LSAT COURSE SYLLABUS
Typical course syllabus for the UNC Learning Center's LSAT preparation course (see schedule of dates above).
LSAT PREPARATION
Mondays, 3-5pm
Instructor: Frank Kessler
Office: 0117 SASB Email: fkessler@email.unc.edu
Wednesdays, 6-8pm
Instructor: Mimi Keever
Office: 0119 SASB Email: learnctr@email.unc.edu
Course Schedule
SESSION 1: INTRODUCTORY MEETING
Overview of test:
Scoring (120-180); percentile rankings (90th%=163-165); three types of questions: Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning (“logic games”); Guessing? Should you or shouldn’t you? LSDAS; applications; admissions criteria.
Questions and answers.
60 minute PRETEST (course pack)
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 2: READING COMPREHENSION: SECT IV, JUNE 2007 LSAT (in LSAT INFORMATION BOOK), pp. 95-102.
SESSION 2. READING COMPREHENSION
Review of pretest: Analytical Reasoning: Ordering problems—seating of trade representatives. Linear diagrams, flow charts, formulas. Assignment problems—computer/printer year of purchase. Grid or matrix. Logical Reasoning: structural questions including what will strengthen or weaken an argument (most frequently asked type on most exams), questions of assumptions, questions of
conclusions, descriptive questions about method or flaw in reasoning
(hardest in most examples), parallel or similar reasoning questions (usually most time consuming). Reading Comprehension: identifying topic, thesis or main idea, structure, attitude or tone (compare to logical reasoning questions).
Questions about Reading Comprehension homework (sect IV, June 2007)
(Session 2, continued)
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 3: Logical Reasoning, Sect II, June 2007 test, pp. 79-86—LSAT Information Book
SESSION 3. LOGICAL REASONING
Section II: Logical Reasoning. Classify question types: weaken/strengthen (qs 5, 9, 14, 17, 19, 21), conclusion or support conclusion (qs 1, 3, 8, 10, 18, 22), assumption or proposition (qs 6, 13, 15, 23, 24), parallel (qs 2, 7, 12), descriptive—flaw (qs 4) and method or purpose (qs 11, 20), explanation or justification (q 25), counter arguments (q 16)
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 4: Analytical Reasoning, Sect I, June 2007 test, pp. 75-78—LSAT Information Book
SESSION 4. ANALYTICAL REASONING
Section I:
Ordering problem, linear diagram, Questions 1-5
Assignment problems, grid or matrix, Questions 6-10, 11-17, 18-23
Other types of problems: hybrids, rule extension/application
ASSIGNMENT FOR SESSION 5: Logical Reasoning, Sect III, June 2007, pp. 87-94—LSAT Information Book
SESSION 5. LOGICAL REASONING
Section III: Logical Reasoning. Classify question types: weaken/strengthen (qs 4, 8, 13, 15, 18, 19, 21, 25), conclusion or support conclusion (qs 10, 12, 16, 22), assumption or proposition (qs 5, 6, 9, 11, 14, 17), parallel (q 20), descriptive—flaw (q 23), counter arguments (qs 3, 7), explanation or application (qs 1, 2)
SESSION 6. POST TEST (OCTOBER 1996 TEST)
(Test provided)
