical Reasoning to combat fatigue. Ben and Nathan’s answer: If you’re scoring under 175, you shouldn’t be finishing sections anyway, so working backward means skipping easier questions to do harder ones. If you’re at 175 or above, then fatigue isn’t an issue.59:28 – Score PlateausListeners Trevor and Ireland feel stuck. The guys caution against chasing a single breakthrough. Progress comes from carefully reviewing and learning from every mistake, one question at a time.1:04:42 – Personal Statement Gong ShowListener Elena is the next Gong Show contestant. Ben and Nathan read her personal statement until they reach an unforgivable mistake—they then ring the gong. The record is 34 lines, set by listener Sophia.Want in? Send in your statement by September 1, 2025, to be considered for the Gong Super Show. 1:07:20 - Word of the Week - TruismThe standard advice about writing is mostly truisms, like “Make a plan,” “Don’t use the passive,” or “Think of your audience.” Get caught up with our Word of the Week library.
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1:11:35
The Free JD (Ep. 520)
Ben and Nathan share strategies for using visualization to stay engaged in Reading Comprehension. They also explain that getting a full-ride to law school takes more than just a high LSAT score—your application timing, school choices, and willingness to walk away from weak offers all matter.Study with our Free PlanDownload our iOS appWatch Episode 520 on YouTube0:28 – How Law Schools Guide Career DecisionsA Harvard alumnus describes losing his job in big law after publishing an op-ed criticizing the Trump administration. Nathan and Ben discuss how law schools recruit students under the banner of justice, but then steer them toward corporate law firms. The guys remind listeners: you can’t do public-interest work and make big-law money at the same time. Sending their students to big law is a choice that schools have a vested interest in. 9:27 – UC Law SF Sweatshirt DriveNathan shares an email from UC Law San Francisco (formerly Hastings) asking alums to buy sweatshirts for incoming 1Ls. He and Ben laugh at the school’s request for $40 sweatshirts while simultaneously charging students more than $50,000 in tuition per year. 21:16 – Visualizing PassagesConnor asks for advice on improving visualization skills in RC. Strong reading comprehension depends on pausing to visualize the text—especially when it’s abstract. Creating a mind map lets you evaluate each sentence and anticipate what’s coming next. If you’re not actively questioning and connecting ideas, you’re missing the forest for the trees. 34:01 – Proctor TroublesMichael ran into issues with a proctor during his test and wonders if he should cancel his score. Ben and Nathan say there’s no advantage to canceling. The real question is whether his practice test results showed he was ready. Prepared students need not worry about minor test-day issues.37:51 – Don’t Settle for Sub-ParMike has a 3.98 GPA and practice LSAT scores in the 170s. He’s considering applying in-state with a 166 but also wonders about his T-14 prospects. The guys advise Mike to take an additional gap year, score 170+, apply early, and secure scholarships at top schools, especially given his career aspirations. 44:17 – Conditional Full RideTheo adopted the motto of going to law school for free. After a gap year, he improved his LSAT, applied broadly, and accepted a full-ride scholarship to his top choice law school. The downside is that it’s a conditional scholarship. Nate encourages Theo to stick to his commitment not to pay for law school.52:37 – Personal Statement Gong ShowNatalie is the next Gong Show contestant. In this segment, Ben and Nathan read your personal statement until they reach an unforgivable mistake—they then ring the gong. The record to beat is 34 lines, set by listener Sophia.1:08:34 - Word of the Week - WaylayI don’t want to waylay our meeting with this topic.Get caught up with our Word of the Week library.
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: [email protected]. Don't pay for law school!
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