Official LSAT Practice Book

Official LSAT Practice Book
Is it harmful to take old official LSAT tests?

Hi, I'm taking the lsat about a year from now, and I plan to take as many LSAT's as possible. The way that I am studying is trying to do a section for a couple of months, then master another section, and then another, and then finally bring it all together. I'm starting now with reading comprehension, and I am just planning on taking as many practice tests as possible. So what I was wondering is that if I take the old LSAT's (I have the ten actual, offical lsat book) will my score vary greatly from the newer lsat versions? I also plan to take the newer ones when I complete this book?

Thank you very much.

No, definitely not. I teach LSAT classes for PowerScore and we give our students copies of every exam from June 1991 (a lot of companies now do the same). The thing about the LSAT is that it is based on logic, and logic doesn't change, so looking at older LSAT questions won't harm you at all, and in a number of cases, I think it helps.

For example, if you have looked at the Logic Games section over the years, a lot of the games in the 2000's are pretty easy. By comparison, a number of the games in the 90's are challenging. When you are prepping for a section you want to see the hardest types of questions you might face, just to be as prepared as possible. Doing only the easy questions would really hurt you if you got to the LSAT and they threw a tough game at you.

Another example is that while the logic has remained the same, the language they use has shifted a bit, and some of those questions from the 90's are great teaching questions because the language is a bit clearer. When you are learning, it is better to start with clearer examples and then work your way up to the hardest examples (walk before you run, so to speak).

So, don't worry about it. Just try to do as many questions as possible (and finish with the new ones so you have the best sense of your final score). Sure, during the process your score may vary at times, but that is no big deal. Different LSATs emphasize different concepts, and so one test may be good for you and another not so good. The point is that by seeing all the variations, you will become a better test taker and you will be as prepared as possible come test day.

Good luck!

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