T–91
Background:
Don’t take for granted that your students will automatically
know how to navigate Kaplan program resources, or their
time, effectively. Get them on the right path to success.
Specifics:
Welcome students back from the break and point out that
we’ll briefly discuss their study skills and some helpful
tips for how they can be more successful in building great
study habits.
(1) “I’m not sure I’ve set up a good study schedule.”
Proper study schedule. Provide advice that will help students
block out their time in these early weeks of preparation.
Don’t get too granular. Integrate student ideas as much as
possible. Advice that has worked includes the following:
• Give time to all three section types each week—and
consider spending more time on LR, which accounts
for 50% of the score.
• Never study or practice for more than 3 uninterrupted
hrs (unless taking a full-length). Why not? Diminish-
ing returns set in after that amount of time; adults
can’t absorb much after hitting the 3-hour limit. If
planning two 3-hour sessions, take a good solid
break between them.
• Set up short-term or limited goals for each week.
Examples: “Complete 10 Assumpt Qs.” “Devote a
total of 3 hrs to FL.” “Finish three RC passages in
9 mins or less each” (that goal will likely require
skipping a Q or two in each passage, which is OK).
Important: No goal should involve a particular
number right; goals should involve the quality and
intensity of one’s study in a particular area.
• When studying at odd times of the day, acknowledge
that fatigue may damage your accuracy or concentra-
tion. Students must never beat themselves up—but
especially not when the problems they’re facing are
the result of being tired or distracted. Cut yourself
some slack!
• Never practice seven days a week. Everyone needs
at least one day off once a week to rebuild one’s ap-
petite for the exam.
• Try to maintain your schedule, but if something
comes up or you’re just not feelin’ it, that’s OK. LSAT
study goes best when the student is energized and
engaged. Take a break and come back when you’re
ready to dig in.
(2) “I don’t always know what to do at each study session.”
C O N F I D E N T I A L A N D P R O P R I E T A R Y — F O R I N T E R N A L U S E O N LY
The four hallmarks of good practice. Have the class jot down
each of these principles, and be sure they understand them.
• Always complete your required HW and maximize
Smart Reports’ practice recommendations. Kaplan
has ID’d the work that every student must complete
to stay on target. Don’t get behind on it! This is not
like college, where you can get behind in all your as-
signments and cram at the end for the final. Kaplan’s
LSAT program is a skill development course that
requires constant rehearsal and review. Finishing the
req’d assignments will ensure that you’re using your
time wisely.
• Make the choice to start your practice with a strong
area or a weak one. Some like to get a weakness
attended to right away; others prefer to work on com-
fortable skills to lay the groundwork for the tougher
concepts. Either approach is fine as long as the
students consciously decide which they prefer and
eventually work to develop all areas.
• Study every Q’s explanation—not just the explanations
of the Qs you get wrong. Elicit why it’s smart to read
an explanation of a Q you get right: Doing so builds
confidence (“I’m thinking like an expert!”). This review
(1) reinforces that Kaplan’s Methods will improve your
performance and (2) increases speed by explaining
how to get Qs right more quickly or more cleverly.
Thinking like the test maker gives Kaplan students an
edge over all other test takers. Shortchanging yourself
is a mistake! Every explanation has the potential to
reinforce something or teach something fundamen-
tal. If you never read it, you’ll never know how it might
have helped you.
• Make mistakes happily. You’re gonna get Qs wrong
anyway, so why beat yourself up? Even students who
score perfect 180s can miss questions. Make mis-
takes gladly, grateful for the chance to mess up when
mistakes don’t count. Every mistake in practice offers
a way of reducing errors on Test Day. You’re familiar
with the idea that “I learn from my mistakes.” Now’s
the time to prove it!
Takeaway:
The right approaches to test prep may be counterintuitive,
but Kaplan’s been training LSAT champions for over 40 years
and we know what works. So students should follow the
advice they’re paying for.
 P–91
Goal: Timing: 10 mins
Discuss how students have been approaching their out-of-class practice and
reinforce good study skills for the LSAT.
SESSION

4
Teachbreak
Study Skills
(1) Elicit student
responses to the first Using Your Time Wisely
question and offer
helpful advice to “I’m not sure I’ve set up a good study schedule.”
steer them in the right
direction.
How can you be sure you’ve scheduled each week’s preparation properly?

(2) Discuss the four

hallmarks of good
practice. “I don’t always know what to do at each study session.”

What are the four hallmarks of good practice?

Boardwork: Transition:
TEACHBREAK 91
N/A “Let’s take a look at LR-Str/Wkr Qs.
You can use these study skills to
practice on these Q.Types after today’s
class.”

2h 6m

C O N F I D E N T I A L A N D P R O P R I E T A R Y — F O R I N T E R N A L U S E O N LY