Analysis of the October 2002 Exam [b][b]Overall, examinees reported that the difficulty level of the October LSAT [b]was comparable to that of other recent tests. Students report that Section [b]3 was the unscored experimental section. [b][b]Here is a detailed breakdown of the test: [b][b]Logical Reasoning [b]As you know, questions about the structure and logic of short arguments [b]make up one-half of your total LSAT score. Many of the concepts tested in [b]the two scored Logical Reasoning Sections are relevant to the Logic Games [b]and Reading Comprehension sections as well. It is very important for an [b]examinee to have an efficient and reliable method to approach LR arguments. [b]The October 2002 LR sections were par for the course as far as LSATs go. [b][b]The October Logical Reasoning sections were right in line with the [b]previously released LSATs that our students had studied at Kaplan along [b]with our exclusive, in-depth explanations of every question. [b][b]Kaplan students reported that the test included the full spectrum of [b]classic LR argument structures including the issues of necessity vs. [b]sufficiency, representativeness, causation, scope shifts, and alternative [b]possibilities. [b][b]Students further reported that the general distribution of question types [b]was very much in line with what they learned to expect in their Kaplan [b]classes. [b][b]The majority of LR questions employ a [b]classic "evidence/assumption/conclusion" structure. Mastery of this [b]structure is crucial to LSAT success and our students reported that the [b]Kaplan methods for approaching LR questions were successful yet again on [b]Test Day. [b][b] [b][b][b]Reading Comprehension [b]The LSAT Reading Comprehension sections accounts for one-fourth of your [b]total LSAT score. LSAT Reading Comprehension is about analyzing, under the [b]tightest time constraints, the "how" and "why" of difficult, sometimes [b]technical, text. The October LSAT''s Reading Comprehension section featured [b]the four classic passage types: Law, Humanities, Physical Sciences, and [b]Social Sciences. It is important to remember that examinees do not need any [b]background expertise in these topics to succeed on the Reading [b]Comprehension section. Kaplan students reported that the Reading [b]Comprehension passages and questions were in line with recent LSATs and [b]that the Kaplan approach to Reading Comprehension, focusing more heavily on [b]reading for structure rather than content, was a sure-fire approach for [b]managing the Reading Comprehension section under time constraints. [b][b][b] A challenging Law passage explored the basis for legal authority, and [b]drew a distinction between "institutional" and "intellectual" authority— [b]that is, authority derived from precedent and that derived from self- [b]sufficient reasoning. [b][b] The Humanities passage discussed the ethical education of medical [b]students. Specifically, the author argued for the inclusion of narrative [b]literature to supplement the tradition ethics curriculum. [b][b] The Social Science passage addressed Abram''s theory of sociological [b]history. The passage contrasted historical approaches which emphasized the [b]contributions of individuals, and those which primarily emphasized [b]contingencies of circumstance. [b][b] The Natural Science passage investigated the process of controlled [b]burning of forests by Native American populations before the arrival of [b]Columbus. [b] [b]Most of us read in daily life for two reasons: for education or for [b]entertainment. Neither of these reading goals will earn a reader points on [b]the LSAT. The successful LSAT examinee needs different reading goals and, [b]hence, different reading methods to rack up points on the LSAT. Kaplan [b]teaches students how to read to earn the lion''s share of points on the [b]Reading Comprehension section. [b][b] [b][b][b]Logic Games [b]Many students dread the one scored Logic Games section on the LSAT, but [b]it''s actually one of the most master-able and coachable parts of the test. [b]Logic Games account for the remaining one-fourth of your LSAT score. [b]Students reported that the October 2002 Logic Games section was in line [b]with other recent LSATs in terms of difficulty, citing the Kaplan 5-Step [b]Method for Logic Games and the Kaplan approach to LG section management as [b]sure tools to assist them on Test Day. [b][b][b] A loose Sequencing game that involved the order of eight clowns. [b][b] A straight-forward Matching game, reported to be one of the easiest on [b]the section. [b][b] A Matching game in which job candidates were placed in one of three [b]positions: sales, management, or production. [b][b] A challenging Hybrid Grouping/Sequencing game in which instruments were [b]matched with musical selections, and then put in order. [b] [b]If you found this section difficult, you''re not alone. When the exam is [b]released, look for Kaplan''s expert explanations for breaking down and [b]working with this games section. [b][b] [b][b][b]The Unscored Section [b]According to student reports, the section in which questions are being [b]tried out for future use was Section 3, meaning that no one''s Section 3 [b]counted towards a score. You, the examinee, have no control over the [b]unscored section: it can appear anywhere on the test, can be any of the [b]three section types, and is indistinguishable from the scored sections. The [b]wise test taker doesn''t worry one bit about the unscored section. You know [b]up front that you''re going to have an extra Games or Reading or Reasoning [b]section, without fail, so just take a deep breath, roll up your sleeves, [b]and do your very best on all five sections. That way, no matter which [b]section is unscored, you''re covered. That''s the mindset of the very best [b]LSAT test takers. [b][b]Law School 101 [b]Eager to find out what the 1L experience is like? Call your Kaplan [b]representative to learn about our Law School 101 events in your area. [b][b]Should you cancel your score? [b]You have nine calendar days after the test in which to make this important [b]decision—use these days wisely. We don''t recommend that you cancel your [b]score based on your perception of the difficulty level of the exam. Every [b]exam is "normed" and the scoring is adjusted to reflect slight differences [b]between exams. [b][b]Usually, there are only two valid reasons to cancel your score: 1) Test Day [b]factors affected your Test Day experience, or 2) inadequate preparation. [b]Nervousness is NOT, usually, a valid reason to cancel your score. Most [b]students are at least as nervous, and many times more nervous, the second [b]time they take the test. Some nervousness is normal and even healthy. [b][b]If you do decide to cancel your score, consult the LSAC website [b](http://www.lsac.org) for details on the cancellation process. [b][b]If you take the exam more than once, Law Services reports the average and [b]each separate score. Also the LSDAS reports cancellations. Most schools won [b]? question a cancellation on your record, but will question multiple [b]cancellations. Also, remember that you cannot take the LSAT more than three [b]times in any two-year period, and that cancellations count against this [b]three-test limit. [b]