First, if you are planning on taking the LSAT, you need to have this book. You need to have any LSAT test ever published, and when you are ready to take complete tests, after you take them, you need to go over every question carefully to understand why the correct answer is correct, and why the incorrect answer is incorrect. From this you can find patterns of how you take the test and how you can improve your methods. You should do this regardless of how you are preparing for the test, though most courses *should* help you do this.



Be warned, however, that the tests in this book are from an older format. Tests 39-52 (52 is given in Feb 07) were changed so that the Analytical Reasoning (AR) games were easier, and the Reading Comprehension (RC) and Logical Reasoning sections became more difficult. My score on these older tests ranged from 6-10 points higher than my score on the newer tests because I am good at the AR section. So don't expect the score on these exams to accurately reflect your score on a recent test. Don't let that stop you from taking these tests. You need all the practice you can get, and if you're not as good at the AR games, practicing on the tougher old ones will definitely help you for the exam.



Starting with test 53 (June 07) they will be changing the fomrat of the RC section so that one of the four readings is a compare and contrast excercise between two shorter readings. How this will affect the score curve and the difficulty of the other sections is unclear. See the LSAC website for more details.



Good luck!

First, if you are planning on taking the LSAT, you need to have this book. You need to have any LSAT test ever published, and when you are ready to take complete tests, after you take them, you need to go over every question carefully to understand why the correct answer is correct, and why the incorrect answer is incorrect. From this you can find patterns of how you take the test and how you can improve your methods. You should do this regardless of how you are preparing for the test, though most courses *should* help you do this.

Be warned, however, that the tests in this book are from an older format. Tests 39-52 (52 is given in Feb 07) were changed so that the Analytical Reasoning (AR) games were easier, and the Reading Comprehension (RC) and Logical Reasoning sections became more difficult. My score on these older tests ranged from 6-10 points higher than my score on the newer tests because I am good at the AR section. So don't expect the score on these exams to accurately reflect your score on a recent test. Don't let that stop you from taking these tests. You need all the practice you can get, and if you're not as good at the AR games, practicing on the tougher old ones will definitely help you for the exam.

Starting with test 53 (June 07) they will be changing the fomrat of the RC section so that one of the four readings is a compare and contrast excercise between two shorter readings. How this will affect the score curve and the difficulty of the other sections is unclear. See the LSAC website for more details.

Good luck!

While this book might be useful if you're studying to take the 1996 LSAT or if you want to trace the modern evolution of the LSAT, it's of limited use to anyone studying to take the LSAT today. In looking at almost the LSATs between 1995 and today (2005), one will see that the test evolves slowly and steadily, probably to add a touch of uncertainty for test-takers and to stay one step ahead of the test prep companies. The LSATs over the past decade superficially bear a close resemblance to one another, but closer inspection reveals that the net result is a tremendous change in the types and the frequencies of logic game formats, logical reasoning questions, and reading comprehension questions. Rather than buying this book and risking becoming a dinosaur, you're much better of buying the most recent editions of the "Official LSAT Preptest" books, new versions of which are constantly being released.

There is some question of the utility of this book. All of these tests were created in whole or in part before the current LSAT test producer (ACT) took over from LSAS. PrepTests before 11 (including 18 & 16) were made entirely by LSAS. Tests 12-15 were partly written by ACT but they had to use some of LSAS's questions. After December 1995 all the tests were made wholy by ACT (Preptest 17, the "Official LSAT PrepTest with Explanations", the SuperPrep tests, and PrepTests 19+).

I took every PrepTest available and I can say that the October 2005 and more recent tests are different than tests in this book. That doesn't mean the book lacks utility. It's a great study tool but you'll see some question types that are no longer used or are used rarely (for instance, there haven't been logical reasoning questions that have two questions for a single prompt for awhile). The games in this book will also be more difficult than what you'll probably experience on the LSAT. If you only had 10 LSAT PrepTests to take I would recommend the most recent tests you can get. If you're going to take more tests then, by all means, get this book. Just realize it's a little different and don't freak out if your scores change when you begin to take more recent tests.

This book contains:
PrepTest 18; December 1992
PrepTest 7; February 1993
PrepTest 9; October 1993
PrepTest 10; February 1994
PrepTest 11; June 1994
PrepTest 12; October 1994
PrepTest 13; December 1994
PrepTest 14; February 1995
PrepTest 15; June 1995
PrepTest 16; September 1995

There is some question of the utility of this book. All of these tests were created in whole or in part before the current LSAT test producer (ACT) took over from LSAS. PrepTests before 11 (including 18 & 16) were made entirely by LSAS. Tests 12-15 were partly written by ACT but they had to use some of LSAS's questions. After December 1995 all the tests were made wholy by ACT (Preptest 17, the "Official LSAT PrepTest with Explanations", the SuperPrep tests, and PrepTests 19+).

I took every PrepTest available and I can say that the October 2005 and more recent tests are different than tests in this book. That doesn't mean the book lacks utility. It's a great study tool but you'll see some question types that are no longer used or are used rarely (for instance, there haven't been logical reasoning questions that have two questions for a single prompt for awhile). The games in this book will also be more difficult than what you'll probably experience on the LSAT. If you only had 10 LSAT PrepTests to take I would recommend the most recent tests you can get. If you're going to take more tests then, by all means, get this book. Just realize it's a little different and don't freak out if your scores change when you begin to take more recent tests.

This book contains:
PrepTest 18; December 1992
PrepTest 7; February 1993
PrepTest 9; October 1993
PrepTest 10; February 1994
PrepTest 11; June 1994
PrepTest 12; October 1994
PrepTest 13; December 1994
PrepTest 14; February 1995
PrepTest 15; June 1995
PrepTest 16; September 1995

What can I say-- this is, in fact, a collection of 10 actual LSATs. Great practice for the months prior to taking the test. I particularly like the actual LSAT answer sheets in the back of the book, perforated for easy tear out, one for each test. Not that you necessarily need practice filling in the bubbles, but it's more accurate an experience than doing a computer program and double-clicking all your answers.

I am pleased with the quality of paper and organization of the book. Answer keys and score sheets are provided based on that each test's bell-curve score results.

I think this book really helps you prepare for the LSAT. However, I do wish this book came with explanations to the answers.

Are you ambitious, smart, with good grades and shooting for a top tier school? Please allow me to give you advice for how to study for the LSAT and get a score in the 170s. If you're less confident in your abilities, I'll be honest: I don't know if my technique will work. You might be well off with a book that contains commentary and analysis.

I prepared for the LSAT almost entirely from this book. I started off with it and Princeton Review's Cracking the LSAT, but I almost immediately discarded the latter when I found that the explanations for their invented questions were convoluted and often, in my opinion, wrong. Near testing date, I also borrowed a friend's copy of one of the more recent LSAC volumes, and took a test or two out of it.

I vehemently disagree with reviewers who say that the test has substantially changed since this volume was published. I noticed no difference comparing these questions, the ones from the Next 10, and those from the actual exam, in difficulty, style, or content. I don't think there's any compelling reason to use this volume instead of one of the more recent ones, unless there's an availability problem, but I want to defend a book I found interesting and very helpful. In fact, don't shoot me for saying this, but this test full of games and logic problems is the most fun standardized test I've ever taken. I'd even recommend this book to college seniors not interested in law school but preping for logic questions from Wall Street recruiters. This is from personal experience. Not joking!

My advice to test-takers is: take a section of a real exam with real questions (take PR or Kaplan's questions, and you may just end up confused--when dealing with dizzying phrase parsing questions, you should train from the real deal). Then grade yourself and figure out why you missed every question you missed. Then repeat. Over the course of a few weeks, work through as many tests as possible (maybe a half-dozen or slightly more). Scope out the test center ahead of time, bring a snack, and you should be set.

In sum, I don't put much stock in memorizing mnemonics from test prep books. Pure problem-solving allows for you to figure out what you did wrong. Also, for people who have limited time and money, the fewer books you buy, fewer courses you attend, and the more time you spend just doing problems instead of reading useless tips and snide commentary, the better. Also, don't waste your money on the over-priced triple or individually packaged most recent exams. They're all the same.

I will admit: there's the possibility that the games have changed, and I just didn't notice, because I've done so many logic puzzles over the years (middle school math competitions, etc) that all look the same to me. But my feeling is that if you're smart, and you've cleaned the rust from your brain, you'll be able to tackle any one of the handful of different logic game types they might throw your way. Again, for those who don't try to memorize EXACTLY what to do if you see such and such type of problem (which I think will just slow down and distract you), concerns about what game type is in vogue are overblown.

Anyway: good luck.

Getting as much practice as possible is the key to doing well on the LSAT. Get your hands on as many tests as possible. This was a great tool.

Some of the other reviews for this work are puzzling. The examinations included are by far out of date, despite what the other reviews purport. This book includes tests from 1992 through 1995. Since 1995, however, the LSAT committee HAS SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGED ITS TACTICS. Let me explain.

You'll notice that the tests included here are numbered through 18. The 2004 exams are in the late 40s. Since 1995, the writing committee has undergone significant changes, making a serious change in the language of the tests noticeable. Furthermore, the "logical games" sections of these tests are SIGNIFCANTLY easier than the current games. Simply put, too many people were doing well; the LSAT made the games harder.

"The Next 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests" is the third book that compiles 10 tests for sale. Those, along with the most recent individual tests, are BY FAR the best indicator of the substance of the tests.

If you can purchase this book for an unthinkable bargain, or borrow someone else's, the books DOES have its uses. Importantly, if you've never looked at an LSAT before, it may be useful to take a test or two from these books to familiarize yourself with the structure and the rules, and of course to learn the rules of each section. Then, move on to actual test-preparation with the newer tests. That way, you'll have the familiarity you need to score the tests accurately, but you won't have wasted a recent test or two to do it.

Again, in short, avoid this book generally, but it does present some usefulness. It's simply too old to be very effective.

LSAC (Law School Admission Council) has three books in its Official LSAT Preptests series. This is the first; it was followed by "10 More Actual, Official LSAT Preptests" and more recently "10 Next Actual, Official LSAT." All three books are fine, and each contains LSATs. However, "10 Next Actual, Official (ISBN: 0942639898) is by default the preferred choice because the tests are newer, reflecting the current content of the test. This is relevant, because it seems to me that the incredibly nasty "games and "logic" sections of the current LSAT are a bit less nasty than those given in 1992-1995, when this book was produced.

This book contains the actual administrations of the LSAT (Tests 7, 9-16 inclusive, and 16); very useful for timed, full-length mock tests to conduct on your own.

In training for the LSAT, I used only official preptests sold by LSAC. Many past reviewers recommended studying multiple books, like those available by Kaplan or Princeton Review. I have found that Kaplan and other study aides add to the confusion many test takers experience, and Kaplan even admits that its study guides do not help 40% of those who buy the books.

If you want to do well on the LSAT, this is the way to study:

Your first purchase should the 10 Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests. This book includes two 1993 tests, four tests from 1994, and four tests from 1995. The last test has a typo and says that, even though it is test 18, it is from December 1992. This typo is the only one in the book, and does not harm the tests in any way.

The PrepTest book will give several of real LSATs to take, though without question analysis. All of the answers are given, but they are not explained. I find this to be a bonus, because I believe that a test taker can learn more from figuring out why the answer is what is, instead of just going by the problematical answers Kaplan gives. Kaplan's answers have a tendency to be too long and lack an accurate answer. It is similar to when a person is talking but they are not really saying anything.

Just getting used to taking the test is the most important part of the preparation process. If you finish all ten tests, get the newer 10 More Actual, Official LSAT PrepTests.

DO NOT buy Kaplan's LSAT 180. It is full of the toughest questions that KAPLAN could MAKE UP. These questions are so bogus that they lowered everyone in my study group's score: we all had scores over 170 before this book. On one page, Kaplan gave two complete different explanations for two questions that were the exact same type of question. Kaplan's answers to MADE UP questions are lacking judgment. Kaplan is simply too lazy to buy official questions.

Also, both www.LSAC.org and Amazon have individual PrepTests available for $8 each. Get the latest tests: these aren't a good buy like the books of ten, but seeing the most up to date material - even if it's just 1 or 2 tests - is worth it. If you are not in a hurry, you can get the tests free of shipping from LSAC, and they have the MOST RECENT tests, while Amazon tends to lack the two most recent tests.

Specifically, get the June 2000 (PrepTest 31) exam. This contains the notorious "CD Game," the second game, which is commonly considered the most complicated LSAT logic game ever.

BUT...

If you REALLY want to, go ahead and pay in the thousands for a LSAT class prep course, like those offered by Kaplan and Princeton Review. I do not suggest doing that, but confidence is essential for acing the LSAT. If you feel that taking an over-priced prep course will boast your self-assurance, feel free to do so.

There is no substitute for taking real, timed, practice LSATs. It is simply the best way to prepare for the real thing. My study plan was two part: First, I paid the big bucks for an LSAT class. Second, I studied real tests every day out of this and its companion book. While the class was great, I found that simply studing all of the material on the real test was by far the most useful thing I did (not to mention that it cost a lot less). These books are simply a must have to prepare well and I recomend them to everyone. In my case, they helped me score in the mid 170s.

To succeed on the LSAT, you MUST prepare by taking as many actual, previously-administered tests as possible. Practice makes perfect--take it from me; I scored in the 99th percentile.

This book was my primary study guide for the October 2001 LSAT and it got me a 174! I had tried Kaplan and Princeton Review, but those books are terrible. They don't use real LSATs, so they're just not accurate for diagnosing strngths and weaknesses.
The only thing this book doesn't provide is detailed explanations of why the answers are right and wrong. For that you will need a prep book. But one of those (I recommend NOVA's Master the LSAT) plus this book plus enough self-discipline to do the tests under accurate conditions will lead to a great score.