PODCAST · education
Thinking LSAT
by Nathan Fox and Ben Olson
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!Learn more at lsatdemon.com
Episodes
-
What Students Get Wrong About RC (Ep. 580)
A Demon student posts on Reddit about skipping the third passage on Reading Comprehension. Ben and Nathan advise doing the passages in order. As the student’s LSAT ability improves, their reading and answering speed will improve with it. Also in this episode: ⬜ A Demon student shares their...
-
Your Ten Point Window (Ep. 579)
A listener asks about how to prepare on the day of her LSAT administration. She worries about underperforming her practice test scores. Ben and Nathan advise the listener to treat it like another practice test. Also in this episode: ⬜ Diving into a study from AccessLex comparing bar passage rates...
-
Two-Year JD at Harvard? (Ep. 578)
Donors at Harvard Law are pushing the school to adopt a two-year JD program. Ben and Nathan agree. Also in this episode: ⬜ Can you build a law school without the ABA? The University of Austin is about to try ⬜ Should you apply to law school now or bet on a stronger application next year? ⬜ What...
-
Firms Now Recruit Before 1L Grades (Ep. 577)
A listener currently in school who can only study once or twice a week asks whether infrequent studying is worse than not studying at all. Ben and Nathan explain that intermittent studying can still be beneficial, as long as it doesn’t come at the expense of your grades. For students still in...
-
Law Schools Are Quietly Going Broke (Ep. 576)
A new law review article estimates the financial condition of every ABA-accredited law school. Ben and Nathan discuss how the financial model of law schools has shifted with the rise of U.S. News rankings, and how that financial burden increasingly falls on the least credentialed students. Also…
more -
Apply Broadly for Big Bucks (Ep. 575)
A listener writes in hopes to land the best possible scholarship for a law school in New York City. Ben and Nathan's advice: cast a wide net, apply to every school in the city, and lead with your best LSAT score. Also in this episode: - August LSAT score release day celebrations from the Demon...
-
Big Law Feeding Frenzy (Ep. 574)
Big law firms are extending offers to first-year law students before Christmas, pushing the recruiting timeline earlier than ever. Ben and Nathan break down what's driving the frenzy, whether it echoes the pre-2008 hiring bubble, and what it means for applicants counting on those $235K Big Law...
-
The 170 Median Race (Ep. 573)
Law schools are releasing LSAT and GPA medians for their incoming first-year classes, and the number of schools with a 170+ median has risen sharply since 2016. Ben and Nathan break down why this is happening, and why it means schools are handing out generous scholarships to applicants with high...
-
175 Is the New 173 (Ep. 572)
LSAC has released its annual LSAT percentile table, showing how score distributions have changed over the past three testing cycles. Ben and Nathan explain that while more test takers are earning higher scores, small changes in percentiles matter far less than the score improvement students can...
-
This GPA Change Could Help You (Ep. 571)
LSAC has changed how it calculates an applicant's undergraduate GPA: college courses taken during high school will no longer count toward the UGPA. Ben and Nathan discuss how this could benefit many applicants and how students can get their UGPA updated. Also in this episode: - A viewer who is...
-
Don't Drill Yourself Into a Corner (Ep. 570)
A listener asks whether drilling one question type until they've "mastered" it beats mixed practice. Ben and Nathan explain why focusing on a single type creates a false sense of progress. They argue that mixed practice better prepares students for the unpredictability of the real LSAT. Also in...
-
Why Law Firms Can't Stop Hiring (Ep. 569)
Dan Currell returns to unpack a decade of major shifts in legal education and hiring. Nathan and Dan discuss employment outcomes for recent law graduates and the unusually frothy market in law firm hiring. Also in this episode: - What's fueling the surge in law school application - The mounting...
-
Did RC Secretly Get Harder? (Ep. 568)
The Demon team discovered that LSAC removed a Reading Comprehension feature in its updated interface. The test will no longer highlight referenced text in the passage. Ben and Nathan talk about this change and what it means for students. Also in this episode: - Chicago Law Releases Update on AI...
-
The Diagramming Debate (Ep. 567)
A student pushes back on the Demon's advice against diagramming on the LSAT. Nathan and Ben respond with why their intuitive approach helps students answer questions faster and more accurately. Also in this episode: - A viewer follows up on their score hold - A judge's advice on sharing personal...
-
Don't Choke On Test Day (Ep. 566)
A viewer writes with disappointment about an underperformance on their last two LSAT administrations. Ben and Nathan remind her that scores naturally fluctuate, and that if you've been scoring high, the answer is almost always to be registered for the next test. Also in this episode: - A viewer…
more -
Above The Law Ranks for Big Law (Ep. 565)
The 2026 “Above the Law” law school rankings just dropped. Unlike US News, Above the Law only ranks 50 schools and weighs employment outcomes almost exclusively. The result? Some schools rank much higher than expected while others fall despite their prestige. Also in this episode: - Advice on...
-
Welcome to the Waitlist Games (Ep. 564)
Law schools have started to give out acceptances off of their waitlist. Ben and Nathan give advice to a viewer who received a spot off the waitlist from a higher ranked school with no scholarship offer. Also in this episode: - How to consistently study while working full-time - A viewer email…
more -
Big Law Pays 455k. Here's the Catch (Ep. 563)
Milbank raised salaries for their associates with many law firms expected to follow. Ben and Nathan discuss the type of students who are the most likely to land in big law and the potential downsides of working in such firms. Also in this episode: - Whether you should review answers you get right…
more -
Avoid These Scammerships (Ep. 562)
Jazmine writes in asking if she should accept the offers that are waiting on her June LSAT score. Ben and Nathan advise her to sit out this admissions cycle, maximize her LSAT score, and pursue better scholarship opportunities next cycle. Also in this episode: - How much letters of recommendation...
-
New LSAT Registration Rule, Explained (Ep. 561)
LSAC has updated the LSAT registration process so students now choose their test date and time based on when they signed up. As a result, students who register earlier get priority to preferred testing times. Ben and Nathan advise students that registering when you’re ready is still the highest...
-
Understanding Your Score Range (Ep. 560)
A listener who scored at the low end of their range on two official attempts asks Ben and Nate if they should delay their June test. Ben and Nathan explain that scoring within your range, even at the bottom of it, is completely normal and advise the listener to keep studying as usual. Also in…
more -
Advice for Pre-Law Advisors (Ep. 559)
A college pre-law advisor asks Ben and Nathan how to best prepare undergraduate students for law school. Ben and Nathan encourage them to keep doing what they’re doing and stress the importance of the cost of law school. Also in this episode - A viewer asks what score they should aim for…
more -
Don't Break Your Neck on RC (Ep. 558)
Ben and Nathan review part of LSAC’s official LSAT prep curriculum. A pyramid-shaped diagram in the Reading Comprehension section catches their attention, but they remind students that the LSAT is easy and that success comes from focusing on one question at a time. Also in this episode - A law...
-
40 Years of Teaching the LSAT (Ep. 557)
Ben and Nathan have taught the LSAT for over 20 years. Students leaving the Demon often give the same advice: read carefully, eliminate wrong answers, and slow down. Also in this episode - A large law firm submits a court filing with AI hallucinations - Whether you need a diagnostic score before...
-
Inside the College Pricing Game ft. Dan Currell (Ep. 556)
Dan Currell, former Department of Education official, joins the podcast to break down how colleges and law schools use opaque pricing, fake tuition numbers, and binding early decision contracts to maximize returns from students. Study with our Free Plan Download our iOS app Watch Episode 556…
more -
The Truth About Softs (Ep. 555)
A viewer writes in asking about their chances at the T14 while being a super splitter. They explain their work history includes founding a multimillion dollar healthcare business. Ben and Nathan ask if the viewer really wants to pursue law school given their entrepreneurial success. If they do,...
-
RIP T14 (Ep. 554)
The updated rankings for law schools have dropped! Ben and Nathan discuss the changes, the schools that refused to participate, and what applicants should actually focus on when choosing a law school to attend. Also in this episode - Law school marketing emails wishing students good luck on the...
-
Oklahoma Gets It Right on AI (Ep. 553)
Ben and Nathan react to two stories: California pushing to require AI training in law schools, and Oklahoma's surprisingly hands-off approach to AI in the courtroom. They discuss AI’s growing role in the legal field and why Oklahoma’s simple rule, use it however you want, just own every word…
more -
Emailing for More Money (Ep. 552)
A listener asks how to negotiate scholarships, especially when schools claim they don’t negotiate. Ben and Nathan advise always asking for more and using competing offers as leverage. But, they stress the importance of being ready to walk away from an offer that doesn’t meet your needs. Also in...
-
Personal Statement Gamble (Ep. 551)
A listener asks whether they should include their experience as a professional poker player in their application materials. Ben and Nathan advise that they should. Pursuing something at a professional level demonstrates a meaningful commitment and a proven ability. Also in this episode: - A law...
-
Your LSAT Is Your Application (Ep. 550)
A listener asks whether they should quit their job to focus on LSAT study and law school applications. Ben and Nathan explain that there’s only so much productive studying you can do in a day and recommend keeping the job. Also in this episode: - Ben and Nathan poke fun at a New York Times…
more -
Should Law Schools Be Lenders? (Ep. 549)
Nathan and Ben react to WashU offering a new institutional loan to help students cover tuition beyond federal loan limits. They argue that chasing a prestigious name isn't worth it if you have to borrow heavily to get there. Also in this episode: - Ben and Nathan roast a poorly written Wall…
more -
WTF is “Layered Conditional Logic”? (Ep. 548)
A listener asks about alleged changes to Logical Reasoning that an LSAT YouTuber has reported. Ben and Nathan push back, maintaining that the test hasn’t meaningfully changed and that the so-called “new” question types have been around for years. Also in this episode: - A listener successfully...
-
RIP Remote LSAT (Ep. 547)
LSAC announces that upcoming LSAT administrations will return primarily to in-person testing. Ben and Nathan discuss the shift away from remote testing and what it means for test takers. Also in this episode: - How to approach a final LSAT attempt - Cooley Law offers a scholarship for attending a...
-
The Full Ride Formula (Ep. 546)
Reagan writes in after following Ben and Nathan’s advice from a previous episode to retake the LSAT and reapply. She shares her success story, including multiple full-ride offers and additional stipends. Also in this episode: - How an older applicant can best prepare. - A student gets...
-
Harvard's "Fix" for Grade Inflation is... More A's? (Ep. 545)
Ben and Nathan react to Harvard considering A+ grades in response to grade inflation. They discuss how grading practices have changed and what could meaningfully change the system. Also in this episode - Demon students share their January LSAT results - How to choose between a regional school and…
more -
More LSAT Points Won't Fix This (Ep. 544)
A listener wonders if another LSAT retake will improve her chances at her dream law school. Ben and Nathan explain why retaking may not help when she’s already above the school’s 75th percentile, and why affordability should matter more than rank. Also in this episode - Ben and Nathan dunk on a…
more -
LSAC's Stealth RC Change (Ep. 543)
On the January LSAT, some test-takers noticed their RC section lacked a comparative reading passage. LSAC had quietly updated the test to allow zero to one comparative passages per RC section. Ben and Nathan explain why this change should have no impact on test-takers. Also in this episode -...
-
Tips from Departing Demons (Ep. 542)
After each test administration, a group of Demon users leave the platform and share their parting advice. Ben and Nathan dive into a selection of insights from these departing users. Also in this episode - A viewer asks whether to skip questions - A listener asks if it’s better to move on from...
-
Maximizing Your LSAT Score (Ep. 541)
A viewer asks whether to register for the LSAT while their scores are still improving. Ben and Nathan advise the student to sign up if they are happy with their scores but continue to study as they still have room to improve. Also in this episode - How to handle studying on “difficult” days -...
-
Grades First, LSAT Later (Ep. 540)
A student writes in asking whether they should focus on studying for the LSAT while having a low GPA. Ben and Nathan advise them to prioritize focusing on earning the best possible grades before beginning LSAT prep. Also in this episode: - A question about choosing between law schools with a...
-
Higher Medians for 2025 (Ep. 539)
The ABA has released new 509 data revealing how LSAT and GPA medians have shifted over the past year, along with updated data into how schools are distributing scholarships. Ben and Nathan break down the numbers and react to several schools that have made significant changes. Also in this…
more -
Ben and Nathan Get Roasted (Ep. 538)
The internet is full of opinions, and not all of them are kind. This week, Ben and Nathan dig into a reddit thread, reacting to some of the tougher criticisms aimed at the Demon and our co-hosts. Also in this episode: - Ben and Nathan react to Washington’s decision to retroactively lower its bar...
-
FTC Labels ABA a Monopoly (Ep. 537)
The FTC submitted a letter to the Texas Supreme Court supporting its decision to drop the ABA as the state’s official accreditor. Ben and Nathan agree that the ABA has been slow to modernize and often lags behind student needs, but they don’t fully align with the FTC’s reasoning. Also in this...
-
The One-Point Difference (Ep. 536)
Ben and Nathan dig into a striking chart showing dozens of schools clustering their LSAT medians at 150 and 160, while almost nobody reports 149 or 159. They break down why schools chase these round-number medians, how it leads to irrational admissions behavior, and what it means for applicants...
-
How to Take Your Last LSAT (Ep. 535)
A listener writes in asking how to handle the pressure of their final official LSAT attempt. Ben and Nathan remind them that their highest score on record, a 165, is already strong enough for full scholarships at many law schools. They encourage the listener to let go of perfectionism, be...
-
Law School Lowballs (Ep. 534)
A listener writes in after a disappointing first round of scholarship offers. Ben and Nathan explain that initial offers are rarely a school’s best, they’re just the starting point. They reassure the listener that more and better offers are still on the way. Also in this episode: - Whether taking...
-
Retaking a 173 (Ep. 533)
A listener writes in asking whether they should retake a 173, worried that a future attempt could be lower. Ben and Nathan explain why they should be willing to use all four remaining attempts: law schools only care about your highest score, and every point, especially for higher scores, can turn...
-
Cheating or Genuine Score Jump? (Ep. 532)
When LSAC accused a student of cheating, claiming his score jump had “Powerball odds,” Ben and Nathan dig into the details. They break down LSAC’s vague statistical claims and explain why big score increases are both possible and common for serious students. They also urge the student to document...
-
Stop Blaming the Test (Ep. 531)
Since the October score release, there's been some online chatter claiming the October LSAT was unusually difficult. Nathan and Ben respond to one student's concerns by pointing to numerous Demon students who crushed the LSAT this month. They remind listeners that every test administration sparks...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
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!Learn more at lsatdemon.com
HOSTED BY
Nathan Fox and Ben Olson
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Thinking LSAT have?
Thinking LSAT currently has 586 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Thinking LSAT about?
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!Learn more at lsatdemon.com
How often does Thinking LSAT release new episodes?
Thinking LSAT releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 586 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.
Where can I listen to Thinking LSAT?
You can listen to Thinking LSAT on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Thinking LSAT?
Thinking LSAT is created and hosted by Nathan Fox and Ben Olson.
URL copied to clipboard!